Job Details

Detention Officer

Detention Officers supervise inmates who are confined 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Tarrant County Confinement system to ensure the safe keeping of all inmate property and maintain care for all persons in the custody of the Sheriff. This position may also perform basic administrative duties to arrange and coordinate the surrender and transfer to Tarrant County Texas of individuals accused or convicted of offenses outside the territory of the asylum state and within the territorial jurisdiction of Texas. This position description applies to all TCSO Detention Officer positions and functions.

Essential duties and responsibilities include performing required duties in all areas of assigned responsibilities, maintaining physical fitness, responding to emergency situations, supervising inmate feeding and movement, distributing mail and hygiene items to inmates, supervising inmate recreational activities, utilizing emergency equipment, enforcing rules and regulations, handling volatile situations, maintaining control and custody of inmates, completing mandatory paperwork, producing legal documents, conducting security checks, attending and completing all training, and performing all other related duties as assigned. Skills, knowledge, and abilities required include good interpersonal and public relations skills, experience or training in public speaking, ability to understand and apply court orders and relevant statutes, proficiency in the use of defensive tactics, ability to obtain working knowledge of jail standards and county policies, ability to control emotions and focus on professional duties, ability to communicate necessary information, ability to create accurate reports, ability to work with diverse population groups, ability to focus personal efforts and participate in team efforts, ability to actively seek opportunities to increase knowledge and skills, ability to actively listen, ability to use interpersonal skills to foster positive working relationships, ability to take appropriate action to accomplish assigned duties, and ability to use appropriate physical force when necessary.

Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or GED, minimum 18 years of age, must obtain Jailer License within one year, must possess a valid driver license and obtain a Texas license within 30 days of hiring, must be a U.S. Citizen.

Physical Demands and Work Environment & Other Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to stand frequently, sit, twist the upper body, lift, stoop, walk, run on occasion, and strenuously climb stairs or ladders. Must be able to exert physical force when necessary and don an air pack. May be exposed to extreme noise levels. Occasional exposure to communicable diseases. Possible riots and escape. Subjected to verbal and physical abuse. Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, evenings and nights. There is exposure to household type cleaning agents (such as diluted bleach, alcohol based window cleaner, chlorine based cleanser); and occasional exposure to pesticides. There is occasional exposure to inmate control devices that emit pepper agents via aerosol spray, gel or foam. There is the potential of exposure to toxic smoke. SPECIAL ADA PHYSICAL STATEMENT: Applicants must demonstrate distant and near vision of 20/30 corrected or uncorrected in each eye and must be able to read typewritten material with or without glasses. Must be able to see without glasses (with or without the use of contact lenses) in order to wear an air mask and in order to be able to see to defend themselves and others; applicants with uncorrected vision worse than 20/100 (Snellen) must wear contact lens while working. Must be able to distinguish basic colors (without the use of x-chrome lenses). Must be able to hear the conversational voice, with or without the use of hearing aid. Must be able to lift an approximately 40 lb Self Contained Breathing Apparatus for emergencies during fires and must be able to partially lift and drag an average weight person of approximately 185 lbs, a distance of 75 feet for the evacuation of individuals unable to assist themselves during emergencies. Must be able to physically restrain hostile and combative subjects; must be able to participate in defensive tactics training and annual refresher training; must be able to work any shift; and must be able to communicate in clear English during emergencies. The Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701, Texas Occupations Code Section 1701.306 - Psychological and Physical Examination, and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education, requires that applicants must be certified as medically and psychologically fit to perform the duties of peace officer when appointed; and at any time during employment when circumstances justify re-examination of a peace officer's medical or psychological fitness for duty. The duties of this position require courteous and tactful contact with the public as well as incarcerated persons. Incumbent may be required to work under trying conditions during emergency situations for hours without relief and may be required to make instantaneous decisions regarding the use of force including deadly force therefore, emotional and mental stability is essential. This position requires a high physical level of physical ability. Confinement Professionals must be capable of performing all essential and emergency duties of the job assignment with or without reasonable accommodation that does not impair a business necessity or impose an undue business hardship and without presenting a direct threat to the safety of the employee or others. Inability to use emergency equipment or physically restrain inmates poses a serious danger to the public and co-workers and adversely impacts operational objectives. Tarrant County will conduct background checks that will include a criminal background check and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, educational attainment, or additional State or Federal legal requirements.