DETENTION OFFICER - Sheriff's Office

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, supervising inmate recreational activities, utilizing emergency equipment, enforcing rules and regulations, handling volatile situations, maintaining safety and security, completing mandatory paperwork, producing legal documents, conducting security checks, and attending required training.

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 State statutes, proficiency in preparing official documents, proficiency in using defensive tactics, ability to obtain working knowledge of Jail Standards and County policies, ability to communicate necessary information, ability to create accurate reports, ability to work with diverse population groups, ability to focus on professional duties, ability to communicate in clear English, and ability to use emergency equipment and physically restrain inmates.

Minimum requirements include a high school diploma or GED, minimum 18 years of age, obtaining a Jailer License within one year, possessing a valid driver license and obtaining a Texas license within 30 days of hiring, and being a U.S. Citizen.

Applicants must fully complete all sections of the application, including education, driver's license, and experience. Incomplete applications will be disqualified. Resumes alone will not substitute for a completed application. Failure to provide the required information will result in disqualification from the hiring process. Attendance at pre-employment briefings are by invitation only. If you meet the minimum requirements for this position and the department is interested in your qualifications, you will be notified by email.

Physical demands and work environment include standing frequently, sitting, twisting the upper body, lifting, stooping, walking, running, climbing stairs or ladders, exerting physical force, exposure to extreme noise levels, exposure to communicable diseases, possible riots and escape, exposure to verbal and physical abuse, willingness to work overtime, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, evenings, and nights, exposure to household type cleaning agents, exposure to inmate control devices, potential exposure to toxic smoke, distant and near vision of 20/30 corrected or uncorrected in each eye, ability to read typewritten material, ability to see without glasses to wear an air mask, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to hear the conversational voice, ability to lift a 40 lb Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, ability to partially lift and drag an average weight person of approximately 185 lbs, ability to physically restrain hostile and combative subjects, ability to participate in defensive tactics training and annual refresher training, ability to work any shift, and ability to communicate in clear English during emergencies.