County Correctional Police Officer

COUNTY CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICER DEFINITION:
Under supervision during an assigned tour of duty within an adult county correctional facility or institution, performs a wide variety of tasks in support of the safety, security, and welfare of inmates, facility personnel, and visitors; performs other related duties as required.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

• Maintains care, custody, and control of inmates by established policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Observes inmates directly and indirectly through visual, audio, and video monitoring to check for unusual or abnormal activity and ensure the security, safety, and welfare of inmates, facility personnel, and the public.
• Observes unusual odors such as smoke, fire, marijuana, controlled substances, and/or alcohol, to protect the security, safety, and welfare of inmates and facility personnel.
• Continually keeps track of the number of assigned inmates through periodic head counts.
• Physically patrols and visually inspects cell block areas, tiers, grounds, and corridors to check for safety and security hazards such as fires, smoke, broken pipes, unlocked doors, and windows or locks that have been tampered with.
• Logs and tracks movements of inmates to the infirmary, work detail, cell block area, visitation rooms, court appointments, or other assignments.
• Records facility personnel’s entrance and exit times.
• Escorts groups of inmates during movements within or outside the institution to prevent disorder or breaches in security.
• Physically restrains inmates when necessary, to prevent injuries and maintain security.
• Learned names, identification numbers, and faces of problem inmates.
• Briefs oncoming officer(s) of inmate status, unusual activities, block, climate, and problems related to post assignment.
• Enforces security procedures for keys, equipment, and supplies.
• Maintains an adept sense of awareness regarding clues on escape attempts, contraband, gambling, or other security matters.
• Reports information on established policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Directs inmates in routine housekeeping duties within the cell block area.
• Completes head counts, records bedding inventory, and fills out safety report forms.
• Prepares written reports concerning incidents of inmate disturbances and/or injuries.
• May screen visitors and provide security for the entrance of the facility.
• Conducts cell and dormitory searches by established policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Utilizes various electronic and/or manual locking devices designed to keep areas of the facility secure.
• Patrols the outside perimeter of the facility.
• Transports may assist with the transport of inmates to and from other facilities, court appearances, off-premise medical appointments, emergency medical treatment facilities, and court-issued programs and clinics.
• Assists in coordinating jail-to-courtroom video monitored court proceedings observes controls direct inmates during procedures.
• May operate emergency vehicles as directed.
• Periodically checks to ensure that fire suppressant systems are operational.
• Collects contraband introduced into the facility and conducts a further investigation to ascertain the source of such.
• Secures crime or emergency scenes within and/or upon the grounds of the correctional facility.
• Photograph and/or collect evidence for investigative purposes within a correctional facility or institution.
• May assist in the activities involved in classifying inmates and coordinating inmate records.
• May receive inmates into custody, conduct searches, and make an initial assessment of inmates for health, safety, and security reasons.
• May perform programmatic services such as providing inmates access to educational programs, law library, entry programs, and other services available during and after incarceration for rehabilitation needs.
• Monitors incoming and outgoing mail per established guidelines.
• May oversee the work of inmates assigned to food service, housekeeping, and/or laundry duties.
• May maintain, record, and distribute supplies as necessary.
• May assist in the development and delivery of basic agency training for newly appointed employees and ongoing training for current employees.
• May conduct tours and information sessions of the correctional facility.
• May supervise inmates and offenders sentenced to court-ordered programs or services as directed and/or authorized by the County.
• May take part in a specialized unit (Emergency Services) requiring additional training and/or certification, such as SWAT, SORT/SOG (Special Operations Group, Bomb Squad, HAZMAT, K-9, MART (Mass Arrest Response Team), or Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

• EDUCATION: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• AGE: Minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.
• LICENSE: Appointees must possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey.
  • NOTE: Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated. The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.
• CITIZENSHIP: Must be a citizen of the United States.
  • NOTE: Applicants for this position must submit acceptable proof of meeting the above-indicated requirements.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Appointees must have completed a police training course
  approved by the New Jersey Police Training Commission. Such training includes the successful attainment of a satisfactory level of proficiency in the use of firearms.
  • NOTE: Appointees will be required to qualify/requalify in the use of firearms by State of New Jersey regulatory requirements.
  • NOTE: Appointees to positions in SWAT, SERT, or related units must additionally qualify quarterly in the use of all weapons used by the unit.
  • NOTE: MEDICAL EXAMINATION Appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and psychological examination administered by the appointing authority. Any medical psychological or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to self or others, or become aggravated as a result of the performance of these duties, will be cause for rejection. Appointees may be required to undergo a psychiatric examination. Failure to demonstrate sufficient capacity to perform duties of this position may be cause for rejection.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the rules and regulations relating to the operation and security of an adult correctional facility institution, after a period of training.
• Ability to enforce facility rules and keep order.
• Ability to think and respond quickly in emergencies.
• Ability to cope with crises.
• Ability to understand and follow orders and written directions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with inmates, coworkers, and the general public.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in a wide array of situations.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
• American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered an acceptable form of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.