Jail Commander Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Description

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Tippecanoe County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Jail Special Deputy for Tippecanoe County Sheriff/Jail Department, responsible for transporting inmates, and maintaining security and order in the jail facility.

DUTIES:

• Maintains interior and exterior security of Jail facility, including monitoring surveillance cameras, door controls, meals, and visitors, and conducting patrols. Maintains accurate accounting of all detainees.
• Performs booking procedures of individuals being detained, including photographing, videotaping, fingerprinting, entering information on computer, receiving and receipting money and personal property, and ensuring detainees are properly showered, changed into jail clothing, and searched for weapons and other contraband.
• Performs bonding procedures, including completing required forms, receiving, and receipting bond money, returning personal belongings, and releasing detainees. Periodically notifies victims of domestic violence upon release of related detainees.
• Escorts detainees to and from recreation, visitation, library and meetings in the jail facility, and transports detainees to and from various locations, such as courts, medical appointments, Department of Corrections, and other detention facilities. Periodically transports individuals to mental health or other care facilities as ordered by the court.
• Issues and monitors prescribed medications according to physician's orders and ensures detainees receive proper medical attention as needed. 
• May perform lifesaving medical attention while waiting on responding medical professionals. 
• May administer random drug tests as required.
• Receives, distributes, examines, and logs incoming/outgoing mail and personal items for detainees. Conducts routine "shakedowns" of all cells and dormitories for contraband and prepares written report of findings. Collects evidence including illegal substances and stores evidence for possible criminal or administrative hearings. 
• Ensures compliance with facility rules and regulations and records and reports inappropriate behavior to appropriate department personnel. Properly secures and/or physically restrains violent and uncontrollable detainees as situations demand.
• May supervise and direct activities of Jail Trustees, such as serving meals and doing laundry, including making work assignments and ensuring proper accomplishment of duties.
• Maintains various records on logs and/or computers and prepares and submits required reports according to department deadlines. 
• Answers telephone and greets visitors, providing information and assistance, giving tours, taking messages, or directing to appropriate individuals or department. Responds to inquiries regarding individual detainees and Jail activities.
• Serves various legal documents as assigned, such as summonses, court orders to appear, and notices of hearings. Delivers returned documents to appropriate individuals/departments as required. 
• Provides courtroom security as assigned.
• May serve as Training Officer as assigned, including coordinating, and providing specialized training activities for department personnel, and maintaining related records.
• May be given special assignments, such as operating commissary, including collecting orders and receiving and recording detainee cash and purchases.
• Periodically responds to detainee grievances following established chain of command procedures.
• Periodically attends meetings and training sessions as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

• High school diploma or HSE.
• Possession of and ability to maintain Indiana Law Enforcement School for Corrections Officers, First Aid/CPR and other required certifications.
• Possession of and/or ability to obtain and maintain training and testing for use of taser and OC certification. 
• Ability to meet all department hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.  
• Working knowledge of and ability to follow and make practical application of customary practices, procedures, rules, regulations, and personnel policies of the department. 
• Working knowledge of and ability to properly operate all assigned department uniforms and/or equipment, including computer, printer, typewriter, calculator, camera, fingerprint equipment, intercom system, radio, telephone, surveillance/monitoring and video cameras, handcuffs, leg irons, restraints, and electric locking devices.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare required forms and reports within department deadlines. 
• Ability to obey all written and oral orders/directives from department superiors.
• Ability to appropriately receive, secure and account for articles received in evidence, personal belongings of detainees, and monies.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements.
• Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace and personal conduct.
• Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the position, including, but not limited to, sitting and walking at will, walking/standing and/or sitting for long periods, lifting objects weighing more than 50 pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending, close/far vision, reaching, handling/grasping/fingering objects, hearing sounds/communication, speaking clearly, and physically restraining detainees during emergency situations.
• Ability to deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations and perform duties despite the stress of potential injuries and/or loss of life to self and/or others. Ability to de-escalate volatile situations by means of conversation/negotiation.
• Ability to effectively listen, comprehend and communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, detainees and their family members, other law enforcement agencies, Department of Corrections, and the public by intercom, radio, telephone or in person, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to work alone or with others in a team environment with minimum supervision.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written and oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to occasionally work evening, weekend, irregular and/or extended hours and occasionally travel out of town to transport detainees, but not overnight.
• Possession of a valid driver's license with demonstrated safe driving record.

II. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs standard, recurring duties according to well-established department policies and procedures, with priorities primarily determined by supervisor. Incumbent selects applicable methods and takes authoritative action in response to situational demands. Incumbent's work is primarily reviewed through direct observation by supervisor for compliance with department policies and procedures. Errors in decisions or work are usually prevented through procedural safeguards, are detected by supervisory review, and may lead to endangerment of self and/or others.

III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, detainees and their family members, other law enforcement agencies, Department of Corrections, and the public for a variety of purposes, including exchanging information, explaining policies and procedures, and supervising detainees. Incumbent's work frequently involves non-routine problem-solving to gain cooperation of law offenders in situations that may jeopardize the safety of the public, co-workers and/or incumbent.

Incumbent reports directly to Jail Sergeant.

IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a jail facility and occasionally in a vehicle transporting detainees, involving sitting and walking at will, walking/standing/sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending, close/far vision, reaching, handling/grasping/fingering objects, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent is frequently exposed to the hazards associated with jail operations, such as potentially violent individuals and communicable disease.  

No prolonged extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties or assignments, but incumbent may exert strenuous physical effort during emergency situations, such as running distances under one mile and/or physically restraining detainees. Incumbent must perform duties despite the stress of potential injury and/or loss of life to self and/or others.