Public Defender In Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

07/14/2026

PAY GRADE:

Grade 16

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Corrections Officers work within a city/county jail, and are responsible for maintaining the security and safety of detained inmates and jail personnel. Employees in this job class have a variety of responsibilities within a jail, including: booking detainees into jail, overseeing the release or transfer of inmates, overseeing and monitoring jail visitations, overseeing release and return of inmates on work detail/work release, overseeing and directing inmates involved with housekeeping activities etc. Individuals are responsible for enforcing jail rules and regulations provide for the needs, health, and safety of inmates and jail personnel. Work is performed under constant supervision of Corrections Supervisor in strict compliance to specific policies and procedures.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Agencies provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more.
Applications for this position will be considered for the following Merit System employing agencies. The pay range for this job varies depending upon the Merit System employing agency.
Bessemer: $18.35 - $28.46
Birmingham: $21.70 - $33.66
Homewood: $20.62 - $31.98
Hueytown: $18.37 - $28.49

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Driver's License.

• High school diploma or GED.

• Never been convicted of a felony.

• Never been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude or serious misdemeanor (e.g., 3rd degree assault, domestic violence, weapon or drug charges).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by Merit System agencies. These qualifications may be considered by a hiring agency when reviewing applications and inviting candidates to participate in subsequent steps in the selection processes.

• Experience in security, law enforcement, military, or corrections field.

• Experience in customer service or working with the public.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Conducts booking and classification for detainees upon arrival to jail by reviewing arrest reports, obtaining personal information, collecting property, and assigning housing locations in order to create an official record of arrests conducted within the jurisdiction.

• Classifies detainees to determine appropriate housing location (e.g., felon, female, gang affiliation, mental illness, disabled) and assigns to appropriate holding cells based on known characteristics.

• Collects personal property (e.g., shoe strings, belts, sunglasses, wallets, money) from incoming detainees to be stored during detention.

• Provides for the health and safety needs of inmates by monitoring activities, securing the jail facility, and performing inspections.

• Performs various administrative duties by reviewing/verifying information, filing documents, and writing reports in order to provide services to the general public.

• Oversees the entry and/or exit of detainees, inmates, and other various authorized individuals (e.g., family/friends, attorneys, clergy, work release inmates) within the jail facility by documenting visits, arranging transport, and providing necessary security for safety purposes.

• Maintains cleanliness and operational use of the jail facility by performing housekeeping and maintenance activities and/or directing trustee inmates in housekeeping and maintenance activities.

• Enforces jail rules and regulations by using intervention techniques, disciplining inmates who have violated rules and regulations, and answering questions in order to maintain order within the jail facility.

• Distributes and/or assists medical personnel (e.g., nurses, doctors) in the distribution of prescription medications to meet the medical needs of inmates.

• Restrains and/or isolates disruptive inmates when other options have been exhausted to ensure the safety of jail personnel and other inmates.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as walking or standing. May involve occasional lifting of items or objects weighing in excess of 75 lbs. with coworkers' assistance. Work involves physical abilities necessary for applying self-defense and restraint tactics in order to defend oneself from physical attack.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is conducted almost exclusively indoors in a secured detention facility setting with occasional visits to external locations such as court rooms or medical facilities. Work involves use of standard office equipment, as well as other equipment used in a jail setting, including: various restraints such as handcuffs and shackles, radio, etc. May require dealing with physically aggressive or violent individuals, and exposure to potential and real physical violence, as well as potential exposure to bodily fluids, contagious or infectious diseases, unpleasant smells, etc. Job may require working nights and weekends.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson Countyprovides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Each Merit System member city/agencyoperates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.