Craven County is recruiting Detentions Officers. Selected candidates may be classified as Detention Officer I, Detention Officer II or Detention Officer III depending upon education, experience, qualifications, and certification.

Detention Officer I: Performs a variety of duties in the care and security of prisoners in the Detention Center.  An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of duties pertaining to the safety, detention and securing of prisoners in an assigned area of the Detention Center. Considerable tact and firmness are required in frequent contacts with the general public. The employee is required to exercise alertness and some independent judgment in dealing with unusual situations. Work is performed in accordance with specific instructions and established jail operation policies and procedures. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of detention center management work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Detention Center Supervisor and is evaluated through observation, review of records and on-site inspections.

Detention Officer II:  Performs lead worker duties performing a variety of tasks in the care and security of prisoners in the County Detention Center. An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of duties pertaining to the safety, detention and securing of prisoners in the booking area of the Detention Center. Employee performs in a lead worker capacity and provides limited supervision in the absence of a higher-ranking officer. Considerable tact and firmness are required in frequent contact with the public. The employee is required to exercise alertness and some independent judgment in dealing with unusual situations. Work is performed in accordance with specific instructions and established detention center operation policies and procedures.  The employee is subject to the usual hazards of detention center management work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Detention Center Supervisor and is evaluated through observation, review of records and on-site inspections.

Detention Officer III:  Performs lead worker duties performing a variety of tasks in the care and security of prisoners in the County Detention Center, as well as some supervisory duties. An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of duties pertaining to the safety, detention, and securing of prisoners in the booking area of the County Detention Center. The employee performs in a lead worker capacity and will have some limited supervisory job functions when required. Considerable tact and firmness are required in frequent contact with the public. The employee is required to exercise alertness and some independent judgment in dealing with unusual situations. Work is performed in accordance with specific instructions and established jail operating policies and procedures. The employee is subject to the usual hazards of jail management work. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Detention Center Supervisor and is evaluated through observation, review of records, and on-site inspections.

Detention Officer I:

• Admit prisoners to the Detention Center; book and search inmates; allow inmates to call attorneys and relatives; call bondsman if necessary; collect personal belongings of inmates for safekeeping and advise prisoners of all detention center rules and regulations.
• Inspect prisoners and their quarters to ensure cleanliness and sanitation; supervise trustees engaged in cleaning the jail area and serving food.
• Arrange for prisoners to see visitors in specific areas; inspect all items brought to jail or prisoners; check incoming and outgoing mail.  
• Patrol the detention center periodically to prevent escapes and maintain order.
• Assist in preparing and maintaining various paperwork to track inmates while in custody.
• Assist in the distribution of all monies that are sent to the inmates.
   

• Admits prisoners to the Detention Center; ensures that inmates are properly booked and searched and that inmates are allowed calls to attorneys and relatives; collects personal belongings of inmates for safekeeping and advises prisoners of all detention center rules and regulations.
• Arranges for prisoners to see visitors in specific areas; inspects all items brought to the Detention Center or prisoners; checks incoming and outgoing mail.
• Supervises daily inmate activities.
• Prepares various paperwork associated with admitting and releasing inmates.
• Performs duties in a lead worker role and provides limited supervision in the absence of a higher-ranking officer.
   

• Admits prisoners to the County Jail; ensures that inmates are properly booked and searched and that inmates are allowed calls to attorneys and relatives; collects personal belongings of inmates for safekeeping and advises prisoners of all Detention Center rules and regulations.
• Arranges for prisoners to see visitors in specific areas and times; inspects all items brought into the facility; checks incoming and outgoing mail.
• Supervises daily inmate activities.
• Prepares various paperwork associated with admitting and releasing inmates.
• Performs duties in a lead worker role and provides area specific supervisory roles when required.
• Responsible for training and evaluation of new hires and employees who need remedial training.
• Will assist the shift sergeant in maintaining employee discipline and work performance as required.

Detention Officer I:  
Graduation from high school; or an equivalent combination of experience and training.  The ability to obtain certification as a Detention Officer by the North Carolina Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission within 12 months of the hire date.

• Some knowledge of practices and procedures involved in detention center management.
• Some knowledge of local laws, ordinances, and the North Carolina General
• Statutes pertaining to the commitment, confinement, and release of prisoners.
• Ability to maintain discipline and order in the Detention Center.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to maintain courteous and tactful relationships with families of inmates, attorneys, ministers, and other persons concerned with the welfare of individual prisoners.
• Ability to take prompt and effective action in detention center emergencies.

• General knowledge of practices and procedures involved in detention center management.
• General knowledge of local laws, ordinances and the North Carolina General Statutes pertaining to the commitment, confinement, and release of prisoners.
• Ability to maintain discipline and order within the facility.
• Ability to maintain courteous and tactful relationships with families of inmates, attorneys, ministers, and other persons concerned with the welfare of prisoners.
• Ability to take prompt and effective action in facility emergencies.
• Ability to provide limited supervision on an as needed basis.

• Good working knowledge of practices and procedures involved in Detention Center management. 
• General knowledge of local laws, ordinances and the North Carolina General Statutes pertaining to the commitment, confinement, and release of prisoners. 
• Ability to maintain discipline and order within the facility. 
• Ability to maintain courteous and tactful relationships with families of inmates, attorneys, ministers, and other persons concerned with the welfare of prisoners. 
• Ability to take prompt and effective action in facility emergencies. 
• Ability to provide limited supervision on an as needed basis.

Hiring rate is dependent upon education, experience, qualifications, and certification.  

Detention Officer I hiring rate:  $39,020 for non-certified and $39,935 for certified.
Detention Officer II hiring rate is: $42,860
Detention Officer III hiring rate is $47,070
 

Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment and tools including firearms, restraint devices, cellblock keys, nightsticks, etc. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Light Work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree. However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Medium Work.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using law enforcement equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as law enforcement equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear.) Must be able to communicate via a telephone.