Detention Deputy Trainee

Job Description Summary

The training consists of an academy orientation, an academy, and post-academy training. The Sheriff's Office provides all books, materials, and uniforms (excluding footwear). Those selected for hire will receive pay and full benefits during the training period. After this training is completed, the recruit is sworn in and their salary increases to the salary of a certified Detention Deputy.

Learn to maintain order and physical custody of inmates in a detention facility, courthouse complex, or other areas to provide a safe and secure environment.

Job Description

Duties & Responsibilities

Note: Depending on assigned responsibilities, employees may perform some or all of the duties below.

Note for Trainees: Trainees are expected to learn the following duties while in a trainee status.

• Provide direct and remote supervision of inmates within housing and other areas of a jail, a courthouse complex, or secure perimeter as assigned to maintain a safe and secure environment.

• Conduct frequent security checks for evidence of unauthorized activities and infractions of rules, respond to situations, and document accordingly.

• Receive and process inmates from officers and the courts, maintain inmates’ property, and direct inmates throughout the intake process.

• Maintain security and custody of volatile and violent inmates.

• Observe conduct and behavior of inmates, respond to and control emergency situations, and use appropriate levels of force to control combative, volatile, or hostile offenders.

• Schedule, supervise, and cancel inmate visitations.

• Supervise the dispensing of food in a timely fashion to inmates, ensuring compliance of all health and safety regulations.

• Supervise inmates and trusty-inmate work crews.

• Conduct metal and x-ray detection of individuals and materials before entering facilities, perform necessary searches for weapons and contraband, and complete reports.

• Inspect cells, housing areas, locks, windows, grills, doors, gates, and perimeters of buildings and grounds for security purposes.

• Transport inmates to other facilities as required.

• Run daily reports as required.

• Enter information into a database to capture daily activities.

• Communicate with the public, respond to questions, and assist as necessary.

• Operate a master control center as required.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of modern inmate care, custody, and control, and related state, federal, and department laws, rules, regulations, standards, and policies governing the operation of detention facilities and courtrooms.

• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal laws governing the criminal justice system.

• Some knowledge of crowd control defense and restraint tactics and communication procedures.

• Some knowledge of behavior patterns, legal rights, discipline protocols, and grievance procedures of inmates.

• Working knowledge of how to search for and recognize contraband and weapons.

• Working knowledge of the operation of Sally port controls, cell locks, and control panels commonly used in a secure facility.

• Working knowledge of first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) principles and skill in training others in their application.

• Skill in interviewing and interrogation methods and techniques.

• Ability to train others in all aspects of job duties and responsibilities.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with diverse populations.

• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.

• Ability to work in a hostile environment of inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all times.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and smoothly and rapidly shift between dissimilar tasks.

• Ability to supervise emergency situations, make effective decisions under stressful situations, and direct the use of physical force necessary to protect oneself and others.

• Ability to detect potentially adverse or unsafe situations and react according to department policy.

• Ability to physically handle and control prisoners resisting detention.

• Ability to review, establish, and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.

• Ability to use a two-way radio.

• Ability to properly use various restraining devices.

• Ability to safely and skillfully operate a motor vehicle.

• Ability to operate a computer and related software.

• Ability to work effectively with others.

• Ability and willingness to use weapons and to properly maintain them.

Working Conditions

• Working within an office environment within a law enforcement agency, courthouse/court complex, and/or corrections facility.

• Working outdoors in a subtropical climate in potential adverse weather conditions.

• Remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time at a scene, event, or workstation.

• May be required to engage in heavy physical exertion (e.g., lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of heavy weight from 160 to 180 pounds).

• May be required to work non-standard hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Required to wear a Sheriff’s Office provided uniform.

Minimum Education & Experience

• A high school diploma or possession of a GED certificate.

Additionally, the following are required:

• 19 years of age or older.

• United States citizen.

• Of good moral character.

• Six months tobacco/ nicotine free at time of application.

• Live within Hillsborough County or within Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Lake, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, or Sumter County as long as the residence is located within the 60-mile parameter of Falkenburg Road Jail at the time of appointment/employment.

Required Pre-Employment Testing

• Successful completion of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Correctional Basic Abilities Test (Correctional BAT).

• Successful completion of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Physical Abilities Assessment (PAA).

Note on the BAT (also known as FBAT or CJBAT): Test vouchers are available. Speak to one of our recruiters for additional information.

Note on the PAA: The course consists of (1) a 130-foot run to scale a 4-foot high stationary, solid wall; (2) a 100-foot run to a cone with another 40-foot run to a stair to complete a 70-step stair climb (1 step = 1st foot up, 2nd foot up, 1st foot down, 2nd foot down); (3) a 100-foot run to climb through a 3-foot high window; (4) a 50-foot run to navigate through cones in a serpentine manner, keeping cones on left or right as indicated on the cone; (5) a 20-foot movement (e.g., push, pull, drag, walk) of a 180-pound sled back and forth 5 times for a total of 100 feet; and (6) a 20-foot drag of a 160-pound dummy. Candidates must complete the course in 5:48 minutes or less in the proper athletic attire (i.e., athletic shirt, athletic pants/shorts, sneakers).

Additional Job Requirements

• Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required.

• Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment. Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification.

• No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck. Tattoos determined to take away from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering.

• No illegal drug sale within lifetime.

• No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months.

• No felony convictions within lifetime.

• No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.

• No dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the United States Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve Forces.

• Successful completion of a background investigation including criminal, reference, employment, and neighborhood checks; polygraph; medical evaluation; and drug screening.

The duties and responsibilities on this job description represent the essential functions that an employee must be able to satisfactorily perform with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodations shall be made upon request to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue agency hardship. The Sheriff’s Office retains the right to change or assign other duties to this job as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates who can submit all required documents and complete the Physical Abilities Assessment (PAA) within 30 days of application.