Detention Center Sergeant

Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Maintains the security and safety of the Detention Center, inmates and staff through implementation of established policies and procedures.

Directly supervises assigned Detention Officers; supervisory duties include scheduling, instructing, assigning and reviewing work, maintaining standards, coordinating activities, allocating personnel, acting on employee problems, and recommending employee discipline as appropriate. Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for improvement; offers training, advice and assistance as needed.

Conducts and/or supervises the conduct of health, safety and security inspections of all housing and operational areas; searches cells, activity areas and inmates for contraband as required; inspects locking and security devices and doors for proper working condition.

Supervises meals, visitation, recreation and exercise, educational activities, telephone privileges, counseling, court visits, movement within the facility, and medical attention; ensures head counts are conducted regularly.

Ensures that inmates are provided with appropriate sanitary conditions, clothing and supplies; may administer medications as prescribed; administers First Aid as required.

Investigates inmate grievances, complaints and rule infractions.

Functions as a primary decision-maker on duty for routine situations; maintains control of emergency situations until relieved by superior officer.

Responds to and investigates causes of inmate and detainee disturbances, such as assaults, fights, thefts, and medical emergencies; submits reports based on findings.

Assists subordinates with unruly or disruptive inmates / detainees that may jeopardize the security or operation of the facility.

Completes and maintains required inmate / operations paperwork; reviews reports submitted by subordinates for completeness and accuracy. Communicates with law enforcement personnel, probation and parole officers, court personnel, victim advocates, attorneys, volunteers, clergy, medical care practitioners, and others regarding individual cases.

Assists in coordinating detention activities with those of other divisions, departments, agencies and organizations as appropriate.

Performs special duties or completes special projects as assigned.

Performs duties of subordinates and/or supervisor as necessary.

Receives and responds to citizens’ inquiries, concerns and complaints concerning detention facility activities.

Remains on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for emergency response.

Performs general clerical work as required, including compiling information and statistics for reports, preparing reports and records, maintaining logs, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, processing daily mail, answering the telephone, etc. Attends periodic training, seminars, meetings, etc., to keep abreast of current detention, law enforcement and investigative trends, technology and legislation; maintains required physical fitness and required level of proficiency in the use of firearms.

Requires coordinating or determining time, place or sequence of operations or activities based on analysis of data or information and may implement and report on operations and activities.

Requires supervising or leading others by determining work procedures, assigning duties, maintaining harmonious relations and promoting efficiency.

Requires leading, operating or repairing complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as firearms, emergency response vehicles, etc., or the application of custom administrative software or systems; may involve installation and testing. Involves operations of limited scope.

Requires performing supervisory work involving policy and guidelines, solving both people- and work-related problems. Requires using addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages.

Requires reading routine sentences, instructions, regulations, procedures or work orders; writing routine sentences and completing routine job forms and incident reports; speaking routine sentences using proper grammar.

Requires doing specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.

Requires high school diploma or GED equivalent supplemented by formal training, special courses or self-education that is equivalent to satisfactory completion of one year of college education or specialized advanced training in criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, or a closely related field.

Must possess and maintain Jail Officer certification from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy.

Must possess CPR / First Aid certifications.

Must possess a valid state driver’s license.

Must meet other requirements as set forth in applicable South Carolina statutes and regulations.

Requires over two years and up to and including four years.