Detention Center Captain

Plans, manages and supervises one of the four divisions of the Detention Center (Security, Support, Juvenile or Operations).

Prepares and administers the division’s annual budget; approves expenditures and prepares related reports.

Assists in developing and ensures subordinates’ compliance with department policies, procedures and standards of quality and safety; informs the Director of any non-compliance of issues affecting the health, safety and lives of employees and/or inmates.

Supervises division personnel through the chain of command; supervisory duties include instructing, planning and assigning work, reviewing work, maintaining standards, coordinating activities, acting on employee problems, assisting with the selection of new employees, recommending and approving employee discipline, and recommending discharge. Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness, accuracy and compliance with policies and standards; evaluates performance and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers advice and assistance as needed.

Ensures all subordinate officers are trained in accordance with state and federal laws; participates in officer training.

Assists other division managers in the operations of their divisions as necessary in their absences; oversees overall facility operations as directed in the absence of the Detention Director.

Directs division operations, ensuring the safety and security of inmates, staff and the citizens of Richland County through the efficient and effective enforcement of jail policies and procedures.

Assists in coordinating all Detention Center activities.

Conducts and/or supervises the conduct of weekly health, safety and security inspections of all housing and operational areas.

Evaluates and ensures that the basic needs of prisoners are met, including the availability of medical attention, hygiene supplies, clothing and nutritional meals.

Ensures the proper maintenance and timely repair of division equipment and vehicles.

Enforces local, state and federal laws in the jail environment; responds to and investigates major incidents, crimes and suspected criminal activity and takes appropriate action.

Investigates inmate complaints and/or staff misconduct.

Assists in coordinating division/department activities with those of other County divisions and departments, other agencies and organizations as appropriate.

Reviews reports submitted by subordinates for completeness, accuracy and compliance with established policies and procedures.

Prepares and submits various reports as required by the department, County and other government agencies.

Participates in the proper preparation and maintenance of detention and administrative records.

Attends periodic training sessions and attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current detention trends and legislation; maintains required level of proficiency in the use of firearms.

Receives, reviews and responds to public inquiries, complaints and requests for assistance.

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

Performs general administrative / clerical work as required, including attending and conducting meetings, preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, ordering supplies, etc.

Requires planning or directing others in the sequence of major activities and reporting on operations and activities which are very broad in scope.

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, or the application of custom administrative software or systems; may involve installation and testing. 

Requires performing supervisory work involving policy and guidelines, solving both people- and work-related problems.

Requires reading technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.

Requires doing professional-level work requiring the application of legal methods in the solution of technical, administrative or legal problems; requires extensive understanding of operating policies and procedures and ability to apply these to complex problems; or the coordination of sub professional work in these disciplines; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results and frequent exposure to unusual pressures.

Requires Associate’s degree, vocational technical degree or specialized training that is equivalent to satisfactory completion of two years of college education with emphasis in criminal justice, corrections, law enforcement or a closely related field.

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

Must possess a valid state driver’s license.

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

Requires over five years and up to and including eight years.