Detention Officer I

Job Description:

Detention Officer I

Description

About us

There are many employment opportunities throughout the York County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) in sworn capacity in the Detention Division. The Detention Center is located at the Moss Justice Center and is an 821-bed direct supervision facility that opened in March of 1995. The Detention Center is charged with holding individuals who have been arrested by various law enforcement agencies in York County and held until they post bond or are ordered released by a court or transferred to a state institution after court sentencing. The Detention Center also houses inmates for the U.S. Marshal Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement under an agreement that provides compensation to the county. The York County Detention Center is committed to the operation of a facility that will meet state standards and for the preservation of basic human rights of the inmate population by the Constitution of the United States of America.

To learn more about this position, please refer to our website: Detention Employment Opportunities | York County Sheriffs, SC (civicplus.com)

About our opportunity

We invite you to apply to join our team as a full-time, non-exempt Detention Officer I within the York County Sheriff’s Office Detention division. A career advancement program and overtime opportunities are offered. The purpose of this position is to perform various security procedures and activities on assigned shift at the York County Detention Center, ensuring that security is maintained at all times for the protection of staff, inmates and the general public.

If a candidate is selected as a sworn Detention Officer and not certified as a Class II law enforcement officer in South Carolina, the candidate will be required to attend the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, South Carolina for basic training. Successful completion is mandatory and detention officer candidates are paid their normal salary while attending.

Once hired, new recruits will be provided uniforms and receive paid preservice training for four weeks and agency FTO, then paid training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Successful police academy certification must be achieved within first year of employment. Pay increases/incentives are offered after 1st year of employment, 3rd year of employment, and may include COLA and other bonuses as offered.

YORK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE - CAREER ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

The York County Sheriff’s Office has in place a career advancement program, which is a noncompetitive advancement process where deputies are able to advance to higher ranks upon the completion of specified professional milestones. The program consists of the following ranks and associated pay grades:

Detention Officer (grade 204), Detention Officer II (grade 205), Senior Detention Officer (grade 206), and Lance Corporal - Detention (grade 207). This advancement program is subject to change in the discretion of the York County Sheriff.

Compensation: Pay Rate/Grade 204: $21.92 - 33.96 per hour. Additional incentives offered for experience and/or education.

Benefits: P articipation in PORS: Police Officers Retirement System through PEBA ( pors_handbook.pdf (sc.gov) , comprehensive medical benefits including dental and vision through PEBA ( benefits_options_2023.pdf (sc.gov) ), vacation leave, sick leave, eleven paid holidays plus three optional days/floating holidays.

Work Schedule: Candidate will be required to work twelve-hour shifts to include holiday and weekend shifts. Currently, the day shift runs from 5:30 AM to 6 PM and the night shift from 5:30 PM to 6 AM.

Overtime Pay: Any hours worked in excess of 80 hours (bi-weekly) are compensated at a rate of time and a half.

This position is open until filled with review of applicants weekly. Applicants should monitor email for next steps of the application process. If you wish to find out more about a career at the York County Detention Center, email Sgt. Hewitt at Michael.Hewitt@yorkcountygov.com

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintains a high level of security and safety awareness at all times, ensuring the safety and security of inmates, staff and the general public through the proper enforcement of administrative and operational policies and procedures.
• Performs a variety of security duties associated with post assignment, which may include booking inmates, overseeing initial showering and issuing supplies, escorting inmates / assisting with inmate movement within the facility, controlling and accounting for inmates’ property, patrolling assigned areas, etc.
• Observes and interacts with inmates to detect security problems; maintains order and discipline among inmates; assists in coordinating daily activities and programs involving inmates and visitors.
• Supervises inmate meals, visitation, recreation and exercise, educational activities, telephone privileges, counseling, court visits, and medical attention; issues clean clothing and personal hygiene items; administers medications to inmates as prescribed.
• Maintains accurate inmate head counts and monitors location of inmates at all times.
• Performs general clerical work as required, including attending meetings, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, maintaining lists and logs, etc.
• Performs general housekeeping duties.
• Attends training, meetings, seminars, etc., as necessary to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Performs facility and cell inspections; determines security status.
• Performs related work as assigned.

About you

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.
• Must possess basic jail certification through the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy.
• May require additional professional or technical certifications as deemed necessary by management.

Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Physical Demands / Work Environment / Disclaimer

Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
Performs medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, jumping, dancing, stretching, or lifting all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or exceptional skill, adeptness and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving very close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment):

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.
Involves routine and frequent exposure to:

• Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
• Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
• Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife.
• Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors.
• Traffic; Moving machinery.
• Electrical shock; Heights.
• Radiation; Disease/pathogens.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodation with management.

Standard Clauses

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Essential Safety Functions

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.

Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed, and employees are properly trained.

Full-time employees are allowed to participate in group medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs offered by York County Government. If employees elect to secure dependent coverage, the employee should pay the additional costs for such coverage. All statements of insurance coverage are subject to the terms, conditions, restrictions and other eligibility requirements that are set forth in various insurance plan documents.

Our full-time benefits through PEBA (South Carolina Retirement Systems and State Health Plan) include health insurance, prescription benefits, dental, vision, life insurance, MoneyPlus, Health Savings Accounts, retirement (Membership in the South Carolina Retirement System is mandatory for county employees), and deferred compensation.Making decisions about your insurance and retirement benefits can sometimes be complicated and difficult. The Navigating Your Benefits seriesprovides common-language explanations and can help you find your way in the world of your insurance and retirement benefits: Navigating Your Benefits | S.C. PEBA (sc.gov)

Other full-time benefits include longevity allowance, annual leave, sick leave, holiday pay, Sick Leave Bank, wellness benefits, Employee Assistance Program, etc. Please contact Human Resources at Human.Resources@yorkcountygov.com if you would like more information.

Longevity Allowance
Full-time regular county employees, elected officials, appointed officials, and judges with ten or more years of full time continuous governmental service are eligible to receive a monthly longevity allowance in addition to their regular compensation. Continuous service transferred from employment with another county, municipality, state or a political entity created by the State may contribute toward eligibility for the longevity allowance. Longevity allowances are paid according to the following schedule.

Longevity Allowance
Years of Continuous ServiceMonthly Longevity Amount
10-14 Years$20.00
15-19 Years$25.00
20-24 Years$30.00
25-29 Years$35.00
30-34 Years$40.00
35-39 Years$45.00
40+ Years$50.00

Annual Leave
Probationary and regular full-time county employees that work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave with pay. Employees in their new hire six (6) month probationary period shall not be able to use annual leave until they become regular county employees. Employees who are separating from county service shall be paid for all accrued, unused annual leave up to 360 hours provided they give York County as the employer the proper notice as required. Employees in their six (6) month New Hire probationary period who are terminated or separated from employment shall not be paid for accrued annual leave. The maximum amount of annual leave carried into each calendar year is 360 hours.

Earning Rate for Full-Time Employees
Full-time employees with less than ten years of continuous service earn at the rate of eight hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve months period. Full-time employees with at least ten years, but less than twenty years of continuous service will earn at the rate of ten (10) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve month period. Full-time employees with twenty or more years of service will earn at the rate of twelve (12) hours of paid annual leave for each month of service during a twelve (12) months period.

Sick Leave
Full-time county employees may be entitled to earn sick leave with pay. Employees may accrue up to 1,440 hours of sick leave. Upon termination of employment with the County, employees may not be reimbursed for any unused sick leave. When a paid holiday occurs while an employee is on sick leave with pay, the day may not be charged as sick leave.

Earning Rate of Sick Leave
Full time employees will earn eight hours of sick leave per month of service during a twelve month period.

Paid Holiday’s
The following days may be observed as paid holidays for York County Employees:
January - December:3 Optional Holidays per Calendar Year
January:New Year’s Day andMartin Luther King Day
May:Memorial Day
June:Juneteenth Day
July:Independence Day
September:Labor Day
November:Veteran’s Day,Thanksgiving Day, andFriday after Thanksgiving
December:Christmas Eve,Christmas Day

Training:
Quality training and educational programs are available at various times for county employees in order to support workforce development that is consistent with organizational objectives. Training topics may include driver training, CPR/first aid, communication, supervisor training, workplace violence, substance abuse, and various computer related classes.

Salary:

$22.25 Hourly