Detention Officer - Revised 7/2019

This position is located in the Gallatin County Detention Center. This position is responsible for maintaining a secure detention facility and safe custody of the inmates; performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks associated with the facility operations; provides inmate supervision; the incarceration of inmates; secures pre-trial and sentenced inmates in the Detention Center and performs other related duties as assigned. This position reports to a Sergeant and does not supervise other County employees.

Minimum Qualifications

This position must have a general knowledge of principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting; modern office practices, methods and computer equipment; procedures and methods and techniques of basic first aid and CPR. This position must have the ability to apply knowledge and reasoning to make prompt and effective decisions in both routine and non-routine situations including those situations that would be considered “life and death”; evaluate alternatives; work under stressful situations; make sound decisions in a timely manner, act on a situation quickly and take appropriate actions; write clearly and concisely; use acceptable grammar, punctuation and spelling; write reports which are organized, complete, accurate and factual; be sensitive to the feelings of others and resolve problems in ways that do not arouse antagonism; adapt to changes in working conditions (i.e., changes in assignment, shift changes and different types of incidents either incidentally or continuously); proceed on assignments without waiting to be told what to do; make effort to improve skills and keep informed of new developments in the field; exert the effort needed to make sure the job is done right the first time; be consistently productive; follow orders, rules and regulations; prepare and maintain factual records; work independently in absence of supervision; understand and follow written and verbal instructions; maintain a high level of personal and professional honesty and integrity and ability to communication clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with a wide range of individuals (coworkers, support staff, other job fields), and with a wide range of personalities and unique situations (mental illnesses, emotional issues, emergency needs, etc). This position must have the ability to maintain high ethical standards, maintain confidentiality of information; establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; read and interpret documents such as Office/division policy and procedures manual and inmate rules and regulations. Experience and demonstrated ability build and support relationships among staff members; successfully coach/educate/counsel or teach customers, coworkers and/or others; perform high quality, completed work in a self initiated, self disciplined, self monitoring and corrective manner; provide excellent care of internal and external customers; and demonstrated ability to follow organizational directives.

Education and Experience

Must meet minimum standards for the appointment and continued employment of public safety officers in the State of Montana in pursuant of Montana Administrative Rule (ARM) 23.13.201 as prescribed by the Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council.  ARM 23.13.201.

Applicants for this position must be physically and mentally fit. Prior to being hired, applicants will be required to pass a basic fitness test as part of the hiring criteria. Applicants must also pass written, oral and psychological examinations administered by the Sheriff’s Office and be able to maintain certification in CPR. 

As a condition of hire, the final candidates will be required to successfully pass an extensive background investigation and fingerprinting will be performed to disclose any criminal record or convictions. Candidates will undergo a comprehensive psychological testing and interview process.

In the pre-interview screening process, applicants will be required to pass a felony conviction criminal history investigation. Applicants with a felony conviction will be disqualified.

Work Environment/Physical Demands The work environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations or unusual environmental stresses, which require a range of safety and other precautions. Employees must be able to respond quickly to an emergency, defend themselves or others against physical attack, force an inmate to the ground and apply restraints, pull an inmate, visitor or fellow employee out of danger during an emergency situation. Work is performed in situations and environments that provide the risk of exposure to AIDS, other blood-born pathogens and communicable diseases. Employees must be able to work days, nights, weekends and holidays. 
 
In performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to feel; must be able to talk and hear; reach; climb; balance; stoop; kneel; bend; crawl; crouch; smell; pull/drag up to 165 pounds or more in training and in specific situation; specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; night vision and the ability to focus; vision must be corrected to 20/20 in each eye. This position must be able to use hands and feet in self-defense; physically place inmates in cells; discharge chemical agent (pepper spray) and use restraint devices (handcuffs, etc.) to control inmates.

For application consideration, the following documents are required to be submitted to the Gallatin County Human Resource Office: hrjobs@gallatin.mt.gov:

• POST Standard Application
• Applicant Survey
• Resume and three (3) work/educational references.  Please provide e-mail address.

Testing Information

Tentative testing and oral board dates are to be announced.   All applicants must take the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office written exam and fitness test; or may stand on their previous Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office written exam if completed within the last six months and physical fitness score if completed within the last 90 days.

Contact Patty at (406) 582-2475 to submit.

Applications, resume and references must be turned in to Gallatin County Human Resources hrjobs@gallatin.mt.gov to be considered. For updates and specific information, please refer to our website.

Note: This is a union position under the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association negotiated agreement with Gallatin County.

Gallatin County is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Gallatin County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or marital status.

Qualified applicants will be placed in a pool up to 12 months for consideration of future openings.

If you would like to tour the Detention Center prior to applying please call: Jamie Young at (406) 582-2483.