Confinement Officer Application

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office (Office) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability in employment, or the provision of services.

Please use the following guidelines when completing this application. An applicant who fails to follow these guidelines WILL NOT be considered for an appointment. Read each direction and question carefully.

(1) DO NOT submit a resume instead of this application. However, you are required to upload a resume and/or cover letter as an attachment to your application.

(2) Written assessment will be scheduled after a complete application is submitted.

(3) All questions must be answered completely.

• Enforces local, state and federal standards by implementing effective policy for the secure and humane operation of the Vanderburgh County Jail.

• Reviews arrest sheets of new inmates determining authority to confine, and initiates booking procedures accordingly.

• Initiates and completes booking procedures by interviewing new inmates to obtain pertinent background and medical information, photographing, fingerprinting and searching new inmates to be detained for weapons and other contraband, and receiving and receipting all money and personal property, as required by internal policies.

• Processes inmates out of the jail upon proper notification or verification of release, including fingerprinting and photographing individuals, re-checking warrants, completing proper paperwork, and returning all property belonging to the inmate.

• Supervises the inmate population under direction of the Shift Supervisor, ensuring proper nutrition, medical and psychological attention, exercise and personal hygiene in accordance with internal policies and federal law.

• Reports medical and psychological needs of inmates including the identification of suicide risks and other mental health problems to Shift Supervisor.

• Coordinates the handling of inmate well-being and security with the Shift Supervisor and other officers.

• Conducts security checks of the jail, assuring all doors are locked. Monitors, be security cameras or in person, inmates’ activities and behaviors, ensures compliance with rules and regulations and reports all unusual and/or unruly activity to appropriate Shift Supervisor. Properly secures and/or physically restrains violent and uncontrollable inmates as situations demand according to internal policy and procedure.

• Supervises inmates during allowable activities, including counsel visitation, library use, making commissary purchases and telephone calls.

• Appoints and assigns duties to trustees consistent with jail policies and replaces released trustees as needed.

• Performs regular inspections of cell blocks and related areas, ensuring cleanliness and security of cell areas; conducts routine “Shakedowns” of all cells and dormitories for contraband as directed by the Shift Supervisor and prepares required reports.

• Escorts inmates to and from processing, for appearances in court, sick calls, release, and doctor or dentist appointments inside and outside of the jail.

• Distributes meals, observes the distribution of meal trays, assuring all trays, cups and spoons are properly removed from cell block.

• Oversees inmates in the performance of required responsibilities, including the cleanliness of cell areas. Assures all cleaning equipment and supplies issued to inmates are returned and accounted for.

• Issues prescribed medications according to standing physicians orders under supervision of the Jail Nurse or Jail Physician. Follows appropriate procedures to assure proper and prompt medical and psychological attention to inmates.

• Regularly attends prescribed in-service and/or training programs for certification in specialized corrections areas as assigned or required.

• Transmits inmate grievances by following established chain of command procedures.

• Records daily an account of all money received and disbursed to each inmate.

• Answers telephone and greets jail office visitors, determines nature of call, responds to inquiries regarding inmates and/or routes caller to appropriate person or internal.

• Occasionally testifies in court.

• Annually prepares an up-to-date jail card file for the current year.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Meets all internal hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

• Has successfully completed Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board and Vanderburgh County Jail training.

• Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of the customary practices, procedures, rules and regulations of the Office to maintain effective jail operations.

• Practical knowledge of area law enforcement demands and ability to take authoritative actions as situations require.

• Ability to deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations.

• Ability to physically and effectively perform the essential duties of the position, including, but not limited to, booking and processing inmates, monitoring jail operations, and being able to walk and stand for extended periods of time, and to physically restrain inmates during emergency situations.

• Knowledge of methods of identification of inmate medical and psychological problems including suicide risk identification and the appropriate response.

• Ability to appropriately receive, maintains, and account for articles received in evidence.

• Knowledge of and ability to effectively use all assigned Office uniforms, equipment and weapons including; computer terminal and printer, two-way radio, typewriter, fingerprint equipment, telephone, security and restraining devices, and electric locking devices.

• Knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to effectively prepare and complete all required forms and reports within established internal deadlines. Ability to maintain confidentiality of internal information and reports.

• Ability to effectively listen, comprehend, and communicate with the public, other officials, and inmates, by intercom system, radio, telephone and in person.

• Ability to take authoritative action as situations demand, on an as-needed basis.

• Ability to legally operate Office vehicle if necessary.

• Remains alcohol and drug-free at all times while on the job or in uniform except as lawfully prescribed for medical reasons and with approval in advance and in writing from the Sheriff.

• On 24-hour call.

• Incumbent performs a wide variety of recurring duties according to standardized internal policies and police procedures, selects applicable methods to take authoritative action in response to situational demands. Errors in decision or work are generally prevented through legally devised procedure, supervisory review, and standard bookkeeping checks. Undetected errors may result in injury or endangerment to self or others, have adverse effects upon internal operations, and/or cause inconvenience to members of the public.

• Incumbent works with a formal schedule of duties, determining work priorities with Shift Supervisor for effectively addressing situational demands. Incumbent’s work is periodically reviewed at critical phases, through random checks, and upon completion of specific duties for adherence to instructions and guidelines, compliance with legal requirements and internal policies and procedures, technical accuracy, and soundness of judgement.

NOTE:Where indicated with an “*”, the term “conviction” shall include the amendment of a criminal charge (driving under the influence-DUI, etc.) to some other offense as a result of the completion of any type of deferral program.

Compliance with the above listed disqualifiers and requirements will be verified through a background investigation, which includes a lie-detector exam, for those applicants that advance to the conditional offer stage of the selection process.

• Incumbent maintains frequent contact with superiors, inmates, representatives of other law enforcement agencies, and members of the general public for a variety of purposes, including assisting with coordination of jail operations, effective and safe transport of inmates, and enforcement of applicable laws.

• Non-routine relationships with inmates to gain concurrence with laws in situations that jeopardize public and incumbent safety.

• Incumbent reports directly to Shift supervisor and the Assistant Jail commander in the Shift Supervisor’s absence.

1. Be at least 18 years of age at time of hire.

2. Possess a valid driver’s license or be able to obtain an Indiana driver’s license prior to employment.

3. No felony convictions.

4. High school diploma or GED

5. No convictions* for hate crimes.

6. No convictions* for domestic violence.

7. No dishonorable discharges from any branch of military service.

8. Applicants who have tattoos on the exposed areas of the neck, face/head or hands (excludes wedding bands) shall be a disqualifier for employment. It is also understood that certain tattoos which may be related to hate speech, gang activity or subversive groups are prohibited.

9. It shall always be the policy of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) that any conduct or affiliations that would otherwise disqualify a person from employment or continued employment shall remain in full force and effect.

10. No more than five (5) traffic violations in the past five (5) years (does not include parking tickets).

11. No active use of marijuana. No illegal/unlawful use of other drugs within the past two (2) years.

12. Permanently disqualified from employment if ever engaged in the sale, dealing, or manufacture of controlled substances.

13. May not have a conviction* for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the past two (2) years and no more than one (1) conviction* in a lifetime.

14. Must provide proof of registration for selective service (applicable under Federal law to males under the age of 26 years of age).

15. Pass a post-offer of employment medical examination (including vision and hearing exams), drug screen, and psychological interview.

16. Pass a post-offer of employment background investigation, which includes: fingerprinting; photographing; criminal records checks; interviews with family, references, neighbors and past and present employers; credit history check and a lie detector examination.

17. Meet and successfully pass all academic, practical, physical training and retention requirements of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board.

18. Possess the skills, knowledge and abilities required of the position for which you applied, which includes, but is not limited to, a positive attitude, good communication skills, respect for the law, respect for your fellow citizens and respect for your colleagues.

Note: Where indicated with an “*”, the term “conviction” shall include the amendment of a criminal charge (driving under the influence-DUI, etc.) to some other offense as a result of the completion of any type of deferral program.