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Deputy Sheriff - Officer

DEPUTY SHERIFF - OFFICER

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

This is routine security and guard work that involves responsibility for providing for the custody and well-being of inmates while under detention in the County Holding Center, while in State and County courts for trial or hearing, during off-premises medical treatment or hospitalization, and during transport to and from the Holding Center. It also maintains order and decorum in County buildings and in the courts. The individual will provide security for court staff, jurors, trial participants, and spectators. Works under well-established procedures, but initiative and good judgment are expected in handling emergency situations. Works under the supervision of a Sergeant or other officer of higher rank. Supervision is exercised only over inmates. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

  • Performs guard duties at various locations in the Holding Center, ECMC Lockup, County courts, State courts, and Family courts, such as entrance and exits, receiving and detention rooms, courtrooms, District Attorneys' offices, floors, and galleries of the Holding Center, the clinic rooms, elevators, jury rooms, and other County buildings and offices;
  • Maintains security and discipline in the Holding Center courts and ECMC Lockup; makes regular inspections in the Holding Center and courts, including checking locking devices and punching clocks; makes counts and prepares report sheets; maintains order and settles disturbances; notifies supervisor of all unusual incidents;
  • Attends to the care and well-being of inmates; secures and delivers sundries; delivers medical supplies; secures medical services and dispenses medicines; escorts inmates for interviews with attorneys, relatives, and law enforcement agencies; directs the serving of meals; directs the maintenance of inmates' sanitation and hygiene; attends inmates' phone calls;
  • Performs clerical duties connected with the receiving, booking, searching, and release of inmates; accepts and records clothing and property; issues uniforms and assigns cell blocks; makes out composite census reports; maintains records on inmates; arranges for clothing and records for transfer of persons to courts, penal institutions, and hospitals;
  • Guards prisoners of the Erie County Holding Center who are transferred to a hospital for treatment during confinement or to the court lockup for trial or hearing; escorts prisoners to jail and courts; transports prisoners both in and out of State;
  • Provides security for charges juries; serves as Court Crier during the Crier's absence; retrieves papers for Court Clerks;
  • May assist the training instructor in training activities;
  • Performs duties and successfully completes the training that meets the standards of the New York State Commission of Corrections.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Good knowledge of techniques of penal and security operations; 
Ability to maintain the discipline of inmates; 
Ability to understand and follow routine oral and written instructions; 
Ability to deal with inmates firmly and fairly;
Ability to conduct simple household training of inmates; 
Unquestionable moral character; 
Strength and agility; 
Industry and dependability; 
Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Candidates must have attained their 21st birthday at the time of the original appointment and must have a satisfactory hearing.
  2. Chapter 134 of New York State Law of 1984, under Section 22-A of the Corrections Law, and Section 217-A of County Law provides that conviction for a felony automatically bars appointment as a Correction Officer or Deputy Sheriff Officer. That prior conviction of a misdemeanor may be disqualifying for these titles after a review of the material facts of the individual case.
  3. Candidates must possess a valid New York State Drivers' License at the time of appointment.

NOTE: Verifiable part-time or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.

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