Sergeant - Prison$25.00 Hourly - Non-exempt Position SummaryProvides first-line supervision of assigned correctional officers and directs inmate custody, security, counts, searches, intake, release, transport, facility services, work details, emergency response, and required records inside and outside the prison. The workbook nonexempt treatment is consistent with the position's substantial frontline correctional duties. Essential Functions- Conducts shift or post briefing, assigns duties, verifies staffing and qualifications, reviews schedules and leave requests within delegated authority, observes performance, provides coaching, and documents or recommends corrective action.
- Supervises inmate activity, counts, rounds, movement, meals, recreation, visitation, telephone use, mail, cleaning, maintenance, and work details under post orders and security procedures.
- Directs or performs lawful searches of inmates, property, mail, packages, vehicles, and secure areas within training, privacy, evidence, contraband, and reporting requirements.
- Receives, identifies, photographs, inventories, houses, escorts, transports, transfers, and releases inmates using independent verification, custody records, restraints, vehicle inspections, route controls, and chain-of-control procedures.
- Conducts security and fire inspections; checks locks, fences, alarms, tools, equipment, grounds, and supplies and immediately reports or corrects deficiencies within authority.
- Responds to disturbances, escapes, medical complaints, self-harm, fires, force incidents, and other emergencies; requests backup and uses only trained, necessary, proportionate, and authorized intervention.
- Ensures medication and first-aid activities are performed only by trained and authorized personnel under medical direction, verification, documentation, refusal, error, storage, and escalation procedures.
- Assists with inmate drug or alcohol testing only under written procedures governing authority, privacy, chain of custody, test controls, documentation, confirmatory testing, and review.
- Participates on disciplinary committees only when designated and impartial; compiles facts and recommendations without prejudging charges or bypassing required notice, hearing, documentation, and review.
- Completes and reviews counts, logs, incident and force reports, intake and release documents, transport records, medical referrals, searches, inventories, and other required records for accuracy, authorship, corrections, retention, and security.
Additional Responsibilities- Maintains assigned equipment and reports security, sanitation, vehicle, technology, staffing, or facility deficiencies.
- Performs related correctional supervisory duties consistent with certification, staffing, post orders, and lawful authority.
Supervisory ResponsibilitiesDirectly supervises assigned Correctional Officers and other designated employees during assigned posts or shifts. Responsibilities include assigning duties, coordinating staffing, reviewing schedules and leave requests within delegated authority, providing coaching and training, observing and documenting performance, reviewing work and reports, contributing to performance evaluations, and making recommendations regarding corrective action, discipline, staffing, promotion, and employee development. Final hiring, termination, compensation, payroll, policy exceptions, and other reserved personnel actions remain with authorized officials.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Knowledge of correctional first-line supervision, custody, counts, rounds, searches, intake, release, transport, work details, discipline, emergency response, medication controls, and applicable GDC and County procedures.
- Skill in shift coordination, de-escalation, report review, inmate movement, incident response, staff coaching, evidence preservation, and professional communication.
- Ability to make time-critical custody decisions, request backup and medical aid, use only authorized force, maintain impartial disciplinary processes, and document actions.
- Ability to distinguish staff recommendations from final HR, medical, legal, disciplinary, classification, or release decisions.
- Ability to protect inmate medical, personnel, force, disciplinary, and security records through access controls, audit trails, retention, and approved disclosure.
Minimum QualificationsEducationHigh school diploma or GED. ExperienceEighteen (18) months of satisfactory experience as a Correctional Officer II or equivalent certified correctional-officer experience.Equivalent CombinationAn equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered when it provides the required correctional and first-line supervisory capabilities and does not waive mandatory certifications. Preferred Qualifications- Advanced training in corrections, criminal justice, supervision, emergency response, de-escalation, or a related field.
- Experience leading correctional posts or shifts, training officers, reviewing reports, transporting inmates, and responding to critical incidents.
Required Licenses and CertificationsCredential | Required By | Maintenance Requirement |
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Georgia POST certification appropriate to assigned correctional duties | At appointment | Maintain current certification and training. | Firearms or Weapons certification | Before carrying, issuing, or using an assigned weapon | Maintain current qualification; applies only to authorized assignments. | Valid driver's license and County driving eligibility | Before operating a County vehicle or transporting inmates | Maintain transport qualifications. | First aid/CPR, restraint, defensive-tactics, medication oversight, drug-testing, fire inspection, and supervisory training | Before independently directing the regulated function | Maintain current training. |
Work Schedule and AvailabilityRotating correctional shift schedule including nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, training, holdover, call-back, court, transport, and emergency response. All working time, including briefing, equipment issue, searches, required reports, training, holdover, and call-back, must be recorded and compensated. Overtime requires approval but must be reported and paid if worked. Physical and Environmental RequirementsRequirement | Frequency | Job-Related Context |
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Stand and walk through secure housing, corridors, yards, intake, visitation, transport, work-detail, maintenance, and program areas | Frequently | Supervises operations, conducts inspections, directs staff, and responds to incidents. | Sit and use computers, radios, telephones, cameras, records, scheduling, financial, and security systems | Frequently | Directs operations, reviews reports, communicates, schedules, investigates, and maintains records. | Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, climb stairs, and move quickly in confined or uneven areas | Occasionally | Supports searches, inspections, emergencies, escorts, and incident response. | Lift, carry, push, pull, support, or assist in moving people, equipment, or supplies | Occasionally | Occasionally lifts, carries, pushes, pulls, supports, or assists in moving persons, equipment, or supplies weighing up to 75 pounds. Emergency restraint, rescue, extraction, or inmate-assistance situations may require greater physical effort. Team or mechanical assistance should be used when feasible and consistent with security conditions. | Maintain control during physical resistance or emergencies using only trained and authorized techniques | Occasionally | Protects inmates, employees, visitors, and the public under approved force procedures. | Drive County vehicles while transporting inmates or conducting assigned business | Occasionally | Applies only when trained, authorized, and eligible under County requirements. |
Work EnvironmentWork is performed throughout a secure correctional facility, vehicles, courts, medical facilities, work details, contractor locations, and outdoor areas. Conditions may include noise, weather, traffic, stairs, confined spaces, chemicals, tools, bodily fluids, communicable disease, contraband, hostile behavior, physical resistance, violence, and emergencies. Controls include documented training, staffing and backup, protective equipment, key/tool/chemical control, de-escalation, force review, infection control, and immediate reporting of hazards, injuries, exposures, and security failures. DisclaimerEffingham County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable performance of the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law. This job description summarizes the position's primary duties and requirements. It is not an exhaustive list of every task, responsibility, or qualification. Duties may be modified or assigned based on operational needs, subject to applicable law and County policy. Employment RelationshipThis job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It is not an employment contract and does not create a guarantee of employment for any specific duration. Employment with Effingham County is at will and may be terminated by either the employee or the County at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable federal or state law, County ordinances, personnel policies, and any other legally binding employment protections.
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