CHIEF JAILER

Full Job Description

CHIEF JAILER

Executive Leadership Position

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Chief Jailer to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple detention facilities and all detention-related services.

This executive-level role is responsible for ensuring the safe, secure, and humane operation of county detention centers, supervising a diverse workforce, and directing a broad range of support functions including inmate services, transportation, medical coordination, classification, compliance, and administrative operations.

The ideal candidate is a decisive leader with deep knowledge of modern correctional practices, strong organizational management skills, and the ability to build a culture of professionalism, accountability, and service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Administration

• Directs, manages, and evaluates the operations of multiple detention facilities and detention support divisions.

• Develops and implements policies, procedures, and operational standards aligned with federal, state, and local laws, as well as accreditation requirements.

• Advises the Sheriff and executive command staff on detention operations, emerging issues, staffing needs, and strategic planning.

• Oversees resource allocation for all detention operations.

• Leads long-range planning for facility improvements, technology upgrades, and operational efficiencies.

Operational Oversight

• Ensures the secure custody, care, and control of all individuals housed within county detention facilities.

• Oversees intake, classification, housing assignments, inmate movement, transportation, and release processes.

• Directs detention support operations including medical coordination, mental health services, food services, maintenance, inmate programs, and records management.

• Ensures compliance with PREA, ADA, CALEA, NCCHC, ACA, and other regulatory or accreditation standards.

• Coordinates emergency response planning, incident management, and critical event review.

Personnel Management

• Provides leadership and direction to command staff, supervisors, detention officers, and civilian personnel.

• Oversees training, performance, and professional development for all detention staff.

• Promotes a culture of integrity, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

• Ensures staff compliance with agency policies, safety protocols, and legal requirements.

Interagency & Community Collaboration

• Serves as the primary liaison with courts, law enforcement agencies, medical providers, mental health partners, and community organizations.

• Represents the Sheriff’s Office in meetings, public forums, and intergovernmental workgroups related to detention operations.

• Coordinates with county leadership on facility planning, inmate population trends, and community impact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in corrections, detention administration, or jail operations, including progressive supervisory or command-level responsibilities.

• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale operations and personnel.

• Comprehensive knowledge of correctional standards, inmate management practices, and legal requirements governing detention facilities.

• Valid driver’s license; ability to pass background investigation and meet all agency hiring standards.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Executive-level experience overseeing multiple detention facilities or complex correctional systems.

• Certification through recognized professional organizations (e.g., ACA, NCCHC, NENA, or state jailer/corrections boards).

• Experience with jail management systems, data-driven decision-making, and operational analytics.

• Proven ability to lead organizational change and implement modern correctional practices.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strategic leadership and vision

• Strong decision-making and crisis-management skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities

• Ethical judgment and commitment to professional standards

• Ability to build partnerships and foster collaborative relationships

• Skill in managing diverse teams and complex operations

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and any relevant certifications through the county’s online application portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Requirements

Purpose of Classification:
The purpose of this classification is to perform professional level administrative and supervisory work in overseeing the daily operation of the County jail and to ensure the safety, security and welfare of inmates during incarceration.

Essential Functions:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff: develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews timesheets; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and management; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures.

Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; provides progress and activity reports to management; and assists with the revision of procedure manuals as appropriate.

Ensures departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.

Oversees enforcement of all applicable codes, ordinances, laws and regulations in order to ensure the safety, security and welfare of inmates during incarceration; disciplines inmates and staff.

Assists with preparation of long-range and short-term management plan for the jail; develops, interprets, and implements standard operating procedures, rules and regulations, and policies; prepares goals and objectives; evaluates progress made toward goals and objectives; identifies areas requiring improvement; and formulates and executes action plan to correct deficiencies.

Develops and administers budget; prepares budget requests and projected capital expenditure requests; monitors expenditures for compliance with approved budget; approves invoices; monitors checking accounts.
Performs related administrative functions; maintains statistics and records; generates required reports; oversees and monitors staff training; prepares work schedules; ensures adequate staffing levels; reviews employee time sheets; maintains licensures and certifications for facility.

Ensures the security of facility; ensures adequate staffing levels; ensures staff has proper equipment to monitor and control the movements of the inmate population; monitors inmate population levels; ensures maintenance of facility and equipment; submits requests for repairs and replacement of equipment.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including jail data and reports, Department of Justice reports, incident reports, and housing plans; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including shift deployment report, building maintenance report and other reports; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Operates or uses various equipment and supplies in order to complete work assignments: operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Communicates with County officials, supervisor, other employees, inmates, attorneys, third party service contractors, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Additional Functions:
Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
*All applicants must agree to and successfully pass a background investigation, drug screening and polygraph to be considered for employment with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.*

Must successfully pass the minimum Physical Fitness/Agility standards and testing for running, sit-ups, and push-ups administered by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. If requested, must submit to a psychological profile test. Must possess a valid Georgia Driver's License at the time of appointment. Must be at least twenty one (21) years of age. Must conform to the following qualifications as required by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act: Be a citizen of the United States; Have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent (G.E.D.); Not have been convicted by any state or the federal government of any crime, the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in a federal or state prison or institution; nor have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of disregard for the law, provided that, for the purposes of this paragraph, violations of traffic laws and other offenses involving the operation of a motor vehicle when the applicant has received a pardon shall not be considered; Be fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record; Be of good moral character as determined by established standards and procedures; Have an oral interview with the hiring authority or designated representative(s) to determine applicant's appearance, background, and ability to communicate; Be found, after examination by a licensed physician of the Fulton County Health and Wellness Department, to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental conditions which might adversely affect exercising the powers or duties of a peace officer; and Successfully complete a job related academy entrance examination provided for and administered by the council in conformity with state and federal law. Such examination shall be administered prior to entrance to the basic course provided for in Code Sections §35-8-9 and §35-8-11.

The council may change or modify such examination and shall establish the criteria for determining satisfactory performance on such examination. Peace officers who do not perform satisfactorily on the examination shall be ineligible to retake such examination for a period of six (6) months after an unsuccessful attempt. The provisions of this paragraph establish only the minimum requirements of academy entrance examinations for peace officer candidates in this state; each law enforcement unit is encouraged to provide such additional requirements and any pre-employment examination as it deems necessary and appropriate.

EXAMINATION:
The examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application. Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education and experience as listed to be rated as qualified. If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/course work used to qualify for this position.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. WE DO NOT ACCEPT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AFTER APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT.

Performance Aptitudes:
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to function in a director capacity for a major organizational unit requiring significant internal and external interaction.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials requiring complex and/or rapid adjustments.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in critical and/or unexpected situations involving moderate risk to the organization.

Additional Information