Corrections Specialist (Central Booking, TCCC Records and Classification)

Full Job Description

Are you looking for a great place to work that allows you to utilize your skillset in a fast-paced environment? Do you have office/clerical experience?

If you answered yes, then you need to apply for Travis County Sheriff's Office Corrections Specialist (Central Booking, TCCC Records and Classification) Position.

Travis County offers a premier Total Rewards Package that includes a highly rated retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, 3 personal holidays, 12 company holidays, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, medical, dental, and vision, and a free employee health care clinic.

The Corrections Specialist (Central Booking, TCCC Records and Classification), under minimal supervision, performs highly responsible work in coordinating and carrying out responsibilities involving inmate incarceration.

Makes independent decisions, organizes and prioritizes workload and performs detailed and complex legal procedures associated with the receipt, review and processing of court documents and the review of criminal histories, intake assessments and jail behavior to assign safe and secure inmate housing.

Accepts and processes bonds, fines and cash releases. Processes jail records for retention and subpoenas. Conducts daily coordination with all legal entities involved with inmate incarceration.

Conducts statistical research for Governmental Agencies regarding benefit eligibility. With general direction, provides care, custody, and control of inmates in the detention complex.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a job classification within the Administrative Support job family. This is a specialized classification with duties similar but not identical to the Office Specialist Senior title.

Incumbents perform complex and advanced decision making without supervision on matters of release of inmate charges and determination of level of security housing required for each inmate.

Requirements

• Must be willing to work flexible hours including weekends, holidays, and shift work. Will have indirect contact with incarcerated persons.

Updates inmate records on the computer system and manually maintains all inmate incarceration files. Compiles and creates Daily Jail Population Report.

Responsible for the preparation of files and property for moves and transfer lists. Reviews criminal histories; jail behavior; counselor assessments; intake and PREA screening.

Makes inmate inquiries and runs criminal history reports.

Conducts emergency moves requested by Security, Medical or Mental Health staff; arranges for emergency inmate moves.

Determines and creates moves of all newly incarcerated inmates into permanent housing as determined by Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Determines eligibility and assigns inmate worker positions.

Reviews and completes Sex Offender Registrations.

Conducts Classification and reassessments of inmates confined in custody.

Conducts reassessments of inmates upon guilty findings after administrative disciplinary procedures, added criminal charges or dismissals.

Determines need for override of inmate's classification or need for Jail Management Team review.

• Operates base radio within the jail detention complex and maintains contact with all downtown jail facility sections (Transportation, Travis County Jail, Courthouse Security, Central Booking).
• Monitors radio for routine and emergency transmissions. Monitors and operates security alarm systems throughout Travis County facilities. Operates electronic control panel for access to the facility. Operates screening devices, such as the X-Ray machine.
• Monitors security cameras to track normal inmate movement and identify security violations in all areas, including MPS and isolation areas. Provides surveillance of activity in open seating with non-classified inmates and cell areas.
• Coordinates access into, within, and out of the downtown jail facility. Coordinates incoming and outgoing traffic in the Sallyport (Arresting Agency Transports, Transportation Sedans and Buses, EMS, Crime Lab, various other agencies and civilian access).
• Relays information between buildings, supervisors, officers, and the general public.
• Reports all suspicious behavior and activity to appropriate personnel. Responds to panic and fire alarms throughout the courthouses and other locations. Writes reports or supplements to incidents or violations of the law.
• Researches, responds and documents all inmate requests regarding their incarceration, classification, and requests for worker status. Conducts research for state and federal agencies regarding inmate benefits.

Enters routine financial and other data on the computer system, balances source data to the cash drawer, and funds transfer ledger.

Independently processes legal documents; accepts and processes bonds and fine payments. Enters warrants onto Jail Record, sets up court magistrations, and determines court dates upon release.

Processes funds for release to inmates, attorneys, bondspeople, or the public. Writes checks on inmate accounts as authorized.

Processes new inmates by booking, interviewing, completing paperwork, taking photographs, taking all property, including clothes and money to be held while in custody.

Maintains accurate inventory and account of inmate property and money when they are detained. Returns appropriate belongings, such as money or clothing, to detainees when released.

• Performs inmates’ sentence calculations and releases by reviewing court commitments, calculating time served, tracking and projecting release dates, and tracking credit for inmates who work upon completion of sentence.
• Research back time for credits for courts and attorneys. Audits files, as required.
• Enters information into computer system and drafts correspondence using computer software. Performs administrative duties, such as filing, photocopying, answering phones and data entry.
• Initiates and develops files on inmates who participate in the weekend program. Conducts warrant checks on inmates processed at both intake and release. Responsible for communicating directly with other law enforcement agencies regarding holds, warrants, deadlines for extraditions.
• Performs duties as it relates to current and future legislative mandates (entry into state databases, running criminal histories as it pertains to DNA Swabbing requirements, Sandra Bland requirements).

Sets-up and processes releases of large groups and individuals for release to general public, ICE, TDCJ, Mental Health facilities and other LE agencies.

Conducts victim notifications as required by CCP, arranges transportation by Mental Health Unit as required, verifies inmate identification and court related paperwork upon inmate release

• Receives, stores, inventories and secures confidential incarceration records to off-site storage facilities. Orders files from off-site as requested per subpoenas. Testifies in court. Notarizes documents for inmates, attorneys, childcare professionals and family members.

Responsible for receiving, inventorying, securing, and releasing inmate property in accordance with policy.

Ensures accurate documentation, maintains chain of custody, verifies ownership, and processes authorized releases while safeguarding items from loss or damage.

Also addresses discrepancies and ensures timely, documented return of property.

Handles incoming calls from staff, attorneys, courts, civilians, and other parties, providing accurate information on jail operations, inmate status, and legal processes.

Ensures confidentiality, communicates clearly, and routes inquiries to appropriate personnel as needed while maintaining professionalism in a fast-paced environment.

Interacts with courts and other agencies to verify defendants have been sentenced to a particular program or are authorized for release. Contacts immigration, as required.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with LE officers, judges, attorneys, representatives of outside agencies, other county employees and officials, and the general public.

• Retrieves mail and inner office documents from Travis County Complex Mail Room located across the Complex grounds.
• Conducts training for newly assigned staff.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
High School diploma or G.E.D. AND four (4) years of responsible clerical experience, including use of legal terminology;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Must be a U.S. Citizen.

TCOLE Jailer’s license must be obtained within one (1) year of employment. TCIC/NCIC Certification must be obtained within six (6) months of employment.

***To obtain a Jailer’s License, the applicant will learn and be able to apply basic self-defense techniques and inmate handling techniques. Physical participation is required.***

Preferred Requirements:

TCOLE Jailer’s License

Previous experience with TCIC/NCIC

Special Requirements:

If you are a current employee, you must attach the following to the online application:

All applicants are required to attach a resume with the online application.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Criminal justice system policies and procedures.
• Legal terminology, principles, procedures, documents and forms.
• Office procedures and protocol.
• Scanning equipment and document control.
• File Management and techniques.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation and report preparation.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.

Skill in:

• Analyzing legal documents.
• Coordinating the review and processing of legal documents.
• Performing cashier duties, such as receiving cash, issuing and posting receipts for fee payments or other charges.
• Communicating with attorneys or judges related to case information.
• Drafting correspondence.
• Resolving complex problems.
• Conducting research and presenting information.
• Communicating with victims, law enforcement officers and others involved in court related proceedings.
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Compile data to write clear and comprehensive reports.
• Create effective filing systems and retrieve and disseminate information.
• Train office personnel.
• Maintain confidential data.
• Understand and carry out verbal and written directions.
• Interpret and process legal data.
• Operate complex databases.
• Work under minimal direction.
• Make independent decisions based on the requirement of statutes, policies and procedures.
• Handle high volumes of detail-oriented work.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Prioritize and work independently.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, judges, attorneys, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.
• Work all shifts within a 24/7 operation.

Additional Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to sitting, client/customer contact, standing, walking, vision to monitor, repetitive motion, stooping/kneeling, squatting, bending, and reaching to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: Shift work; this position will be required to work an evening and/or night shift. Works some holidays, works some nights, works some weekends.

Location: Austin, TX

Department: Travis County Sheriff Office

Criminal Background Check, Credit Report, Driving Record, TCOLE, Physical Exam, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Psychological Exam, Education, and Employment History Check Required.

For questions or updates on this position, contact: tcso.recruiting@traviscountytx.gov