Thank you for your interest in the jailer profession with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. The beginning wage is $23.42 per hour with benefits including insurance and I.P.E.R.S. pension.
Lateral transfer is allowed for applicants who are currently Iowa certified jail officers in good standing. Starting wage for lateral transfers with more than two years post academy service is between $24.35-$26.34 per hour based on training and experience.
To be eligible to take the physical fitness and written examination, your completed application must be submitted to the business office and include:
- A copy of your birth certificate
- Military form DD-214 (if applicable)
- Certified school transcripts
- Current photograph
- If any of these items cannot be submitted with your appplication by the deadline, you must advise in writing that they will be forwarded.
Physical Fitness and written testing will occur by invitation on a date to be determined. Female applicants are encourage to apply.
Job Duties
Marshall County Sheriff’s Office Jailers are expected to perform all aspects relating to the care, custody and control of persons remanded to the Marshall County Sheriff and the safety, security and orderly operations of the Marshall County Jail. Jailers preform functions in accordance with established regulations and procedures.
SOME EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
- Detainment and admissions processes for prisoners entering the jail, which include, in part, searches, inventories and accounting of property and money, collecting and entering biographical data, authorization for custody, fingerprinting and photographing.
- Supervises inmates in linear, direct and indirect supervision housing units.
- Collects, documents and secures bond and commissary monies.
- Assists with court functions during initial appearances of prisoners, such as providing court appointed counsel forms, documenting fines and sentences, bond amounts, bond conditions, and service of no-contact orders.
- Processes prisoners into inmate housing units by ensuring that they have showered and providing them inmate-issue clothing, linen, hygiene items, etc.
- Effectively communicates with inmates and detainees, giving clear and complete instructions. Gives explanations of policies and procedures and outlines expectations in a detailed and understandable manner.
- Regularly observes Inmate behavior and communicates observations and perceptions, verbally and/or in writing, with co-workers and supervisors to enhance an effective team approach.
- Classifies inmates to determine security needs of the facility and the inmate, while protecting those that are vulnerable or likely to be exploited.
- Regularly determines and documents the whereabouts of each Inmate. This includes eyes-on checks and head counts within the facility, and telephone or site checks outside the facility.
- Consistently follows established procedures.
- Diligently monitors Inmate behavior to ensure compliance with the rules of supervision and consistently confronts inmates for rule violations or inappropriate behavior in an assertive, constructive and fair manner.
- Participates in the disciplinary process and ensures that due process rights are afforded to offenders at all times.
- Regularly makes judgments as to whether rules have been violated and when necessary, prepares accurate, timely, written disciplinary reports. Further investigation may be assigned after the reports are reviewed.
- Service as a hearing officer or on a hearing committee for the purpose of determining if a violation of rules occurred and if so, deciding appropriate sanctions for the behavior.
- Is familiar with criminal laws to know if a violation should be referred to administration for review of potential criminal charges.
- Conduct urine drug-screening and alcohol breath-testing on the inmate population according to facility policy. This includes scheduled testing as well as making assessments concerning the need to conduct a test.
- Perform clothed and unclothed searches of prisoners and searches of their living quarters and property. Also searches visitors and other areas within the facility and perimeter.
- Identifies and confiscates contraband and follows agency policies on contraband disposition and chain of evidence.
- Recognizes and responds to potentially dangerous incidents and uses effective verbalization skills to de-escalate and control situations and, if necessary, use a justifiable and reasonable amount of force necessary to gain control.
- Demonstrates proficiency in defensive tactics, chemical deterrents and electronic control devices. Knows the proper options and application of mechanical restraints.
- Approach situations with the safety of all involved as the primary objective.
- May conduct individual counseling with inmates to address problem areas.
- Conduct routine inspections of the facility. Identifies needed repairs to the building, fixtures, equipment and furniture. Examines and maintains the overall cleanliness of the facility, conduct laundry, meal and sanitation services as needed; and supervises inmate cleaning details to ensure that high standards of cleanliness are maintained.
- Prevents escapes through security, inspection, vigilance and the appropriate use of force, if necessary.
- Documents, inspects and delivers incoming and outgoing mail, checking for contraband or security issues.
- Monitors inmate use of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Stores medications in a secure location and makes them available to inmates when needed. Ensures that only the person for whom it is intended takes the correct medication, at the correct dosage, by the correct route, at the correct time and properly documents it.
- Provides First Aid and CPR when necessary.
- Conducts operational checks on alarm/security equipment and immediately reports any problems to a supervisor.
- Regularly uses general office equipment to include computers, fax machines, copy machines, and the telephone.
- Schedules visits, appointments, transports and release dates.
- Clerical duties that include the collection, entering, filing and dissemination of documents related to jail records.
- Facilitates the ordering and delivery of commissary items.
- Management of inmate trust accounts.
Job Qualifications
The minimum standards for Marshall County Jailer applicants are as follows:
- Is 18 years of age or older.
- Is able to read, write, and communicate effectively in English. Bilingual skills are an asset.
- Is of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation including a fingerprint search conducted of local, state, and national fingerprint files.
- Is not by reason of conscience or belief opposed to the use of force, when appropriate or necessary to fulfill the person's duties.
- Has the ability to perform the essential elements of the position as defined in department job specifications (including keyboard/computer skills and the ability to write reports).
- Is an appropriate candidate for employment as demonstrated by qualified psychological screening.
- Is in good physical condition and free of contagious diseases as certified by a physician.
- Has successfully completed, or is willing to complete, the State required jailer training within the first year of employment.
- Has a valid Iowa driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one by time of employment (there are additional specific requirements related to a person’s driving record).
- Resides, or is willing to reside, within a 50 miles of the Marshall County Sheriff's Office.
- Is not addicted to alcohol or drugs.
- Must be willing to submit to a polygraph examination, which will cover all areas of the minimum qualifications.
- Meets requirements for Jailer Physical Standards.
Careers
