This is work involving general correctional custody of inmates in a controlled environment at the Ottawa County Jail. Frequent close contact with the inmate population in confined quarters and may be required to physically restrain inmates as circumstances require. Must be able to work in a highly disciplined and structured environment and be able to maintain order and security. Must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment and discretion in responding to emergencies and diffusing potential crises. Must be able to tolerate verbal harassment from inmates without losing composure. Work is performed under established policies and procedures. Assignments and special orders are received from supervisors, who review work methods and results through reports, inspections and instructions.

This is a full-time, benefited position in West Olive, MI working at the jail. Shifts typically run 12 hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 6 a.m..

If you are selected as a successful candidate for this position, you must complete both the EMPCO written examination and LCOPAT Physical Ability Test prior to your start date. Please read the information below to familiarize yourself with both of these requirements.

Examination through Empco, Inc:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receives newly arrested individuals and inmates returning from court appearances, external medical treatment, work release and supervised worksites into the jail.
• Processes new arrests, photographing and fingerprinting suspects; reviewing LEIN records for outstanding warrants, holds and detainers; reviewing police reports; completing other required booking procedures; and assigning them to pre-trial housing unit.
• Determines proper classification of newly sentenced inmates and assigns them to appropriate housing units.
• Issues inmate uniforms and bedding, inventories and receipts inmate personal property, supervises showering, and escorts inmates to assigned housing units.
• Searches inmates returning to the facility from work release or court appearances; reviews court orders to determine inmate status; and processes inmates back into secure housing areas.
• Releases inmates from the facility in accordance with the terms and conditions of their bonds, respective court orders and/or upon completion of their sentences.
• Controls access to secure areas, monitoring security control screens and operating remote controls for electromechanical locking devices.
• Observes inmate conduct and behavior for evidence of prohibited activities, infractions of rules and regulations, mental illness and self-destructive behavior, and aggression towards other inmates.
• Searches inmates and inmate living quarters for weapons and other contraband articles.
• Investigates and prepares written reports of all inmate infractions of rules and regulations, all disturbances, and all contraband found in the possession of inmates.
• Escorts inmates to and from, and monitors them during, video arraignments, professional and personal visits, medical treatment, religious services, rehabilitation programs and other out-of-cell activities.
• As assigned, supervises inmates participating in Supervised Work Assignment Program (SWAP), providing labor for parks and drain maintenance projects and at participating community work sites.
• Provides work assignments for and monitors the work of trustees in the facility.
• Physically subdues or restrains inmates, if necessary, to prevent injuries or to stop disturbances.
• Admits visitors in accordance with prescribed regulations; delivers inmate mail; conducts inmate counts and pod checks.
• Supervises inmates during meals.
• Dispenses prescribed medications to inmates.
• Performs related work as required to maintain the security of the facility and ensure the safety and security of inmates, officers, civilian employees and visitors.

High school diploma or GED required. Associates or Bachelors degree in Corrections related field of study preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:
Must successfully complete a State of Michigan sanctioned corrections academy and obtain State of Michigan certification as a Corrections Officer within twelve (12) months of the date of hire.
Must obtain First Aid and CPR certification within twelve (12) months of the date of hire.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic knowledge of applied psychology, sociology and group dynamics.
• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of criminology.
• Basic knowledge of Michigan Court Rules.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to prepare verbal and written reports.
• Good interpersonal skills and knowledge of practical conflict resolution.
• Sufficient computer literacy to operate enter and retrieve data from the LEIN system and obtain LEIN certification, and ability to operate touch screen control consoles and related equipment.
• Good driving record.
• Satisfactory work record and personal history.
• Working knowledge of security practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of CPR and first aid.
• Availability to work any or all shifts, as assigned.
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with a culturally diverse inmate population with varying levels of communication skills.
• Ability to maintain behavioral control of inmates from all security levels.
• Ability to sustain mental and physical stress and to react quickly, calmly, and effectively in emergencies.
• Ability to work in close quarters.
• Working knowledge of bloodborne pathogens protocols.

• Must possess sufficient strength, manual dexterity and mobility to physically search inmates and inmate living quarters, restrain or subdue inmates and/or remove inmates involuntarily from any location within the jail.
• Must have sufficient unassisted mobility to access all areas of the jail.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk for the entire length of shift in order to observe inmates.
• Must possess sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to observe inmates, inspect inmate living quarters for contraband, monitor security cameras and control panel displays and accurately aim a firearm.
• Must possess sufficiently acute sense of smell to be able to detect smoke, fire and contraband carried or being used by inmates.
• Must possess sufficient auditory acuity to hear alarms, warning signals, inmate conversations and other sounds indicating inmates engaged in prohibited behavior or using contraband.

This is work involving general correctional custody of inmates in a controlled environment at the Ottawa County Jail. Frequent close contact with the inmate population in confined quarters and may be required to physically restrain inmates as circumstances require. Must be able to work in a highly disciplined and structured environment and be able to maintain order and security. Must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment and discretion in responding to emergencies and diffusing potential crises. Must be able to tolerate verbal harassment from inmates without losing composure. Work is performed under established policies and procedures. Assignments and special orders are received from supervisors, who review work methods and results through reports, inspections and instructions.

This is a full-time, benefited position in West Olive, MI working at the jail. Shifts typically run 12 hours, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 6 a.m..

If you are selected as a successful candidate for this position, you must complete both the EMPCO written examination and LCOPAT Physical Ability Test prior to your start date. Please read the information below to familiarize yourself with both of these requirements.

Examination through Empco, Inc:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receives newly arrested individuals and inmates returning from court appearances, external medical treatment, work release and supervised worksites into the jail.
• Processes new arrests, photographing and fingerprinting suspects; reviewing LEIN records for outstanding warrants, holds and detainers; reviewing police reports; completing other required booking procedures; and assigning them to pre-trial housing unit.
• Determines proper classification of newly sentenced inmates and assigns them to appropriate housing units.
• Issues inmate uniforms and bedding, inventories and receipts inmate personal property, supervises showering, and escorts inmates to assigned housing units.
• Searches inmates returning to the facility from work release or court appearances; reviews court orders to determine inmate status; and processes inmates back into secure housing areas.
• Releases inmates from the facility in accordance with the terms and conditions of their bonds, respective court orders and/or upon completion of their sentences.
• Controls access to secure areas, monitoring security control screens and operating remote controls for electromechanical locking devices.
• Observes inmate conduct and behavior for evidence of prohibited activities, infractions of rules and regulations, mental illness and self-destructive behavior, and aggression towards other inmates.
• Searches inmates and inmate living quarters for weapons and other contraband articles.
• Investigates and prepares written reports of all inmate infractions of rules and regulations, all disturbances, and all contraband found in the possession of inmates.
• Escorts inmates to and from, and monitors them during, video arraignments, professional and personal visits, medical treatment, religious services, rehabilitation programs and other out-of-cell activities.
• As assigned, supervises inmates participating in Supervised Work Assignment Program (SWAP), providing labor for parks and drain maintenance projects and at participating community work sites.
• Provides work assignments for and monitors the work of trustees in the facility.
• Physically subdues or restrains inmates, if necessary, to prevent injuries or to stop disturbances.
• Admits visitors in accordance with prescribed regulations; delivers inmate mail; conducts inmate counts and pod checks.
• Supervises inmates during meals.
• Dispenses prescribed medications to inmates.
• Performs related work as required to maintain the security of the facility and ensure the safety and security of inmates, officers, civilian employees and visitors.

High school diploma or GED required. Associates or Bachelors degree in Corrections related field of study preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:
Must successfully complete a State of Michigan sanctioned corrections academy and obtain State of Michigan certification as a Corrections Officer within twelve (12) months of the date of hire.
Must obtain First Aid and CPR certification within twelve (12) months of the date of hire.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic knowledge of applied psychology, sociology and group dynamics.
• Basic knowledge of the principles and practices of criminology.
• Basic knowledge of Michigan Court Rules.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to prepare verbal and written reports.
• Good interpersonal skills and knowledge of practical conflict resolution.
• Sufficient computer literacy to operate enter and retrieve data from the LEIN system and obtain LEIN certification, and ability to operate touch screen control consoles and related equipment.
• Good driving record.
• Satisfactory work record and personal history.
• Working knowledge of security practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of CPR and first aid.
• Availability to work any or all shifts, as assigned.
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with a culturally diverse inmate population with varying levels of communication skills.
• Ability to maintain behavioral control of inmates from all security levels.
• Ability to sustain mental and physical stress and to react quickly, calmly, and effectively in emergencies.
• Ability to work in close quarters.
• Working knowledge of bloodborne pathogens protocols.

• Must possess sufficient strength, manual dexterity and mobility to physically search inmates and inmate living quarters, restrain or subdue inmates and/or remove inmates involuntarily from any location within the jail.
• Must have sufficient unassisted mobility to access all areas of the jail.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk for the entire length of shift in order to observe inmates.
• Must possess sufficient visual acuity with or without corrective lenses to observe inmates, inspect inmate living quarters for contraband, monitor security cameras and control panel displays and accurately aim a firearm.
• Must possess sufficiently acute sense of smell to be able to detect smoke, fire and contraband carried or being used by inmates.
• Must possess sufficient auditory acuity to hear alarms, warning signals, inmate conversations and other sounds indicating inmates engaged in prohibited behavior or using contraband.

This position is benefited and is in the POAM Non-312 bargaining unit. Positions in this bargaining unit include Corrections Deputy, Court Services Officer, Animal Control Deputy, Clerk Typist II / Matron, and Clerk Typist III / Matron.

Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Benefits page for more information.

The current POAM Non-312 collective bargaining agreement can be viewed here (Download PDF reader). The 2023 pay scale can be found here. (Download PDF reader)