Careers at the Jail

Become a Confinement Officer

A Confinement Officer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security for staff, inmates, and visitors of the DeKalb County Jail by upholding the laws, rules, and regulations that pertain to the sheriff’s office as well as those that relate to the confinement of individuals housed within the jail.

Qualified candidates are self-motivated and have the desire to learn a variety of new skills. A good confinement officer should be capable of multi-tasking and able to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. The confinement officer must have the ability to communicate well, resolve conflict, and adhere to policies and procedures of the DeKalb County Government. Willingness to serve in other duties and assignments as directed by the DeKalb County Sheriff.

Responsibilities: Under the direction of the shift Corporal, the DeKalb County Confinement Officer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security for employees, inmates and visitors of the DeKalb County Jail by upholding the laws, rules and regulations that pertain to the Sheriff’s Office as well as those that relate to the confinement of individuals housed within the DeKalb County Jail.

Requirements:

  • Good moral character

  • High school diploma or GED

  • Valid Driver’s license

  • Must be 18 years of age or older

Benefits:

  • Confinement Officer Base Pay: $23.43/hour

  • Discounted YMCA membership

  • Promotes from within

  • Longevity Pay

  • Confinement Officers work 8-hour shifts on a 4 days on and 2 days off rotation (6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.)

  • Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday pay, Medical, dental, vision, life/disability insurance, retirement plans

  • Confinement Officers are issued uniforms, handcuffs, and other necessary equipment to work in the jail.

  • Retirement – After 10 years, you will be a vested member of the Public Employee’s Retirement Fund, which is a pension program. Once you reach retirement age, you will be eligible to receive a monthly check based on your years of service to the sheriff’s office for the rest of your life.

Training:

Confinement Officers will complete a 40-hour Jail Officer’s Course through the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association. The course is designed to provide new jail officers with the basic knowledge necessary to allow them to function in the jail and is intended to be in addition to annual training provided by the sheriff’s office.

 The Jail Officer’s Course consists of training in legal considerations from intake to release, jail security, medical considerations, suicide prevention, abnormal behavior in inmates, admissions and booking, stress management.

Confinement Officers receive annual training on mental health, medical/first aid, CPR, and defensive tactics.

 All expenses are paid for training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

We E-Verify!

Would you like to know more or have questions about being a confinement officer? Contact Jail Commander Josh Carpenter by email or call 260-925-3365.

Position Overview

Jail Officers for the DeKalb County Jail are responsible for maintaining security and order within the jail facility. Enforces local, state, and federal laws by implementing effective policy to protect the lives and property of the people.

Maintains interior and exterior security of Jail, including monitoring surveillance cameras, operating electronic and digital door controls, monitoring detainee activities, and conducting watch tours/patrols. Maintains accurate accounting of all detainees, conducting periodic cell checks, shakedowns, roll calls, and head counts of detainees in assigned areas. Performs booking procedures of individuals being detained, including photographing, fingerprinting, entering required information in computer, completing required forms and intake reports, receiving and receipting money and personal property, and searching detainees for weapons and contraband.

Oversees detainees in allowable activities, such as telephone calls, commissary purchases, counsel, and family visitations. Distributes daily meals and ensures all trays are removed from cellblocks. Ensures personal hygiene of detainees and cleanliness of cell areas, accounting for all personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, laundry, and equipment issued to detainees.

Provides detainees with prescribed medications according to orders of physician. Follows Department procedures to ensure detainees receive proper medical attention.

Ensures compliance with facility rules and regulations, including recording and reporting inappropriate behavior to appropriate Department personnel and taking necessary action to correct any problems that arise. Properly secures and/or physically restrains violent and uncontrollable detainees as situations demand. Transports and/or escorts individuals detained by the County to various locations, such as Court, Department of Corrections (DOC), medical facilities and hospitals, dental appointments, recreation, library, AA, and other meetings and activities.

Responds to inquiries from family members, attorneys, and members of general public regarding visitation and status of individual detainees.

Responds to detainee grievances following established chain of command procedures. Maintains and updates institution logs, incident reports, daily activity reports, booking/release records, and medical records. Submits all reports and summaries of activities according to established Department deadlines.

Receives, sorts, inspects, and logs incoming and outgoing mail and personal items for detainees. Answers telephone and receives jail visitors, including logging all calls and visitors, providing information and assistance, taking messages or directing calls/visitors to more appropriate individual or department.

Testifies in legal proceedings/court as necessary.

Attends in-service training as required.

Performs related duties as assigned or required.

A career in corrections will provide you with a chance to serve the community and make a difference.