Job Description
JOB SUMMARY Performs routine supervisory work in the care and custody of inmates and in the care, training, and
use of canine teams. Work involves maintaining kennel area and supervising the work of staff and
inmates assigned to kennel duties. Works under moderate supervision with limited latitude for the
use of initiative and independent judgment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS A. Supervises, instructs, trains, and ensures the safety of employees assigned to narcotic kennel
duties; maintains care, custody, and adherence to rules and regulations by inmates assigned to
kennel duties; assists in developing criteria for and selection of narcotic detection handlers and
canines; and provides for the care, training, and use of the canine teams.
B. Supervises and searches for contraband and provides security; counts, feeds, and supervises
inmates in housing, work, and other areas accessed by stairs, steps, and ladders; and performs
security of various assigned areas involving long periods of sitting and standing, and climbing
stairs, steps, and ladders to reach the assigned areas.
C. Supervises and provides custody and security of inmates including observing actions of inmates,
squatting and bending to perform "pat" and "strip" searches of inmates, restraining and securing
sometimes assaultive inmates, and transferring and transporting inmates by walking, driving, or
riding in various vehicles such as trailers, vans, buses, and other forms of transportation.
D. Supervises and provides security of inmates performing technical skills such as construction,
maintenance, laundry, food service, and in varied industrial and agricultural operations which
involve climbing stairs, steps, and ladders and climbing around the inside and outside of
buildings; works outdoors and indoors without air conditioning; works around motorized or
moving equipment and machinery; and is subject to all types of weather. E. Responds to emergencies including climbing stairs, steps, and ladders while searching for
escaped inmates, hearing calls for and calling for help, giving first aid at the emergency site,
carrying an injured or unconscious inmate or employee various distances to safety up or down
stairs, steps, and ladders; and uses force and deadly force to include the use of chemical agents
and firearms to control inmates.
F. Reads, reviews, and properly applies information found in inmate records which is related to the
inmate's health and safety and to the security of the facility; provides appropriate information to
other staff; complies with all policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; enforces inmate
disciplinary rules; and prepares or supervises the preparation and maintenance of records,
forms, and reports.
G. Coordinates and schedules narcotic detection training and certification; ensures narcotics used
for training are properly inventoried, replaced, and stored to include separation to prevent scent
contamination; maintains certification standards and makes recommendations related to
certification of narcotic detection teams; and conducts investigations of incidents related to the
canines.
* Performs a variety of marginal duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS A. Education, Experience, and Training
1. Graduation from an accredited senior high school or equivalent or GED.
2. Two years full-time, wage-earning correctional custody or law enforcement experience.
3. Experience in the handling of canines preferred.
4. Experience handling canines in narcotic detection preferred.
B. Knowledge and Skills
1. Knowledge of the overall operation of correctional facilities.
2. Knowledge of correctional methods, techniques, practices, and procedures.
3. Knowledge of state purchasing and donation procedures preferred.
4. Knowledge of the care, breeding, and training of canines, and the upkeep of kennel and
kennel area preferred.
5. Knowledge of canine narcotic detection preferred.
6. Knowledge of agency and departmental organizational structure, policies, procedures,
rules, and regulations preferred.
7. Skill to communicate ideas and instructions clearly and concisely.
8. Skill to coordinate with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the
public.
9. Skill to interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
10. Skill to prepare and maintain accurate records, files, and reports.
11. Skill to plan, organize, and assign the work of others.
12. Skill in the supervision of employees and inmates.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION A. Ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, push, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above the shoulder, grasp, pull,
bend repeatedly, climb stairs, steps, and ladders, identify colors, hear with aid, see, write, count,
read, speak, analyze, alphabetize, lift and carry 45 lbs. and over, perceive depth, operate a
motor vehicle, operate motor equipment, use firearms, perform tactile discernment, and restrain
assaultive persons.
B. Conditions include working inside and outside, working around machines with moving parts and
moving objects, radiant and electrical energy, working closely with others, working alone,
working protracted or irregular hours, excessive heat, cold, humidity, dampness and chill, dry
atmosphere, excessive or intermittent noise, constant noise, dust, fumes, smoke, gases, grease,
oils, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working at heights, working on ladders or scaffolding,
using chemical agents, and traveling by car, van, bus, and airplane.
C. Equipment (machines, tools, devices) used in performing only the essential functions include
computer and related equipment, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, radio, firearms,
handcuffs, waist and leg restraints, turn cranks on manual doors, tear gas canisters and
weapons, various locking systems, narcotic training aids, tractor, trailer, dolly, and automobile.
Please note that applications submitted via handwritten forms, email, mail, or fax will not
be accepted. Your job application must be completely filled out and include all
employment, do not limit employment to the past 10-15 years. Your application must
contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of
employment, supervisor's name and phone number, and a description of duties
performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this
information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete
If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our
interview process, please inform the hiring representative who contacts you to schedule
your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time
to consider and respond to your request.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
*Outside applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug testing as a
condition of employment.*
Questions regarding this posting may be directed to:
Alex Araujo Human Resources Headquarters 2 Financial Plaza, STE 101 Huntsville, TX 77320 PH: (936) 437-4042 Email: CO.Series@tdcj.texas.gov Texas Department of Criminal Justice TX
Job Tags
Full time, Part time, Outdoor, Work alone,