Work Release Officer

Work Location

• This position will work at the Anoka County Workhouse, located at 3300 4th Ave, Anoka, MN 55303.
• Expected work hours are six consecutive days, including holidays and weekends, followed by three consecutive days off.
• Shift bids occur twice per year based on seniority. After completing required training, most new officers are assigned to second shift (3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.) or third shift (11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.), with a night‑shift differential provided for schedules that include at least four hours between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Work Release Officer

• Coordinate safe and efficient custodial intakes and complete release procedures.
• Perform and electronically document safety, well-being, and facility security checks.
• Provide constant and direct supervision of the in-custody population in their daily living units including various work assignments.
• Maintain facility rules and regulations using direct supervision, interpersonal communication, directives, disciplinary action, and physical restraint.
• Respond to and assess emergencies, restore order and security, de-escalate and mediate conflicts directly.
• Contact employers to obtain work reports.
• Conduct inmate spot checks in the community and escort inmates to appointments.
• Transport inmates between facilities and the courthouse; monitor inmates when they are off grounds.
• Collect urinalysis specimens, perform searches, metal detection, and breathalyzer tests.
• Ensure basic inmate needs are always met, including food, clothing, medication/medical services and shelter.
• Use a variety of techniques when interacting with inmates including group approach, teaching, modeling, and confrontation with motivational interviewing components as the foundation of those interactions.
• Always maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Requires a high school diploma.
• Must be 21 years of age or older by date of hire.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, or closely related field.
• One or more years (2,080 annual hours) of experience in a correctional or probationary setting.
• Job-related experience in a public‑facing security role.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and processes, such as interview techniques.
• Ability to understand state laws affecting correctional facilities, work release, and related court procedures.
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when communicating with inmates, co-workers, visitors, the public, the county and/or collateral sources.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Standard office environment, correctional and detention institutions, field offices, courtrooms, offender'/clients' homes, hospitals and schools, and various community settings depending on assignment.
• Work activities may involve contact with, and the supervision of juveniles or adults charged with major or minor criminal offenses, and/or individuals who may be hostile, dangerous, threatening, armed, and aggressive and/or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Consequently, some assignments may encounter stressful and physically threatening situations.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus, such as to work on computers. Ability to see colors, shades and brightness.
• Hearing abilities required for general and phone communication, signals, and machine sounds.
• Ability to detect, discern, and tolerate a wide range of scents required for safety and performance of essential duties.
• Cognitive abilities required include problem solving, prioritization of tasks, short- and long-term memory, interpreting and understanding written documents, and general mathematical skills.
• Assignments require several hours of varied physical activity in addition to viewing a computer screen, sitting at a desk, or walking/standing.
• Physical activity may include handling/carrying equipment, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. Periodic high levels of exertion in the form of self-defense, pursuit, or restraint of an individual are possible for some assignments.
• Lifting over 100 lbs. in emergency situations.
• Equipment used includes computers, phones, and standard office equipment in addition to various law enforcement equipment depending on assignment.
• Law enforcement equipment may include but is not limited to radios, pagers, handcuffs, first aid equipment, restraints, chemical agents, Tasers, and protective equipment such as masks, goggles, and gloves.
• Travel between work sites may require driving a county vehicle and/or a personal vehicle.
• Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.
• Exposure to bodily fluids, toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes, or other hazards is possible while performing essential duties.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Union Representation

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between Anoka County and the Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) union.

Selection Process

It is important that your application shows all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, Anoka County thrives because of the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. United by our mission- Commitment to Excellence: Through collaborative efforts, we seek to improve lives and serve with care, integrity, and professionalism- we offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences. Together, we work toward a single purpose of serving Anoka County’s 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Hear from other Anoka County employees here.

Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.

If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title and number. If you have questions about the hiring process, please visit: https://www.anokacountymn.gov/4411/Application-Process

Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy: https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO