TRANSPORT OFFICER

About the job

This job posting is only for candidates that are NOT current employees of Sandoval County. If you are a current employee, you must apply using the Workday Jobs Hub which can be found in the navigation menu on the left side of the screen when you log into Workday.

Department:
Detention Transport
Pay:
$21.65-$21.65
Close Date:
10-22-2026
Job Description:
GENERAL PURPOSE : Under general supervision, transports inmates in a safe, timely, and secure manner to various outside appointments; performs other Detention Officer duties as assigned or as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

• Education and Experience:
• High School Diploma/GED Certificate from an accredited institution.

• Required Licenses or Certifications:
• Valid New Mexico driver’s license or ability to obtain a valid New Mexico driver’s license within 30 days of hire.

• Additional Requirements:
• Ability to maintain a valid New Mexico driver’s license
• Within one (1) year of hire must obtain the following certifications:

• CPR/First Aid/AED
• Mental Health First Aid
• Detention/Corrections Certification in the State of New Mexico
• Firearms Certification (handgun and shotgun) within 30 days of hire.

• Other Requirements :
• Must be 21 years of age
• Successful completion of Defensive Driving Training within specified period of time after hire.
• Must pass a background investigation to include criminal history, employment references, credit history, verification of US citizenship, and pre-employment interview in accordance with Federal Performance-Based Detention Standards ( FPBDS) A.9.3.a through e; and Sandoval County Detention Center Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Part 1/C108, Chapter: Personnel, Subject: Employment Process / Background Investigations, PROCEDURES Pre-Employment, 2. Through 6.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening (FPBDS A.9.3.f) and Sandoval County Detention Center Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Part 1/C108, Chapter: Personnel, Subject: Employment Process / Background Investigations, PROCEDURES Pre-Employment, 7.
• Pre-employment physical (FPBDS A.9.4 and 4-ALDF-7B-04)

This position is subject to random alcohol and drug testing in accordance with Sandoval County Personnel Rules and Regulations Article XIII Drug and Alcohol Policy and Testing- Drug Free Workplace; and Sandoval County Detention Center Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Part 1/C108, Chapter: Personnel, Subject: Employment Process / Background Investigations, PROCEDURES Post-Employment,1.

This position is subject to bi-annual background checks in accordance with Sandoval County Detention Center Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Part 1/C108, Chapter: Personnel, Subject: Employment Process / Background Investigations, PROCEDURES, Post-Employment, 4.; and FPBDS A.9.6 (periodic).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Position reports to the Transport Corporal Sergeant and does not exercise supervision over lower level staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS : The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• In area of assignment:
• Responsible for the transportation of inmates within the custody of the Sandoval County Detention Department; transports inmates to court hearings, medical appointments or the hospital, mental health facilities, and other scheduled outside appointments; searches inmates and applies mechanical restraints prior to transport; escorts inmates to and from various appointments, including court and medical appointments ensuring the safety and security of staff, inmates, and the general public at all times.
• Responsible for the safety of inmates while on transport and the protection of the general public; maintains liaison between other detention, correctional institutions, and law enforcement agencies during transport; maintains confidentiality and security for special assignments.
• Conducts exterior inspections of the Detention Center facility; escorts inmates inside the facility; physically restrains inmates in altercations.
• Responsible for maintaining assigned vehicle according to established standards; keeps daily activity logs documenting all activities and vehicle mileage logs; completes accurate vehicle and inmate logs and paperwork; prepares offense and incident reports completes booking forms, if needed; conducts vehicle inspections and performs minor maintenance and/or notifies supervisor of vehicle maintenance or repair issues needed.
• Assists Detention Officers during intake and release of inmates to ensure proper classification and documentation; maintains continuous awareness of surroundings and of inmate behavior to protect welfare and safety, which could affect the welfare of the inmates; and constantly remain vigilant and aware of surrounding to properly evaluate and take appropriate actions.
• Provides the general safety and security of the inmates; may be called upon to testify in courts of law; and performs other Detention Officer duties as assigned or directed by Supervisor, as circumstances arise or as necessary.

• Required Knowledge of:
• Basic correctional facility operations, rules and regulations pertaining to officers and inmates.
• Methods and techniques used in enforcing discipline over persons under restraint.
• Use and care of firearms.
• Defense and restraint tactics.
• Search, transportation, and restraint procedures.
• Vehicle maintenance and scheduling.
• Driver safety, decision making, and prioritizing.
• All applicable traffic laws and regulations.
• Sandoval County and regional geography, including streets and roadways.
• Safety procedures and guidelines associated with assigned work.
• Report preparation and record keeping.
• Provisions of federal, state, and local legislation pertaining to correctional/detention services; and New Mexico State Statutes, Standards of the American Correctional Association (ACA), and Standards of the American Jail Association (AJA).
• A variety of software packages relevant to the department and assigned work.
• Effective communication principles and practices including oral and written communication.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers, computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Principles of business letter writing.

• Required Skill in:
• Applying correctional center principles, practices, methods, and techniques.
• Applying safety practices for staff, inmates and visitors.
• Obtaining information via interviews and interrogations; and analyzing situations, detecting problems and facts.
• Caring for and using firearms, motor vehicles, and communication equipment.
• Operating and driving safely to and from assigned appointments.
• Coordinating and maintaining vehicle maintenance and repairs.
• Reading and understanding vehicle, equipment, and firearms manuals, including repair manuals.
• Communicating with individuals in various emotional states, from various backgrounds, and with different educational backgrounds and mental capacities.
• Responding to emergencies or stressful situations calmly, quickly and decisively.
• Resolving conflicts.
• Maintaining accurate and complete records and reports.
• Conducting training associated with assigned area of responsibility.
• Working with equipment, tools, and materials required in area of assignment.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing; and following written and verbal instructions.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public, including meeting and dealing tactfully with the public.
• Utilizing personal computer software programs and other relevant software affecting assigned work.

• Physical Demands / Work Environment:
• Work is performed in a standard office/detention center environment and other detention facilities, court facilities and hospitals
• Frequently drives transport vehicles; may operate a County vehicle as necessary to attend meetings, training and perform related job duties.
• Essential and supplemental functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time; stooping, and lifting books or files of approximately 25 pounds or less; performing self-defense tactics and inmate restraint or take downs, as necessary; utilizing pepper spray, as necessary; evacuating inmates and oneself in an emergency.
• Work requires visual and hearing acuity sufficient to perform essential and supplemental duties and to safely interact with inmates.
• Work regularly involves periods of time viewing a computer monitor and operating a keyboard.
• Work regularly requires speaking, hearing and utilizing a radio, phone, calculator, cell phone, copier or fax machine.
• Regularly exposed to large and working machinery, potential physical harm, and hazardous chemical, and infectious disease when transporting inmates and when working in and/or dealing with inmates in the detention center environment.
• Shift work. Work is performed on any assigned shift during weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Mandatory Overtime work may be required on a frequent basis.