Inmate Services Clerk

Job Description:

Inmate Services Clerk

Description

Introduction

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov .

POSITION INFORMATION

The Placer County Sheriff's Office is currently recruiting to fill one position for Inmate Services Clerk at the Auburn Jail in Auburn, CA. This position provides commissary support services for inmates, maintains commissary inventory, and provides clerical support to jail operations. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, be flexible and adaptable, and possess strong customer service skills. The schedule for this position is Monday through Friday and alternative work schedules such as 9/80 may be available.

In addition to base pay, this position receives a uniform allowance in the amount of $800 per year.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill additional vacancies as they arise.

To be considered for the final screening cut-off in this recruitment, please submit your application materials by the final filing deadline of Monday, November 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The final testing session is tentatively scheduled for the week of December 1, 2025.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To provide commissary support services for inmates; to order and maintain commissary inventory and process special order requests; to reconcile orders and inmate accounts; to provide a variety of other clerical support services related to jail operations.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Inmate Services Clerk is a full journey-level class, responsible for performing commissary storekeeping activities and other clerical support services related to County jail operations. Employees perform the full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise.

This class is distinguished from the Administrative Legal Clerk series in that the latter performs technical legal clerical and recordkeeping duties in an assigned County department. This class is further distinguished from the Correctional Officer series in that the latter maintains security and ensures inmate welfare in the County jail.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from management, professional or supervisory staff, and may receive technical and functional supervision from professional staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Order, issue, and store commissary and special-order items, office supplies, postage, radios, electronic supplies, and other materials to be distributed to inmates; check inmate accounts to ensure availability of funds and eligibility status prior to approving orders; evaluate security standards for ordered items and remove items from inmate orders that are prohibited.
• Order supplies and items in support of various inmate programs, such as religious items, hypoallergenic materials, and sewing supplies for sewing kits; order bus passes for inmates being released.
• Monitor shipments from vendors to ensure fulfillment; communicate inventory and expected delivery information to inmates; receive deliveries, inspect materials, match packing slips to specifications, report damaged material, resolve order issues, and coordinate rush shipments if needed.
• Troubleshoot account issues such as frozen accounts, missing deposits, and access errors; review and code invoices; create batches, void transactions, issue refunds, access transaction history, and restrict privilege levels; respond to requests from inmates regarding their account; credit inmate accounts due to undelivered order.
• Respond to inmate grievances regarding commissary items, orders, inmate accounts, and ordering system issues.
• Perform basic bookkeeping work associated with the maintenance of journals, ledgers, and similar financial records; track purchases and record debits and credits to inmate accounts; issue checks; collect funds to be used for special programs and projects.
• Maintain usage records; provide documentation regarding inmate commissary orders to investigators to be used in financial investigations, to Correctional Officers as requested, and to jail medical staff in regard to health of inmates; track commissary sales data and provide to jail staff and management.
• Process, catalog, and prepare new reading materials for circulation following established procedures; distribute, organize, and maintain inmate reading material; repair or discard material as needed; label, classify, sort, and shelve material.
• Transport various materials within facility, including commissary items, special orders, office supplies, clothing, sewing and mending supplies, equipment, hygiene supplies, documents, reading materials, and textile recycling.
• Contact community organizations for donations of clothing, supplies, sewing machines, reading material, and other items; serve as point of contact for donations; provide pick-up and delivery services of donated items outside the facility.
• Ship inmate property through the mail at their request.
• Perform basic disassembling and reassembling of simple electronic devices for inmate use; engrave items issued to inmates.
• Gather information from inmates and assist with obtaining documentation and completing application materials for AB 720 insurance enrollment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two (2) years of clerical, retail, or similar experience.

Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Procedures and techniques of requisitioning, receiving, inventorying, stocking, issuing, and delivering supplies and materials.
• Basic bookkeeping and recordkeeping principles and practices.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computer software and applications.
• Basic mathematical calculations.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Safety practices and procedures related to commissary, delivery, and related services.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; read, observe, understand, identify, interpret, analyze, explain, apply, and recall policies, and procedures, laws, rules, and regulations; observe, and analyze situations and determine proper course of action; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; focus on a single task for long periods of time; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; work in close proximity to others.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in a vehicle for long periods of time; intermittently stand, walk, twist, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, bend, climb, push, pull, and reach in the handling and delivery of inmate commissary items and supplies or while reaching equipment; perform simple and power grasping, and fine manipulation; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate and/or retrieve data from a computer; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift moderate weight; push a cart with heavy weight.
• Utilize carts or other devices for transporting various materials within facility.
• Perform detailed storekeeping work accurately and independently.
• Maintain accurate inventory supply records.
• Troubleshoot account and order issues in an online environment.
• Understand and carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Use modern office equipment, including computer equipment, software, and applications.
• Operate engraving machine, radio for communication, and other equipment as needed.
• Drive county vehicle to pick up and transport materials outside of the facility.
• Perform routine mathematical calculations.
• Maintain financial records and purchase material.
• Input data accurately.
• Utilize safe working practices and procedures and maintain awareness of surroundings.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Written Examination (100%) - Tentatively Scheduled for the Weeks of:

• November 10, 2025
• December 1, 2025

After the posted filing deadline, qualified candidates will receive a notification via email when the examination is available. The online examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

Note: Candidates will have approximately three (3) calendar days from the date of notification to complete the online examination. Only one attempt will be permitted.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here .

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please email PCHRDSRFRecruit@Placer.ca.gov.

Closing Date/Time: 11/10/2025 5:00:00 PM

Salary:

$25.12 - $31.37/hour; $4,354.13 - $5,437.47/month; $52,249.60 - $65,249.60/year