Detention Officer

the harris county sheriff's office is hiring detention officers within the criminal justice command

as a detention officer, you are an important team member of the harris county sheriff’s office responsible for maintaining care, custody, and control over those individuals housed in the harris county jail. The harris county sheriff’s office primary responsibility to the citizens of harris county is to house those individuals awaiting trial, or commitment to the texas department of corrections.

• performing inspections and cell searches
• resolving crises such as fights, fires, and medical emergencies
• completing reports

• armed detention officer - responsible for transporting and securing inmates to and at hospitals or clinics.
• detention sergeant - responsible for supervising detention officers assigned to their area.
• detention lieutenant - responsible for supervising all personnel assigned to their shift.
• detention captain - responsible for supervising all personnel assigned to their facility.

the detention officer (jailer) position is a civil service-protected position with the harris county sheriff's office.

• high school diploma or g.e.d.
• at least 18 years of age
• must be a u. S. Citizen
• valid driver's license or state issued
• eyesight must be correctable to 20/20 vision, normal color, and peripheral vision
• correctable normal audible range in both ears

• pass pre-employment testing - written exam (basic work skills)
• physical agility

• stand for extended periods of time
• bend, stoop, kneel
• lift up to 40 lbs

• thorough background investigation
  • (criminal background check, fingerprinting, personal interview, etc.)
• psychological evaluation
• drug screening

** incomplete applications will delay the application process **

documents must be uploaded (attached) before submitting application

• birth certificate (issued by a government agency, not a hospital) or
  • certificate of naturalization
• social security card
• driver's license or state issued  (front and back)
• proof of education:
  • high school diploma or transcript, ged certificate or college transcript (if transcripts, a sealed original will be required at a later stage in the application process)
• dd-214 military discharge form [if applicable]
  • (copy of original member - 4 form)
    • please note:if you were never in the military, upload another copy of your driver's license as a placeholder in order to continue with the application.

• the texas workforce commission offersfree assistance to job seekers through their worksource offices located throughout harris, and surrounding counties
• theworksourceoffersfree use of computers, copiers, printers, and scanners as well as assistance completing job applications
• please visit their website for more information or  for a list of locations
• harris county public libraries
  also offerfree use of computers at all their locations throughout harris county

due to covid-19 some locations may require an appointment.

• graduates of law enforcement high school program or participation in a law enforcement explorers program.
• previous law enforcement or corrections work experience
• honorable discharge form the united states armed forces

for detailed information on the benefits offered by harris county, please click on the "benefits"tab of the posting.

• paid biweeklybased on 26 pay periods per year, plus benefits
• up to 12 years of credit for service as a tcole certified jailer upon hire (restrictions apply)

(annually, based on 26 pay periods)

• * the harris county sheriff's office (hcso) provides its employees the ability to obtain the texas commission on law enforcement (tcole) corrections officer (jailers) certification at no cost through the hcso academy
• if selected, paid employment begins the first day of the required (7) week basic jailers course at the harris county sheriff's office academy
• successful completion of the (7) week basic jailers course is required for continued employment as a detention officer with the harris county sheriff's office

• downtown, houston, tx

• 40 hours per week
• includes nights, weekends, and holidays
• mandatory overtime as deemed necessary to fulfill operational needs