Detention Officer ( Sheriff's Office

Overview

Performs responsible protective service, ensuring inmates' care, custody, and security at the Detention Center. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Detention Sergeant.

Our core values—Resilience, Excellence, Accountability, Customer Service, and Honesty—are the foundation of our work and the standard by which we operate. As a member of our team, you are expected to demonstrate these values in every aspect of your role. This means delivering high-quality work, taking responsibility for your actions, providing exceptional service, and maintaining integrity in all interactions. Your commitment to these principles is essential to fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring the success of our organization and the community we serve.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Patrols Detention Center areas periodically to ensure security and maintain order.
• Searches and processes inmates in and out of the Detention Center; supervises and checks on lockdown inmates.
• Supervises inmates during meals, personal hygiene, and related activities to ensure conformance to institutional rules, regulations, and procedures; assists in distributing meals and medication as authorized.
• Escorts and safeguards inmates to cell; moves inmates around within jail facility; moves inmates for court, attorney visit, probation visit, releases, transport to various offices or other locations; checks on inmates' physical condition; performs facility searches.
• Assists with booking and releasing inmates, and with inventorying property for new inmates.
• Prepares routine records on inmates; performs general clerical duties associated with jail operations; communicates to the incoming shift all incidents that occurred on the previous shift.
• Ensures the care and maintenance of quarters assigned areas.
• Monitors inmate communications and visitation to ensure compliance with security protocols.
• Performs related tasks as required.

General knowledge of the security, rules, regulations and procedures of the institution; general knowledge of the practices of current correctional practices as related to the supervision and care of persons under institutionalized restraint; ability to enforce institutional rules firmly and fairly; ability to detect potential behavior problems of inmates; communication and de‑escalation skills; ability to detect the early symptoms of common health problems;

ability to carry out oral and written directions accurately; ability to solve problems within scope of responsibility; ability to supervise the activities of large groups of inmates; ability to prepare records and reports; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.

• Must be at least 20 years of age to be certified by the NC Sheriff Standards.
• Must have completed and maintain certification through the North Carolina Detention Officers Certification course.
• Must meet and maintain all Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina training and certification requirements.
• May be required to obtain and maintain specialized certification depending on assignment.
• US citizenship is required per 12
  
  NCAC 10B .0301 (lawful permanent resident status does not meet the requirement for certification).
• Possession of an appropriate North Carolina driver’s license.
• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school is required for this position. A copy of your transcript must be attached to this application.
• In order to be considered for this position, your final transcript showing the date that your degree was awarded and/or any required certificates or licenses must be uploaded with your application even if you are a current employee or we have received it with a previous application.

Detention Officers without DOCC start at $22.00 per hour based on an 86‑hour (2‑week) pay period. Detention Officers with DOCC start at $23.10 per hour based on an 86‑hour (2‑week) pay period. Compensation will be determined based on qualifications, internal equity, budget, and market considerations.

Upon successful completion of the NC Detention Officer Certification course, within 12 months of hire, candidates will move to Certified Detention Officer status with a 5% pay increase.