Detention Officer

Description

The Ellis County Sheriff's Office is now accepting applications for Detention Officer. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must pass a physical ability test.

Detention Officer Step 1 salary is $57,985.00 annually, with a six‑step pay scale and opportunity for Lateral Entry Program for Certified TCOLE Jailers.

Additional pay includes $45 per month for Certification Pay (up to $135.00).

• Conduct routine searches of inmates and their property.
• Perform administrative duties such as report writing and record keeping.
• Monitor inmates' behavior within housing units, during escorts, and transport.
• Maintain security of internal and external doors and elevators.
• Conduct life‑safety drills and respond to emergency situations.
• Assist with feeding, laundry, recreation, religious services, visitation, and other functions.
• Potential exposure to communicable diseases.

• Citizen of the United States.
• At least 18 years of age at application.
• Honorable discharge if prior military service.
• High‑school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver's license with clean driving record; if not Texas licensed, must obtain prior to employment.
• Vision of 20/20 or corrected; uncorrected not worse than 20/100; must wear corrective lenses on duty.
• Hearing loss not greater than 30 dB correctable or 60 dB uncorrectable.
• Good moral character.
• Positive work and school record.
• Current TCOLE license, if applicable, must not be revoked or suspended beyond academic restrictions.
• No criminal record disqualifying hiring per TCOLE and Ellis County standards.

• Criminal history that disqualifies licensing per TCOLE.
• No convictions of moral turpitude offenses.
• Pending indictment or trial for felony or serious misdemeanors.
• Prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition by law.
• History of sex crime, hate crime, or aggravated violence.
• Conviction of child support failure without proof of wrongful detention.
• Driving offenses such as failure to stop and render aid, driving with a suspended license, multiple moving violations, or prohibition from operating a vehicle.

• Health insurance: PPO BCBS Plan (employee premium paid 100 %).
• Dental insurance: PPO BCBS Plan (employee premium paid 100 %).
• Vision insurance: BCBS/Eye Med Vision Care (employee pays).
• Supplemental coverage:
  Accident, cancer, critical illness, disability, hospital indemnity, term life, whole life (employee cost).
• Retirement:
  Texas County & District Retirement System – mandatory 7 % deposit, 8 years vesting, 200 % employer match at retirement.
• Life insurance: 1 × annual salary via TCDRS.
• 457(b) deferred compensation plan (employee chooses amount).
• Vacation: 12 days (1‑4 years), 17 days (5‑15 years), 22 days (16 years+).
• Sick leave: 4 hours per month.
• Paid holidays: 14 days.
• Personal day: one 8‑hour day after 6 months, then one each year on Jan 1.

The Ellis County Sheriff's Office is an equal‑opportunity employer and complies with GINA, Title VII, and other federal and state anti‑discrimination laws. Reasonable accommodations will be made for applicants with disabilities.