Detention Officer

Job Purpose

The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office is actively recruiting qualified candidates for the Detention Officer position. This role involves performing a wide range of law enforcement duties related to the care, custody, and supervision of individuals housed in the Alamance County Detention Center. Detention Officers play a vital part in maintaining facility safety and security, preventing and detecting criminal activity, and upholding the criminal laws of North Carolina.

Responsibilities include general jail operations, ensuring the well-being of inmates and staff, and maintaining order within the facility. Successful candidates must demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and the ability to interact with the public and inmates with tact, courtesy, and firmness. The position involves exposure to the typical risks associated with law enforcement environments.

• Salary - $54,514.92 Annually
• Location
  - Sheriff's Office, NC
• Job Type
  - Full-time
• Job Number - 00009
• Department
  - Sheriff's Office
• Opening Date - 07/09/2026
• Closing Date
  - Continuous

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Accept custody of offenders from the arresting officers and booking offenders into the detention center by completing required forms and utilizing the jail management system.
• Must have excellent computer skills and possess the ability to learn.
• Obtain and maintains certifications applicable for the position.
• Possess excellent report writing skills.
• Verifying the identification of persons in custody and checking for outstanding warrants.
• Escorting offenders throughout the detention center.
• Use discretion effectively to determine a proper course of action consistent with the department’s mission and values.
• Reports to duty on time and has regular attendance.
• Exercises rational judgement.
• Maintains the confidence and trust of peers, superiors and the public.
• Excellent communication skills and possess the ability to work well with others.
• Answers phone calls, provides information to mail bondsmen, families, attorneys, court officials and other law enforcement personnel.
• Possess the ability to adjust to a fast-paced environment.
• Answer questions directed by the public in a courteous and professional manner.
• Observe and monitor the status and behavior of offenders to gain compliance with prescribed operating and safety standards.
• Detects hazardous or emergency situations in the detention facility and assist in handling combative, uncooperative and argumentative offenders.
• Carries out any or all other duties as directed by the Sheriff or his designee.

• Must be at least 20 years of age.
• Possess as High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Possess a valid North Carolina driver's license.
• Currently hold or the ability to obtain a detention officer certification in the State of North Carolina through the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards.
• Must be able to successfully pass the following:
  Oral Interview, Background Check, Polygraph Examination, Medical, Exam, Psychological Exam, Drug Screening, and any other additional supplemental interviews with Detention Administration.

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a closely related field.
• At least 3 years’ experience working in a detention or correctional facility.

MS Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint Experience)

• Accountability
  - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy
  - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Autonomy – Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Communication, Oral
  - Ability to communicate effectively with others and respond to a diverse community.
• Communication, Written
  - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Ethical
  - Ability to demonstrate conduct conforming to a set of values and accepted standards.
• Honesty / Integrity
  - Ability to…