Corrections Officer- Metropolitan Detention Center

Bernalillo County; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Longevity pay

Education assistance program

Remote & flex-work options

Job summary

Bernalillo County is seeking a Corrections Officer for the Metropolitan Detention Center. Start at academy pay of $22.59/hour, rising to $23.73/hour after graduation.

The role involves processing inmates, arranging legal assistance, maintaining order, patrolling the detention facility, and handling emergencies, with a strong emphasis on safety and reporting. Eligible candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, a valid NM driver's license, and be 18+ at academy start.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; Lateral Entry Program with 1 year corrections or law enforcement desirable.
• Valid NM driver's license; must obtain NM license within 30 days of hire if out-of-state.
• Must be 18+ by start of Corrections Officer Training Academy; no upper age limit.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident with Alien Registration number.

Responsibilities

• Assist in searching, booking, fingerprinting and photographing inmates; handle initial processing.
• Arrange bond, legal representation and personal assistance; schedule court appearances.
• Maintain order and report unusual conditions or disturbances to superiors.
• Patrol designated detention facility areas; control traffic; inspect facilities for safety and security; count inmates.
• Provide or arrange for personal grooming; supervise sanitation practices.
• Administer emergency first aid; refer inmates to medical services and counselors.
• Participate in fire and safety drills, lockdowns and emergencies.
• Assist in discharge process, clothing issuance and transportation arrangements.
• May transport inmates and supervise inmate work details and community programs.
• Maintain logs and write reports as required by policy.
• Respond to public inquiries; provide information; resolve complaints promptly.

Skills

Basic computer skills

Weapons handling

Restraint and self-defense

Interrogation techniques

First aid/CPR

Education

High School diploma or GED

MDC Lateral Entry Program plus 1 year experience (desirable)

US citizenship or permanent resident status

18+ years old (start of academy)

Tools

Firearms handling

Job description

Corrections Officer- Metropolitan Detention Center Department:

Metropolitan Detention Center Location: 100 DEPUTY DEAN MIERA DR SW Pay:

During Academy $22.59

After Graduating Academy $23.73

Close Date: December 24, 2026

Employees at Bernalillo County enjoy the ability to team up with each other to build a high quality of life for our county residents, communities, and businesses. In addition to being an organization with a strong focus on work-life balance, building a culture of flexibility, learning, and belonging the County offers many benefits. Employees of Bernalillo County enjoy many thoughtful rewards such as, but not limited to generous leave accruals; career development opportunities; remote & flex-work options as appropriate; longevity pay; education assistance program; health benefits; lucrative retirement; and so much more.

*The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1. Assist in the searching, booking, fingerprinting and photographing of inmates, and other procedures that are involved in the initial processing of inmates.
• 2. Coordinate arrangements for bond, legal representation and for personal assistance for inmates; schedule court appearances.
• 3. Maintain order and report unusual conditions, policy violations, disturbances or indication of potential disorder to superiors.
• 4. Patrol designated areas of the detention facility, control traffic to and from assigned areas, maintain security and inspect facility to ensure the safety and security of inmates, take periodic resident counts in the detention levels, work details, and other inmate holding areas; account for inmates under his/her supervision.
• 5. Provide or arrange for personal grooming of inmates and supervise sanitation practices.
• 6. Administer emergency first aid if necessary; refer inmates to medical assistant; psychiatric service unit and/or counselors.
• 7. Participate in fire and safety drills, lockdown incidents and related emergency situations.
• 8. Participate in the discharge process of inmates, issuance of clothing and transportation arrangements.
• 9. May be required to transport inmates, and to supervise inmate work details and community custody programs.
• 10. Maintain logs and write reports as required by policy and standard operating procedures.
• 11. Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 1. High School diploma or GED; OR have met the requirements of the MDC Lateral Entry Program, plus one (1) year experience in the field of corrections or law enforcement is desirable.
• 2. Employee must have a valid New Mexico driver's license and maintain a valid NM driver's license while employed in this position. Candidates with a valid out-of-state driver's license must obtain a New Mexico driver's license within 30 days of hire.
• 3. Employee must be 18 years of age or older by the start of the Corrections Officer Training Academy- there is no upper age limit.
• 4. Employee must be a United States Citizen or a permanent resident and must provide an Alien Registration number.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA'S)

• 1. Preferred knowledge of and the experience in the operations, services and activities of a corrections and detention program.
• 2. Preferred knowledge of the principles and practices of the criminal justice system, law enforcement, modern booking procedures, corrections and detention theory and practice.
• 3. Preferred knowledge of correctional institution security and inmate security practices, occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• 4. Preferred knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations and the ability to interpret and apply them.
• 5. Preferred able to apply knowledge of laws, regulations and procedures concerning safety, security and corrections operations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA'S)

• 1. Skill in performing basic computer functions.
• 2. May require skills in the use and care of weapons, including firearms.
• 3. Ability to develop skills in restraint and self-defense tactics.
• 4. Ability to develop skills in the techniques of obtaining information through interrogation, investigations, and corrections observation.
• 5. Ability to apply first aid, CPR and related emergency practices and techniques.
• 6.