Custody Officer

City of Costa Mesa; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Costa Mesa is seeking a Custody Officer to support the jail facility under general supervision. You will process and book arrestees, maintain records, and ensure security of inmates and staff.

Qualifications include a high school diploma, at least one year in a jail or law enforcement setting, a California driver’s license, POST Jail Academy Core, and ability to work varied shifts. Salary ranges from $76,476 to $102,492 per year.

Qualifications

• One year of responsible work experience in a jail/detention facility or law enforcement environment.
• High school graduation or its equivalent.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the safe and orderly operation of the City jail facility.
• Receive, book, fingerprint, and photograph prisoners; classify and medically screen.
• Verify and prepare custody forms for prisoners requiring medical treatment.
• Ensure welfare, safety, and health checks of prisoners in custody.
• Prepare meals and manage inventory of food and supplies.
• Receive bail monies and issue receipts; release prisoners on O-R and WPA.
• Jail desk duties; provide information to the public by phone.
• Coordinate visiting procedures with bondsmen, attorneys, and visitors.
• Prepare prisoners for court arraignment and handle belongings.
• Transport prisoners.
• Perform related duties as required.

Skills

Jail/detention operations

Legal requirements knowledge

Public interaction

Record keeping

Office equipment operation

Civil and criminal statutes

Safe driving

Emergency response

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

SALARY $76,476 - $102,492 annually

There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy.

Job Summary

Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties related to the processing and booking of arrestees; processing related data; maintaining a variety of records and caring for those in custody at the City's jail facility.

Class Characteristics

Reports directly to the Custody Supervisor. Does not exercise supervisory responsibilities over other jail staff.

Essential Functions

Maintain the safe and orderly operation of the City jail facility.

Receive, book, fingerprint, and photograph prisoners; perform prisoner classification and medical screening; verify and prepare custody verification forms for prisoners requiring medical treatment while in custody.

Assume responsibility for the welfare and safety of all prisoners within the City jail facility; perform security, safety, and health checks of persons and facilities.

Prepare meals for those in custody; order and maintain inventory control of food and supplies.

Receive bail monies and issue receipts; release prisoners on O-R and W.P.A.

Perform jail desk duties; provide information to the public over the telephone.

Coordinate visiting procedures including those between prisoners and bail bondsmen, attorneys, and personal visitors.

Prepare prisoners for court arraignment by completing required booking forms, attaching copies of warrants, holds, and medical forms, returning clothing items, sealing prisoner property, and searching and handcuffing inmates prior to transportation to Court or another jail facility.

Transport prisoners.

Perform related duties as required.

Qualification Guidelines

Education, Training And/Or Experience

One year of responsible work experience preferably in a jail/detention facility or in a law enforcement environment.

High school graduation or its equivalent.

An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform essential functions may also be considered.

License And/Or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, the following:

• Valid Class C California Driver’s License. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.
• Certification of completion of the Jail Academy Core course issued by California Peace Officer Standards of Training (POST). Certification of completion of chemical weaponry training.

Requisite Knowledge And Skill Levels

• Knowledge of jail/detention facility operations.
• Knowledge of related legal requirements pertaining to jail/detention facilities.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the assigned area of work.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices used in dealing with the public.
• Knowledge of the modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• Knowledge of the principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Knowledge of the basic civil and criminal statutes.
• Knowledge of safe driving principles and practices.
• Skill in operating modern office equipment.
• Skill in operating a motor vehicle safely.

Requisite Abilities

• Ability to learn, interpret, and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Ability to interact effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to analyze situations carefully and adopt effective courses of action.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to work various shifts as assigned including early morning, day and night hours, overtime, weekend and holidays.

Supplemental Information

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 – all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Physical Tasks And Environmental Conditions

Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits and Compensation

To view 2026 benefit information for all groups,

New Full-Time employees contribute 9% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2%@60 or 2%@62 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility.

Full-Time employees receive a flexible benefit contribution of $1,800 monthly to use towards benefit elections. (Effective January 2027 the monthly contribution will increase to $2,000. Effective January 2028 the monthly contribution will increase to $2,200).

New Part-Time employees are appointed by and serve at the will of the Department Director. They are reviewed for merit salary advancement on a periodic basis. Generally, part-time employees are limited to no more than 1,000 hours of work per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Certain part-time employees, however, are permitted to exceed this limit. Part-time employees participate in either the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) or the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) depending on eligibility. Employees enrolled in PARS contribute 3.75% of salary with a matching City contribution. Employees enrolled in CalPERS contribute 7% - 9% of salary depending on eligibility. Part-time positions are eligible to receive general leave benefits. General leave can be used for sick, vacation, or holiday time.

The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires employees contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare.