Detention Deputy - Entry Level

County of Weld; Greeley (CO); On-site; USD 51,976 - 72,668; Full time

Job summary

The County of Weld is seeking a Detention Deputy responsible for maintaining safety, security, and order within the Weld County Jail. The deputy performs duties related to inmate care, facility maintenance, and emergency response.

This position requires a high school diploma or GED and effective communication skills. The work environment is primarily indoors, with duties involving physical mobility and the ability to respond in various situations. Shift work is mandatory, as the facility operates 24/7.

Qualifications

• No experience required.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written English.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security of inmates, staff, and visitors.
• Supervise inmate activities.
• Document inmate behavior and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Effective communication

Problem-solving skills

Basic math skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Law-enforcement equipment

Computer terminals

Job description

Compensation: $37.73 - $52.75 per hour.

Job Summary

Detention Deputy responsible for maintaining safety, security, and order within the Weld County Jail. Performs duties related to inmate care, facility maintenance, conflict resolution, and emergency response.

Responsibilities

• Continuously ensures safety and security of inmates, staff, visitors, and the public and facilitates constitutional rights, including medical, dental, legal representation, and due process.
• Supervises inmate activities directly and indirectly within housing units.
• Observes inmates to detect, deter, and prevent self‑destructive or criminal behaviors, including suicide, escape, assault, theft, contraband, and other offenses.
• Detects medical conditions and refers inmates for treatment, and identifies crisis counseling situations.
• Documents inmate behavior, housing unit activity, and unusual conditions to maintain accurate records.
• Conducts regular inspections and requests repairs or maintenance when needed.
• Collects and distributes mail, complaint forms, supplies, laundry, meals, and other in‑house communications; accepts documents, packages, money, and stores inmate property safely.
• Ensures verbal and written directives, policies, and ordinances are consistently applied.
• Provides basic intervention and conflict‑resolution strategies to control behaviors and maintain order.
• Enforces jail rules through verbal counseling or infraction reports, including written warnings, lockdowns, or disciplinary requests.
• Works effectively in teams and facilitates smooth shift transitions through briefings and communication; supports deputies in housing units.
• Rotates shifts to meet deployment needs.
• Conducts face and head counts, confirms inmate identity from booking photographs, and facilitates meal, commissary, and entry/exit procedures.
• Performs strip, person, cell, and area searches to maintain control.
• Escorts inmates between locations to support required activities.
• Executes emergency response and tactical plans for hostage situations, natural disasters, fire, riot, assistance requests, and power failures.
• Applies physical control techniques and restraint devices as required.
• Authorizes entry and exit of secure perimeter and areas, determines lawful authority, and records photographs and fingerprints for new inmates.

Required Qualifications

• No experience required.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must hold, or be able to obtain, a valid driver’s license upon hire.
• Shift work required – 24hours a day, 7days a week, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written English and interpret safety rules, procedures, and manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Basic math skills with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
• Problem‑solving skills in situations with limited standardization.
• Ability to operate telephones, computer terminals, keyboards, photocopiers, scanners, breathing apparatus, gas masks, two‑way radios, and law‑enforcement equipment.
• Adherence to tattoo and piercing policies (see details).

Tattoo Policy

1. Tattoos may be displayed while on duty unless considered controversial, disrespectful, or offensive.
2. Facial or front neck tattoos, scarifications, and brandings are not authorized.
3. Modest hand tattoos, at the discretion of the Sheriff, are allowed.
4. Modest neck tattoos not extending onto the front of the neck beyond the carotid arteries are allowed.
5. Only one visible piercing is permitted; large or obtrusive piercings are not allowed.

Piercing Policy

1. Modest piercings are allowed.
2. Nostril is okay; septum, bridge, nasal, etc., are not allowed.
3. Only one piercing may be displayed; large or obtrusive piercings are not allowed.
4. Ring thickness 18‑gauge (1mm) or smaller and diameter 10mm or smaller is allowed; stud size 2mm or smaller is allowed.
5. Female sworn personnel may wear one pair of post‑style earrings.

Physical Requirements

• Full mobility and use of both arms and legs with a full range of motion; ability to reach over heads, below knees, bend, squat, and perform self‑defence techniques.
• Move quickly, climb stairs and ladders, and run when called for assistance.
• Stand or sit for long periods.
• Occasionally lift or move more than 100pounds and possess strength to remove an average human from a hazardous area.
• Meet fitness standards prescribed by the Sheriff’s Office.
• Dual hearing required for multiple audio inputs simultaneously.
• Specific vision abilities, including dual vision, close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Work Environment

The jail spans 383,754square feet over four wings, with halls, stairs, and elevators. Duties are primarily indoors, with occasional outdoor perimeter and roof checks. The environment is mostly moderate noise and requires frequent walking on concrete floors.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Weld County is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected category. The County complies with federal, state, and local laws and is committed to a discrimination‑free workplace.