Detention Officer

City of Aurora; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 43,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Aurora is seeking a Detention Officer to join the jail facility team. The role focuses on safety and security for staff and detainees, with responsibility for monitoring movement, operating control systems, and processing detainee records.

Candidates must complete a Physical Agility Test (PAT) on set dates and meet the posted education, knowledge, and communication requirements. This is an on-site, full-time position at the Aurora detention facility.

Qualifications

• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Knowledge of detainee processing methods and detention facility operations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate clearly could be required.

Responsibilities

• Observe detainee behavior to maintain health and rights.
• Monitor detainee movement within secured areas.
• Operate detention center control panels to open/close doors.
• Monitor and control radio traffic during crises.
• Monitor jail area video systems.
• Process records and legal documents for access.
• Prepare investigative or other reports with proper grammar and math.

Skills

PC operation

Keyboarding

Oral & written comms

Integrity & discretion

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

JOB LOCATION

14999 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1563

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hiring range for this position is $30.86- $34.20/hour

Full range for this position is $30.86 - $41.86/hour

Any additional relevant experience, education, or training may be considered when determining a starting rate above the minimum.

The deadline to submit applications is October 30th, 2026, at 11:59pm

This job requisition is for the Academy starting February 22nd, 2027.

Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as a qualified pool of applicants is determined, this position may be closed without notice.

As Part Of The Selection Process, You Will Be Required To Successfully Complete a Physical Agility Test (PAT). The PAT Will Be Offered On The Following Dates. Please Note These Dates May Be Subject To Change:

• October 26, 2026
• October 31, 2026
• November 10, 2026
• November 14, 2026

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

Under general supervision, the Detention Officer will perform general jail and detention work and is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all personnel, detainees and jail. This position is responsible for exercising initiative and independent judgement in completing assigned tasks; while also performing a variety of technical and administrative tasks associated with facility operations and the incarceration of detainees.

This position has a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) for (Female Detention Officers only / Male Detention Officers only) due to same-sex detainee supervision and interaction.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Observes detainee’s behavior and care to maintain detainees’ health and legal rights
• Monitors and controls inmate movement within the detention facility’s secured areas
• Operates detention center control panels which open and close doors
• Monitors and controls radio traffic within the facility, which includes shutting down non-emergency traffic during a crisis situation
• Monitors video equipment of all jail areas
• Processes records and legal documents to facilitate information access
• Prepares investigative and other reports or documentation as necessary, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations
• Processes incoming detainees, including photographing, finger printing, inventorying, and storing detainees’ property
• Explains detention center procedures to detainees and answers questions concerning conditions of detention
• Performs additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the methods and procedures of processing detainees; and detention facility operating requirements.

Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens;
• Maintain a high degree of personal and professional honesty and integrity
• Handle sensitive or difficult situations with tact and diplomacy
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Write clearly and concisely using acceptable grammar, punctuation, and spelling
• Operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as other standard office equipment
• Be mindful to the feelings of others and resolve problems in ways that do not arouse antagonism
• Physically subdue violent detainees
• Perform difficult or unpleasant housekeeping tasks

Skills:

• Skill in the operation of a personal computer and related software; keyboarding skills.

Licenses, Certificates And/or Equipment Required:

• CPR and First Aid Certifications required

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Heavy work lifting no more than 100 pounds (with or without assistance) at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects
• Frequently lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds
• Considerable walking and standing
• Frequent pushing, pulling, bending, and twisting requiring full range of body movement
• Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate control panel and other equipment as well as controlling detainees
• Hand/foot coordination for operation of van
• Speech communication, hearing, and listening to maintain communication with other employees and detainees
• Vision to monitor controls, video equipment, and detainees’ activities

Work Environment:

• Works indoors in a detention/jail facility with some time spent outdoors
• Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with hostile views of opinions of inmates and other persons in an antagonistic environment
• Some exposure to noise and dust

Equipment Used:

• Operates a motor vehicle; survey equipment; measuring equipment such as tapes, levels and micrometers, camera and personal computer.
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, And Employment References:

As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.