Detention Officer

Alamance County Veteran Service Office

North Carolina

On-site

USD 49,000 - 60,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Vacation Time

Sick Time

Holidays

Job summary

The Alamance County Sheriff's Office is seeking dedicated Detention Officers for the Detention Center in Graham, NC. You will help maintain facility safety, oversee inmate housing, and support daily operations in a fast-paced environment.

Required qualifications include a High School Diploma or GED, a valid NC driver’s license, the ability to obtain detention officer certification, and successful completion of multiple exams. Prior detention experience and criminal justice degrees are preferred.

Qualifications

Must be at least 20 years of age.
Must possess a High School Diploma or GED.
Must possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
Must hold or be able to obtain NC detention officer certification.
Must pass Oral Interview, Background Check, Polygraph, Medical, Exam, Psychological Exam, Drug Screening, and other interviews.
Preferred: Associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice; 3+ years in detention/correctional work.

Responsibilities

Accept custody of offenders and book them into detention using the jail management system.
Maintain professionalism and learn necessary certifications; excellent report writing.
Verify identification and check for warrants.
Escort offenders within the detention facility and monitor behavior to ensure safety.
Respond to emergencies and assist in handling combative or uncooperative individuals.
Perform duties as directed by the Sheriff or designee.

Skills

Accountability

Accuracy

Autonomy

Communication (Oral)

Communication (Written)

Ethical

Honesty/Integrity

Judgment

Multitasking

Problem Solving/Decision Making

Relationship Building

Safety-Minded

Time Management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate or Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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

Responsibilities

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.

Minimum Qualifications

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.

Preferred Qualifications

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.

Computer Skills

Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint Experience)

Skills & Abilities

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 be truthful, maintain high level of confidentiality and be seen as credible in the workplace.
Judgment – Ability to use good judgment and discretion as it relates to interpreting policies and procedures. Use initiative and proper judgement when carrying out tasks and responsibilities.
Multitasking -Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
Problem Solving/Decision Making - Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work-related problems. Possess the ability to make decisions independently in accordance with established policies.
Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with elected officials, co-workers and the public.
Safety-Minded – Creating a safe work environment; managing risks; reducing exposure liabilities.
Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.
Must be able to work independently and organize work to meet deadlines with a high degree of accuracy.

Physical Demands

N (Not Applicable): Activity is not applicable to this position.
O (Occasionally): Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs./day)
F (Frequently): Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs./day)
C (Constantly): Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs./day)
Stand C
Walk C
Sit O
Manually Manipulate F
Reach Outward F
Reach Above Shoulder F
Climb O
Crawl O
Squat or Kneel O
Bend F
Talk/Hear C
See C
Taste/Smell O
Lift/Carry: 10 lbs. or less F
11-20 lbs. F
21-50 lbs. F
51-100 lbs. F
Over 100 lbs. F
Push/Pull: 12 lbs. or less F
13-25 lbs. F
26-40 lbs. F
41-100 lbs. F

Other Physical Requirements

Vision (Near, Distance, Peripheral)
Color Differentiation: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to use general office equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Indoors and outdoors. May encounter temperatures above 90 degrees and below 40 degrees
Confined areas and use of stairs or ladders
Exposure to chemical and fumes, smoke and dust, wet and damp areas
Exposure to high noise, dim and bright lighting

The Detention Officer Position will be located within the Detention Center at the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, Graham, NC. The position does require work within a team environment and interaction with detention administration, supervisors, other administrative support staff, court personnel, contract staff/vendors, and all members of the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office.

Health Insurance

Full-time employees are eligible for medical/health (Cigna Insurance) benefits upon the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. Alamance County Government currently offers three plans of medical/pharmacy benefit options including 2 Standard PPO plans and a High-Deductible Health Plan with HSA.

Dental Benefit

Alamance County offers one dental insurance (Delta Dental) plan for FT employees at no cost. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment.

Vision Insurance

A voluntary vision program (Superior Vision) is available to FT employees. The current PPO style plan allows employees to seek treatment and hardware from any vision care provider of their choice. The plan, if elected, would be effective the first of the month following 30 days of FT employment. Coverage must be elected within your first 30 days of FT employment or upon a qualifying event.

Voluntary Benefits

Alamance County Government provides a variety of voluntary health related benefits (Voya) to allow employees to purchase protection from what life may bring. A sampling of voluntary benefits includes Flexible Spending Accounts with dependent care opportunities, Health Saving Account with an employer contribution, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Cancer Protection Plan, Group Critical Care Insurance and more.

Life Insurance

Basic term life insurance is the amount of one times the annual salary (no greater than $70,000) is provided for all FT employees. Additional coverage is available for purchase through payroll deductions for employee and eligible dependents.

Retirement Benefits

Membership in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System (NCLGERS) is a requirement for all full-time and regular part-time employees (working more than 1,000 hours annually). Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed.

Vacation Time

Annual Leave is accrued based on years of service. Employees can accrue from 10-25 days per year.

Sick Time

All County full time employees earn 12 days of sick leave per year.

County Observed Holidays

Alamance County will observe the State of North Carolina Holiday Schedule.

Employee Assistance Program

There are times when everyone needs a little help or advice. The confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through a local provider can help you with things like stress, anxiety, depression, chemical dependency, relationship issues, legal issues, parenting questions, financial counseling and dependent care resources. Best of all it's free for County employees and available for your household to utilize. Utilization of the EAP is completely confidential and participation isn't recorded. Help is available 24/7/365 by telephone.

Alamance County Employee Health Center

Available to employees and spouses who are covered under the Alamance County Insurance Plan and their covered dependents, 18 years of age and older. Retired employees under age 65 are also eligible to use the health center. Depending on insurance coverage elected, care at the clinic ranges from free to a fair market value cost.

Services Available

Treatment of injuries or illnesses such as flu, sinus Infection, pink eye, sprains, strains or fever. Monitor chronic conditions (Diabetes, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Health Disease, Asthma, etc...). Assistance with finding a Primary Care Provider. Health Education and Counseling. Triage and referrals to specialists when appropriate.

Employee Fitness Center

Alamance County encourages all employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle both at home and at work. In support of this philosophy an Employee Fitness Center is available for all County employees to use at their convenience during non-work hours and is open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday-Sunday. This center includes weight training equipment, cardio equipment, a small aerobics room along with restrooms, changing room and lockers.

Employer Alamance County Government