Detention Officer Cadet (Entry Level) - Registry

Pinal-County; Florence (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinal County Sheriff's Office Adult Detention Center (PCSO-ADC) seeks entry/trainee Detention Cadets to support custody, safety, and order under close supervision. Applicants undergo a multi-step testing, background, and academy process with strict documentation requirements.

Training includes a mandatory 11-week academy and field training, with in-person testing dates and potential relocation or remote training considerations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum age 18 years.
• Arizona driver's license upon hire; 30 days to obtain if new resident.
• Pass a thorough background investigation.
• Temporary relocation or remote training possible.
• Detention Officer Academy completion (11 weeks) and Field Training.

Responsibilities

• Maintain custody and control of inmates and supervise facility operations.
• Ensure safety and security of staff, inmates, and detention facilities.
• Enforce rules, manage inmate behavior, and respond to incidents.
• Coordinate with agency personnel and complete required documentation.

Skills

Policy knowledge & SOPs

Decision making under pressure

Effective communication

Inmate handling & custody

Situational awareness & safety

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Maintain safety and security of inmates, staff and detention facilities, provide custody and control of inmates, preserve order and discipline, and supervise inmates according to Pinal County Sheriff's Office Adult Detention Center (PCSO-ADC) policies and procedures and state and Federal regulations under basic supervision. This is an Entry/Trainee position, which works under close supervision.

The application and any supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state "See resume" in lieu of answering. If the question does not apply, mark N/A. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process and your application will be marked as INCOMPLETE.

September 22, 2026 (must submit application by September 6*)

If qualified, eligible applicants will be notified via email regarding next steps.

*Tentative Academy Dates:

August 2026, October 2026, December 2026*

Eligible applicants will begin employment prior to Academy start date.

*ALL TESTING DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. EVERY APPLICANT MUST APPEAR IN PERSON TO TEST.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:

This is a registry intended to collect applications for future vacancies containing one or more positions. Eligible applicants might be placed into a registry until a vacant position becomes available.

• This announcement may be closed as soon as a sufficient number of qualified applicants have applied.

Detention Cadet Hiring Process

Detention Cadet testing typically occurs every other month.

Testing Day - The testing day consists of a physical agility test, oral interview, and a preliminary background review.

You will need to have the following documents with you on testing day:

• Birth Certificate, Naturalization Papers (Original Document) or Current Passport
• High School Diploma, GED, or transcript with graduation date (Original Document) or higher education certificates/diplomas
• Arizona Driver’s License (Original Document)
• Social Security Card (Original Document)
• Credit Report (Original Document - this document can be requested on one of the 3 major credit bureau website: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion)
• DD 214 Copy Member 4 if discharged from Military or Selective Service Registration (Original Document)
• Vehicle Insurance Card
• 3 years Certified Driving History Record (Original Document)

If all criteria is met, the Background Investigator will notify Human Resources to submit your personal information into ESOPH.

Failure to bring all documents with you on the testing day may delay in the testing process.

1. Physical Agility Assessment - All applicants must participate and pass a Physical Agility Test, which consists of the following:

• Pushups (untimed): 15 or more
• Sit ups (1 minute): 19 or more
• 300 meter run: 75 seconds or better
• 1.5 mile run: 17:40 or better

2. Oral Interview - You will meet with a member of our staff for a one on one interview. You must achieve a score of 70% to advance in the process.

3. Preliminary Background Review You will meet with a Background Investigator and answer a short questionnaire. You will need to have all documents required with you on testing day. If all criteria are met, the Background Investigator will notify Human Resources to submit your personal information into ESOPH.

4. ESOPH Background - You will be sent a link to sign in, answer questions and upload any documents required. You have seven (7) days to complete.

5. Background Review - Once your background information has been reviewed and all required criteria have been met, you may be scheduled for a final background review.

6. Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) – Once your background information has been reviewed and all required criteria have been met, you may be scheduled for a Computer Voice Stress Analysis Test.

7. Command Review - Once your background check is complete, our command staff will review it. Upon approval, you may be invited to a Command Interview.

8. Command Interview - You will meet and talk with the Command Staff. Upon approval, you will be extended a conditional offer of employment. At this time, you will also be scheduled for a psych evaluation and medical review.

9. Official Offer - Once you have passed all steps including all medical, psych, background and CVSA, you may be extended an official offer and be scheduled a date to attend New Hire Orientation.

PCSO DETENTION OFFICER SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Application:

1. Applicant will not receive nor are entitled to a copy of the contents of their test results.

2. No documents, copies of reports submitted by the applicant will be returned.

3. No documents, reports or information utilized for, or obtained, during the selection process will be furnished to the applicant.

4. Applicant will not be advised of the reason(s) for non-selection.

Drug Use:

1. Marijuana –Each position shall be reviewed and determined on a case by case basis dependent upon the applicant’s required security access, including those with use of less than six (6) months.

2. Dangerous Drugs/Narcotics/ Hallucinogens/Vaporous Substances – Any time within the past five (5) years. This includes methamphetamine, amphetamine, barbiturates, speed, spice, bath salts, crack, cocaine, heroin, opioids, mushrooms, ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, salvia, PCP, anabolic steroids, etc.

3. Peyote/ Mescaline - Illegal use as described above. (Exception- Bona fide religious ceremonies)

4. Sale, Production, Cultivation or Transportation for Sale of illegal drugs in last five (5) years or since becoming an adult.

5. Pattern of abuse of ANY drugs to include marijuana, narcotics, dangerous drugs and prescription drugs. “Pattern of abuse” will be determined based on; type of drugs used, purpose for using, length of time used, and age of individual during use (minor or adult).

Theft or Misappropriation of Property:

1. Any demonstrated pattern of habitual theft.

2. Any theft while serving in a position of trust.

Acts Constituting a Felony or any Conviction for Domestic Violence Involving Physical Violence:

1. A conviction for any act which would constitute a Felony in the State of Arizona, at any time.

Fraud or Misrepresentation:

1. Any intentional attempt to practice any deception or fraud in the Employment Application, Testing Process, or any failure to properly complete the application.

Driving Record:

1. Any recent demonstrated pattern of excessive traffic violations (for positions that require operation of a motor vehicle).

Previous Positions Held: Any of the following may be disqualifiers:

1. Having been disciplined by any employer, including military, as an adult for abuse of leave, gross insubordination, dereliction of duty or persistent failure to follow established policies and regulations.

2. Having been involuntarily dismissed, for any reason other than layoff, from two or more employers as an adult.

3. Having held more than seven paid positions with different employers within the past four years, or more than 15 paid positions with different employers in the past ten years (excluding military). Students who attend school away from their permanent legal residence may be excused from this requirement as well as other persons with a reasonable explanation for an extensive job history.

4. Resigning from any paid position without notice may be disqualifying, except where the presence of a hostile work environment is alleged or other reasonable cause existed.

Military Service:

1. If an applicant has served in the military their separation must be classified as “Honorable”, “General under Honorable conditions” or “Uncharacterized”.

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description.

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Maintain custody and control of inmates according to policies, procedures, and regulations, perform work within scope of authority and training, and make proper decisions using sound judgment.
• Maintain safety and security of the staff, inmates, and detention facilities, monitor behavior of inmates, promote acceptable attitude and conduct, and perform tasks to maintain integrity and consistency of detention facility operations.
• Supervise inmate activities, maintain continuity and discipline, physically restrain uncooperative and disruptive inmates, intervene to avert fights, assaults, riots, and escapes, and solve problems within scope of authority.
• Provide equal protection and care for all inmates, including nutrition, hygiene, education, court and hospital transport, recreation, laundry, clothing, housing, medical assistance, behavior monitoring, and social interactive discipline.
• Monitor inmates for rule violations and behavioral changes, de-escalate potentially violent situations, and maintain appropriate use-of-force as needed for self-defense, defense of another, and to prevent escape.
• Perform constant inspections and security checks of all PCSO facility areas, conduct head counts and area searches, and assure all areas of the facility are safe, secure, sanitary, and free of contraband.
• Conduct body and cell searches for contraband and inventories, maintain accountability for keys, equipment, tools, and supplies, and account for inmates under direct vision and supervision at all times.
• Report and investigate disciplinary and behavioral issues and violations of inmate housing and facility rules.
• May perform special duties, including Disciplinary Hearing Officer.
• Assure that the facility and equipment are maintained in clean and effective operating order.
• Enforce local, state, and Federal laws and enforce compliance with PCSO post orders and standard.
• Update PCSO files, records, and event logs, maintain appropriate records, and prepare reports as required.
• Work with other state and regional law enforcement agencies on inmate issues.
• Maintain regular, in-person attendance to effectively perform assigned duties
• Collaborate and work cooperatively with team members to achieve organizational goals
• Maintain the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the Sheriff's Office by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.
• Arizona residents must have a valid Arizona Driver’s License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 days of hire.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• For ACJIS users - Must pass a thorough background investigation and background re-investigation every 5 years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional technical training and certifications may be required at the direction of the Sheriff or Designee.

Additional Information

• This position will have direct inmate contact and will work rotating shifts.
• Must attend and successfully complete an 11 week Detention Officer Academy and a Field Training program.
• Accepting this position will require a TB skin test in the first 10 days of employment and annually thereafter. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications as applicable.
• Temporarily relocating or remote training possible.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Sheriff's Office policies and procedures, and detention Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Knowledge of state and Federal laws, regulations, and statutes governing management of inmates and detention facilities.
• Knowledge of behavior patterns of incarcerated persons.
• Knowledge of processes, standards, and protocols for booking and releasing inmates.
• Knowledge of use-of-force rules.
• Knowledge of techniques of inmate control and defensive tactics.
• Knowledge of hazardous chemicals and materials, first aid, and CPR.
• Knowledge of principles of records management.
• Skill in interpreting laws and regulations, making decisions, maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Ability to remain alert at all times and react quickly and calmly in emergency situations and in dealing with situations requiring diplomacy, understanding, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment.
• Ability to communicate with inmates, mediate difficult situations, and use effective custody and control procedures.
• Ability to maintain and safely operate a variety of weapons, impact weapons, handcuffs and waist chains, special locks and keys, and chemical agents.
• Ability to interact with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and software applications.
• Ability to work alternating work schedules, weekends, holidays and be subject to call-out.
• Ability to work various (