Detention Officer Captain

GardaWorld Federal Services; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

GardaWorld Federal Services in Surprise, AZ is seeking a Detention Security Supervisor to oversee daily detention facility operations, lead officers and supervisory staff, and ensure safety, security, and compliance with government detention standards.

The role requires incident response leadership, staff training, shift coordination, incident reporting, and the ability to manage emergencies and challenging situations while maintaining professionalism and integrity in a high‑security environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years in military, detention/corrections, or law enforcement.
• Five years of supervisory experience at sergeant/equivalent level or above.
• Must pass background checks and security screenings.
• Proficient in English reading/writing/speaking.

Responsibilities

• Supervise detention officers and security personnel during daily operations.
• Monitor housing units and ensure compliance with standards and policies.
• Respond to emergencies, incidents, and medical situations with assigned staff.
• Review incident reports and operational logs for accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinate staffing, shift coverage, and emergency planning.
• Train and mentor staff on security procedures and protocols.
• Investigate policy violations and operational concerns; implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with medical, transportation, behavioral health, and other stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Security operations

Emergency response

Communication skills

Compliance

Education

High school diploma

Job description

POSITION INFORMATION: BASIC DETAILS

• Location: Surprise, AZ
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly
• Travel Requirement: No
• Teleworking: No
• Pay: $42.09/hr. ($37.00/hr. base rate + $5.09 H&W)
• Pay rates listed reflect the full rate for this position, including both the base pay and health and welfare benefits in accordance with applicable requirements. Pay is based on numerous factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Note: We are currently building a pipeline for this role, with an expected start date of later this year

POSITION SUMMARY INFORMATION: DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Position Overview: In this role, you will oversee detention security operations and supervise detention personnel responsible for maintaining the safety, security, and orderly operation of the detention facility. You will provide leadership, operational oversight, and guidance to detention officers and supervisory staff while ensuring compliance with government detention standards, facility procedures, and security protocols. This position requires strong leadership abilities, sound judgment, decision-making skills, and the ability to manage emergency situations, staff performance, and daily detention operations within a secure detention environment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise detention officers, sergeants, and assigned security personnel during daily detention facility operations and shift activities.
• Monitor housing unit operations, resident movement, security procedures, and operational activities to ensure compliance with government detention standards and facility policies.
• Conduct inspections of housing units, operational areas, security equipment, and staff performance to identify safety concerns or operational deficiencies.
• Respond to emergencies, disturbances, security incidents, medical situations, and resident behavioral issues while coordinating appropriate response procedures and staff assignments.
• Review incident reports, disciplinary documentation, activity logs, resident records, and operational reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Coordinate staffing assignments, shift coverage, emergency response planning, and operational scheduling activities for detention personnel.
• Train and mentor detention officers on security procedures, emergency protocols, resident management techniques, and operational standards.
• Investigate security incidents, policy violations, resident complaints, and operational concerns while implementing corrective actions as necessary.
• Coordinate with medical personnel, transportation teams, behavioral health staff, facility leadership, and outside agencies regarding resident operations and security matters.
• Ensure accountability of security equipment, restraints, keys, radios, emergency gear, and operational resources assigned to detention personnel.
• Support audits, inspections, compliance reviews, emergency preparedness activities, and operational assessments conducted by facility leadership or outside agencies.
• Maintain professionalism, leadership, strong communication, and sound decision-making while supporting safe, secure, and efficient detention facility operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience as active-duty military, detention/corrections, or law enforcement.
• Must possess five (5) years of supervisory experience within detention/corrections or law enforcement, with at least some of this experience at the sergeant/equivalent level or above.
• Must be able to provide proof of citizenship or legal US work authorization.
• If prior active-duty military, must provide copies of DD214(s) showing discharge condition.
• Must consent to fingerprinting.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English proficiently.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Clean criminal record and ability to pass a comprehensive background check and security screening.
• Ability to pass a preemployment medical assessment and drug screening.
• Excellent communication, observation, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure and in high-stress situations.
• Ability to work flexible shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Work Environment: Employees may be exposed to extreme cold or hot weather conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and loud noise.

Physical Requirements: Employees may be required to remain in a stationary position, stand, push, pull, climb, kneel, crawl, balance, squat, bend, and reach. Employees may be also required to use gear to move items around, including, but not limited to, carts and dollies. Employees may also be occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 49 pounds.

GardaWorld Federal Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.