Detention Officer I

York County Government; York (SC); On-site; USD 49,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State medical insurance

Dental and Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Job summary

The York County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Detention Officer I for the Detention division. The role includes twelve-hour shifts, securing the Detention Center, and participating in a career advancement program with step pay increases and incentives.

New recruits receive paid preservice training, uniforms, and a path toward certification. Candidates must complete SC Criminal Justice Academy training if not already certified, with ongoing training and opportunities for overtime and bonuses.

Qualifications

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• South Carolina Class I Law Enforcement Officer Certification from the SC Criminal Justice Academy.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a high level of security and safety awareness at all times.
• Performs a variety of security duties as assigned, including inmate movement and post assignments.
• Monitors inmate counts and location at all times; conducts rounds and inspections.
• Supervises inmate meals, visitation, recreation and medical attention as required.
• Attends training and meetings to enhance job knowledge and skills.

Education

High School Graduation or GED equivalent

Job description

There are many employment opportunities throughout the York County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) in sworn capacity in the Detention Division. The Detention Center is located at the Moss Justice Center and is a two‑building facility. The Detention Center Main Building is a 621‑bed direct supervision facility that opened in March of 1995. The Detention Center Annex is a 256‑bed direct supervision facility that was formerly known as the York County Prison. The York County Sheriff’s Office obtained custody of the York County Prison in July of 2021 and merged all operations under the York County Detention Center. The Detention Center is charged with holding individuals who have been arrested by various law enforcement agencies in York County and held until they post bond, are ordered released by a court, or are transferred to a state institution after court sentencing. In addition, the Detention Center is charged with holding individuals who are sentenced to less than 90 days and/or all sentences through Family Court. The Detention Center also houses inmates for the U.S. Marshal Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement under an agreement that provides compensation to the county.

To learn more about this position, please refer to our website: Detention Employment Opportunities | York County Sheriffs, SC (civicplus.com)

We invite you to apply to join our team as a full‑time, non‑exempt Detention Officer I within the York County Sheriff’s Office Detention division. A career advancement program and overtime opportunities are offered. The purpose of this position is to perform various security procedures and activities on assigned shift at the York County Detention Center, ensuring that security is maintained at all times for the protection of staff, inmates and the general public.

If a candidate is selected as a sworn Detention Officer and not certified as a Class II law‑enforcement officer in South Carolina, the candidate will be required to attend the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in Columbia, South Carolina for basic training. Successful completion is mandatory and detention officer candidates are paid their normal salary while attending.

Once hired, new recruits will be provided uniforms and receive paid preservice training for four weeks and agency FTO, then paid training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Successful police academy certification must be achieved within first year of employment. Pay increases/incentives are offered after 1st year of employment, 3rd year of employment, and may include COLA and other bonuses as offered.

YORK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE – CAREER ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

The York County Sheriff’s Office has in place a career advancement program, which is a noncompetitive advancement process where deputies are able to advance to higher ranks upon the completion of specified professional milestones. The program consists of the following ranks and associated pay grades: Detention Officer minimum hourly pay rate $23.60 (grade 204), Detention Officer II (grade 205), and Senior Detention Officer (grade 206). This advancement program is subject to change in the discretion of the York County Sheriff. Additional incentives offered for experience and/or education. Overtime Pay: Any hours worked in excess of 80 hours (bi‑weekly) are compensated at a rate of time and a half.

Our Total Compensation Package:

• Compensation – competitive market‑rate pay, and negotiable based on qualifications.
• Comprehensive State Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision Insurance - Employees | S.C. PEBA
• Life Insurance
• Long‑term disability
• Deferred Compensation 401K Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program (Student Loan Forgiveness Program)
• 11 Paid Holidays + 3 Optional Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Longevity Pay
• SC State Retirement Plan Pension - PORS: Police Officers Retirement System | S.C. PEBA
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Sick Bank
• Critical Care and Cancer Insurance
• Wellness Screenings
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Professional Development / Trainings / Conferences
• all duty gear and equipment is issued and paid for by the York County Sheriff’s Office

Work Schedule

Candidate will be required to work twelve‑hour shifts to include holiday and weekend shifts. Currently, the day shift runs from 5:30 AM to 6 PM and the night shift from 5:30 PM to 6 AM.

This position is open until filled with review of applicants weekly. Applicants should monitor email for next steps of the application process. If you wish to find out more about a career at the York County Detention Center, email Sgt. Hewitt at [e-mail]

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains a high level of security and safety awareness at all times, ensuring the safety and security of inmates, staff and the general public through the proper enforcement of administrative and operational policies and procedures.
• Performs a variety of security duties associated with post assignment, which may include booking inmates, overseeing initial showering and issuing supplies, escorting inmates / assisting with inmate movement within the facility, controlling and accounting for inmates’ property, patrolling assigned areas, etc.
• Observes and interacts with inmates to detect security problems; maintains order and discipline among inmates; assists in coordinating daily activities and programs involving inmates and visitors.
• Supervises inmate meals, visitation, recreation and exercise, educational activities, telephone privileges, counseling, court visits, and medical attention; issues clean clothing and personal hygiene items; administers medications to inmates as prescribed.
• Maintains accurate inmate head counts and monitors location of inmates at all times.
• Performs general clerical work as required, including attending meetings, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, maintaining lists and logs, etc.
• Performs general housekeeping duties.
• Attends training, meetings, seminars, etc., as necessary to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Performs facility and cell inspections; determines security status.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Experience and Education

• High School Graduation or GED equivalent.

Special Licenses and Certifications

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• South Carolina Class I Law Enforcement Officer Certification from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.
• May require additional professional or technical certifications as deemed necessary by management.

Applicants with equivalent experience and/or education may be considered.

Physical Demands

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, jumping, stretching, or lifting all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or exceptional skill, adeptness and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving very close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
• Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
• Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife.
• Vibration; Fumes and/or noxious odors.
• Traffic; Moving machinery.
• Electrical shock; Heights.
• Radiation; Disease/pathogens.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

York County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Standard Clauses

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and emergencies (man‑made or natural) to meet the business needs of the County. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.