Detention Officer Pool - 2026

Forsyth County; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County is seeking Detention Officers to staff a locked detention facility in Winston-Salem, NC. The position offers fixed day or night, 12.25-hour shifts with every other 3-day weekend off.

Night shifts may include a $3.00 per hour differential and a potential total compensation near $63,000 annually. New hires must meet Sheriff’s Commission standards, pass drug screening and medical/psychological exams, have a HS diploma or GED, and maintain a clean driving and criminal history.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving history.
• Must pass drug screening and medical examination by a licensed physician, including psychological testing.
• Must be 20 years of age prior to hire date.
• U.S. citizen or Naturalization Certification, if applicable.
• Clean criminal record with no felony convictions.
• No DWI conviction within the past five years and no more than two in a lifetime.
• Honorable Military Discharge, if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Receive inmates by conducting search, completing intake forms, securing personal property, and dressing inmates in detention attire.
• Acts as booking officer by maintaining inmate information, verifying intake forms, classifying inmates and assigning cell locations; maintaining inmate counts.
• Oversees the security and activities of inmates on an assigned floor.
• Supervises meals and cleaning of detention facilities.
• Distributes personal property.
• Transports inmates for interviews, court or release; monitors medical status and responds to illnesses or injuries.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Detention Officers work a fixed, day or night, 12.25 hour shift with every other 3-day weekend off. New hires are not guaranteed their shift preference and may be subject to Night Shift.

Officers assigned to a permanent night shift receive a shift differential of $3.00 per hour or approximately $6,700.00 per year.

Qualified candidates have the potential to make up to approximately $63,000.00 a year with the following pay incentives (not to exceed a combined total of 15%):

• Relevant certified experience: 1% per year up to max of 15%
• Prior Active-Duty Military Service: 1% per year up to max of 15%
• Associate's Degree: 5% increase ($2,475)
• Bachelor's Degree or above: 10% increase ($4,952)

Performs specialized inmate detention and care work in the Law Enforcement Detention Center. Incumbents of this classification are not entitled to special law enforcement benefits.

An employee in this class performs inmate intake, detention, care and release work in accordance with established policies and procedures. Work includes the observation and accompaniment of inmates inside the cell and County Detention Center and related care and record keeping requirements. Tactfulness and firmness are required. The employee is subject to a hazardous and confining working environment. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated during formal discussion and by observation. An employee in this class will work a 12 hour permanent shift, day or night, to oversee operations in a secured facility which is open 24/7.

Every Justice Officer employed or certified through the North Carolina Sheriff's Education and Training Standards Commission shall:

• Candidate must have a High School Diploma, or G.E.D. equivalence.
• Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving history.
• Candidate must be able to pass a drug screening and complete medical examination by a licensed physician, including psychological testing and evaluation.
• Candidate must be 20 years of age prior to hire date.
• Candidate must be a U.S. citizen or Naturalization Certification, if applicable.
• Candidate must have a clean criminal record to include no felony convictions.
• Candidate must not have had a DWI conviction within the past five years and no more than two in a lifetime.
• Candidate must have Honorable Military Discharge, if applicable.

Additional Hiring Requirements

• Must possess a valid drivers license
• Successfully complete and pass a comprehensive background investigation
• Successfully complete a walk along and a panel interview
• Successfully complete a psychological/medical examination
• Must pass reading and physical exam

• Receives inmates by conducting search, completing required intake forms, securing all personal property, and dressing out inmates in detention attire.
• Acts as booking officer by maintaining inmate information, verifying the completion of necessary intake forms, classifying inmates and assigning cell location, and maintaining inmate count and cell locations.
• Oversees the security and activities of inmates on an assigned floor.
• Supervises meals and cleaning of facilities.
• Distributes personal property.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Supervises the purchase and distribution of snack items and commissary.
• Searches incoming property delivered for inmates to determine if it is allowable.
• Verifies visitor acceptance by inmates, notifies the floor officer of visitor, records time and date of visits.
• Releases inmates on bond, due to court order or for time served; ensures release papers are accurate and complete; returns all personal property to the individual; completes forms providing required documentation of release.
• Supervises trustees cleaning and maintaining detention facilities, doing inmate laundry, and receiving and storing supplies.
• Transports inmates for interviews, court or release; monitors inmates' medical status and takes appropriate action when illness or injury is suspected.