Detention Officer Sergeant

GardaWorld Federal Services; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

GardaWorld Federal Services seeks a high‑performing detention supervisor to oversee officers and guard the safety, security, and orderly operation of a detention facility in Surprise, AZ. You will manage daily housing operations, enforce procedures, and coordinate with medical, transportation, and supervisory staff to address incidents.

The role requires leadership, strong communication, and the ability to work rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as active-duty military, detention/corrections, or law enforcement.
• Must possess one (1) year of supervisory experience within detention/corrections or law enforcement.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Supervise detention officers and assigned security personnel during daily detention operations, housing unit activities, and shift assignments.
• Monitor resident movement, housing operations, facility security procedures, and staff performance to ensure operational compliance and accountability.
• Conduct inspections of housing units, operational areas, resident activity, and security equipment to identify safety concerns, contraband, or operational deficiencies.
• Respond to emergencies, disturbances, fights, medical incidents, security breaches, and resident behavioral concerns while coordinating appropriate response procedures.
• Review incident reports, disciplinary documentation, resident records, activity logs, and operational reports for accuracy and completeness.
• Provide operational guidance, training support, and mentorship to detention officers regarding facility procedures, resident management, and emergency response protocols.
• Coordinate resident counts, housing assignments, escort activities, intake procedures, and release operations as required by facility operations.
• Ensure accountability of keys, restraints, radios, emergency gear, and other security equipment assigned to detention personnel.
• Communicate and coordinate with medical personnel, transportation teams, behavioral health staff, and supervisory leadership regarding resident operations and facility concerns.
• Investigate minor operational incidents, policy violations, or resident complaints and report findings through the appropriate chain of command.
• Support audits, inspections, emergency preparedness activities, and operational reviews related to detention and security operations.
• Maintain professionalism, leadership, strong communication, and sound judgment while supporting safe, secure, and orderly detention facility operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Observation

Report writing

Situational awareness

Emergency response

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: $38.42/hr. ($33.33/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 supervise detention officers and assist facility leadership with maintaining the safety, security, and orderly operation of the detention facility. You will oversee daily detention activities, monitor resident operations, enforce security procedures, and provide guidance to assigned personnel while ensuring compliance with government detention standards and facility policies. This position requires strong leadership skills, professionalism, situational awareness, and the ability to respond effectively to emergencies, operational incidents, and resident-related concerns within a secure detention environment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise detention officers and assigned security personnel during daily detention operations, housing unit activities, and shift assignments.
• Monitor resident movement, housing operations, facility security procedures, and staff performance to ensure operational compliance and accountability.
• Conduct inspections of housing units, operational areas, resident activity, and security equipment to identify safety concerns, contraband, or operational deficiencies.
• Respond to emergencies, disturbances, fights, medical incidents, security breaches, and resident behavioral concerns while coordinating appropriate response procedures.
• Review incident reports, disciplinary documentation, resident records, activity logs, and operational reports for accuracy and completeness.
• Provide operational guidance, training support, and mentorship to detention officers regarding facility procedures, resident management, and emergency response protocols.
• Coordinate resident counts, housing assignments, escort activities, intake procedures, and release operations as required by facility operations.
• Ensure accountability of keys, restraints, radios, emergency gear, and other security equipment assigned to detention personnel.
• Communicate and coordinate with medical personnel, transportation teams, behavioral health staff, and supervisory leadership regarding resident operations and facility concerns.
• Investigate minor operational incidents, policy violations, or resident complaints and report findings through the appropriate chain of command.
• Support audits, inspections, emergency preparedness activities, and operational reviews related to detention and security operations.
• Maintain professionalism, leadership, strong communication, and sound judgment while supporting safe, secure, and orderly detention facility operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as active-duty military, detention/corrections, or law enforcement.
• Must possess one (1) year of supervisory experience within detention/corrections or law enforcement.
• 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 also be 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.