Detentions Officer

Theuniversityunion; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Holidays

Vacation

Medical plans

Job summary

Gilpin County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Detentions Officer to supervise inmates and uphold jail security. Responsibilities include intake, housing classifications, and movement control, with duties extending to court escorts and emergency response.

The role requires de-escalation skills, strong communications, and the ability to operate JMS and security systems. POST-related authority is limited; shift work and on-call duties apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License with no restrictions due to driving record.
• Must be able to drive a county vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Inmate intake, booking, identity verification, searches, photos, and property handling.
• Classifies inmates and assigns housing per policy.
• Advises inmates of rules, expectations, and grievance procedures.
• Supervises inmate movement, visitation, meals, and work details.
• Supervise inmate workers inside or outside the facility.
• Maintain security and safety within housing units.
• Conduct security and wellness checks as required.
• Operate JMS and security systems; monitor cameras and radios.
• Escort inmates to court, medical appointments, and designated areas.
• Respond to emergencies with CPR/AED as needed.
• Document incidents and activities per policy.

Skills

Strong communication

Calm under pressure

De-escalation techniques

Education

High school diploma or GED

21 years of age

ColoradoDriver’sLicense

Job description

• Location 2960 Dory Hill Road,Suite 300,Black Hawk, CO, 80422,United States
• Base Pay $31.50 - $44.81 / Hour
• Job Category Sheriff's Office
• Employee Type FT Non-Exempt

Primary Responsibility: Under general supervision, performs inmate supervision and detention-related duties within the Gilpin County Detention Facility. This is a non-POST certified position and does not carry independent peace officer authority under Colorado law. The Detentions Officer maintains safety, security, and order within the jail, supports facility operations, and assists POST-certified deputies, as needed.

Supervisedby:

• S ergeant
• In the absence of a Sergeant, use the chain of command established by the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office.

FLSAStatus: Non-exempt

MAIN JOB DUTIES:

Inmate Supervision & Classification

• Conducts inmate intake, booking, identity verification, searches, photographs, and property handling.
• Classifies inmates and assigns them to appropriate housing in accordance with Colorado Jail Standards and Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office Detentions Policy and Procedure.
• Advises inmates of facility rules, expectations, and grievance procedures.
• Supervises inmate movement, recreation, visitation, meals, commissary distribution, medication pass, programs, and work details.
• Supervise inmate workers inside or outside the facility.

Facility Security & Direct Supervision

• Maintains control, security, and safety within assigned housing units.
• Conducts security and wellness checks at required intervals.
• Prevents disturbances, intervenes in verbal and physical conflicts, and uses de-escalation strategies and physical force when necessary.
• Performs cell searches and area inspections to detect contraband, safety hazards, or policy violations.

Control Room & Technology Operations

• Monitors security cameras, intercom systems, electronic access controls, and alarm systems.
• Controls all door access, tracks inmate movement, and documents activities through the electronic Jail Management System (JMS).
• Operates body scanners, security screening equipment, and body-worn cameras in compliance with policy.
• Operates 800 and VHF radios to receive and send information to Communications, deputies, and other emergency service agencies in compliance with policy.

Court & Facility Security

• Provides security for courtrooms and the Justice Center, including responding to panic alarms and disturbances.
• Escorts inmates to and from court, medical appointments, or other designated areas.
• Ensures authorized access to secure areas and maintains perimeter security.

Emergency Response

• Responds to fires, medical emergencies, fights, alarms, evacuations, and critical incidents.
• Provides CPR, AED, and emergency first aid as needed.
• Documents events as required.

Communication & Inmate Interaction

• Communicates effectively and professionally with inmates, staff, visitors, and other agencies.
• Mediates disputes, handles inmate concerns, and provides information regarding legal processes, rights, and facility procedures.
• Documents incidents, grievances, safety concerns, and operational activities in accordance with policy.

Transports

• Conducts safe & secure inmate transports outside the facility to various locations.

Additional Job Duties:

• Performs general facility upkeep and maintains professional standards of uniform, equipment, and work areas.
• Attends required training and continuing education related to detentions, safety, mental health, and emergency response.
• Assists POST-certified deputies when appropriate and within the limits of non-POST authority.
• Provides cross-training and knowledge transfer to staff as needed to support continuity of operations and government services.
• Exercises sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information, ensuring appropriate disclosure only to authorized individuals and entities.
• Assists in stabilizing emergent or unforeseen operational situations to ensure continuity of services and effective organizational response.
• Adheres to all County policies, procedures, regulations, and applicable laws.
• Performs other duties and special assignments as assigned.

LEGAL AUTHORITY (NON-POST CERTIFIED)

• This position does not have statutory peace officer authority under the Colorado Revised Statutes.
• May perform arrest-related procedures only within the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office Justice Center as part of their duties related to Detentions.
• Cannot independently make field arrests, conduct criminal investigations outside the of the facility, or perform law-enforcement patrol duties

Hours:

• Must be able to workshift schedules, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, and mandatory overtime.
• Subject to on-call or emergency recall as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Equivalent combinations of education, experience, and training may be considered.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must meet standards established in Colorado Revised Statutes.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License with no restrictions due to driving record.
• Must also be able to drive a county vehicle.
• Must have no felony convictions or disqualifying misdemeanors designated by POST or any significant prior criminalactivity.
• Must pass background investigation, drug screening, psychological evaluation, and physical assessment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to remain calm, decisive, and professional in high-stress situations.
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations using verbal communication and crisis-intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of constitutional rights, jail procedures, security protocols, and inmate management practices.
• Ability to use computers, JMS software, report-writing tools, cameras, and security systems.
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance withdrawal, or behavioral issues.
• Ability to follow complex instructions and adhere to policies, laws, and professional standards.

Certifications (Required with timelines):

• CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification (within 90 days).
• FEMA IC-100 and IC-700 (within 6 months).
• OSN within 6 months of the request from CBI
• Narcan (Naloxone) Administration.
• Arrest Control Certification
• Taser Certification.
• Firearms proficiency, as determined by a Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office Firearms Instructor (completed during Field Training).
• Any additional certifications mandated by the Sheriff’s Office.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

• A Detentions Officer must be able to perform the main job functions listed, unassisted, and at a pace or level of performance consistent with the actual job performance requirements. This necessitates a high level of physical abilities and perceptual senses to include vision, hearing, speaking, flexibility, strength, etc.

COMPLIANCE

This role must operate in accordance with:

• Sheriff’s Office Policies and Procedures
• Use-of-Force standards
• Federal, state, and local laws

Experience:

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not an employment contract and may be updated to meet the operational needs of the Sheriff’s Office.

Summary

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Gilpin County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons. Must pass drug screen and pre-employment screening.

*Part-time and Temporary staff are ineligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401A, Life Insurance, Short-term & Long-term Disability plans in addition to Long-term care. See the benefit details at the end of the job posting for part-time options.

Benefits for Full Time Employees:

Paid Holidays: Gilpin County provides 13 paid holidays per calendar year. An employee will be paid ten (10) hours per holiday.

Vacation: The first year of employment, (based on the anniversary of the hire date) full-time employees are given 40 hours of vacation and earn 3 hours of paid vacation leave bi-weekly. After that time, leave shall accrue as follows:

Lump Sum on Date of Hire (Hours)

Hourly Accrual Rate

40

3

13 – 60 months

–

5

61 – 120 months

–

7

121+ months

–

8

Full-Time employees are encouraged to take their earned vacation leave each year. Vacation time accrual shall cap at the maximum amount and shall not exceed the maximum accrual amount, based on total months of service.

Months of Service

248

61 – 131

268

132 – 192

288

193 – 239

308

240+

328

Sick Leave: Full-Time employees shall accrue four (4) hours of sick leave each bi-weekly pay period. The maximum sick leave that may be accumulated by such an employee is 600 hours.

Medical Plans: Gilpin County offers two medical plans with Kaiser and United Health Care. Gilpin County offers a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for all employees to cover co-pays, deductibles, and other medical expenses. Employees are eligible for benefits the first of the month following 30 days of service. This HRA card will have $3,000.00 on it for an individual or $6,000.00 for a family. Both plans have a max out of pocket for $1,000 individual or $2,000 per family after the use of the HRA card for in network expenses.

United Health Care Monthly Employee Cost:
Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family
$80.85/$167.72/$149.40/$234.30

Kaiser Permanente Monthly Employee Cost:
Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family
$72.60/$152.62/$134.47/$210.90

Dental Plan: Gilpin County offers dental coverage through Delta Dental with PPO and Premiere network coverages. Individual deductible at $50 and family deductible at $150. In network coverage for preventative and diagnostic services are covered 100%, basic services covered at 80%, major services at 50%, and ortho covered at 50% with a $2,000 max. The plan offers a Right Start 4 Kids plan that covers most children basic services up to their 13th birthday at 100% with no deductible (some exclusions apply). Annual max this plan pays for covered dental services is $2,000 per individual covered on the plan.

Delta Dental Monthly Employee Costs:
Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family
$0.00/$28.71/$54.00/$72.50

Vision Plan: Gilpin County offers vision coverage through VSP. In network coverage includes copays at $10 copays with an allowance of $175 per pair of either one prescription eyeglasses or contacts yearly on a 12-month calendar basis and discounts on Lasik.

VSP Vision Monthly Employee Costs:
Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family
$0.00/$3.20/$3.40/$5.60

Retirement: Two retirement savings plans are available through the Colorado Retirement Association: 401(a) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

The 401(a) has a 5% required full match with a 4-year vesting period.

The 457 Plan is optional and has Pre-tax and Roth Options available. After four years of service, this plan could also include a County match as described below.

Social Security, as required by law: 6.2% required full match.

Effective July 8, 2025, for all new employees hired on or after this date, the graduated vesting schedule for the 5% match on employees’ 401(a) plan is as follows:

Years of Service

Vesting Amount

0 to less than 1 year

0%

1 year to less than 2 years

25%

2 years to less than 3 years

50%

3 years to less than 4 years

75%

4 years or more

100%

Starting January 1, 2026, two new voluntary retirement plan matches will be initiated, with one plan for POST (law enforcement officers) and a second for all other employees, based on years of service. The employee would need to make voluntary contributions into a 457 account at the minimum level in order to be eligible for the County match into the employee’s 401(a).

POST 401(a) eligible positions, 1:1 match

Years of Service

POST Employee Contribution to 457

County Match to 401(a)

4 to 8 years

1%

1%

9 to 12 years

2%

2%

13 or more years

3%

3%

All other 401(a) eligible positions, 1:2 match

Years of Service

Employee Contribution to 457

County Match to 401(a)

4 to 8 years

1%

0.5%

9 to 12 years

2%

1%

13 or more years

4%

2%

Short-Term Disability: Short-term disability pays 60% of your earnings with a max of $1,000 per week for up to 11 weeks. Benefits begin on day 15 and your first two weeks you will have to cover with sick, personal, or vacation time. Gilpin County covers 100% of the premium cost of this plan for the employee.
Long-Term Disability: Long-term disability kicks in after 90 consecutive calendar days of a qualified disability. The plan will pay 60% of your earnings with a max of $5,000 monthly. Gilpin County covers 100% of the premium cost of this plan for the employee.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP is provided through Triad All one Health for employees and members of your household. Services are confidential and available 24/7. A wide variety of services including but not limited to: Emotion well-being support with up to 6 Counseling sessions per issue each year. Daily life assistance guidance on a variety of topics. Online resources with articles, assessments, search tools, webinars. Free 30-minute consultations on legal services and financial services. A discount center to find deals on products, services, travel and more!

Gilpin County Parks & Recreation: Employees receive free memberships, as well as 20% discounts on most services such as childcare, leagues, rentals, in house classes but does not include contract classes.

Benefits for Part Time and Temporary Employees:

Sick Leave: Leave accrues at the rate of 1 hours of sick leave per 30 hours worked to a maximum of 45 hours per year.
Retirement: As a part time or temporary employee, you may participate in the optional 457b or 457 Roth plan. These plans may be started, stopped, and changed anytime during your employment.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP is provided through Triad All One Health for employees and members of your household. Services are confidential and available 24/7. A wide variety of services including but not limited to: Emotion well-being support with up to 6 Counseling sessions per issue each year. Daily life assistance guidance on a variety of topics. Online resources with articles, assessments, search tools, webinars. Free 30-minute consultations on legal services and financial services. A discount center to find deals on products, services, travel and more!

Retirement: Gilpin County offers optional 457b or 457 Roth plans. The optional 457b plans may be started, stopped, and changed anytime during your employment