Female Detention Officer

Story County; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Story County in Iowa seeks a detention officer to supervise the confinement, security, and daily operations of the correctional facility. You will report to jail leadership and perform lead-work supervision under a Detention Officer Supervisor, ensuring safety and compliance with facility policies.

The role requires completion of jailer training within one year and a valid driver’s license, with responsibilities spanning inmate supervision, incident reporting, and coordination with health and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of 40-hour jailer training within one year of hire.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Monitor resident and visitor behavior to maintain facility, security, safety, and sanitation; facilitate day-to-day operations of the correctional facility.
• Shakes down residents, visitors, facilities, and property to detect prohibited items; perform searches and checks.
• Verify resident counts at regular intervals and report discrepancies.
• Escort residents and visitors; apply restraint equipment as needed; ensure safety and accordance with procedures.
• Enforce facility policies; determine nature and severity of violations; initiate disciplinary action.
• Prepare incident and security reports; recommend corrective action.
• Subdue disruptive residents; isolate issues; coordinate with staff for safety.
• Interact with residents to promote positive daily living and behavior changes.
• Inspect living units for safety and accountability; document deficiencies and actions.

Education

High school diploma

40 hour jailer training

Job description

Summary Description

Under supervision, performs technical duties related to the detention, commitment, and incarceration of individuals in a correctional facility. Reports to the Jail Administrator and/or Assistant Jail Administrator and receives lead-work supervision from a Detention Officer Supervisor.

Application Requirements

• Work Experience- List work experience for the past 10 years on the online application.
• References- 6 References are required (3 professional and 3 personal must be listed on the online application.)
• Required Sheriff Application Addendum (must be saved and attached to online application in order for application to be complete).
• A physical agility test and competitive written examination will be administered on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 8:00 am. Location TBD. Standards of testing may be found Physical-Agility-Testing-Requirements.

Story County is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Monitors resident and visitor behavior in order to: maintain correctional facility, security, safety, and sanitation; facilitate day-to-day operational activities of the correctional facility; facilitate positive behavior by observing and recording resident and visitor activities and behavior patterns.
• Shakes down residents, visitors, facilities, and property such as packages, mail, and clothing to detect and deter unauthorized items such as weapons, drugs, money, and alcohol; performs patdown or unclothed body search, and search of clothes and personal items; makes a visual, physical check of facilities and property to discover abnormalities in appearance, sound, odor, or feel.
• Verifies resident population at regular/special time intervals to account for a pre-determined number of residents; determines if count data matches total assigned population of residents; reports the number of residents present; documents the location of residents not present to the appropriate staff; receives and totals population count results; compares total counts with total assigned population.
• Escorts residents and visitors inside or outside the facility to minimize the risk of resident escape, to maximize the physical safety of escortees and the general public, to deter communication or exchange of unauthorized items, to protect resident privacy and property, and to ensure resident appearance at various meetings and hearing; applies restraint equipment such as cuffs; operates assigned vehicle when necessary; verifies possession of appropriate pass or legal documents.
• Enforces established facility policies, regulations, and procedures governing resident and visitor behavior; gives verbal or written information, and identifies appropriate rules to be follows; determines nature and severity of violations; initiates verbal or written disciplinary action.
• Prepares incident, accident, resident progress, rule violation, activity safety, sanitation and security reports to document resident/visitor activity, inspections, and investigation activities; recommends corrective action.
• Subdues disruptive residents to facilitate normal facility operations and to prevent or minimize injury and damage to other residents, staff, and property; isolates problem residents to prevent the spread of disruptive behavior to resident population; follows appropriate procedures and requests assistance and authorization to apply prescribed physical controls such as self-defense.
• Interacts with residents to develop and improve daily living and social behavior and to facilitate positive behavior changes; minimizes disruptive activities by listening to residents’ problems and offering guidance through open communication.
• Inspects, visually and physically, resident living units to detect safety and security deficiencies and to ensure resident accountability for condition of living area; notes deficiencies and prepares written reports containing problems observed and recommendations for corrective action.
• Attends training classes and seminars to develop and improve work knowledge, abilities, and skills such as weapons proficiency and safety, restraint techniques, and report writing.
• Monitors resident behavior to facilitate the determination of appropriate safety and security needs by interviewing, observing, and discussing information with other staff.

Performs Special, Technical Duties Such As

• Provide commissary service for residents such as hygiene products, snack foods, writing materials; determine quantities of merchandise required to stock commissary and prepare requisitions to replenish stock; sell merchandise to residents; maintain records pertaining to commissary activities;
• Ascertain resident needs to medications and provide appropriate attention; assist physician in medication set-up and filling daily containers of prescription drugs; order prescriptions and monitor usage; conduct inventory of inmate medications; receive payment for medications from resident’s funds and document transaction; check and verify medications before usage; administer CPR and first aid as needed; coordinate with and assist designated health care providers in delivery of resident health care.
• Maintain records and process documents for work-release residents; issue payments and document transactions; monitor resident’s participation in the work-release program; maintain liaison with employers to obtain their cooperation.

Functions on-call for emergencies and in the sergeant’s and lieutenant’s absence; may be required to work day, evening, or night shift, and alternate between shifts; may be required to work holidays and weekends.

Qualifications

Equivalent to high school graduation and completion of 40 hour jailer training within one year of hiring.

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

E-verify Process

Story County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with Story County must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity. Please be prepared to provide required documents on the first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-382-7200 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.

Physical & Environmental Characteristics

A physical agility test and a competitive written examination will be administered on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 8:00 am. Location TBD. Standards of testing may be found Physical-Agility-Testing-Requirements.