Inmate Classification Specialist

Maricopa; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Health plans from $70/mo

Paid sick leave

Parental leave

4/10 schedule

County gyms

Job summary

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Arizona is seeking an Inmate Classification Specialist to assess, evaluate, and assign custody levels for inmates, ensuring placement in the least restrictive custody while prioritizing staff safety and jail security. The role includes housing assignments, crisis counseling referrals, medical/psychiatric referrals, and connecting inmates with community resources.

You will help minimize risk and foster a rehabilitative environment for inmates and staff, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Public Administration, Counseling, or Behavioral Health.
• OR Combined education and experience qualifications; e.g., Associate’s degree with 2 years qualifying experience, or 4 years of qualifying experience.
• Valid Arizona driver's license or ability to obtain by the time of hire.
• Background screening required; prior corrections/law enforcement experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Promotes a professional work environment within classification and detention staff.
• Prioritizes classifications to meet court-mandated deadlines.
• Researches booking information, criminal histories, and court data per policy.
• Interviews inmates and obtains signatures for classification documents.
• Ensures PREA compliance by interviewing inmates.
• Assigns security classifications and housing sub-classes in SHIELD.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Integrity

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Public Administration, Counseling, or Behavioral Health

Job description

Posting Date 09/08/26

Application Deadline 09/13/26

Pay Range MIN - MID - MAX $25.25 - $33.75 - $42.25

Job Type Unclassified Department Sheriff

About the Position

The Inmate Classification Specialist assesses, evaluates, and assigns appropriate custody levels for inmates, ensuring placement in the least restrictive custody level in order to meet the needs of the inmate, the security of staff members, and the security of jail facilities. This position places inmates in special housing as needed, refers to crisis counseling, makes medical or psychiatric referrals, and contacts community resources. By providing accurate inmate classifications, the Specialist helps to minimize the risk of violence, promote a rehabilitative environment within the facility, and create an atmosphere that prioritizes the welfare of inmates and staff.

About the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

Do you possess integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and do you have a desire to serve your community? We are seeking passionate individuals to join our team with a variety of openings for Civilian, Detention and Sworn personnel. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) invites you to become part of Arizona's leading law enforcement agency where we come together as a team to support and provide public safety.

Compensation

• Growth and stability since 1871
• Exceptional work-life balance: 4/10 schedule based on business needs
• Manageable workload
• Opportunity for criminal polygraph examinations
• Training opportunities with AZ Polygraph Association, American Polygraph Association, American Association of Police Polygraphists
• Network with other case agencies
• Choice of three medical plans – starting as low as $70/month
• Holidays – 10/year + 1 personal day
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System (Pension)
• Paid sick and parental leaves (birth/adoption)
• 30% discount at KinderCare daycare facilities in the Valley MCKids Club daycare next to headquarters
• Access to free County gyms
• Learn more at Benefits Overview

Position Qualifications

We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications:

• Education Bachelor's Degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Public Administration, Counseling, or Behavioral Health, or a closely related field.
• OR Combined education and experience qualifications
• Other combinations of education or experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis, for example: Associate’s degree and two (2) years of qualifying experience, or Four (4) years of qualifying experience.
• Other requirements Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license or have the ability to obtain by the time of hire.
• Training that may be provided on-the-job: Safety; Payroll; PREA.
• Prior to hiring, the Sheriff's Office requires that all candidates pass an extensive background review.
• Our Preferred Candidate has Experience working in a corrections, detention, or law enforcement environment.

Essential Job Tasks

Essential Job Tasks (This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.)

• Promotes a professional work environment that fosters positive working relationships within classification, detention, CHS staff, and other agencies.
• Monitors daily workload and prioritizes classifications to ensure compliance within court mandated time frames.
• Researches prior booking information, criminal histories, and court information in accordance with department policy.
• Interviews inmates and notes any significant information; acquires inmate signatures for all necessary classification documents.
• Ensures compliance with PREA by conducting questionnaires with inmates.
• Distributes the Informational Handbook for Inmates to inmates.
• Provides risk avoidance counseling to help inmates identify potential risks and implement strategies to reduce or eliminate them, and basic justice system procedure information to inmates unfamiliar with jail protocol.
• Assigns the security classification and the sub-classification housing levels in SHIELD.
• Adds appropriate