Jail Deputy

Larimer County Department of Health and Environment; Colorado; On-site; USD 75,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(a) with employer match

457(b) Deferred Compensation

Paid time off

Job summary

Larimer County Sheriff's Office is seeking Jail Deputies to maintain security, order, and safety at the Larimer County Jail. Starting pay is $36.0486 per hour for Non-Certified Deputies and $39.6534 per hour for Certified Deputies*.

The role involves supervising inmates, conducting searches, and responding to emergencies while upholding high ethical standards. We provide full training for those new to law enforcement and encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds to apply.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Age: Must be at least 21 by hire date.
• Driver's License: Valid license required.
• Background Check: No criminal convictions as defined by Colorado P.O.S.T.
• Core Qualities: Honesty, integrity, quick decision-making, de‑escalation skills, and resourcefulness.

Responsibilities

• Exercises direct supervision over inmates.
• Communicates effectively to de‑escalate and mediate conflicts.
• Classifies, assesses, and responds to inmates; handles fingerprinting.
• Manages inmate population by walking housing units and engaging with inmates.
• Performs searches, restrains inmates, and assists in emergencies and investigations.

Skills

Honesty & integrity

Decision making

Communication

Resourcefulness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

• Starting pay is $36.0486 per hour for Non-Certified Deputies and $39.6534 per hour for Certified Deputies*

Overview

One Agency, One Mission: Public Safety

• Starting pay is $36.0486 per hour for Non-Certified Deputies and $39.6534 per hour for Certified Deputies*

As a Jail Deputy, you’ll maintain security, order, and safety at the Larimer County Jail, ensuring the well-being of staff, visitors, and inmates.

What We’re Looking For

• Honesty & integrity – Upholding the highest ethical standards.
• Quick decision-making – Thinking fast under pressure.
• Strong communication – Skilled at de-escalating tense situations.
• Resourcefulness – Adapting to challenges with innovation.

Whether you’re certified or new to law enforcement, we encourage you to apply!

Considering a Second Career?

It is never too late to make a powerful career shift. If you are looking to transition from another industry—whether business, customer service, trades, or military—your life experience, adaptability, and problem‑solving skills are highly valued here. We provide full training to equip you with the tools needed to launch a rewarding second career in public service.

Have 2+ years of Corrections or Jail Deputy experience? Apply for our Experienced Jail Deputy posting instead.

Diversity & Inclusion

We welcome all backgrounds and experiences. If you're passionate about public service, apply—even if you don’t meet every qualification.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive pay & career growth opportunities
• Medical, dental, vision & employer-paid disability insurance
• GI Bill Reimbursement – Eligible veterans may qualify for training reimbursement

Responsibilities

The following statements are illustrative of the duties and responsibilities of the job. The organization retains the right to modify or change the duties and responsibilities of the job at any time.

Essential Functions

• Exercises direct supervision over inmates. Plans and supervises inmate unit activities.
• Effectively communicates to provide information, directions, mediations, and de‑escalate situations and resolve conflicts.
• Classifies, assesses, and responds to inmates. Processes and releases inmates; takes photographs and obtains a serviceable set of fingerprint impressions.
• Manages the inmate population by walking around the housing units and talking to inmates.
• Sets clear expectations, serves as a role model, uses positive reinforcement techniques, respect, and consideration when working with inmates; assures inmates accountable for their behavior.
• Performs searches to include people, mail items, and/or objects capable of concealing contraband, buildings, vehicles, and large outdoor areas. Inspects unclothed inmates; may be exposed to body fluids and wastes, and diseased persons.
• Restrains inmates; subdues resisting inmates using approved techniques of arrest control, defensive tactics, and weapons; resorts to the use of hands, feet and other approved weapons in defense of self or others.
• Physically breaks up fights and altercations between inmates.
• Pursues fleeing inmates.
• Performs crisis intervention activities to include inmate counseling, suicide prevention, recognizing and addressing abnormal behavior.
• Performs rescue functions to include, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging, and carrying people away from dangerous situations, securing and evacuating people from areas, and extinguishing fires.
• Conducts visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
• Engages in law enforcement patrol functions that include walking on foot patrol and physically checking the doors and windows of buildings to ensure they are secure.
• Initiates and responds to radio communications.
• Testifies and attends court and speaks formally as necessary.
• Reads, comprehends, and processes legal and non-legal documents.
• Prepares investigative and other reports, sketches, and drawings, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations.
• Processes, files, labels, alphabetizes reports as appropriate.
• Enters and searches data into computer systems or databases.
• Utilizes protective equipment including self‑contained breathing apparatus and other air filtering devices. Gathers information and collects evidence; interviews and obtains statements from involved parties.
• Prepares investigative and other reports, sketches, and drawings, using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations; determines when probable cause exists; recommends inmate disciplinary action

Nonessential Functions

• When a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of Commissioners, all Larimer County employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker.
• Performs other duties as appropriate or necessary for performance of the job.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent .
• Age: Must be at least 21 years of age by the date of hire .
• Driver's License: Possession of a valid Driver’s License .
• Background Check: No criminal convictions as defined by Colorado P.O.S.T.
• Core Qualities: High standards of honesty, integrity, quick decision-making under pressure, strong de‑escalation skills, and resourcefulness .

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits.
• Flexible Spending Accounts / Health Savings Account
• Short and Long-Term Disability.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Retirement Plan 401(a) with employer match.
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation.
• Paid time off including vacation, sick and holidays.

Hiring Process May Include But Is Not Limited To

• Complete online application
• Recorded Integrity Interview
• Pre‑employment questionnaire
• Oral Board Interview
• Physical fitness test
• Full background investigation
• Polygraph
• Captain's Interview
• Written psychological exam
• Pre‑employment medical exam and drug screen
• Final sheriff approval

Applicants must meet all of the following

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Cannot have a felony conviction
• No convictions involving domestic violence
• No use of illegal drugs within the past five years

Other information to note

An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre‑employment drug screen and background check. As marijuana is an illegal substance under federal law, testing positive for marijuana (medical or otherwise) or any other substance for which the county tests will result in the contingent offer of employment being revoked. Successful completion of the drug screen is defined as obtaining a negative result. The Sheriff’s Office prohibits possession of marijuana by employees under any circumstances and expects employees to comply with federal law.

Recruitment Contact

Kari Valdez [e-mail] or 970-498-5126

Larimer County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment in all employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law or regulation.