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Harris County

Detention Officer

Entry-Level JobVerifiedNo experience needed

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What they do

A Correctional Officer, Detention Officer, or Jailer supervises people being held in correctional facilities, including those awaiting trial, in detention, and inmates who are serving sentences. Maintains order and security within a jail or prison, conducts inspections and searches, enforces regulations, and supervises activities and visits.

$51,431 / year median in Texas

+2% projected growth

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Job Description

Position Description The Harris County Sheriff's Office is hiring Detention Officers within the Criminal Justice Command As a Detention Officer, you are an important team member of the Harris County Sheriff's Office responsible for maintaining care, custody, and control over those individuals housed in the Harris County Jail. The Harris County Sheriff's Office primary responsibility to the citizens of Harris County is to house those individuals awaiting trial, or commitment to the Texas Department of Corrections. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Performing inspections and cell searches Resolving crises such as fights, fires, and medical emergencies Completing reports Detention Command Career Paths Armed Detention Officer
  • responsible for transporting and securing inmates to and at hospitals or clinics. Detention Sergeant
  • responsible for supervising detention officers assigned to their area. Detention Lieutenant
  • responsible for supervising all personnel assigned to their shift. Detention Captain
  • responsible for supervising all personnel assigned to their facility.
The Detention Officer (Jailer) Position is a Civil Service-protected position with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Requirements Follow the link below to apply Apply for Detention Officer Here High School Diploma or G.E.D. At least 18 years of age Must be a U. S. Citizen Valid Driver's License or State Issued ID Eyesight must be correctable to 20/20 vision, normal color, and peripheral vision Correctable normal audible range in both ears
Testing:
Pass pre-employment testing
  • Written exam (Basic work skills)
Physical Agility Ability To:
Stand for extended periods of time Bend, stoop, kneel Lift up to 40 lbs
Additional Requirements:
Thorough background investigation (Criminal background check, fingerprinting, personal interview, etc.) Psychological evaluation Drug screening
  • COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED WITH YOUR APPLICATION
  • INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL DELAY THE APPLICATION PROCESS
DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED
(attached)
BEFORE SUBMITTING APPLICATION
Birth Certificate (issued by a government agency, not a hospital) or Certificate of Naturalization Social Security Card Driver's License or State Issued ID (front and back)
Proof of Education:
High School Diploma or Transcript, GED Certificate or College Transcript (If transcripts, a sealed original will be required at a later stage in the application process) DD-214 Military Discharge form [if applicable] (copy of original Member
  • 4 form)
PLEASE NOTE
IF
YOU WERE NEVER IN THE MILITARY, UPLOAD ANOTHER COPY OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE AS A PLACEHOLDER IN ORDER TO CONTINUE WITH THE APPLICATION. NOTE
The Texas Workforce Commission offers FREE assistance to job seekers through their WorkSource offices located throughout Harris, and surrounding counties The WorkSource offers FREE use of computers, copiers, printers, and scanners as well as assistance completing job applications Please visit their website for more information or click here for a list of locations http://www.wrksolutions.com/find-a-location Harris County Public Libraries also offer FREE use of computers at all their locations throughout Harris County
DUE TO COVID-19
some locations may require an appointment. Please call before you go Preferences Graduates of Law Enforcement High School Program or Participation in a Law Enforcement Explorers program. Previous Law Enforcement or Corrections work experience Honorable discharge form the United States Armed Forces General Information For detailed information on the benefits offered by Harris County, please click on the "Benefits" tab of the posting.
Salary and Incentive Pay:
Paid biweekly based on 26 pay periods per year, plus benefits Up to 12 years of credit for service as a TCOLE Certified Jailer upon hire (Restrictions Apply)
Paid Incentives:
(Annually, based on 26 pay periods) The Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) provides its employees the ability to obtain the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Corrections Officer (Jailers) Certification at no cost through the HCSO Academy If selected, PAID employment begins the first day of the required (7) week Basic Jailers Course at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy Successful completion of the (7) week Basic Jailers Course is required for continued employment as a Detention Officer with the
Harris County Sheriff's Office Location:
Downtown, Houston, TX Hours:
40 Hours Per Week Includes Nights, Weekends, and Holidays Mandatory Overtime as deemed necessary to fulfill operational needs
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan. The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions: Health & Wellness Benefits Medical Coverage Dental Coverage Vision Coverage Wellness Plan Life Insurance Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Healthcare Flexible Spending Account Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Paid Time Off (PTO) Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service) Eleven (11) County-observed holidays One (1) floating holiday per year Paid Parental Leave
  • Sick Leave Retirement Savings Benefit 457 Deferred Compensation Plan The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions: Professional learning & development opportunities Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan) Flexible work schedule
  • METRO RideSponsor Program
  • Participation may vary by County department.
The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas. In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed. For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website: www.benefitsathctx.com