Detention Officer

JOB LOCATION 14999 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1563 City of Aurora, Colorado It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply. Why Work for Aurora? Make a difference in the lives of real people every day Diverse community Competitive total compensation package Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan Light rail station minutes away On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement Access to innovation workspaces PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Hiring range for this position is $30.86- $34.20/hour Full range for this position is $30.86 - $41.86/hour Any additional relevant experience, education, or training may be considered when determining a starting rate above the minimum. The deadline to submit applications is July 31st, 2026. This job requisition is for the Academy starting November 30th, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as a qualified pool of applicants is determined, this position may be closed without notice. As part of the selection process, you will be required to successfully complete a Physical Agility Test (PAT). The PAT will be offered on the following dates: July 28, 2026 August 1, 2026 August 11, 2026 August 15, 2026 OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT Under general supervision, the Detention Officer will perform general jail and detention work and is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of all personnel, detainees and jail. This position is responsible for exercising initiative and independent judgement in completing assigned tasks; while also performing a variety of technical and administrative tasks associated with facility operations and the incarceration of detainees. This position has a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) for (Female Detention Officers only / Male Detention Officers only) due to same-sex detainee supervision and interaction. PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Observes detainee’s behavior and care to maintain detainees’ health and legal rights Monitors and controls inmate movement within the detention facility’s secured areas Operates detention center control panels which open and close doors Monitors and controls radio traffic within the facility, which includes shutting down non-emergency traffic during a crisis situation Monitors video equipment of all jail areas Processes records and legal documents to facilitate information access Prepares investigative and other reports or documentation as necessary, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations Processes incoming detainees, including photographing, finger printing, inventorying, and storing detainees’ property Explains detention center procedures to detainees and answers questions concerning conditions of detention Performs additional duties as assigned MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Education: High School Diploma or GED. Knowledge: Knowledge of the methods and procedures of processing detainees; and detention facility operating requirements. Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens; Maintain a high degree of personal and professional honesty and integrity Handle sensitive or difficult situations with tact and diplomacy Communicate effectively both orally and in writing Write clearly and concisely using acceptable grammar, punctuation, and spelling Operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as other standard office equipment Be mindful to the feelings of others and resolve problems in ways that do not arouse antagonism Physically subdue violent detainees Perform difficult or unpleasant housekeeping tasks Skills: Skill in the operation of a personal computer and related software; keyboarding skills. Licenses, Certificates and/or Equipment Required: CPR and First Aid Certifications required Essential Personnel: When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel. Physical Demands: Heavy work lifting no more than 100 pounds (with or without assistance) at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects Frequently lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds Considerable walking and standing Frequent pushing, pulling, bending, and twisting requiring full range of body movement Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate control panel and other equipment as well as controlling detainees Hand/foot coordination for operation of van Speech communication, hearing, and listening to maintain communication with other employees and detainees Vision to monitor controls, video equipment, and detainees’ activities Work Environment: Works indoors in a detention/jail facility with some time spent outdoors Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with hostile views of opinions of inmates and other persons in an antagonistic environment Some exposure to noise and dust Equipment Used: Operates a motor vehicle; survey equipment; measuring equipment such as tapes, levels and micrometers, camera and personal computer. This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24. For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired. Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References: As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity Respect Professionalism Customer Service And we welcome all who share these values to apply. Why Work for Aurora? Rewarding public sector work impacting a large and diverse community Growing city and employee population Competitive total compensation package Rich benefits package with low employee costs Generous paid leave program 100% funded Employee and Family Care Leave Program Retirement pension plan and 457b plans available Subsidized recreation center pass, on-site fitness centers and wellness programs Continued education and career advancement opportunities Learn more about city of Aurora benefits Notice Regarding Automated Processing and Fraud Prevention As part of our recruiting and application security processes, we may use automated tools and technologies to help detect fraudulent activity, protect applicant accounts, and support the administration of employment applications. These tools may collect and process information associated with your application activity, including: Number of job requisitions applied to External application session duration Geolocation country code IP address Device/browser fingerprinting information (including JA4 fingerprint data) This information may be used by Workday’s Fraudulent Job Application Prevention capabilities to generate an application risk or fraud assessment score. These tools are designed to support application security, fraud prevention, and recruiting operations and may be considered during the processing or review of applications. Meaningful human review remains part of our hiring and recruiting process. For additional information regarding our processing of applicant information, please review our Privacy Notice or contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Please show all your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. Leaving blanks or omitting previous employment may result in your disqualification from employment. City policy requires that selected candidates provide documentation in the form of official transcripts of the highest level of education attained by the candidate that is listed on their application materials. Applicants who hold a Commercial Driver’s License will also be required to undergo alcohol testing using an Evidential Breath Testing Device. The city of Aurora uses E-Verify to determine if employees are legally eligible to work in the United States. Know your rights! The city of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. No applicant for employment or employee shall be discriminated against because of age, race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability or military status. The city shall develop and maintain a plan for diversity. Through its staff, the city shall periodically analyze its employment related practices and its plan for diversity to ensure compliance with this policy. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation for completing this application, please feel free to contact our office at: View phone number on click.appcast.io or visit us at 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Suite 3500, Aurora, CO 80012.