Detention Officer

Salary : $47,154.85 - $74,179.04 Annually
Location : Public Safety Building, 1525 Arkansas Lane, Grand Prairie, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2025-00264
Department: Police
Division: Detention Center
Opening Date: 07/31/2025
Closing Date: 9/25/2026 5:00 PM Central


Job Summary
The Detention Officer position is responsible for maintaining, care and control/security of the jail facility and its inmates. This is accomplished by processing inmates; releasing inmates; caring for prisoners; and maintaining the facility. Other duties include providing the general public with customer service.

Applicants should be aware that detention officers routinely come into contact with resisting, uncooperative prisoners and there is a possibility of being physically assaulted. All detention officers must attend defensive tactics training which is physically demanding.

Application Process:

Step 1: The following pre- employment questionnaire must be completed in order for your application to be reviewed.

Step 2: After completing the questionnaire, please apply for the job and while completing your application, you will have the ability to attach your questionnaire to your application. If you experience difficulty attaching to your application, you can email it to:

Benefits of working for the City of Grand Prairie Detention Department :

• Great Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 2 to 1 match into Texas Municipal Retirement System
• Paid time off
• Stable work environment
• Tuition Reimbursement

Essential Job Functions

• Processes inmates by taking custody of the prisoner from the officer; conducting pat or strip searches; taking inventory of property; obtaining necessary information from prisoner; taking pictures and fingerprints; placing inmates in the holding cell; and entering all information into the computer; and calculating jail credits, release dates and bond amounts.

• Releases inmates by providing inmate information to bonding companies and the public prior to release; providing information to outside agencies for transfer of prisoners; accounting for cash collected; preparing receipts and/or bonds and property for prisoners; and processing required documents.
• Cares for prisoners by providing meals, medicine, and showers to prisoners; providing required information for release; providing telephone access; taking roll call; and providing transportation to medical facilities as needed.
• Maintains the facility by cleaning the laundry; cleaning the kitchen; mopping floors; maintaining and monitoring food and paper supplies; reporting equipment maintenance problems; and providing for the security of the facility.
• Escorts inmates from one area to another, taking physical action to prevent escapes and/or subdue combative/violent inmates with the appropriate use of force
• Provides customer service to the public by providing information regarding the status of prisoners to the public and other agencies; and providing visitation access.
• Candidate must be able to visually and through the use of remote video surveillance equipment.
• Take physical action to prevent escapes and/or assaults and subdue combative/violent prisoners is required.
• The ability to read, comprehend and write in English is a must. Candidate must be able to fingerprint, photograph, handcuff and physically search prisoners.
• Ability to accurately count money and inventory property is important.
• Candidate must be able to read, interpret and apply laws, regulations and departmental policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned by a supervisor/manager within your department/division.
• Regular and dependable attendance is required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED

• Experience: 1-2 years of related experience preferred
• Licenses: Valid Driver's License required
• Certifications Required: Must obtain State Jail Certification, TCOLE certification or equivalent, defensive tactics training intoxilizer training and other mandatory training as required within one year of employment or within department guidelines due to scheduling of class.

The City offers a full range of benefits for full time employees, including, but not limited to the plans as defined in the Benefits Guide.
01


What is the highest level of Education obtained?

• Some high school, no diploma or GED
• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College, no degree
• Technical or Trade School (Did not complete)
• Technical or Trade School (Completed)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree

02


How many years of customer service experience do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• Over 3 years of experience

03


How many years as a Detention Officer do you have?

• under 1 year
• over 1 & up to 2 years
• over 2 years & up to 3 years
• over 3 years & up to 4 years
• 5 years +

04


Are you currently serving or have ever served in the U.S. military?

• Yes
• No

05


Are you bilingual in Spanish and English?

• Yes
• No

06


Are there any problems you anticipate with working evenings, deep nights, weekends or Holidays?

• Yes
• No

07


Have you ever quit a job without 2 weeks notice?

• Yes
• No

08


Have you ever resigned from a Law Enforcement/Detention/Corrections position while under investigation to keep from being fired?

• Yes
• No

09


Does the thought of working alone with inmates bother you?

• Yes
• No

10


Have you ever had your driver's license suspended or revoked within the past 24 months?

• Yes
• No

11


How many moving citations have your received in the past 24 months?

• 1 moving citation
• 2 moving citations
• 3 or more moving citations
• Never have received a moving citation

12


Have you ever been convicted of DWI or DUI?

• Yes
• No

13


Have you ever manufactured, delivered, sold or distributed an illicit/illegal drug, controlled substance, dangerous drug or marijuana?

• Yes
• No

14


Have you ever used Marijuana within the past 12 months?

• Yes
• No

15


Have you used any of the following substances in the last 5 years?

• Amphetamines/Methamphetamines/Ice/Speed
• Cocaine
• Ecstasy/XTC
• GHB/Rohypnol
• Steroids
• None of the above

16


Have you ever used any of the following substances?

• LSD-"Acid"
• PCP /Angel Dust
• Heroin
• None of the above

17


Have you ever been convicted, plead guilty to or received deferred adjudication for a Misdemeanor A or felony?

• Yes
• No

18


Have you ever been convicted, plead guilty to or received deferred adjudication for a Misdemeanor B in the last 10 years and/or do you currently have any charges pending against you?

• Yes
• No

19


In order for your application to be considered, you must attach the completed Pre-Employment Questionnaire to your application. By selecting "Yes" below indicates you have attached the document. If you have not, then go back to the "Attachments" section of your application and attach it now.Attaching to your application is preference; however, if you're experiencing difficulty then you may email your completed questionnaire to the Detention Manager at: View email address on click.appcast.io will not be considered for the position without the completed questionnaire.

• Yes
• No

Required Question