Detention Officer

Detention Officer

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is hiring Detention Officers within the Criminal Justice Command. As a Detention Officer, you are a vital team member of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, responsible for maintaining care, custody, and control over individuals housed in the Harris County Jail. The Harris County Sheriff's Office's primary responsibility to the citizens of Harris County is to house individuals awaiting trial or commitment to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Essential Duties & Responsibilities include performing inspections and cell searches, resolving crises such as fights, fires, and medical emergencies, and completing reports. Detention Command Career Paths include Armed Detention Officer, Detention Sergeant, Detention Lieutenant, and Detention Captain.

The Detention Officer (Jailer) Position is a Civil Service-protected position with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Minimum requirements include a 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 correctable to 20/20 vision, normal color, and peripheral vision, and correctable normal audible range in both ears. Testing includes passing pre-employment testing - Written exam (Basic work skills) and Physical Agility. Ability To include standing for extended periods of time, bending, stooping, kneeling, and lifting up to 40 lbs. Additional requirements include a thorough background investigation, psychological evaluation, and drug screening.

Copies of the following documents are required with your 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 the original Member-4 form). PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WERE NEVER IN THE MILITARY, UPLOAD ANOTHER COPY OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE AS A PLACEHOLDER TO CONTINUE WITH THE APPLICATION.

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 in completing job applications. Please visit their website for more information, or click here for a list of locations. Harris County Public Libraries also offer FREE use of computers at all their locations throughout Harris County.

Preferences include graduates of Law Enforcement High School Program or Participation in a Law Enforcement Explorers program, previous Law Enforcement or Corrections work experience, and honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces.

For detailed information on the benefits offered by Harris County, please click on the "Benefits" tab of this posting. Salary and Incentive Pay include paid biweekly based on 26 pay periods per year, plus benefits, and up to 12 years of credit for service as a TCOLE Certified Jailer upon hire (Restrictions Apply). Paid Incentives include 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 (4) week Basic Jailers Course at the Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy. Successful completion of the (4) week Basic Jailers Course is required for continued employment as a Detention Officer with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Location is Downtown, Houston, TX. Hours include 40 hours per week, includes nights, weekends, and holidays, and mandatory overtime as deemed necessary to fulfill operational needs. Citizenship Exceptions per SB 252 include being a permanent legal resident, an honorably discharged veteran from the United States armed forces with at least two years of active service, and providing evidence that they have applied for United States Citizenship.