Job Details

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, 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 (Criminal background check, fingerprinting, personal interview, etc.), psychological evaluation, and drug screening. Documents must be uploaded before submitting application including 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), and 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.

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.

Salary and Incentive Pay is 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 are provided 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 (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 are 40 hours per week including nights, weekends, and holidays. Mandatory overtime as deemed necessary to fulfill operational needs.

Citizenship Exceptions per SB 252, you may be eligible for TCOLE licensure if you have fulfilled all of the following requirements: Must be a permanent legal resident, must be an honorably discharged veteran from the United States armed forces with at least two years of active service (Must have a DD-214 that reflects service time and discharge status), and must provide evidence that they have applied for United States Citizenship.

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as a defined benefit retirement plan. The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions: Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness, Life Insurance, Long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program, 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service. 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday, Paid Parental Leave, Professional development opportunities, Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan, Healthcare Reimbursement Account, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees: Retirement pension (TCDRS), Flexible schedules (varies by department), Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program).