Adult Detention Officer

Adult Detention Officer

Salary

$21.15 Hourly

Location

Adult Detention Center

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2622001

Department

Adult Detention Center

Opening Date

08/26/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

Under general supervision, guards detainees in the County Detention Facility; provides for the needs of detainees during detention to include but not limited to: lock down detainees in cells after searching for weapons, valuables, drugs or other contraband; serves meals, provides first responder aid if needed; observes conduct and behavior of detainees to prevent disturbances and escapes; inspects locks, cells, pods, closets, hallways, access chases, recreational, medical and kitchen areas, windows, grills, doors, and gates for tampering; performs all other duties in a manner consistent with all policies and procedures within a correctional environment.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Minimum age requirement of 18 years, with active military duty/service.
• 21 years of age preferred.
• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must have no felony convictions or convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude.
• Must complete the mandatory Officer Certification process within 6 months of employment.
• Valid State of New Mexico Drivers license or be able to obtain within six (6) months of employment.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Working conditions are typical adult detention facility settings; involves the potential for high stress levels and exposure to hostile situations; some non-standard work hours are required.
• Employees may be subject to physical altercations with detainees which may require restraining and/or physically relocating inmates. At time, staff can be called upon to assist with moving unconscious adults in emergency situations for medical treatment. May be required to climb stairs to facilitate appropriate inmate supervision; supervising detainee may require prolonged walking, standing or sitting. May be required to lift 50 pounds or more to accommodate the operational requirements of the facility.
• Full-time work hours for this position consist of rotating shift work, nights and weekend shifts and overtime. Rotating shifts is a requirement for the operations of this facility.
• Work schedule for this position may include working on religious holidays.
• Utilize, process, and navigate the County's electronic ERP system as necessary and appropriate based on the needs and requirements of this position.

Essential Job Functions

The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Observe conduct and behavior of detainees to prevent disturbances and escapes and to maintain health and cleanliness.
• Inspect cells, pods, closets, hallways, access chases, recreational, medical and kitchen areas, locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates for tampering.
• Search detainees and cells for contraband articles.
• Transport detainees to judicial proceedings, medical or other authorized appointments.
• Guard and direct detainees during work assignments and ensures appropriate inmate counts.
• Patrol assigned areas for evidence of forbidden activities, infractions of rules, and unsatisfactory attitudes or adjustments of detainees; report observations to shift sergeant.
• Escort detainees to and from visiting room, legal visits, medical office, and religious services or other authorized locations.
• Guard entrance of detention center to screen visitors.
• Prepare written reports concerning incidences of detainee disturbances or injuries.
• Ensure that proper departmental procedures regarding correspondence between the public and detainees are maintained.
• Serve detainee meals in accordance with established procedures; ensure that proper counting is maintained of all utensils, cups, trays and detainee counts are correct.
• Search detainee property for contraband including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, weapons, and nuisance contraband as prescribed by facility policy or by law.
• Distribute mail for detainees which includes checking for contraband.
• Request physical examinations and forward specific requests for medical assistance to the nurse; escort detainees to the nurse's office and provides security for the nurse.
• Verify and may write receipts on commissary purchases; ensure that the Commissary vendor distributes purchases to the proper detainees.
• Supervise the visitation of attorneys, family members, bondsmen or others.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned.

We offer a complete benefits package to eligible employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, life insurance, short-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page. BENEFITS PAGE

01

The San Juan County Detention Centers policy concerning personal appearance requires that all personnel present a professional appearance when representing the Detention Center. Under this policy personnel must be neat and clean. Neatly trimmed mustaches, beards and sideburns are the only allowable type of facial hair. Hair style and length will not pose a safety threat and will not extend past the uniforms shirt collar, and hair in front will not extend below the eyebrows. Make-up that is excessive, excessively bright or in poor taste is prohibited. Piercings that are visible are also prohibited. Are you able to comply with this policy?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have experience working in a detention center or in a similar environment?

• Yes
• No

03

If so, please summarize your experience.

04

Do you meet the preferred age of 21 years old?

• Yes
• No

05

If you are not 21 years old, are you at least 18 years old?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have any active military experience? If so, please describe your duty/service experience from the military and please attach any records or forms relevant to this experience to your application.

07

This job is physically demanding. You will be required to spend 10 to 16 hours a day on your feet and walking up and down steep stairs. You must be able to lift, pull or drag 50 pounds. Are you willing and able to fulfill these requirements?

• Yes
• No

08

Due to the nature of the facility and the need to maintain adequate staffing requirements, it is not unusual to be required to work double shifts with no advance notice. Detention Officer may work up to 40 hours of overtime over a two-week period. Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

09

Describe any experience you may have working overtime hours.

10

Working conditions are typical of an adult detention facility setting which involve the potential for high stress levels and exposure to hostile situations. As an Adult Detention Officer, you will be directly managing individuals serving time for felony crimes, including murder, in common areas. It will be your responsibility to prevent disturbances and escapes. Are you willing and able to accept this level of responsibility?

• Yes
• No

11

A routine duty in the Adult Detention Center will be to physically search detainees and inspect cells for contraband articles, including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, weapons and nuisance contraband as prescribed by facility policy or by law. Detention Officers also escort detainees to and from visiting room, legal visits, medical office and religious services or other authorized locations. Are you prepared to perform these duties?

• Yes
• No

12

Adult Detention Officers are responsible for maintaining the health and cleanliness of the detainees and of the facility; which will include cleaning up food, body fluids, etc. You may also be called to provide first responder aid to a detainee. Are you willing and able to perform these duties?

• Yes
• No

13

Regarding the previous five questions, please tell us about any prior experience which may have prepared you for this job. Address the items from the above questions. (questions 5-9)

14

Per the Adult Detention Centers Security Policy, a criminal background check will be conducted for applicants as part of the application process. Applicants must be able to pass the criminal background check in order to qualify for employment. Applicants who wish to proceed in the application process will be required to complete and submit an ADC Background Authorization Form. Information collected will be used for the criminal background check only. Have you read and completed the requirements of this statement?

• Yes
• No

15

According to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), an applicant is required to disclose the following requirements. Have you ever been engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lock up, community confinement facility, juvenile facility or other institution?

• Yes
• No

16

Have you ever been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in sexual activity by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse?

• Yes
• No

17

Have you ever had allegations against you or been civilly or criminally convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or have you had allegations or administrative discipline against you involving any sexual misconduct while performing your duties at work?

• Yes
• No

18

Have you resigned your position with a prison or jail pending administrative investigation of an allegation of sexual abuse?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of San Juan (NM)

Address 100 S. Oliver Drive

Aztec, New Mexico, 87410

Phone 505-334-4522

Website http://www.sjcounty.net