Detention Officer

Detention Officer

Salary

See Position Description

Location

Lillington, NC

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

SHF 2461

Department

Detention Center

Opening Date

08/06/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

POSITION SUMMARY

POSITION SUMMARY:

An employee in this position performs inmate detention work on a shift in the Harnett County Detention Center for the Office of the Sheriff. This includes observing and accompanying inmates inside the detention center along with related care and record keeping requirements.

Annual Salary:

Detention Officer: $48,078.00

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

• Receives inmates by conducting search, completing required intake forms, photographing and fingerprinting, and securing personal property.
• Oversees the security and activities of inmates; supervises meals and cleaning of facilities; distributes personal property; monitors inmates medical status; and takes actions when illness or injury is suspected.
• Provides non?confidential inmate information to the public, attorney, and bond personnel; maintains files on inmates; searches incoming property delivered to inmates; and verifies visitor acceptance by inmate.
• Releases inmates on bond due to court order or time served; ensures release papers are proper and complete; returns personal property to individual, and completes forms providing required documentation of release.
• Writes reports; maintains records.
• Makes sure jail is secure; enforces rules; maintains order; takes care of law-and-order situations in the jail; monitors security cameras; and keeps a careful watch on the inmates.
• Answers phones.
• Facilities transportation to/from court and medical care.
• Coordinates court activities with court clerks, bailiffs, and district attorney.
• Conducts background checks.
• Supervises cleaning and maintenance of detention facilities and fixtures.
• Assists at the Master Control Center, as assigned: controls doors and gates; conducts and logs periodic checks on communication systems, alarms, electric gates, intercoms, phones, and visual recording systems; notifies supervisor on any alarms; contacts local law enforcement as instructed; and maintains communications with any area of facility experiencing disturbances.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• No experience required;
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina drivers license.
• Completion of the minimum requirements of Detention Officer Certification Training Standard established by the state of North Carolina for Detention Officers.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws pertaining to inmate sentencing, pretrial conditions and release.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures covering inmate security, classification, care, and discipline.
• Skill in dealing tactfully and firmly with inmates and the public.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to work in a hazardous and confining work environment.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, inmates and their families, employees, and the public.
• Ability to actively listen to inmate conversations and sounds in the facility and exercise judgment in determining potential security problems.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to perform medium work frequently exerting up to 30 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; and occasionally requiring to exert up to 50 pounds of force to move objects. This work also involves the physical abilities of balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, using mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, performing repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, shouting to be heard above ambient noise, and walking. An incumbent must also possess the visual acuity to process records and reports, work with color or depth perception, observe activities in the jail, determine accuracy/neatness/thoroughness of work assigned, operate office/detention center equipment, and inspect for defects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The employee is subject to hazards associated: with custody work including working in inside environments; with exposure to various hazards such as noise, a variety of physical conditions, and close quarters; and with exposure to human body fluid and thus are subject to OSHA requirements on blood borne pathogens. Employees may be assigned to work any shift and come in frequent contact with violent, suicidal, and mentally unstable inmates.

Harnett County takes pride in offering an excellent benefit package including health, dental, vision and life insurance, membership in the North Carolina Local Government retirement, free health clinic for employees and anyone in their household and other benefits. To see more information about the benefits offered by Harnett County, click here.

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Employer Harnett County

Address P. O. Box 778

455 McKinney Pkwy.

Lillington, North Carolina, 27546

Phone 910-893-7567

Website https://www.harnett.org