Detention Operations Technician (Sheriffs Office)

Job Number: 389

Salary: $23.73 - $35.61

Department: Sheriffs Office

Division: DLO Team 1-1

Location: 7375 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO, 80112

Job Type: Hourly Full-Time

Posting Date: 04/17/2026

Closing Date: 04/18/2026

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Under the general direction from the Sergeants and Deputies, this position is responsible for the movement of employees/visitors/inmates by opening and closing doors throughout the Detention Facility, monitoring all radio traffic and video cameras throughout the facility, the safety and security of the facility and pods, inmate counts, and performing professional and administrative duties associated with the security of the Detention Facility.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required:

• Observes security monitors to allow movement throughout the Detention Facility using the internal security computer system; monitors elevator movement in the Detention Facility and security/fire systems in the courthouse.
• Communicates with individual pods regarding the final counting of inmates in each pod; responsible for each pod performing inmate counts, logs inmate counts into the computer system.
• Monitors and controls radio traffic within the Detention Facility; shuts down non-emergency traffic during a crisis situation.
• Controls the entire pod security, opens doors to allow movement for individual rooms, sally-ports and dayrooms.
• Observes inmates and Deputies to ensure safety and security of the dayrooms.
• Documents significant and unusual events that happen using the internal computer system as a pod log entry.
• Accounts for pod population during shift; manages the receiving and movement of inmates for the pods for various activities such as classes, court, testing, transfers, medical, and release.
• Manages recreation time for inmates and maintains a log-book for lockdown determining when inmates go on and come off of lock downs.
• Answer phones and take required action regarding the movement of inmates.
• Calls for assistance in emergency situations.
• Communicates with inmates, visitors and personnel using an intercom system; answers questions from inmates and informs Deputies of issues that may arise using the intercom; directs inmate's actions using the intercom.
• Checks in and out door keys to detention personnel working in the facility.
• Checks vehicle keys in and out to authorized personnel.
• Monitors alarms throughout facility and makes appropriate notifications.
• Monitors afterhours courthouse alarms and makes appropriate notifications.
• Monitors elevator panic alarms throughout makes appropriate notifications.
• Conducts meal counts and inventories equipment.
• Does not pose a direct threat or significant risk of substantial harm to the safety or health of himself/herself or others.
• Operates computers and standard office equipment including commonly used computer software programs.
• Is committed to a high standard of safety laws and all of the Sheriffs Office policies and rules and must be willing to report safety violations and potential safety violations to appropriate supervisory or management personnel.
• Maintains regular and acceptable attendance at such level as determined at the Sheriffs Office discretion.
• Is available and willing to work such overtime per day or per week as the Sheriffs Office determines is necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
• Is available and willing to work such weekends and holidays as the Sheriffs Office determines are necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
• Performs duties onsite, except those job duties that are customarily or by nature performed offsite.
• Follows and supports the mission, values, organizational philosophies, operational principals, code of conduct, and policies and procedures of the Sheriffs Office.
• Interacts effectively with others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the safety and security of the Detention Facility and/or the Court house.
• Knowledge of computers and commonly used computer software programs.
• Understanding of officer safety.
• Ability to operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment to include multi-line phone system as required by the position.
• Ability to multi-task and stay calm during busy times or in a crisis situation.
• Ability to use a radio and use proper radio etiquette.
• Ability to verbally communicate with Deputies, patrons and inmates in an effective manner.
• Attention to detail when managing the movement of inmates within the facility.
• Ability to observe inmates, patrons and deputies and use discretion in certain situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written English.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow workers and the general public.
• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with all staff.
• Ability to get along well with others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: High School graduate or G.E.D. equivalent.

EXPERIENCE: No specific requirement.

OR

Any equivalent of education and experience that satisfies the requirements of the job.

CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: None.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• College coursework in criminal justice.
• Two (2) years of experience working in a law enforcement agency.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess CPR and First Aid certification within the initial status period.
• Must be able to work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

• Constantly uses eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated machinery, and writing utensils.
• Spends 10% of the time sitting, 90% standing or walking while on the job.
• Constantly uses visual capacity including depth perception and peripheral vision enabling completion of required duties.
• Constantly involved in oral and auditory interaction, enabling interpersonal communication.

JOB-RELATED CONTACTS:

Contacts are with any individual of the public, an inmate or arrestee, supervisors, and co-workers occurs on a daily basis.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally confined to a prisoner housing area or a control room setting. Members must be available for work assignments to include rotating shifts, weekends and holidays. May be stressful during peak activity periods demanding full attention and coordination.

BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:

This position has been determined to be an EXTREME exposure risk to "biohazards" including, but not limited to, viruses, toxins, and blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HBV (hepatitis B virus), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "biohazard" may result in severe illness and/or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent and/or treat exposures to "biohazards".

YOU MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT VALID EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS (only one email address is accepted by the system).

BENEFITS:

Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office employees are provided benefits to include, but not limited to, medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement plan and paid time off. For a complete summary of benefits review them at: 2026 Benefits Summary.

401(a) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN:

Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office employees participate in a mandatory defined benefit program designed to help employees establish a source of income for retirement years. Through the Plan, eligible employees must set aside 9.00 percent, which is subject to change in the coming years, on a pretax basis of which the County matches at 9.75%. The County also contributes 6.2% to Social Security.

APPLICANT DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:

Applicants are advised that areas for disqualification from further consideration include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Illegal Drug Use - Marijuana use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who have used any other illegal drug use within the past five (5) years will be disqualified.
• Any felony conviction
• Any conviction involving an act of Domestic Violence
• Driving Record - This includes receiving a DUI within the past five (5) years, having your drivers license suspended for any reason within the past five (5) years, and having five (5) or more tickets within the past five (5) years.
• Outside activities which may be deemed a conflict of interest
• Revelation or discovery of assaultive behavior
• Documented record of prior poor work performance
• Unsuccessful completion of any basic requirement
• Inability to perform the essential functions of the position
• Police history - type, frequency and nature of contact(s)
• Providing false or misleading information during the application/selection process

It is the policy of the Sheriffs Office to not discuss the reasons why applicants were not selected for hire. There is no flexibility to this policy. Applicants may be notified of their disqualification at any point in the selection process. If you receive such a notice, it simply means that you do not meet our standards at this time. Receiving this notice does not indicate that you are ineligible to apply with other agencies.

REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:

The screening process for any position within the Sheriffs Office may include written test(s), an oral interview, skills test(s) and/or other selection methods designed to measure applicants ability to perform the essential functions of the job they are seeking.

Additional required tests/examinations also include:

• eSkill Test (or equivalent)
• Phase I Suitability Exam
• Polygraph Examination

Additional screening may include:

• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination, including a drug screen
• Background Investigation - This will include, but is not limited to, contact with the applicants former employers, associates, neighbors and other pertinent sources. Applicants military history, school records, police records and driving record will also be investigated. All examinations are conducted by qualified/licensed individuals designated by the Sheriffs Office at the Sheriffs Office expense.

EXPECTED DURATION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for the Sheriffs Office, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately six (6) to twelve (12) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.

WORK SCHEDULES:

Employees are required to work the time periods and/or shifts, rotational and/or stationary, and location assignment, consistent with the needs of the Sheriffs Office.

DUTY ASSIGNMENTS:

All applicants hired by the Sheriff serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff of Arapahoe County and may be assigned to any of the agencies bureaus, sections or units at the discretion of the Sheriff or his duly appointed representative. Employment is at the will and pleasure of the Sheriff, per Colorado State Statute: 30-10-506. Written policies and other manuals do not alter the at will status of employment.

COMMUNITY POLICING:

The Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office is committed to the implementation of the community-policing concept. Community policing is an organizational strategy and philosophy which emphasizes problem solving partnerships between the Sheriffs Office, neighborhoods, and businesses working together to create a better quality of life within the community.

INITIAL STATUS PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT:

Successful applicants are subject to an initial status period of employment. This initial status period is twelve (12) months for all positions. The initial status period is regarded as part of the applicants examination process and will be utilized for purposes of employee evaluation, training and adjustment to the demands of the profession. New employees, who fail to perform satisfactorily during the period, may be separated from the Sheriffs Office, depending on the circumstance of each case.

POLICY ON REAPPLICATION:

Applicants who failed a written test may reapply and retest no sooner than three (3) or six (6) months (position dependent) from the date they took the written test. Applicants who failed an interview may reapply and retest no sooner that six (6) months from the date they received notification of non-selection. All other applicants who are disqualified can reapply with the Sheriffs Office no sooner than one (1) year from the date of notification of non-selection.

This job announcement does not constitute a contract of employment. Should there be any discrepancy or error in this job announcement, the applicable policy or pay rate will apply. The Sheriffs Office retains the right to amend this job announcement at any time without notice.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Should you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact Human Resources.

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