Detention Transport Officer - Tucson
Salary: $54,831.92 - $71,726.51 Annually Location: Tucson, AZ Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 3206-26E-01Tuc Division: Highway Patrol Division Opening Date: 02/02/2026
Description: The Arizona Department of Public Safety is seeking motivated and experienced personnel to join our team in the Tucson area. Detention Transport Officers, under general supervision, provide support services to Department personnel by transporting, booking and/or processing detained or arrested persons. Performs related duties as assigned. This recruitment is to establish an 18-month eligibility list to fill current and future vacancies in the Tucson area. This is a competitive classification. Recruitment may close without notice.
INITIAL TESTING DATE: Saturday, February 14, 2026 LOCATION: Tucson, AZ Test Includes: • Physical Assessment - Pass/Fail • Written Exam - 40% weighted • Qualifications Appraisal Board - 60% weighted
Approved applicants will receive an email invitation with details regarding the test. Must successfully complete the examination process. Click here to see the Exam Plan for details regarding the tests.
Candidate(s) selected for a position will be subject to a complete background investigation.
Essential Functions (not intended to be all inclusive) • Drives a Department vehicle to transport individuals that have been detained/arrested by Department personnel. • Maintains the care, custody and control of individuals being transported. • Performs physical searches of individuals and transport vehicle for contraband and seizes such evidence. • Books/processes individuals into federal/state/local/county detention facilities to include completing necessary paperwork. • Transports evidence to and from Department facilities while maintaining proper chain of custody. • Operates and maintains job-related equipment. • May provide assistance with stranded motorists, traffic control and collision scene management per Department policy. • Prepares and completes detailed reports, forms, logs, and required paperwork. • Attends job-related training. • Testifies in court regarding relevant job-related incidents.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
Knowledge of: • Basic mathematics. • The principles of proper English sentence structure, spelling, grammar and punctuation. • Basic first aid practices. • Basic computer and office equipment operations.
Skill in: • Communicating orally to provide, clarify and gather information.
Ability to: • Acquire a working knowledge of search and seizure activities, and the rules of evidence. • Acquire a working knowledge of limited police methods, practices and procedures. • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the assignment. • Maintain composure and work effectively under highly stressful conditions. • Analyze situations or information, and adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action. • Observe and recollect details of an event or situation. • Use verbal or physical means to restrain violent or combative prisoners when required. • Apply deadly force in accordance with law and Department policy. • Perform work for extended periods of time in a variety of extreme weather conditions. • Use specialized protective equipment or clothing. • Perform the physical requirements of the work (e.g., run and/or jump over rough terrain and obstacles; physically take custody of persons; subdue combative suspects; safely search persons and places. • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. • Qualify and maintain firearms proficiency. • Provide first-aid attention to those contacted in the course of assignment. • Testify in court as a witness.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, and one (1) year of experience as a detention or correction officer OR graduation from a certified law enforcement training academy.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be at least 18 years of age by hire date. • Must possess a valid Arizona Driver license by hire date. • Must be able to work any hours including weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, call-outs and overtime. • Must successfully complete a Department selected detention/transport training program. This requirement may be waived if an approved training program has been completed or similar work has been performed within the last five (5) years.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• May be exposed to fumes or dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather, moving mechanical parts and moderate to loud noise levels. • Will be required to control combative, intoxicated, mentally ill, and uncooperative prisoners. • Must successfully complete the examination process. • Progression to the next step requires an overall performance rating of at least "Standard" in the last 12 months.
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
A summary of the Arizona Department of Public Safety Benefits is linked here.
Application Instructions
Select the option that describes how you meet the minimum qualifications.
At least one (1) year of experience as a detention or correction officer
Graduation from a certified law enforcement training academy
None of the above
Describe the specific experience or training which qualifies you for this classification. Include the name of the agency or training academy and duration of employment if applicable. NOTE: This information should also be included and detailed in your application in the Work History or Education section.
Do you possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED)? Yes No
Do you, or will you be able to, possess a valid Arizona driver license by the starting date? Yes No
Will you be 18 years of age or older in the next two months? Yes No
Are you legally entitled to work in the United States? Yes No
Are you willing and able to work holidays, weekends, irregular hours and shift work, with possible extended shift hours? Yes No
I have read, understand, and agree to the requirements and working conditions associated with this classification. Yes No
As a requirement for this position, the selected candidate must successfully complete the Department-selected detention transport training program. This requirement may be waived if an approved training program has been completed or similar work has been performed within the last five years. I understand and acknowledge
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or an offense which would be a felony if committed in the state of Arizona? Yes No
I understand if selected for a position, I will take a polygraph and answer questions regarding my past drug use among other items. Providing untruthful or misleading answers will result in disqualification. I certify the responses I provide to the following questions regarding my prior drug use will be true and accurate to the best of my recollection. Yes No
Have you ever sold, produced, cultivated, or transported marijuana, or any other illegal drug, for sale? Yes No
Please select the option below which details any marijuana usage (e.g., THC extracts, cannabis, hashish, or marijuana extracts) legally or illegally within the last six (6) months. None 1 - 5 times 6 - 10 times 11 - 20 times 21 - 30 times More than 30 times
Select the option that details any dangerous drug, illegal narcotic or vaporous substance usage NOT prescribed by a physician for the purpose of treating a medical condition or used in a bona fide religious ceremony within the last seven (7) years. (Does not include marijuana or heroin.) None 1 time 2 - 3 times 4 - 5 times 6 - 8 times More than 8 times
Select the option that details any dangerous drug, illegal narcotic or vaporous substance usage NOT prescribed by a physician for the purpose of treating a medical condition or used in a bona fide religious ceremony since turning 21 years of age. (Does not include marijuana or heroin.) None 1 time 2 - 3 times 4 - 5 times 6 - 8 times More than 8 times
Select the option that details any dangerous drug, illegal narcotic or vaporous substance usage NOT prescribed by a physician for the purpose of treating a medical condition or used in a bona fide religious ceremony during your lifetime. (Does not include marijuana or heroin.) None 1 time 2 - 3 times 4 - 5 times 6 - 8 times More than 8 times
Please select the option below which details any Adderall or similar drug usage within the last three (3) years NOT prescribed by a physician for the purpose of treating a medical condition. None 1 - 5 times 6 - 10 times 11 - 20 times 21 - 30 times More than 30 times
Please select the option below which details any steroid or similar drug usage within the last three (3) years NOT prescribed by a physician for the purpose of treating a medical condition. None 1 - 5 times 6 - 10 times 11 - 20 times 21 - 30 times More than 30 times
Please select the option below which details your heroin usage over your lifetime. None 1 - 5 times 6 - 10 times 11 - 20 times 21 - 30 times More than 30 times
Employer: Arizona Department of Public Safety Address: 2102 W. Encanto Blvd. Phoenix, Arizona, 85009 Phone: 602-223-2290 Website: http://www.azdps.gov