Demo

Detention Officer

Alachua County Sheriff's Office (FL)
Department of the Jail, FL Full Time
POSTED ON 6/21/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 12/31/2026
Highly responsible security work maintaining physical custody and control of inmates within the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Department of the Jail (DOJ). They are responsible for receiving and processing inmates, enforcing disciplinary procedures for the control of inmate behavior, including the application of restraint and use of force techniques, and the preparation of reports and documents necessary for operational procedures.

Work is performed under the direction of the Detention Sergeant or higher ranked supervisor. Performance is evaluated through conferences, observation, results obtained, and appropriate employee performance appraisals.
  • Make periodic tours of the jail to inspect for security, including head counts
  • Release inmates from cell areas to outside recreation areas or other program areas; operates security doors and equipment
  • Receive prisoners from law enforcement officers and adhere to clearly established procedures for inmate processing including: searching, fingerprinting and photographing
  • Release inmates from jail on proper authorization and return articles of clothing and other personal property to the inmate
  • Receive and review cash and security bail bonds for accuracy and authenticity
  • Prepare disposition reports of prisoners confined in the facility
  • Answer routine inmate questions
  • Supervise the distribution of meals, medication, and mail in inmate housing areas
  • Transport inmates to and from court appearances as required
  • Make observations of inmate attitude, behavior, and physical conditions and report problems to the shift commander or treatment staff as required
  • Restrain inmates for the protection of themselves or others through the use of defensive tactics, OC spray, or Taser equipment
  • Perform related duties as required
*This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of specific job functions or tasks does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the position.
Educational Requirements:
High School/GEDRequired
Associate's DegreePreferred
Bachelor's DegreePreferred
Preferred Major(s): Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or other related field

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
  • Meet or exceed all applicable standards required by Florida Law for Correctional Officers
  • Successfully complete the ACSO Field Training Officer program requirements
  • Must meet or exceed all applicable physical agility standards required by ACSO
  • Meet requirements for use of defensive tactics and use of issued or available equipment, including OC spray and Taser
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING:
  • CJSTC/FDLE Correctional Officer Certification
  • Current, valid Florida driver license
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Sit, stand, and/or walk for moderate periods
  • Have good close, distant, color, peripheral, depth, and adjusted vision
  • Hear at normal range
  • Speak, read, write, and understand English fluently
  • Lift/carry 150 pounds
  • Push/pull moderate to heavy loads
  • Climb, balance, and reach with arms
  • Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl
  • Taste and smell
  • Manual dexterity
  • Drive a vehicle
  • Pass ACSO’s Standard Physical Agility Test as required
  • Pass Defensive Tactics course in-service training as required
  • Pass all other courses and training required by ACSO/CJSTC for Detention Officer
  • Knowledge of the rules, regulations and procedures of the department relating to the confinement and release of prisoners
  • Knowledge of security practices and emergency services
  • Knowledge of the safe and proper use of firearms, OC Spray, and Taser equipment
  • Knowledge and understanding of the attitudes and behavior patterns of persons under restraint
  • Ability to keep records and prepare reports
  • Ability to enforce regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, inmates, outside law enforcement officers and the public.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Salary : $57,500 - $89,302

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Detention Officer?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Detention Officer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$45,492 - $56,702
Income Estimation: 
$52,680 - $66,005
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Alachua County Sheriff's Office (FL)

  • Alachua County Sheriff's Office (FL) Sheriff's Admin Building, FL
  • This position requires a highly skilled Master Radio Technician to operate, maintain, and support a Motorola P25 trunked radio system spanning 6 remote sit... more
  • 3 Days Ago

  • Alachua County Sheriff's Office (FL) Gainesville, FL
  • Description Agency courier responsible for accurately processing all incoming and outgoing mail, sorting and delivering mail and parcels to various bureaus... more
  • 4 Days Ago

  • Alachua County Sheriff's Office (FL) Sheriff's Admin Building, FL
  • Agency courier responsible for accurately processing all incoming and outgoing mail, sorting and delivering mail and parcels to various bureaus both throug... more
  • 5 Days Ago

  • Alachua County Sheriff's Office (FL) Gainesville, FL
  • JOB Specialized work involving the safety of school children in their endeavor to cross busy roadways during school hours at peak traffic times. School Cro... more
  • 6 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Detention Officer jobs in the Department of the Jail, FL area that may be a better fit.

  • Sumter County Sheriff's Office Bushnell, FL
  • Location: Bushnell, FL This is a responsible position involving the custody, control and care of inmates within the detention facility, and the movement of... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Alachua County Sheriff's Office (FL) Department of the Jail, FL
  • A training position involving attendance at a recognized Correctional academy for the express purpose of becoming an Alachua County Sheriff's Office Detent... more
  • 1 Month Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!