What are the responsibilities and job description for the Detention Officer position at Anne Arundel County?
This position announcement will be used to fill full-time, permanent, safety sensitive Detention Officer vacancies within the Department of Detention Facilities with Anne Arundel County Government.
For MPCTC certified Detention Officers starting salary may be (with proof of valid certification, depending on candidate's years of experience and based on approval) up to $63,859.
CHECK OUT THESE BENEFITS WE OFFER!
Pension after 20 years of service
Deferred Compensation Program
Excellent Health Benefits
Rotating work schedule
6 days on and 3 days off
Property Tax Credit
Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)
Optional Benefits
Qualifying applicants may be awarded up to twenty-three (23) college credits from the Anne Arundel Community College for attending the Academy.
CHECK US OUT! https://www.dropbox.com/s/4r26039rnlacd3h/aa county detention 3-14-23.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sa66frvmarv5cds/AA County Detention Jennifer Road.mp4?dl=0
Employees in this classification are designated essential employees, and must report to work under all weather and emergency conditions.
Employees in this classification will be required to work weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.
(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are to establish a common set of minimum qualifications and are not intended to include all of the essential job functions.)
Standing, sitting, walking for prolonged periods of time.
Responding to highly stressful, hostile, and dangerous situations, quickly addressing the situation, and taking action to reduce the danger and hostility. Specific situations include but are not limited to fire suppression, bomb threats, hazardous chemical spills, power outages, and inmate disturbances.
Subduing inmates engaged in physical altercations, controlling uncooperative individuals both orally and, when necessary, through physical restraint.
Responding to medical emergencies pending the arrival of medical personnel; securing the scene; and performing first aid.
Safe operation of a motor vehicle during day and night time hours and in all types of weather for the purpose of transporting inmates to court, medical appointments, hospitals, and work sites.
Work requires overtime, shift work, and standby, when necessary.
Qualify, after training, with firearms (handgun and shotgun).
Qualify, after training, in self-defense skills.
Completion of written reports.
Use of radio to communicate.
Overt, as well as, casual observation of people, places and things during day and night and in all types of weather while working a post in the facility, performing inmate supervision at an off-site location or in a vehicle while performing inmate transportation duties.
Hear and recognize sounds and voices associated with emergency situations and take proper measures to respond and react to audio information.
Performs related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Ability to learn and apply corrections' principles, practices, methods, techniques and equipment in daily operational situations.
Ability and willingness to perform work under adverse and, at times, dangerous conditions, in unpleasant environments, during day and night hours, and for extended periods of time.
Ability to operate motor vehicles and, after training, issued equipment.
Ability to read, interpret, and enforce rules, regulations, written and/or oral instructions or orders.
Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with superiors, other employees, public and inmates.
Ability to prepare standard reports.
Ability to meet established physical and age requirements.
Ability to meet the selection standards promulgated by the County and the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission.
Ability to successfully complete the Entry Level Training Program conducted by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Academy.EDUCATION: Graduation from high school/GED
OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum age of 18 at the time of appointment and a valid non-commercial motor vehicle operator's license.
NOTE: This position requires a thorough background investigation, as well as, a medical and psychological evaluation.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Accredited University or College is the recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level of educational standards. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accrediting agencies it recognizes for schools within the United States.
For high school, University or College outside the United States, the applicant must provide documentation of accreditation and educational equivalency, which can be accomplished through a credential evaluation service. Applicants with a foreign degree must provide this documentation prior to the close of the background investigation.
An approved list of Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies could be found be accessing the link below. https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DEE/Certification/Foreign-Transcript-Evaluation-Agencies.aspx
NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE (CDS) AND ALCOHOL TESTING. CANDIDATES MUST HAVE A NEGATIVE MARIJUANA TEST RESULT PRIOR TO HIRE.PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
The components of the hiring process for Detention Officer are as follows:
- Oral Interview
- Preliminary Background
- Background Investigation
- Conditional Employment Offer based on successful completion of oral interview and background investigation
- Medical and Psychological Evaluation
- Final Offer of Employment
The last potential start date for this announcement is tentatively scheduled for December 3, 2026.
Schedule of Benchmark Events:
We will be processing candidates in this Detention Officer announcement in the order in which applications are received and as quickly as a candidate successfully completes each step of the process. The timeline below outlines the LAST available date for each step in this recruitment process.
Position Announcement Closes - Monday, August 3, 2026
Last Available Panel Interview Date - Thursday, August 13, 2026
Interviews will be conducted IN PERSON/onsite. Should panel interviews be conducted via Zoom, you MUST have access to sound, microphone, and video. Please feel free to use your phone if you do not have this capability on a PC. Please test your equipment prior to the day of your interview so arrangements can be made if you are having technical difficulties. Please contact Annmarie Caprio-Belal at pecapr25@aacounty.org immediately if you do not have access to working audio and video for your panel interview.
NOTE: If a candidate fails to appear for two ( 2 ) or more scheduled interviews, they may be removed from further consideration.
Last Background Investigations Begin - Monday, August 17, 2026
Last Medical/Psychological Evaluations Begin - Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Last Tentative Start Date - Thursday, December 3, 2026
Please be aware that this process requires your close attention and cooperation with requested information and appointment dates and times. If you do not provide requested information in a timely manner, if you miss an appointment or attempt to reschedule multiple times you MAY be disqualified from this process.
**PLEASE NOTE** Candidates that successfully complete all steps in the hiring process quickly, to include submitting the Electronic Statement of Personal History (eSOPH), working cooperatively with a Background Investigator, immediately responding to requests for additional documents, appointments and requests for follow up information, WILL be offered employment earlier than December 3, 2026.
For MPCTC certified Detention Officers starting salary may be (with proof of valid certification, depending on candidate's years of experience and based on approval) up to $63,859.
CHECK OUT THESE BENEFITS WE OFFER!
Pension after 20 years of service
Deferred Compensation Program
Excellent Health Benefits
Rotating work schedule
6 days on and 3 days off
Property Tax Credit
Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP)
Optional Benefits
Qualifying applicants may be awarded up to twenty-three (23) college credits from the Anne Arundel Community College for attending the Academy.
CHECK US OUT! https://www.dropbox.com/s/4r26039rnlacd3h/aa county detention 3-14-23.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sa66frvmarv5cds/AA County Detention Jennifer Road.mp4?dl=0
Employees in this classification are designated essential employees, and must report to work under all weather and emergency conditions.
Employees in this classification will be required to work weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.
(Note: The duties and responsibilities enumerated in this class specification are to establish a common set of minimum qualifications and are not intended to include all of the essential job functions.)
Standing, sitting, walking for prolonged periods of time.
Responding to highly stressful, hostile, and dangerous situations, quickly addressing the situation, and taking action to reduce the danger and hostility. Specific situations include but are not limited to fire suppression, bomb threats, hazardous chemical spills, power outages, and inmate disturbances.
Subduing inmates engaged in physical altercations, controlling uncooperative individuals both orally and, when necessary, through physical restraint.
Responding to medical emergencies pending the arrival of medical personnel; securing the scene; and performing first aid.
Safe operation of a motor vehicle during day and night time hours and in all types of weather for the purpose of transporting inmates to court, medical appointments, hospitals, and work sites.
Work requires overtime, shift work, and standby, when necessary.
Qualify, after training, with firearms (handgun and shotgun).
Qualify, after training, in self-defense skills.
Completion of written reports.
Use of radio to communicate.
Overt, as well as, casual observation of people, places and things during day and night and in all types of weather while working a post in the facility, performing inmate supervision at an off-site location or in a vehicle while performing inmate transportation duties.
Hear and recognize sounds and voices associated with emergency situations and take proper measures to respond and react to audio information.
Performs related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Ability to learn and apply corrections' principles, practices, methods, techniques and equipment in daily operational situations.
Ability and willingness to perform work under adverse and, at times, dangerous conditions, in unpleasant environments, during day and night hours, and for extended periods of time.
Ability to operate motor vehicles and, after training, issued equipment.
Ability to read, interpret, and enforce rules, regulations, written and/or oral instructions or orders.
Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with superiors, other employees, public and inmates.
Ability to prepare standard reports.
Ability to meet established physical and age requirements.
Ability to meet the selection standards promulgated by the County and the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission.
Ability to successfully complete the Entry Level Training Program conducted by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Academy.EDUCATION: Graduation from high school/GED
OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum age of 18 at the time of appointment and a valid non-commercial motor vehicle operator's license.
NOTE: This position requires a thorough background investigation, as well as, a medical and psychological evaluation.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Accredited University or College is the recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level of educational standards. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accrediting agencies it recognizes for schools within the United States.
For high school, University or College outside the United States, the applicant must provide documentation of accreditation and educational equivalency, which can be accomplished through a credential evaluation service. Applicants with a foreign degree must provide this documentation prior to the close of the background investigation.
An approved list of Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies could be found be accessing the link below. https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DEE/Certification/Foreign-Transcript-Evaluation-Agencies.aspx
NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE (CDS) AND ALCOHOL TESTING. CANDIDATES MUST HAVE A NEGATIVE MARIJUANA TEST RESULT PRIOR TO HIRE.PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
The components of the hiring process for Detention Officer are as follows:
- Oral Interview
- Preliminary Background
- Background Investigation
- Conditional Employment Offer based on successful completion of oral interview and background investigation
- Medical and Psychological Evaluation
- Final Offer of Employment
The last potential start date for this announcement is tentatively scheduled for December 3, 2026.
Schedule of Benchmark Events:
We will be processing candidates in this Detention Officer announcement in the order in which applications are received and as quickly as a candidate successfully completes each step of the process. The timeline below outlines the LAST available date for each step in this recruitment process.
Position Announcement Closes - Monday, August 3, 2026
Last Available Panel Interview Date - Thursday, August 13, 2026
Interviews will be conducted IN PERSON/onsite. Should panel interviews be conducted via Zoom, you MUST have access to sound, microphone, and video. Please feel free to use your phone if you do not have this capability on a PC. Please test your equipment prior to the day of your interview so arrangements can be made if you are having technical difficulties. Please contact Annmarie Caprio-Belal at pecapr25@aacounty.org immediately if you do not have access to working audio and video for your panel interview.
NOTE: If a candidate fails to appear for two ( 2 ) or more scheduled interviews, they may be removed from further consideration.
Last Background Investigations Begin - Monday, August 17, 2026
Last Medical/Psychological Evaluations Begin - Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Last Tentative Start Date - Thursday, December 3, 2026
Please be aware that this process requires your close attention and cooperation with requested information and appointment dates and times. If you do not provide requested information in a timely manner, if you miss an appointment or attempt to reschedule multiple times you MAY be disqualified from this process.
**PLEASE NOTE** Candidates that successfully complete all steps in the hiring process quickly, to include submitting the Electronic Statement of Personal History (eSOPH), working cooperatively with a Background Investigator, immediately responding to requests for additional documents, appointments and requests for follow up information, WILL be offered employment earlier than December 3, 2026.
Salary : $54,540 - $102,475