Detention Officer

Now hiring cadet and lateral Detention Officers. Start your career in law enforcement or lateral from another agency. Laterals are compensated based on their years of experience.

Pay starts at $26.93 per hour.

https://www.pinal.gov/1475/DETENTION-OFFICER

Description

JOB SUMMARY

Maintain safety and security of inmates, staff and detention facilities, provide custody and control of inmates, preserve order and discipline, and supervise inmates according to Pinal County Sheriff's Office Adult Detention Center (PCSO-ADC) policies and procedures and state and Federal regulations under basic supervision. This is an Entry/Trainee position, which works under close supervision. 

The application and any supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate. 

Please complete each section and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. DO NOT state "See resume" in lieu of answering. If the question does not apply, mark N/A. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process and your application will be marked as INCOMPLETE. 

January 13, 2026 (must submit application by December 26th*)

If qualified, eligible applicants will be notified via email regarding next steps. 

*Tentative Academy Dates: 

January 26, 2026*

April 13, 2026*

June 1, 2026*

August 17, 2026*

October 19, 2026*

December 28, 2026*

Eligible applicants will begin employment prior to Academy start date.

*ALL TESTING DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND A SUBJECT TO CHANGE. EVERY APPLICANT MUST APPEAR IN PERSON TO TEST.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:

This is a registry intended to collect applications for future vacancies containing one or more positions. Eligible applicants might be placed into a registry until a vacant position becomes available.

•  This announcement may be closed as soon as a sufficient number of qualified applicants have applied.
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• Per PCSO Policy 703 – After FTO, employees may take home county-owned vehicles only with prior approval from their Bureau Chief. The employee must live within a 10-mile limit from the Pinal County Border.

Detention Cadet Hiring Process

Detention Cadet testing typically occurs every other month.

Testing Day - The testing day consists of a physical agility test, a written test, and a preliminary background review.

You will need to have the following documents with you on testing day: 

• Birth Certificate, Naturalization Papers (Original Document) or Current Passport
• High School Diploma, GED, or transcript with graduation date (Original Document) or higher education certificates/diplomas
• Arizona Driver’s License (Original Document)
• Social Security Card (Original Document)
• Credit Report (Original Document) A Complete report is required on a thumb drive (only your score will not be accepted)
• DD 214 Copy Member 4 if discharged from Military or Selective Service Registration (Original Document)
• Vehicle Insurance Card 
• 3 years Certified Driving History Record (Original Document)

If all criteria is met, the Background Investigator will notify Human Resources to submit your personal information into ESOPH.

Failure to bring all documents with you on the testing day may delay in the testing process. 

1. Physical Agility Assessment -All applicants must participate and pass a Physical Agility Test, which consists of the following:

• Sit-ups
• Push-ups
• 300 meter run

2. Written Test -An essay-style test is used to measure comprehension, grammar, and handwriting skills. You must complete this test with a passing grade to advance further in the testing process.

• 60 minutes duration
• Consists of 3 questions – 70% passing

3. Preliminary Background Review - You will meet with a Background Investigator and answer a short questionnaire. You will need to have all documents required with you on testing day. If all criteria are met, the Background Investigator will notify Human Resources to submit your personal information into ESOPH.

4. ESOPH Background -You will be sent a link to sign in, answer questions and upload any documents required. You have seven (7) days to complete.

5. Background Review - Once your background information has been reviewed and all required criteria have been met, you may be scheduled for a final background review.

6. Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) –Once your background information has been reviewed and all required criteria have been met, you may be scheduled for a Computer Voice Stress Analysis Test.

7. Command Review -Once your background check is complete, our command staff will review it. Upon approval, you may be invited to a Command Interview.

8. Command Interview -You will meet and talk with the Command Staff. Upon approval, you will be extended a conditional offer of employment. At this time, you will also be scheduled for a psych evaluation and medical review.

9. Official Offer - Once you have passed all steps including all medical, psych, background and CVSA, you may be extended an official offer and be scheduled a date to attend New Hire Orientation. 

PCSO DETENTION OFFICER SELECTION GUIDELINES:

 Application: 

1. Applicant will not receive nor are entitled to a copy of the contents of their test results. 

2. No documents, copies of reports submitted by the applicant will be returned. 

3. No documents, reports or information utilized for, or obtained, during the selection process will be furnished to the applicant. 

4. Applicant will not be advised of the reason(s) for non-selection. 

Drug Use: 

1. Marijuana –Each position shall be reviewed and determined on a case by case basis dependent upon the applicant’s required security access, including those with use of less than six (6) months. 

2. Dangerous Drugs/Narcotics/ Hallucinogens/Vaporous Substances – Any time within the past five (5) years. This includes methamphetamine, amphetamine, barbiturates, speed, spice, bath salts, crack, cocaine, heroin, opioids, mushrooms, ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, salvia, PCP, anabolic steroids, etc. 

3. Peyote/ Mescaline - Illegal use as described above. (Exception- Bona fide religious ceremonies) 

4. Sale, Production, Cultivation or Transportation for Sale of illegal drugs in last five (5) years or since becoming an adult. 

5. Pattern of abuse of ANY drugs to include marijuana, narcotics, dangerous drugs and prescription drugs. “Pattern of abuse” will be determined based on; type of drugs used, purpose for using, length of time used, and age of individual during use (minor or adult). 

Theft or Misappropriation of Property: 

1. Any demonstrated pattern of habitual theft. 

2. Any theft while serving in a position of trust. 

Acts Constituting a Felony or any Conviction for Domestic Violence Involving Physical Violence: 

1. A conviction for any act which would constitute a Felony in the State of Arizona, at any time. 

Fraud or Misrepresentation: 

1. Any intentional attempt to practice any deception or fraud in the Employment Application, Testing Process, or any failure to properly complete the application. 

Driving Record: 

1. Any recent demonstrated pattern of excessive traffic violations (for positions that require operation of a motor vehicle). 

Previous Positions Held: Any of the following may be disqualifiers: 

1. Having been disciplined by any employer, including military, as an adult for abuse of leave, gross insubordination, dereliction of duty or persistent failure to follow established policies and regulations. 

2. Having been involuntarily dismissed, for any reason other than layoff, from two or more employers as an adult. 

3. Having held more than seven paid positions with different employers within the past four years, or more than 15 paid positions with different employers in the past ten years (excluding military). Students who attend school away from their permanent legal residence may be excused from this requirement as well as other persons with a reasonable explanation for an extensive job history. 

4. Resigning from any paid position without notice may be disqualifying, except where the presence of a hostile work environment is alleged or other reasonable cause existed. 

Military Service: 

1. If an applicant has served in the military their separation must be classified as “Honorable”, “General under Honorable conditions” or “Uncharacterized”.