Detention Officer*

Detention Officer*

Salary

$49,050.00 - $56,830.00 Annually

Location

Sheriffs Office, NC

Job Type

Full Time/Rotating 12 Hour Shifts

Job Number

56-2026-726, 1264, 644

Department

Sheriffs Office

Opening Date

06/11/2026

Closing Date

6/25/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

The Orange County Sheriffs Office has openings for Detention Officers. Work involves the responsibility of maintaining the security of the facility by conducting security checks, head counts, and performing cell searches and inspections. The work includes performing all inmate booking functions, including searching, fingerprinting and photographing inmates, and documenting personal property. Maintaining and updating records, logs, and reports of jail and inmate activities, including documenting any incidents and offenses.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Detention Sergeant with limited leeway to exercise independent judgment in performing assignments within strict guidelines and within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work. Assignments are provided by defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines. Additional assistance is provided for unusual situations that do not have clear precedents. Supervision over others is not required of this position. Does related work as required.

Hiring range is based on the Orange County Sheriffs Office Step Plan. The Step Plan is based on years of experience and education. Trainee Appointments offered. Basic Detention Officer Training (BDOT) Training provided. Trainee salary starts at $44,144.

• Successful clearance of a medical examination, DCI background check and pre-employment drug test.

Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Click the link below for full job specification which includes essential functions, knowledge, skills, abilities and physical requirements.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orangecountync/classspecs/1298537

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High School or General Educational Development (GED)
• Work experience that includes significant contact with the public
• U.S. Citizen and be at least 20 years of age.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina
• No Class B (or higher) misdemeanor convictions in the last ten (10) years (please see a list of Class B Convictions Here)
• No felony convictions
• Participation in the County Drug and Alcohol Screening program is required.
• Successfully pass an extensive background check, psychological and physical exams prior to hire
• This position is critical to emergency operations and will report to work in spite of or because of an emergency or disaster event.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

All offers of employment are conditioned upon successful clearance of a medical examination, background check and pre-employment drug test. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared.

In accordance with Section 28 of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, and/or relevant State and Federal statutes, candidates for employment may be required to undergo fingerprinting and a criminal history background check based on the job responsibilities of the position. A fingerprinting check is conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and a criminal history background check is conducted by an authorized Federal or State regulatory agency to determine eligibility for appointment. Employment is contingent upon successful clearance through these checks, which are mandated for certain roles depending on the nature of the job and applicable laws. Further, all offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory verification of your eligibility for employment, successful completion of the required pre-employment testing and/or screening, including drug testing when required and the submission and approval of all new hire documentation completion of your new hire paperwork.

Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

Supplemental Information

Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes:

• Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System;

• Orange County contributes 14.35% of your base salary per pay period and 16.10% for LEO.

• Health Insurance (Medical)

• Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance.

• Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance.

• Dental Insurance

• Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance.

• Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance.

• Vision Insurance

• Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly.

• Life Insurance

• Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees' salary up to $50,000.

• Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy.

• Short Term Disability

• Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary.

• Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy

• Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance

• 401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

• Orange County contributes $102 per pay period ($2652.00 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to.

• 12 Paid Holidays

• Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year)

• Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees)

• 0-2 Years of Service = 125.84 hours/year

• 2-5 Years of Service = 145.08 hours/year

• 5-10 Years of Service = 173.68 hours/year

• 10-15 Years of Service = 202.80 hours/year

• 15-20 Years of Service = 231.40 hours/year

• 20+ Years of Service = 260.52 hours/year

• Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule)

• 96.2 hours/year

• Tuition reimbursement assistance

• Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc.

01

Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employees eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify.

• Yes

02

I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you an Orange County Local Government employee?

• Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period
• Yes, I am a Temporary Employee
• No, I am not an Employee

04

Do you have or are you able to obtain a drivers license valid in the State of North Carolina?

• Yes
• No

05

Please indicate your highest level of education from an accredited school.

• High School or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

06

Are you at least 20 years of age?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have work experience that includes significant contact with the public?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Orange County Government

Address 131 W. Margaret Lane, 3rd Floor

Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278

Phone 919-245-2550

Website http://www.orangecountync.gov