Detention Officer

Detention Officer

Salary

$20.95 Hourly

Location

Police Department - 777 N. Galloway Avenue, Mesquite, TX

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2600280

Department

Police Technical Services

Division

Police Technical Services

Opening Date

07/21/2026

Closing Date

8/4/2026 4:00 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

GENERAL SUMMARY

Salary: $20.95/hr. minimum

To participate in a variety of semi-skilled tasks involved in the processing of prisoners for detention in the municipal jail; to oversee the safety and well-being of all prisoners; and to provide responsible administrative and technical support to the detention function in a stressful environment.

You can search for this positions full job description here.

SUPERVISION

• General supervision is provided by a Detention Services Sergeant.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• All behaviors comply with the Code of Conduct & Rules of Behavior outlined in Chapter 8 of the General Government Policies and Procedures Manual.
• Participate in a variety of tasks involved in processing prisoners for detention in or release from the municipal jail; record fingerprints; photograph prisoners in mug shots; and prepare and review all appropriate paperwork.
• Collect and securely store all property of the prisoners and assist in searching prisoners as necessary.
• Place prisoners in jail cells; monitor cells regularly to determine prisoner well-being; count the prisoners at least twice during each hour; oversee and coordinate prisoner visitation; run a drivers license check for outstanding warrants on all visitors; and distribute and check visitation badges.
• Prepare and serve meals to prisoners and provide prisoners with personal health care items as appropriate.
• Escort prisoners to and from cells; transfer prisoners to other jail facilities; attend court with prisoners as necessary; and subdue hostile prisoners as necessary.
• Clean all jail facilities; mop, sweep and scrub toilets and sinks; prepare empty cells for the next prisoner.
• Process paperwork for releasing impounded vehicles and prepare receipts for prisoners who are released on bond.
• Staff the Police Information Desk; receive and direct visitors and complainants; take reports of crimes and offenses; and evaluate incidents for immediate referral to commissioned personnel.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Notarize legal documents as necessary.
• Assist with processing police records as assigned.
• Answers and directs public inquires in person or on the phone.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma or GED.

EXPERIENCE

Detention Officer I

No experience required.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid drivers license.

Obtain a valid Notary Public certification from the state of Texas within 5 working days of employment with the City. Failure to obtain certification will result in non-disciplinary termination.

Depending upon work assignment, obtain certification as an intoxilyzer operator from the Texas Department of Public Safety within one year of employment with the City, and maintain that certification by successfully completing annual recertification administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Failure to obtain certification will result in non-disciplinary termination.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The jail is 24 hour 7 days a week operation. If you are offered the position of Detention Officer, you are agreeing to work the following:
• 8 hour shifts, 5 days per week
• Holidays (if scheduled as a normal working day)
• Weekends
• Deep nights
• Evenings
• Mandatory overtime
• On Call for disasters
• Rotation of shifts while in training

YOU MUST BE ABLE TO WORK THE FOLLOWING ROTATING SHIFTS:

• Shift Schedules
• 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
• 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

Full Time Employees:

The City of Mesquite offers the Zero Premium, Employee Only Benefits under the following plans: High Deductible Medical Plan, Dental HMO Plan, Vision Plan, and Life Insurance.

The City is self-insured and offers a choice of two medical plans: HSA, and High Deductible Medical Plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Employee medical coverage goes into effect the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates. Employees enrolled in the Citys self-insured medical plan also have access to the Mesquite Employee Health Center (MEHC) clinic and pharmacy.

The City offers three dental plan options: a managed plan (DHMO), an indemnity plan (DPPO), an enhanced indemnity plan (DPPO Enhanced). Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates.

The City offers free Vision Insurance to all employees. Dependents can be added for an additional fee.

Basic Group Life Insurance protection is provided to eligible full-time employees in the amount of two times the annual salary as recorded at the beginning of each year. The following voluntary benefits are available to full-time employees: Supplemental Life, AD&D Insurance, Cancer Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): All employees appointed to positions designated to work 1,000 hours or more per year must participate in the TMRS. TMRS is a qualified tax-deferred retirement plan under Section 401 of the IRS. Seven (7) percent of gross earnings are deducted each payroll as a pre-tax deduction and deposited into the member account. When an employee becomes vested and retires, the City provides 2-to-1 matching contributions.

Other benefits include Social Security, Tax Saver Program (Section 125 Flexible Spending Account), Deferred Compensation Plans, Direct Deposit, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Personal Leave.

For more information about the City of Mesquites employee benefits, please visit: http://www.cityofmesquite.com/hrbenefits

01

Select the option that best represents the highest level of education you have achieved.

• Less than High School completion
• High School or GED equivalency
• Technical or Community College attendance
• Technical School completion
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Ph.D.

02

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you eligible to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you at least 18 years of age or will you be at the time of hire?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you ever been convicted of an offense with the grade of felony?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you ever been placed on court ordered community supervision or probation for an offense of the grade of felony?

• Yes
• No

07

Have you ever been convicted of any family violence offense?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition?

• Yes
• No

09

Have you operated a vehicle while impaired by the use of alcohol or any other substance

• Yes
• No

10

If yes, how long ago was the last incident when you operated a vehicle while impaired by the use of alcohol or any other substance?

• Not applicable
• Less than 6 months
• More than 6 months to less than 1 year ago
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• More than 5 years

11

Have you ever used or tried marijuana?

• Yes
• No

12

If yes, how many times in your lifetime have you ever used or tried marijuana ?

• Not applicable
• Less than 5 times
• 5 to less than 10 times
• 10 to less than 15 times
• 15 to less than 20 times
• 20 or more times

13

Please select the most recent date of marijuana use?

• Not applicable
• Less than 3 months ago
• 3 months to less than 6 months ago
• 6 months to less than 9 months ago
• 9 months to less than 12 months ago
• More than 1 year ago

14

Have you ever used or tried cocaine?

• Yes
• No

15

Please select the most recent date of cocaine use?

• Not applicable
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 10 years
• More than 10 years

16

If yes, how many times in your lifetime have you used or tired cocaine?

• Not applicable
• Less than 3 times
• 3 to less than 7 times
• 7 to less than 10 times
• More than 10 times

17

Have you ever used or tried heroin?

• Yes
• No

18

Please select the most recent date of heroin use?

• Not applicable
• Less than 3 months ago
• 3 months to less than 6 months ago
• 6 months to less than 9 months ago
• 9 months to less than 12 months ago
• More than 1 year ago

19

Have you ever used or tried hallucinogenic drug?

• Yes
• No

20

Please select the most recent date of hallucinogenic drug use?

• Not applicable
• Less than 3 months ago
• 3 months to less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 9 months
• 9 months to less than 12 months
• More than 1 year ago

21

Have you ever tried ecstasy?

• Yes
• No

22

Please select the most recent date of ecstasy use?

• Not applicable
• Less than 3 months ago
• 3 months to less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 9 months
• 9 months to less than 12 months
• 1 year to less than 3 years
• 3 or more years

23

If you are a current City of Mesquite employee, have you been employed in your current position with the City for at least 3 months? Please indicate the option that best represents your current status.

• I am NOT a current City of Mesquite employee
• I am a current seasonal employee with the City
• Yes, I have been in my current City position as a full time or part time employee for at least 3 months
• No, I have not been in my current City position as a full time or part time employee for 3 months

Required Question

Employer City of Mesquite

Address 1515 N Galloway Ave

Mesquite, Texas, 75149

Phone 9722166218

Website http://www.cityofmesquite.com