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Correction Officer Trainee Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Maricopa

Detention Deputy -Trainee and Lateral

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$7.5K/mo

... or corrections officer for the State of Arizona, or an Arizona county, city or town, or private ... Detention Trainee Qualifications Minimum education and/or experience: * High school diploma or GED ...

Maricopa

Deputy Sheriff Lateral

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$73K - $102K/yr

... corrections experience. This position is non-exempt under the FLSA. Job Type Classified - Sworn ... Are you a current law enforcement officer looking for a new challenge? Are you motivated by the ...

Maricopa County

Deputy Sheriff Lateral

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$73K - $102K/yr

... corrections experience. This position is non-exempt under the FLSA. Job Type Classified - Sworn ... Are you a current law enforcement officer looking for a new challenge? Are you motivated by the ...

Maricopa County

Deputy Sheriff Lateral

Phoenix, AZ

$73K - $102K/yr

... corrections experience. This position is non-exempt under the FLSA. Job Type Classified - Sworn ... Are you a current law enforcement officer looking for a new challenge? Are you motivated by the ...

All JobsCorrection Officer JobsCorrection Officer Trainee JobsCorrection Officer Trainee Jobs in Arizona

Correction Officer Trainee information

See Arizona salary details

$32.1K

$69.4K

$131.4K

How much do correction officer trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for correction officer trainee in Arizona is $69,364.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,900.00 and $84,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by correction officer trainees during their initial training period?

Correction Officer Trainees often encounter challenges such as adapting to a highly structured and secure environment, learning to manage stressful or confrontational situations, and balancing strict adherence to protocols with the need for sound judgment. Trainees must quickly develop skills in communication, observation, and conflict de-escalation while undergoing both classroom instruction and hands-on training. Building resilience and maintaining professionalism under pressure are crucial during this period, as trainees transition into responsible and safety-focused roles within a correctional facility.

What is a correction officer trainee?

A Correction Officer Trainee is an entry-level position in the corrections field, responsible for overseeing inmates in jails, prisons, or other correctional facilities. Trainees undergo a period of training and probation where they learn the rules, procedures, and skills necessary to maintain safety and security within the facility. Duties include supervising inmate activities, conducting searches, enforcing regulations, and responding to incidents. This role is designed to prepare individuals for advancement to full Correction Officer status upon successful completion of the training period.

What is the difference between Correction Officer Trainee vs Correction Officer?

AspectCorrection Officer TraineeCorrection Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED, basic trainingSame as trainee, plus completion of training program
Work EnvironmentTraining environment, supervisedFull-duty correctional facility
Job StatusTraining position, probationaryFull employee status

The Correction Officer Trainee is a probationary role where individuals undergo training and supervision, while the Correction Officer is a fully qualified staff member responsible for inmate supervision and security. The trainee stage prepares candidates for the responsibilities of a correction officer, with similar credentials and work environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a correction officer trainee?

To thrive as a Correction Officer Trainee, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, and knowledge of security procedures and regulations. Familiarity with security surveillance systems, incident reporting tools, and basic first aid certifications is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, stress management, and effective communication are crucial for managing inmate interactions and maintaining order. These abilities are essential to ensure the safety, security, and smooth operation of correctional facilities.
What are the most commonly searched types of Correction Officer jobs in Arizona? The most popular types of Correction Officer jobs in Arizona are:
What are popular job titles related to Correction Officer Trainee jobs in Arizona? For Correction Officer Trainee jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Correction Officer Trainee jobs in Arizona look for? The top searched job categories for Correction Officer Trainee jobs in Arizona are:
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Correction Officer Trainee jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Correction Officer Trainee job openings:
Correction Officer Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Correction Officer Trainee job openings in Arizona as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,364 per year, or $33.3 per hour.

Detention Deputy -Trainee and Lateral

Maricopa County

Phoenix, AZ

$7.5K/mo

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Maricopa County rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

449th of 844 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Posting Date

08/03/26

Application Deadline

08/31/26

Pay Range

Min - Mid - Max
$27.00 - $31.63 - $36.25
New Sign-On Incentive of $7,500
Note: The pay range listed above reflects the FULL pay range for the position. Successful applicants will typically be compensated at a rate of $27.00/hr. Placement at a higher starting salary rate within the range may be considered depending on prior comparable, directly related law enforcement or corrections experience. This position is non-exempt under the FLSA.

Job Type

Classified

Department

Sheriff

About the Position

Trainees will earn $56,160.00 plus sign-on incentive in their first full year of employment!

Laterals may earn up to $72,000+ in their first full year of employment, DOE

Pre-Employment assessments:

***Applicants will be required to attend the Physical/Written assessment and Orientation on Friday, September 4th, 2026.

An invitation to the physical/written assessment/orientation and instructions will be sent to the e-mail address provided on your application approximately 5 days prior to thescheduled assessment/orientation

Physical Readiness Assessment (PRA)
Applicants must successfully demonstrate physical readiness by completing a series of assessments which consists of the following:

1. Agility Run - 27.1 seconds - Measures agility and coordination

2. Push-Ups - 5 with no time limit - Measures upper body dynamic strength

3. Sit-Ups - 13 in 1 minute - Measures abdominal muscular endurance

4. 1.5 Mile Run - 26 minutes, 10 seconds - Measures aerobic power & vascular endurance


    Detention Deputy:
    Are you passionate about serving and protecting your community? Now is your chance to join the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) as a Detention Deputy! In this role, high importance is placed on ensuring public safety is provided and maintained by an individual who takes pride in their work and considers the impact of their actions on an individual, team and organizational level.


    We are looking for candidates with strong interpersonal and customer service skills, the ability to effectively resolve conflict, and a desire for enhancing public safety. Ideal candidates will have a keen sense of emotional intelligence and be motivated by serving others and their community. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you...your adventure with MCSO awaits!
    To be part of our team as a Detention Deputy, you must:

    • Be an effective communicator, even in the most challenging of situations.
    • Care about the safety and well-being of others, both within and outside a jail setting.
    • Respect all individuals regardless of background or socio-economic status.
    • Embrace the concepts of integrity, accountability and transparency as core values.
    • Collaborate with team members, supervisors and managers to forward the mission and vision of MCSO.

    Compensation is more than a salary with MCSO. Your perks at work include:

    • Paid training.
    • A stable environment.
    • Great benefits.
    • Flexibility and generous leave.
    • An opportunity to serve your community as part of a diverse and talented workforce.

    Lateral Opportunities Available
    If you have successfully completed an Arizona detention or corrections academy, or Correctional Officer Training Academy (COTA) and have current or prior experience (within the last 3 years) working as a detention or corrections officer for the State of Arizona, or an Arizona county, city or town, or private prison/detention center, WE WANT YOU!
    Candidates who have completed a detention/corrections academy outside the state of Arizona may also be considered. An evaluation of prior training and experience will determine if out of state candidates are eligible for the lateral position.
    Concerned about completing a new academy? We value your prior experience and academy completion; therefore, successful lateral candidates will participate in an accelerated 5-week training/orientation program!

    Detention Trainee Qualifications

    Minimum education and/or experience:
    • High school diploma or GED, or are expected to graduate/receive GED within the next 90 days.
    • Must be eighteen (18) years of age.
    • Must be a U.S. Citizen or be eligible to work in the U.S.

    Specialized training, certifications, and/or other special requirements:
    • Applicants must possess, or have the ability to obtain by the time of hire, a valid Arizona driver's license.
    • Prior to hiring, the Sheriff's Office requires that all applicants complete the following: background investigation;polygraph exam; medical exam with attestation of physical readiness and psychological exam.
    • Training to be provided on-the-job: FEMA NIMS - IS100 AND 700, safety, payroll and PREA.
      Additionally, post hire participation in a 12-week paid detention academy is required and which includes successfully demonstrating physical readiness by completing a series of assessments with the requisite results in order to graduate the academy and remain employed. A seven-battery assessment became effective November 1, 2015.
    Preferred education and/or experience:
    Three (3) years of work experience, prior law enforcement experience, and/or prior military experience preferred.
    Preferred training, certifications and/or other special requirements:
    Currently possess, or have the ability to obtain, a commercial driver's license and/or weapons certification equivalent to standards set by Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST).
    Detention Lateral Qualifications

    Minimum education and/or experience:
    • High School diploma or GED. Must be eighteen (18) years of age.
    • Must be a U.S. Citizen or be eligible to work in the U.S.
    • Must have successfully completed at least a 8 week in person Arizona detention or corrections academy, or Correctional Officer Training Academy (COTA) and have prior experience (within the last 3 years) working as a detention or corrections officer for the State of Arizona, an Arizona city, county or town, or a private prison/detention center.
    • Candidates who have completed at least 8 week in person detention/corrections academy outside the state of Arizona may also be considered. An evaluation of prior training and experience will determine if out of state candidates are eligible for the lateral position.
    • Completed 40 hours of Defensive Tactics Training.
    • OC spray certification.
    • 2 consecutive years of Detention or Corrections Experience.
    If you have successfully completed an Arizona detention or corrections academy with prior experience and continued serving in a law enforcement capacity with another agency, you may be eligible for a Lateral position. Eligibility will be determined through the pre-employment process and is solely at the discretion of Command staff.
    Specialized training, certifications, and/or other special requirements:
    • Applicants must possess, or have the ability to obtain by the time of hire, a valid Arizona driver's license.
    • Training with the exception of Arizona driver's license to be provided on-the-job: FEMA NIMS - IS100 AND 700, OSHA training, payroll training and PREA training.
    • Prior to hiring, the Sheriff's Office requires that all applicants complete the following: physical readiness assessment (PRA), a written examination, orientation, background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological exam and medical exam.

    Preferred training, certifications and/or other special requirements:
    Currently possess, or have the ability to obtain, a commercial driver's license and/or weapons certification equivalent to standards set by Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST).
    Detention Trainee / Lateral

    Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
    Knowledge of:
    • Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling, rules of composition and grammar.

    Skill in:
    • Using standard office equipment.

    Ability to:
    • Read, learn, understand, apply and follow rules, regulations, instructions, jail practices and procedures.
    • Direct the activities of prisoners by speaking clearly and concisely in an authoritative manner.
    • Maintain accurate records and make routine verbal and written reports using concise and clear communication.
    • Distinguish between simultaneously sounding audio alarms for various devices, such as radio duress activations, PA systems, phone ringing, and perimeter alarm activations.
    • Distinguish color and shapes to identify items for inventory purposes.
    • Establish and maintain successful working relationships.

    Working conditions:
    Job requires the ability to work any shift due to detention facilities operating 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Job requires ability to: perform sprints, jumping and vaulting tasks; perform lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling; move quickly around objects and obstacles in pursuit situations; and pursue, extract and use force in both short intense effort and sustained effort situations. Actual situations may require efforts beyond the following:
    • Perform lifting and carrying that may include lifting heavy and awkward objects weighing 50 lbs. or more; carrying heavy and awkward equipment and objects 10 to 60 ft.; and carrying equipment weighing 20 to 50 lbs. up and down stairs Perform dragging movements that may include extracting victims weighing up to 175 lbs. and dragging victims, objects or suspects weighing up to 175 lbs., 20 to 30 ft.
    • Perform pushing and pulling that may include pushing heavy objects or people weighing up to 200 lbs., 10 to 25 ft.; pulling heavy objects or people weighing up to 150 lbs., 10 to 25 ft.; and pulling self over 6 ft. obstacle.
    • Perform range of motion activities that may include bending to reach for objects; bending and twisting in use of force situations; crouching during movement of 10 to 15 ft.; and climbing ladders and fire escapes. Use force that may include self-defense situations for 45 to 60 seconds; control holds in self-defense situations for 30 to 60 seconds; strikes using hands, elbows, feet, and knees; use of intermediate impact weapons; and forced entry by pushing and pulling.
    • Perform foot pursuits that may include running sprints of 100 feet or more; running for sustained periods, usually 300 feet but up to 5 minutes; running up and down stairs, usually 2 flights but may be up to 4 flights; run over uneven terrain; and dodge around obstacles.

    The following environments described are only representative of how the essential job tasks are currently performed or envisioned. As such, in order to accommodate a disability or limitation, the essential job tasks may be performed in ways other than described on these pages.
    Work Environment:
    • Indoors and outdoors. May encounter temperatures above 90 degrees and below 40 degrees
    • Confined areas and use of stairs or ladders
    • Exposure to chemical and fumes, smoke and dust, wet and damp areas
    • Unprotected heights
    • Exposure to high noise, dim and bright lighting
    • May encounter exposure to contagious diseases

    Physical Environment:
    • Sitting, standing and walking
    • Driving a vehicle
    • Speaking, hearing, seeing, and reading
    • Distinguishing colors
    • Bending, kneeling, and reaching
    • Twisting, climbing, crawling, crouching and balancing
    • Wearing protective gear
    • Precise dexterity
    • Physical restraining and running
    • Lifting floor to waist fifty (50) pounds
    • Lifting waist to shoulder of fifty (50) pounds
    • Lifting shoulder to overhead of fifty (50) pounds
    • Carrying a weight of up to fifty (50) pounds for a distance of various feet
    • Pushing/pulling a weight of up to 200 pounds for a distance of various feet

    Social Environment:
    • Working in conditions involving emergencies and traumatic subject matters
    • Dangerous environment
    • Handling multiple or complicated tasks and frequently changing and unscheduled tasks
    • Working under time pressures with constant interruptions
    • High volume of work
    • High level of accuracy and attention to detail
    • Decision making
    • Concentration/vigilance
    • Working in a team environment in close proximity with others
    • May have to work in isolated conditions
    • Isolation
    • Public contact
    • Overtime/rotating shifts
    • Reassignment to different locations

    ESSENTIAL JOB TASKS:

    • Conducts security walks and head counts which involves standing, stair climbing, and walking for long periods of time.
    • Performs facility and inmate cell searches which involve stooping, kneeling, crouching, lying down and crawling under bunks, lifting and climbing to reach all areas of the cell and facility including climbing ladders/stairs to reach overhead sky lights, attic crawl spaces, rooftops, etc.
    • Performs searches of inmates and visitors which includes touching and feeling clothing to detect weapons and contraband; also includes the ability to squat, stoop, stretch, bend to floor level to search pant legs, socks, and shoes.
    • Performs frisk and strip searches of inmates which includes visually observing unclothed inmates to detect weapons and contraband.
    • Conducts continual visual surveillance of inmates and various areas of detention facilities which involves prolonged sitting, twisting, and bending to view various monitors.
    • Provides inmate services such as recreation (spending several hours exposed to outdoor elements), serving meals, visitation, and clothing exchanges which involves lifting food trays, beverage containers, canteen bags, and bundles of laundry weighing up to 80 lbs. and requires bending, stooping, and kneeling.
    • Quickly selects and correctly operates appropriate buttons, touch screen control monitors, switches, and knobs used to control doors, sliders, and communication systems while maintaining emotional control under extreme stress.
    • Pursues fleeing inm...

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