Detention Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : PO Box 1466, Mesa, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 17613
Department: (H210)Police
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/13/2026 11:59 PM Arizona
Description/Duties
The current recruitment will be used to fill vacancies at either the Detention Officer Trainee or Detention Officer level in the Mesa Police Department, depending on work experience. This recruitment will also establish Eligible Lists which may be used to fill future vacancies.
The City of Mesa is excited to offer a hiring bonus of $2,000.00 for this position. Half of the bonus ($1,000.00) will be paid after 30 days of hire, and the second half ($1,000.00) will be paid upon successful completion of Mesa's Detention Officer training program.
Detention Officer Trainee ($50,979.97 - $72,855.12)
A Detention Officer Trainee learns to perform the full scope of duties of a Detention Officer through a structured, on-the-job training program in accordance with established procedures and requirements set forth in federal/state laws, City ordinances, and department orders. Duties that are learned include: taking custody of inmates from arresting officers; booking inmates into the City jail by completing required documentation and forms; fingerprinting inmates; verifying the identification of persons in custody and checking for outstanding warrants; escorting inmates to and from court and processing necessary paperwork; handling video arraignment court sessions for inmates; coordinating and communicating with other jail facilities regarding inmate transfer and movement; performing field drug testing on drugs found on the individual; processing evidence discovered on inmate; applying electronic monitoring devices to inmates per court orders; and bonding out inmates according to established guidelines. A Detention Officer Trainee learns to be responsible for the security and welfare of inmates, which involves providing meals and dispensing medicine, as well as maintaining the jail. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.
This is a civilian, trainee class that works in the City's detention facility, which operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week. Training received is in an academy format and requires learning and applying specific knowledge and skills relative to the booking, detention, and release of adult inmates. As training progresses, employees are expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently and exercise good judgment under pressure in order to maintain a secure and orderly detention facility. An employee in this class is subject to verbal and physical abuse from inmates, required to physically search inmates, and use sufficient legal force to restrain violent/combative/mentally ill inmates. Supervision is received from a Detention Sergeant. An employee can progress to the classification of Detention Officer after successful completion of training and achievement of satisfactory performance evaluations. Employees in this class work rotating shifts, including holidays and weekends. This class is FLSA nonexempt.
Transport Assignment: One of the responsibilities of the holding facility and its detention staff is the transporting of inmates to and from the county jail and other law enforcement agencies. This assignment requires a Detention Officer Trainee to carry a firearm, complete additional training, and complete and maintain firearms qualifications.
Detention Officer ($53,511.54 - $76,472.86)
A Detention Officer performs responsible work in operating a twenty-four hour/day City detention facility in accordance with established procedures and requirements set forth in federal/state laws, City ordinances, and department orders. Duties include: taking custody of prisoners from arresting officers; booking prisoners into the City jail by completing required documentation and forms; fingerprinting prisoners; verifying the identification of persons in custody and checking for outstanding warrants; transporting prisoners to and from the county jail and other law enforcement agencies; escorting prisoners to and from court and processing necessary paperwork; handling video arraignment court sessions for prisoners; and bonding out prisoners according to established guidelines. A Detention Officer is also responsible for the security and welfare of prisoners, which involves providing meals and dispensing medicine, as well as maintaining the jail. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.
A Detention Officer has successfully completed the structured training program required of a Detention Officer Trainee. The work requires the application of specific knowledge and skills relative to the booking, detention, and release of male and female adult prisoners. Work is performed under the supervision of a Detention Sergeant; however, incumbents often work without direct supervision and are expected to exercise independent initiative and judgment in maintaining a secure and orderly detention facility. An employee in this class is subject to verbal and physical abuse from prisoners, and is required to physically search prisoners and use sufficient legal force to restrain violent/combative prisoners. A Detention Officer works rotating shifts, including holidays and weekends. This class is FLSA nonexempt.
Transport Assignment: Incumbents will be required to carry a firearm.
Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.
Qualifications & Requirements
: All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.
Detention Officer Trainee
Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or GED. A minimum of one year of public contact experience. Transport Assignment: Incumbents are required to complete Armed Civilian Transport training within one year of hire date and must complete and maintain firearms qualifications.
Special Requirements. Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required. Candidates given a conditional job offer will be required to successfully complete a psychological evaluation. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date. Transport Assignment: Required to pass a more detailed psychological evaluation.
Substance Abuse Testing. Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment/pre-placement and random alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.
Preferred/Desirable Qualification. Employment experience as a sworn law enforcement officer, corrections/detention officer, or military experience is highly desirable.
Detention Officer
Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or GED and a minimum of one year's detention officer/corrections officer/sworn police officer experience OR successful completion of the structured training program for a Detention Officer Trainee. Transport Assignment: Incumbents are required to complete Armed Civilian Transport training within one year of hire date and must complete and maintain firearms qualifications.
Special Requirements. Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph is required. Candidates given a conditional job offer will be required to successfully complete a psychological evaluation. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date. Transport Assignment: Required to pass a more detailed psychological evaluation.
Substance Abuse Testing. Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment/pre-placement and random alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.
Preferred/Desirable Qualification. Employment experience as a sworn law enforcement officer, corrections/detention officer, or military experience is highly desirable.
Link to Job Description
Detention Officer Trainee:
Detention Officer:
A is linked here.
01
Did you receive a High School Diploma or GED? You MUST include and detail your education information on your application to receive credit.

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have a minimum of one (1) year of public contact work experience?

• Yes
• No

03
Please detail your public contact work experience below; include employment dates and names of employer(s). If none, type N/A.
04
How many years of experience do you have as a detention officer, corrections officer, or sworn police officer? Please detail your experience on your application.

• None
• Some but less than 1 year
• 1 year or more but less than 3 years
• 3 years or more

05
Please detail your detention officer, corrections officer, or sworn police officer work experience below; include employment dates and names of employer(s). If none, type N/A.
06
Do you have a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License, or can you obtain one by hire or promotion date?

• Yes
• No

07
Were you referred for this position by an employee of the City of Mesa Police Department?

• Yes
• No

08
If you responded 'Yes' to the question above, please provide the employee's name in the box below. If 'No', please type N/A.
09
If you served in the military, what was your discharge status?

• Honorable
• Dishonorable
• Uncharacterized
• Other than Honorable
• Entry Level
• Bad Conduct
• General
• Current Active Duty
• N/A

10
Have you ever been convicted of a felony (this includes criminal convictions out of state that would be considered a felony in Arizona)?

• Yes
• No

11
Have you tried or used any of the following drugs unlawfully (without a doctor's prescription or dispensary card): Marijuana, Hashish, Thai Sticks, Barbiturates, Amphetamines, Cocaine, Heroin, Opium, Steroids, or Hallucinogenic Substances?

• Yes
• No

12
Have you tried or used any illegal narcotics or dangerous drugs (with the exception of Marijuana) in the past five years?

• Yes
• No

13
Have you tried or used any illegal narcotics or dangerous drugs (with the exception of Marijuana) more than 3 times since turning 21 years old?

• Yes
• No

14
If an explanation or comments are needed regarding drug usage, please note your information here.
Required Question