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Jail Guard Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Certified Sheriff's Deputy

Conyers, GA ยท On-site

$25.57 - $33.24/hr

Jail Assignment: โ€ข Receives, searches, books, and places prisoners in appropriate cells. โ€ข ... Guards and secures County buildings and facilities. โ€ข Maintains court procedure records. โ€ข ...

The Detention Officer/Trainee books in and releases prisoners; guards and maintains jail. Demonstrates interpersonal skills. Able to deal effectively with the public and other employees. Able to ...

Corrections Officer

Troy, MO ยท On-site

$21.25/hr

Guards' prisoners at the jail, assuming responsibility for all needs of prisoners in their care, custody and control during detention by performing the following duties. Principal Accountabilities

Guards' prisoners at the jail, assuming responsibility for all needs of prisoners in their care, custody and control during detention by performing the following duties. Principal Accountabilities

Guards' prisoners at the jail, assuming responsibility for all needs of prisoners in their care, custody and control during detention by performing the following duties. Principal Accountabilities

Corrections Officer

Troy, MO ยท On-site

$41K - $54K/yr

Guards' prisoners at the jail, assuming responsibility for all needs of prisoners in their care, custody and control during detention by performing the following duties. Principal Accountabilities

Deputy Sheriff

Chesterfield, VA ยท On-site

$56K/yr

Applicants with prior Police, Sheriff's Office, DCJS Basic Jailor Certification, DOC Officer ... Must be at least 18 years of age if in the active military, Reserve, or Guard or at least 20 years ...

Deputy Sheriff

Chesterfield, VA ยท On-site

$56K/yr

Applicants with prior Police, Sheriff's Office, DCJS Basic Jailor Certification, DOC Officer ... Must be at least 18 years of age if in the active military, Reserve, or Guard or at least 20 years ...

Detention Officer/Trainee

Baytown, TX ยท On-site

$20.08/hr

The Detention Officer/Trainee books in and releases prisoners; guards and maintains jail. Demonstrates interpersonal skills. Able to deal effectively with the public and other employees. Able to ...

Ability to complete GA POST Basic Jail Officer Training Course; Must be 21 years of age by ... Performs tower guard duties to assure security of facility; monitors television screens; operates ...

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Jail Guard information

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$10

$16

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How much do jail guard jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for jail guard in the United States is $16.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $18.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by jail guards in their day-to-day work?

Jail guards often encounter challenges such as managing difficult inmate behavior, responding to emergencies, and maintaining order in potentially volatile environments. The role requires quick decision-making, strong communication skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Regular collaboration with fellow guards and other facility staff is vital to ensure safety and effective operations. Adapting to shift work and maintaining professional boundaries with inmates are also important aspects of the role.

What are jail guards and what do they do?

Jail guards, also known as correctional officers, are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in a jail or detention facility. Their duties include maintaining order, enforcing rules and regulations, supervising inmate activities, and ensuring the safety and security of inmates, staff, and the facility. Jail guards also perform routine inspections, respond to emergencies, and may assist in the transportation of inmates. They play a crucial role in the criminal justice system by helping to maintain a safe and controlled environment within correctional institutions.

What is the difference between Jail Guard vs Correctional Officer?

AspectJail GuardCorrectional Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some states require training certificationHigh school diploma or equivalent; state-specific training and certification often required
Work EnvironmentJails, detention centers, short-term confinement facilitiesPrisons, correctional facilities, long-term confinement centers
Employer & IndustryLocal jails, detention centers, law enforcement agenciesState and federal prisons, correctional departments

Jail Guards and Correctional Officers perform similar roles in maintaining security and order within detention facilities. Jail Guards typically work in local jails and handle short-term detainees, while Correctional Officers often work in prisons with long-term inmates. Both roles require similar credentials and training, but their work environments and scope of responsibilities differ slightly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Jail Guard, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Jail Guard, you typically need a high school diploma or GED, knowledge of correctional facility procedures, and completion of formal training or certification in corrections. Familiarity with security monitoring systems, incident reporting software, and restraint techniques is commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, emotional resilience, and clear communication are crucial for managing inmate behavior and de-escalating tense situations. These skills are essential to maintain safety, enforce rules, and foster a secure environment for both staff and inmates.
More about Jail Guard jobs
What states have the most Jail Guard jobs? States with the most job openings for Jail Guard jobs include:
Infographic showing various Jail Guard job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,072 per year, or $16.9 per hour.
Certified Sheriff's Deputy -Courthouse Security

Certified Sheriff's Deputy -Courthouse Security

Rockdale County, Georgia

Conyers, GA โ€ข On-site

$25.57 - $33.24/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

This position will be assigned to the courthouse.

Job Summary: This position is responsible for performing a full range of law enforcement duties in any of the bureaus of the Sheriffโ€™s Office, including, but not limited to the following: patrol, civil, crime prevention, community outreach, investigation, transportation, court security, administrative, support, or jail. The incumbent may be assigned temporarily to a specialty area within the agency based on needs. A Certified Sheriffโ€™s Deputy may hold the rank of Certified Deputy I, Certified Deputy II, or Certified Deputy III, depending on qualifications.

A Certified Deputy Sheriff may be assigned to duties in any Sheriffโ€™s Office bureau. Employees in this classification may be expected to perform any related duties as required by proper authority. Major duties may include any of the following tasks:

Patrol Assignment:

  • Maintains law and order and protects life and property.
  • Receives and responds to dispatch calls; investigates and takes appropriate action on assigned calls.
  • Conducts security checks of businesses, parks, public buildings, industrial areas, and residences.
  • Maintains traffic control through observation and the use of speed detection devices.
  • Detains and tests drivers suspected of driving under the influence.
  • Issues citations and/or makes arrests for violations of laws and ordinances; prepares incident reports
  • Attends and testifies in court on cases investigated or reports written.
  • Responds to natural and man-made disasters.
  • Transports prisoners.
  • Locates defendants and serves criminal warrants.
  • Assists with crowd control and security assignments at various public gatherings or incident scenes.
  • Reports hazardous conditions on public roadways and bridges, conducts surveillance.
  • Provides assistance to the public as needed. Provides information and guidance regarding victimโ€™s rights.
  • Works with code enforcement.
  • Conducts and prepares investigations of vehicle accidents.
  • Assesses victims, rendering aid to the injured prior to emergency medical services arrival.
  • Requests assistance of other agencies, including fire, emergency medical, and tow services.
  • Directs traffic at the scene; prepares accident reports.
  • Processes arrested persons following established procedures and renders aid to other law enforcement personnel.
  • Attends/participates in roll call, including inspection and training; participates in training programs to improve knowledge and skills.
  • Performs specialized short or long-term assignments, including administrative, technical and investigative duties as required.
  • May serve as a field training officer.
  • Works with public, civic organizations, etc., in conducting community activities.
Jail Assignment:
  • Receives, searches, books, and places prisoners in appropriate cells.
  • Receives and safeguards inmates' personal property. Maintains security and control in receiving, visitation, and other jail areas.
  • Transports inmates to activities outside the jail. Conducts inspections and counts.
  • Controls inmates' daily activities, including meals. Distributes medications. Screens items going in and out of cells. Supervises, counsels, and evaluates inmates assigned as trustees, provides inmate information to the courts, other staff members, and other law enforcement agencies, maintains a variety of records and logs.
Civil/Warrants Assignment:
  • Determines proper method for legal service of a process.
  • Prepares schedules to assure time and efficient routing of processes to be served.
  • Serves processes; locates persons no longer at locations given.
  • Executes court-issued writs and orders by seizing property; checking evicted location or physically removing occupants from premises.
  • Supervises transportation of seized property to storage area.
  • Prepares various reports and forms.
Community Outreach Assignment:
  • Maintains peace within controlled school and community settings.
  • Investigates school and community incidents. Collects evidence and property, completes incident and accident reports. Serves warrants. Testifies in court. Gathers victim, defendant and witness information.
  • Prepares and delivers oral presentations in school and community settings, works with at-risk populations, analyzes data on crime trends and citizen complaints and determines appropriate response.
  • Plans and organizes community involvement, participates in problem-solving activities aimed at reducing crime and increasing community safety.
Court/Transport Assignment:
  • Maintains order and ensures the security and safe condition of the courthouse and courtrooms.
  • Assures the safety of jurors and the public; escorts prisoners to and from the courtroom and maintains control of prisoners during trial.
  • Maintains control of the audience and removes disorderly persons as required.
  • Guards the deliberating jury to preclude outside influence.
  • Guards and secures County buildings and facilities.
  • Maintains court procedure records.
  • Transports prisoners to and from court, other jurisdictions or institutions, and clinics and hospitals for medical and psychological treatments.

Administrative / Support:

  • Performs maintenance to the Sheriffโ€™s Office and Jail building and grounds, and vehicles.
  • Oversees inmate workers on work details.
  • Assists with administrative duties and research as assigned.
Knowledge Required by the Position:
  • Knowledge of law enforcement concepts and terminology, including jail operations, criminal investigation, law enforcement and crime prevention; first-aid principles and techniques; report preparation and record keeping; and human behavior theories related to criminology, crisis intervention and crowd control.
  • Knowledge of laws and court decisions pertaining to law enforcement, including search and seizure, suspects and prisonerโ€™s rights, and custody and protection of evidence; operational principles and practices of criminal investigation, law enforcement and crime prevention; court and trial procedures.
  • Knowledge of the use and effects of law enforcement weapons; methods of self-defense and physical restraint.
  • Knowledge of Sheriffโ€™s Office organization, policies and procedures; geographic layout of Rockdale County; vocabulary of technical/specialized fields of law enforcement such as identification, detention and pathology.
  • Skill in learning, interpreting, applying and explaining complex laws and regulations; reading and interpreting documents such as maps, diagrams and textbooks.
  • Skill in performing accurate mathematical calculations; comprehending and retaining factual information and applying what is learned.
  • Skill in observing and remembering details of events, names, faces, numbers and physical descriptions; preparing and maintaining clear, accurate and concise reports and files.
  • Skill in communicating effectively in both verbal and written form; exercising tact, self-restraint, judgment and strategy in dealing with people of all races, ethnicities and socio-economic groups and who may have emotional or physical difficulties.
    • Skill in exercising sound independent judgment in emergency or stressful situations; correctly interpreting a given situation and taking appropriate action under a variety of conditions.
    • Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
    • Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
    • Ability to gather, assemble, analyze and evaluate facts and evidence and to draw sound conclusions; working ability to obtain valid information by interview and interrogation.
    • Ability to work rotating shifts, varying hours and be on call.

Supervisory Controls: The bureau commander or his/her designee assigns work in terms of agency goals and objectives. The work is reviewed through reports and observation of activities.

Guidelines: Guidelines include applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and standard operating procedures related to public safety communications and law enforcement standards. These guidelines require sound judgment and interpretation in application.

Personal Contacts: Contacts are typically with co-workers, business leaders, educators, attorneys, representatives of the judicial system, federal state and local law enforcement officers, inmates and the general public.

Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, resolve problems, influence/motivate persons, justify/settle matters, coordinate work efforts and provide services.

Physical Demands: Work may be sedentary in the office environment and/or fieldwork may subject incumbent to extended periods of physical and mental exertion under highly stressful conditions. The person must be able to remain calm and think logically when defending himself/herself from imminent danger, apprehending suspects of crimes, etc. The person must be able to load, unload, aim and operate firearms. The individual must have correctable hearing, visual and speaking abilities to perform assigned duties. The person must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods; walk, run, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch; make precise and coordinated finger, hand and limb movements; maintain uniform, controlled hand-arm posture or movement; push, pull or drag an adult (averaging 5'6", 160 pounds); lift and carry boxes of evidence (average 50 pounds); use force to restrain/subdue others; work efficiently for long periods of time.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a variety of field, office, and in-vehicle settings, including a secured jail facility, and may require exposure to dangerous and life-threatening situations. Employee must be willing to carry a firearm on the job; mentally and physically capable of taking the life of another, if justified; willing to work any hour of the day or night (shift work), overtime, weekends, on-call, and holidays. Employee must be willing to work at any location in the County and travel on specific assignments, and comply with the agencyโ€™s grooming standards and wear a uniform.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility: None.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; Baccalaureate degree in criminology, criminal justice, political science, public administration or related field preferred.
  • Must be a United States citizen.
  • Must have a valid State of Georgia Driverโ€™s license.
    • Must be certified as a Peace Officer under regulations of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Council.
      • Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Position Content: This position classification is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.