Entry Level Detention Officer

Salary : $44,081.44 Annually

Location : Lubbock, TX

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 202600002

Department : Sheriff - Detention Center

Opening Date : 01 / 01 / 2026

Closing Date : 1 / 31 / 2026 11 : 59 PM Central

Summary

Responsible for the accurate and timely processing of inmates into and out of the Lubbock County Detention Center, serving as the primary contact for daily interactions with attorneys, law enforcement agencies and the public, and ensuring the safety and security of the facility and personnel.

Essential Duties

• Perform the initial Suicide / Medical / Mental / Developmental disabilities screening for all inmates entering into the facility.
• Verify the validity and accuracy of arrest paperwork, warrants, and court bench orders to ensure the legality of holding inmates in the custody of the facility.
• Verify the validity and accuracy of release paperwork, bonds, and court bench orders to ensure the legality of releasing inmates from the custody of the facility.
• Administer body scan technology to prevent the introduction of contraband into the facility.
• Document, search, inventory, and maintain inmate personal property to prevent the spread of contraband within the facility.
• Determine the initial level of search for inmates entering the facility through the use of a decision tree.
• Obtain and maintain proper certifications with TCIC / NCIC to ensure the legality of searching for and viewing criminal history information.
• Perform fingerprinting and buccal swab procedures.
• Screen inmates and visiting members of the public for active warrants.
• Maintain and organize arrest, booking, and release documentation in inmate files.
• Maintain the safety and security of the facility through the separation, sorting, and search for contraband of all incoming and outgoing inmate correspondence.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty. An individual must have the ability to read, write, speak and comprehend the English language. A language skills assessment and a typing evaluation will be given to evaluate the employee's ability to understand the English language. Acceptable typing evaluation will be a minimum 35 WPM with 80% accuracy. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill(s) and / or abilities required.

EDUCATION? EXPERIENCE : High School Diploma or GED and must be at least 18 years of age. Must possess a valid Texas driver's license. Must be able to communicate effectively with others in writing and verbally.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES : Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and ordinances. Officers will obtain a basic understanding of standards established by the Texas Minimum Jail Standards, Lubbock County and Lubbock County Sheriff's Office Policies and Procedures. Officers must possess the ability to work independently in the absence of supervision. Employees will maintain physical conditioning appropriate for the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following : subdue resisting individuals, lift and carry moderate weight materials, stand or sit for extended periods of time, operate assigned equipment. Employees will be required to effectively handle the work environment and conditions which involve : responding to emergency situations, working closely with others, irregular work hours, exposure to bodily fluids and effectively deal with personal danger which may include exposure to armed / dangerous persons and communicable diseases. Officers must also maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for : making observations, reading and writing, operating assigned equipment, communicating with others, ability to maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of exercising sound judgement and rational thinking under dangerous circumstances, evaluating various options and alternatives, choosing appropriate and reasonable courses of action, and demonstrating intellectual capabilities during training and testing processes.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS : Possession of, or ability to obtain a Basic Jailer's License Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS : Officers will maintain the ability to stand, walk up and down stairs, kneel, bend, reach, grip and use fine dexterity. Officers will also maintain the ability to push and pull objects, occasionally flex the upper trunk forward at the waist and partially at the knees. Employees must frequently lift and / or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds such as books and records. Employees may rotate upper trunk to the left or right while sitting or standing, place arms above, at, or below shoulder height. Officers must maintain their use of vision and depth perception required, to include color vision. Employees may be occasionally called upon to perform acts of intense physical exertion during emergency situations. Employees will be expected to operate in a jail environment which includes : responding to emergency situations, working closely with others, irregular working hours, exposure to bodily fluids, possible exposure to armed / dangerous persons and communicable diseases. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

WORK ENVIRONMENT : Employees may be occasionally called upon to perform acts of intense physical exertion during emergency situations. Employees will be expected to operate in a jail environment, which includes responding to emergency situations, working closely with others, irregular working hours, exposure to bodily fluids, possible exposure to armed / dangerous persons and communicable diseases. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

DISCLAIMER : The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the standard functions of this position and should not be constructed as a thorough description of all work requirements. The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Employer : Lubbock County will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant's race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

To review Lubbock County's benefits package, please select the following link :

01

Are you at least 18 years of age?

02

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

03

Have you ever had a dishonorable or bad conduct discharged from the military or another law enforcement agency?

04

Have you ever attended a basic TCOLE licensing course? If yes, please provide PID#, agency location, and date of graduation. If not applicable, please type "N / A" below.

05

Driver License may be used to conduct a background check and assist in determining eligibility for employment. Please enter your Driver License number and issuing state.

06

Social Security number may be used to conduct a background check and assist in determining eligibility for employment. Please enter your Social Security Number below.

07

Date of birth may be used to conduct a background check and assist in determining eligibility for employment. Please enter your Date of birth below in MM / DD / YYYY format.

08

Have you EVER had an interaction with law enforcement as a suspect, witness, or reporting party?

09

If marked yes, please explain. List dates involved, time frame, and circumstances. If no, type "NA" below.

10

Were you referred to this position by any current employee of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office?

11

If so, please state their name. If you were not referred to this position by a current employee of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office, type 'N / A' below

12

Have you ever had a traffic violation? If yes, please provide details below.

13

Have you ever applied for this job position before?

14

If yes, when did you last apply?

Required Question