Detention Officer

Detention Officer

City of Mesquite

$19.96 Hourly

Mesquite, TX

Full-time

Job Number : 2500132

Department : Police Technical Services

Division : Police Technical Services

Opening Date : 07 / 31 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

General Summary

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.

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 driver's 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 include :

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.

Detention Officer II : Two years of experience as a City of Mesquite Detention Officer I.

Licenses and Certificates :

Possession of a valid driver's 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.

The jail is a 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 :

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, HMO Dental Plan, Vision Plan, and Life Insurance. The City is self-insured and offers a choice of four medical plans : HSA, High Deductible, HMO, PPO, and EPO 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 City's 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.