Job Details

Detention Deputy

At the Ada County Sheriff's Office, our mission is simple: to make safer places for you to live, work, and play. As a Detention Deputy, you'll be an essential part of that mission by maintaining a safe, secure, and professional detention facility where the safety of staff, inmates, and the community comes first.

This is more than a job—it's an opportunity to serve with integrity, lead with professionalism, and make a meaningful difference every day. Whether you're helping maintain order, responding to emergencies, or treating people with dignity and respect, your work directly supports public safety and strengthens our community.

Day shift (6:48am – 7:00pm) or Night shift (6:48pm – 7:00am). Work week is four 12-hours shifts, then four days off (2,220 hours per year). Shift pick every six months. The jail is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This position requires you to work weekends, nights and holidays.

Low cost medical, dental, and vision insurances Idaho PERSI retirement plan Deferred Compensation plan 457(b) with a County match of up to 3% Flexible Spending Accounts – Health and Dependent Care Post-Employment Health Plan – 50% of unused sick leave above 240 hours Employee Assistance Program (EAP) No cost basic life, accidental death, and short-term disability insurances Eleven (11) paid holidays annually Paid vacation leave, sick leave, and parental leave No cost gym access at three (3) County owned gym facilities Wellness Program Optional 401(k) and/or Roth IRA Visit Employee Benefits to view details regarding our full benefits package.

Deputy - Level I - Level II - Level III - Level IV - Base B Basic - $ 29.03 - $ 30.08 - $ 31.89 - $ 35.95 - $ 45.42 C Intermediate - $ 29.35 - $ 30.40 - $ 32.21 - $ 36.27 - $ 45.75 D Advanced - $ 29.67 - $ 30.72 - $ 32.53 - $ 36.59 - $ 46.08 E Degree/Military/Master* - $ 29.99 - $ 31.04 - $ 32.85 - $ 36.91 - $ 46.42 Pay Levels I-Base: All salary increases are based on twelve (12) month intervals. B = Entry, POST Basic or 64-95 college units C = POST Intermediate or 96-128 college units D = POST Advanced *E = 4-year college degree (Must be from a regionally accredited university/college), or 4 years of honorable U.S. military service, or POST Master Certification.

While the selection process and academy training are the same as non-certified applicants, those transferring from other agencies may receive a higher wage upon employment. To be eligible for lateral wages, applicants must have current POST certification.

• Level II = Either (1) Two years' experience working as a commissioned POST certified detention deputy or patrol deputy OR (2) Four years' experience working in a state correctional system as a corrections officer.
• Level III = Either (1) Four years' experience working as a commissioned POST certified detention deputy or patrol deputy OR (2) Six years' experience working in a state correctional system as a corrections officer.
• Level IV = Either (1) Six or more years' total experience as a commissioned POST certified detention deputy or patrol deputy OR (2) Eight years' experience working in a state correctional system as a corrections officer.
• Base = Either (1) Eight or more years' total experience as a commissioned POST certified detention deputy or patrol deputy OR (2) Ten years' experience working in a state correctional system as a corrections officer.

Essential Functions

Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make an impact. As a Detention Deputy, you will:

• Maintain the security and custody of inmates while ensuring a safe and orderly facility.
• Conduct routine security checks throughout the jail, including the building perimeter and grounds.
• Enforce Idaho law and Sheriff's Office policies to maintain safety, security, and accountability.
• Process and classify inmates, assign appropriate housing, and safeguard inmate property.
• Supervise inmate activities, including visitation, meals, housing unit sanitation, and trustee work assignments.
• Conduct searches for weapons and contraband to protect staff, inmates, and visitors.
• Safely transport inmates to court appearances, medical appointments, and other authorized locations.
• Respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, including physically restraining actively resisting inmates when necessary.
• Maintain accurate reports and documentation that support daily operations and legal requirements.
• Work collaboratively with fellow staff members and remain available for rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call assignments.
• Support the Sheriff's Office through special assignments and other duties as needed.

Job Requirements

We're looking for individuals who are dependable, resilient, and committed to serving others. Successful Detention Deputies demonstrate professionalism in every interaction and can confidently make sound decisions in challenging situations.

You should have:

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.
• United States citizenship.
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to remain calm, respectful, and professional when faced with difficult or confrontational situations.
• The ability to hear, listen to, and understand radio transmissions using an earpiece.
• Sound judgment and the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to safety concerns.
• The physical ability to perform the essential functions of the position, including restraining combative inmates when necessary.
• The ability to effectively communicate with inmates, coworkers, and the public while maintaining professionalism.

Minimum Qualifications

• Written examination
• POST Physical Agility Test
• Polygraph examination
• Comprehensive background investigation
• Medical examination
• Psychological evaluation

After hire, you must:

• Obtain Idaho POST certification as a Detention Officer within one year.
• Maintain a valid Idaho driver's license.
• Meet the requirements of this safety-sensitive position, including random drug testing.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Working in a correctional facility is demanding and potentially dangerous, but it is also one of the most rewarding careers in public safety. You'll work as part of a highly trained team that depends on one another to maintain a safe environment and respond effectively when challenges arise.

This position requires the physical ability to respond quickly during emergencies, intervene in inmate altercations, evacuate or assist injured individuals, and provide first aid or CPR when needed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Ada County provides Veteran's Preference for all County jobs except for those deemed "key positions" in accordance with Title 65, Chapter 5 of Idaho Code.