Interested in working for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office?
New entry staff begin training as Corrections Officers. It can be a career or a foundation.
Corrections Officers can apply for Law Enforcement training if they choose.
Sheriff Jay T. Armbrister
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About the core positions of the Sheriff’s Office
Corrections Officers work at the Douglas County Correctional Facility, a state-of-the art, 186-bed direct supervision facility for adults. It is the job of the corrections officer to maintain the safety and security of everyone within the facility. Duties include supervising inmates, conducting safety and security inspections, providing access to health care facilities, and conducting housing, feeding, bedding, and well-being activities. There are various job positions open to corrections officers, which can include: Housing Unit Officer, Booking Officer, Classifications, Court Liaison, Escort, Central Control. Corrections officer levels range from 1 to 4. Employees are eligible to begin the promotion process, whether to another corrections officer level or to deputy, one year after having successfully completed the probationary period.
A Deputy is a certified law enforcement officer through the state of Kansas. Deputies perform general and specialized police work involving the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Deputies are responsible for taking calls for service, patrolling to deter and detect crime, investigating complaints, citing and/or arresting law violators, following up on pending reports and cases, preparing and/or serving civil processes, protecting persons and property, and securing and protecting prisoners. There are various job positions open to deputies, which can include: Patrol, Corrections, Court Security, Transports, Detectives, Warrants, and Drug Enforcement Unit.
Job Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age to apply for corrections officer.
- Must be 21 years of age to apply for deputy.
- Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. and a valid driver’s license.
- Must also have basic computer skills, good written skills, and good communication skills.
- Must be able to pass a background check, which includes a polygraph, and a drug screen.
- Corrections Officers start at $19.02/hour
- Commissioned deputies are offered a competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
- Health, dental and vision benefits package.
- Other benefits include sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and holiday pay (when applicable).
- Retirement plans through KPERS or KP&F. Approved VA programs available.
- New employees immediately start accruing 4.5 hours of vacation leave and 4.75 hours of sick leave every pay period (two weeks). These hours increase after every five years employed with the Sheriff’s Office.
- Eight hours of personal leave are also awarded to employees in one calendar year.
- There are also nine holidays in a calendar year that employees are either paid (if not worked) or receive holiday pay (if worked).
- Corrections officers and deputies are provided all of their uniforms (except footwear) and equipment needed for their job.
- Employees also have access to an on-site gym, track and obstacle course.
- Dry Cleaning Services
Aside from regular job duties, Sheriff’s Office employees have an opportunity to participate in a variety of specialized teams or earn additional certifications, which can include:
- Underwater Search and Recovery Team
- Disturbance Control Team
- Crisis Response Team
- Honor Guard
- Project Lifesaver Search Specialist
- Child Passenger Safety Technician
- Crisis Intervention Team
- Accident Reconstruction Team
- Field Training Officer/Jail Training Officer
- Certified Training Instructors
Testing Details
Physical test: Must score 15% or higher on pushups (in one minute), sit ups (in one minute) and 300 M-timed run for your age/gender group as set on the Cooper Standards. (See Below) You must pass at least two of the three tests.
Written test: Tested over reading comprehension, writing, and problem solving that includes a combination of multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.
Interview: Panel interview with current Sheriff’s Office personnel
WHAT’S NEXT?
- Successful applicants receive a conditional job offer dependent on passing a drug screening test
- Corrections Officers start a 13-week recruit academy.
- Those hired on lateral transfers wil be assigned based on the needs of the agency.
More Questions?
Applying for any job can be intimidating. You’re bound to have questions. Click the button below for the most common questions applicants ask us.
Who is the Sheriff?
Jay T. Armbrister
What is direct supervision?
Correctional officers and deputies are stationed within the housing units in direct contact with inmates.
Will I supervise inmates of the opposite sex?
Yes. Inmates are housed by gender, however cross-gender supervision occurs in all of the housing units.
Who works at the correctional facility?
Both corrections officers and deputies provide security in the correctional facility. Additionally, we have medical, reentry and mental health personnel on staff. There is also a number of other civilian staff.
What is the difference between jail and prison?
Prison is exclusively for those who have been convicted and sentenced on crimes that usually involve sentences of more than a year. Jail is for those who have been arrested are awaiting trial, or who have been convicted but serving short sentences (usually less than a year). The jail houses inmates for all of Douglas County including those who have been arrested by other local Douglas County agencies, including the Lawrence Police Department, KU Public Safety Office, Baldwin Police Department and Eudora Police Department.
Do I need to have any prior specialized training or education to do this job?
Applicants must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. Otherwise, no specialized training or education is necessary or required. We provide employees with all of the education and training necessary to do this job successfully and safely, starting with a 13-week corrections academy upon initial hiring.
Do corrections officers carry guns/make arrests?
No, corrections officers do not have arrest powers and cannot carry firearms.
Can corrections officers become deputies?
Yes. Though corrections officers do not have to become deputies, some choose to promote to deputy at some point in their careers. Corrections officers are eligible to begin the promotion process one year after having successfully completed the probationary period.
Does a speeding ticket or an arrest disqualify me from applying?
Not necessarily. Convictions for felony crimes or domestic violence automatically disqualify applicants. Any other arrests or citations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature and severity.
Do I have to be tased? Do I have to be OC’d (pepper spray)?
Being tased is recommended as part of training, but not mandatory. Being OC’d is required as part of the training process.
Is there a minimum or maximum age limit to apply?
Must be at least 18 to apply for corrections officer and at least 21 to apply for deputy. There are no maximum age restrictions.
Are there lateral transfers?
Lateral transfers for commissioned deputies will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Do I have to live in Douglas County to be employed here?
No. You must reside 45 minutes from your assignment. New employees will have six months following the end of their probation to establish this requirement.
Will I have to work holidays, nights, weekends or overtime?
Yes. Most assignments require shift work, which includes working some nights, holidays, and weekends. Overtime is usually voluntary, but could be required at times.
How long are shifts?
Most shift workers work 12-hour shifts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. with rotating days off.
Is this job dangerous?
There are hazards and risks associated with this job. However, we provide you with the necessary training, knowledge, equipment, and tools to minimize those risks in order to perform this job as safely as possible.