Detention Deputy -Trainee and Lateral

Location: Phoenix, AZ (On-site)

Posting Date 09/17/26

Application Deadline 09/29/26

Pay Range Min - Mid - Max $27.00 - $31.63 - $36.25

New Sign-On Incentive of $7,500

Note: The pay range listed above reflects the FULL pay range for the position. Successful applicants will typically be compensated at a rate of $27.00/hr. Placement at a higher starting salary rate within the range may be considered depending on prior comparable, directly related law enforcement or corrections experience. This position is non-exempt under the FLSA.

Job Type Classified

Department Sheriff

About the Position

Trainees will earn $56,160.00 plus sign-on incentive in their first full year of employment!

Laterals may earn up to $72,000+ in their first full year of employment, DOE

Pre-Employment assessments:

***Applicants will be required to attend the Physical/Written assessment and Orientation**

An invitation to schedule for the next physical/written assessment/orientation dates and instructions will be sent to the e-mail address provided on your application. Please make sure to keep a close watch on your email inbox and spam/junk folder.

Physical Readiness Assessment (PRA) Applicants must successfully demonstrate physical readiness by completing a series of assessments which consists of the following:

1. Agility Run – 27.1 seconds – Measures agility and coordination

2. Push-Ups – 5 with no time limit – Measures upper body dynamic strength

3. Sit-Ups – 13 in 1 minute – Measures abdominal muscular endurance

4. 1.5 Mile Run - 26 minutes, 10 seconds – Measures aerobic power & vascular endurance

Detention Deputy: Are you passionate about serving and protecting your community?  Now is your chance to join the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) as a Detention Deputy!  In this role, high importance is placed on ensuring public safety is provided and maintained by an individual who takes pride in their work and considers the impact of their actions on an individual, team and organizational level.

We are looking for candidates with strong interpersonal and customer service skills, the ability to effectively resolve conflict, and a desire for enhancing public safety.  Ideal candidates will have a keen sense of emotional intelligence and be motivated by serving others and their community.  If this sounds like the right opportunity for you...your adventure with MCSO awaits!

To be part of our team as a Detention Deputy, you must:

Be an effective communicator, even in the most challenging of situations.

Care about the safety and well-being of others, both within and outside a jail setting.

Respect all individuals regardless of background or socio-economic status.

Embrace the concepts of integrity, accountability and transparency as core values.

Collaborate with team members, supervisors and managers to forward the mission and vision of MCSO.

Compensation is more than a salary with MCSO.  Your perks at work include:

Paid training.

A stable environment.

Great benefits.

Flexibility and generous leave.

An opportunity to serve your community as part of a diverse and talented workforce.

Lateral Opportunities Available If you have successfully completed an Arizona detention or corrections academy, or Correctional Officer Training Academy (COTA) and have current or prior experience (within the last 3 years) working as a detention or corrections officer for the State of Arizona, or an Arizona county, city or town, or private prison/detention center, WE WANT YOU!

Candidates who have completed a detention/corrections academy outside the state of Arizona may also be considered. An evaluation of prior training and experience will determine if out of state candidates are eligible for the lateral position.

Concerned about completing a new academy?  We value your prior experience and academy completion; therefore, successful lateral candidates will participate in an accelerated 5-week training/orientation program!

Detention Trainee Qualifications

Minimum education and/or experience: High school diploma or GED, or are expected to graduate/receive GED within the next 90 days.

Must be eighteen (18) years of age.

Must be a U.S. Citizen or be eligible to work in the U.S.

Specialized training, certifications, and/or other special requirements: Applicants must possess, or have the ability to obtain by the time of hire, a valid Arizona driver's license.

Prior to hiring, the Sheriff's Office requires that all applicants complete the following: background investigation; polygraph exam; medical exam with attestation of physical readiness and psychological exam.

Training to be provided on-the-job: FEMA NIMS – IS100 AND 700, safety, payroll and PREA.

Additionally, post hire participation in a 12-week paid detention academy is required and which includes successfully demonstrating physical readiness by completing a series of assessments with the requisite results in order to graduate the academy and remain employed. A seven-battery assessment became effective November 1, 2015.

Preferred education and/or experience: Three (3) years of work experience, prior law enforcement experience, and/or prior military experience preferred.

Preferred training, certifications and/or other special requirements: Currently possess, or have the ability to obtain, a commercial driver's license and/or weapons certification equivalent to standards set by Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST).

Detention Lateral Qualifications

Minimum education and/or experience: High School diploma or GED. Must be eighteen (18) years of age.

Must be a U.S. Citizen or be eligible to work in the U.S.

Must have successfully completed at least a 8 week in person Arizona detention or corrections academy, or Correctional Officer Training Academy (COTA) and have prior experience (within the last 3 years) working as a detention or corrections officer for the State of Arizona, an Arizona city, county or town, or a private prison/detentio