Boulder County Sheriff's Jail Staff

Jail Deputy

Position Summary

The Jail Deputy is responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and orderly operation of the Boulder County Jail. This position requires maintaining control of the facility, supervising incarcerated individuals, and enforcing rules and regulations to uphold institutional security.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

  • Maintain the security and safety of the facility by supervising inmates, conducting security checks, and enforcing jail policies.
  • Exercise physical control as necessary, including restraining uncooperative or violent individuals, intervening in altercations, and maintaining order within the facility.
  • Process inmates upon intake, including fingerprinting, photographing, conducting searches, and verifying identification.
  • Escort inmates to and from court appearances, medical visits, and other authorized movements within or outside the facility.
  • Write detailed reports and documentation regarding incidents, inmate behavior, and facility operations; provide testimony in court when required.
  • Monitor and respond to emergencies, including medical incidents, disturbances, and security threats.
  • Participate in ongoing training and maintain required certifications, including firearms qualifications for assigned roles.
  • Work collaboratively with court security and transportation teams, which may require motor vehicle operation.

Work Schedule & Conditions

  • Deputies work 12-hour shifts: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. (days) or 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. (nights) on a rotational schedule of three days one week, four days the next.
  • Shift assignments and days off are determined by a seniority-based bidding process.
  • Overtime and on-call assignments are required to ensure adequate staffing levels.
  • Positions that require carrying a firearm (e.g., Court Security and Transport) necessitate ongoing training and qualification.

Additional Responsibilities

Jail Deputies may be assigned to support other divisions within the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office during major incidents, including:

  • Emergency response to natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and severe weather events.
  • Special event security and extra-duty assignments requiring law enforcement presence.
  • Support for major criminal investigations or incidents requiring additional personnel.

This position demands strong communication skills, situational awareness, and the ability to work effectively under pressure. Deputies play a vital role in maintaining order and ensuring the safety of both staff and inmates within the Boulder County Jail.

Position Information

The duties require all the assignments listed below on a rotating basis.

  1. Module Assignment – Works directly with inmates to ensure that they are fed, modules are kept clean; inmates are escorted throughout the facility, and conflicts are resolved.
  2. Booking Assignment – Books in arrestees, takes booking photos and fingerprints; conducts searches, and inventories property.
  3. Court Assignment – Escorts prisoners to and from court and briefs them on what will take place. Responsible for providing courtroom security and filling out court paperwork.
  4. Transport Assignment – Transports prisoners to and from other agencies, medical and dental facilities.
  5. Specific individuals – After training deputies can apply for specialty positions (e.g., Hostage Negotiation Team, Transports).
  • Must be 21 years old and a United States Citizen or have or possess an active green card or legal permanent resident status required for P.O.S.T. certification.
  • Must not have any felony convictions. Committed no felonies, including illegal drug use, in the past three years.
  • Must not have any domestic violence offense related convictions or domestic violence related restraining orders.
  • Must not have any DUI/DWAI convictions or driver’s license suspensions or revocations within 24 months prior to application or more than one DUI/DWAI conviction in lifetime.
  • Must have a good driving record.
  • A history of excessive use of illegal drugs, or other offenses could disqualify an applicant.
  • High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) required.
  • State Certified Law Enforcement Training Academy.
  • Must be able to complete an in-service recruit training program.
  • Must have ability to accurately perceive, soundly reason, and correctly judge situations and circumstances.
  • Must have good communications skills and be able to express clearly and precisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Must be able to deal with stressful situations and have the ability to perform under pressure.
  • Must possess the following personality traits: maturity, honesty, integrity, adaptability, compassion, common sense, patience, wisdom, reliability, self-discipline, creativity, fortitude, assertiveness, initiative, dedication to public service, and problem-solving skills.
  • Must be a resident of Colorado and possess a valid driver’s license at time of appointment.
Boulder County is an equal opportunity employer.

Physical Demands of the Position

Dual vision is required. 20/20 minimum, natural or corrected, in both eyes and have minimum peripheral vision of 700 in both eyes. Frequently uses peripheral vision to observe and monitor multiple persons and activity. Constantly uses vision (day and night) to observe criminal and non-criminal activity as well as drive motor vehicles. Constantly uses visual acuity to distinguish objects such as license plates and people at long distances. Constantly is required to differentiate, distinguish colors, shapes, distances and sizes of objects, people, and animals.

Dual hearing is required. Good hearing is required in performing most of the tasks. Constantly uses hearing to detect sounds of criminal and non-criminal behavior. Constantly uses hearing to distinguish source and content of a wide variety of sounds. Constantly uses hearing to monitor and use a police radio, radio telephone and the standard telephone to communicate with the dispatch center, other officers, and the public.

Must be able to fluently speak and understand English. Constantly uses voice to communicate with other persons.

Sitting is performed on a frequent to a constant basis. Sitting occurs during briefing session and while driving assigned patrol car 4-6 hours/day.

Standing occurs on an occasional to frequent basis depending on the shift assignment, the area patrolled, and the season. Job tasks that require standing include traffic stops, suspicious activity investigation, crime scene investigation, detaining suspect, directing traffic, and various security assignments.

Essential Job Demands Test

The participant will run an obstacle course that begins:

  1. From a sitting position in a designated chair and run 100 yards through an obstacle course which entails entering and leaving a room, followed by having to serpentine around two fixed obstacles, then clear two 16-inch-high hurdles to finish the course.

Within two minutes of completing the obstacle course, the participant will have to demonstrate their ability to complete a fine motor skill task upon immediate completion of the obstacle course.

  1. The participant will have to place a volunteer into handcuffs by using both verbal directives and physically applying handcuffs to the individual using the “Standing Compliant Handcuffing” technique. There is no expectation the test subject double-lock the handcuffs.

Within two minutes of completing the fine motor skills assessment, the participant will complete in any order:

  1. Pick up a 25 lb. medicine ball from the ground (using proper lifting techniques) and carry it up 13 stairs and then carrying it back down 13 stairs where they will place the medicine ball back on the ground.
  2. Upon completion of the medicine ball carry, the participant will then have to pick up a 35 lb. weight from the floor, lift it to chest height and place it back on the ground.
  3. The participant will then lift and hold the drag dummy for 10 seconds, carry and/or drag 150-pound dummy 25 feet into the mock-up Jail cell inside the DT Studio, and set the dummy on the ground.
  4. Push a 150-pound weighted sled 25 feet.

Hiring Process

  • The hiring process is designed to identify the best candidates. Applicants may be tested using different methods including: a written test, interview, polygraph, psychological assessment, physical fitness assessment, medical evaluation, and drug screening. The testing and application process can last multiple weeks. The hiring process will vary depending upon the position.

Selection Process

For positions such as deputy, detention specialist, animal protection officer, etc., the selection process is as follows:
(Applicants will be provided status updates throughout the hiring process)

  1. Initial Screening – Upon receipt, a completed application will be reviewed for qualifications.
  2. Written Test – Written tests are required for all deputy positions. Testing covers problem solving, personality traits, and writing skills.
  3. Interview – Interviews assess suitability for a position. Applicants should be willing to disclose all relevant information. Interviews evaluate communication skills, demeanor, self-confidence, maturity, and general knowledge.
  4. Polygraph Examination – Polygraphs are required for all positions.
  5. Job Suitability Assessment – Administered by a psychologist who assesses personality traits and attributes essential to a position.
  6. Background Investigation – Background investigations will include employment history, criminal activity, character references, credit check, prior residences, military service record, driving history, education verification, and any other areas of interest determined by the investigation.
  7. Essential Job Demand Evaluation – An essential job demand evaluation is required for all deputy positions. This test is a combination of a physical assessment, obstacle course, job function simulation and maximum physical effort testing (quarter-mile run).
  8. Division Chief Review – A division chief will review the background investigation to determine the applicant’s overall suitability for the position.

If the applicant is deemed suitable after Phase I, they will move on to phase II.

  1. Conditional Offer of Probationary Employment (COPE) – The individual selected will be given a COPE and proceed to final testing. The COPE may be withdrawn at any stage of the process if the applicant is deemed unsuitable.
  2. Psychological Assessment – Applicants will be required to complete psychological testing to evaluate mental health and psychological suitability.
  3. Medical Examination – Applicants must have a medical examination at a contracted medical facility to determine if they meet the functional requirements of the position. This may include a hearing test, doctor’s examination, and drug screen.

If the applicant is deemed suitable after Phase II, they will move on to phase III.

  1. Final Selection – A start date of employment will be set if the applicant passes all testing.
  2. Introductory/Probationary Period – A period of at least 12 months. During the introductory / probationary period employees will be required to meet the training and performance standards of the position. Employees who fail to meet these standards within the introductory period may be dismissed or reassigned.

Additional Information

All information provided or discovered through the selection process becomes the property of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and will be kept confidential. Applicants may be eliminated from further consideration at any stage in the process. The results of the testing and investigation are confidential and will not be disclosed to the applicant.

Contact

Sheriff Personnel
Email: sheriffpersonnel@bouldercounty.gov
Phone: 720-564-2833

Submit Your Information

Have more questions? Our recruiters are available Monday-Thursday 7a.m. – 5 p.m. and happy to answer any questions you have.
Simply submit your information below and we’ll reach out as soon as we’re available!

Contact Us

Sheriff's Headquarters

5600 Flatiron Parkway
Boulder, CO 80301
Directions
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Main: 303-441-3600

Email bcso@bouldercounty.gov

Boulder County Jail

3200 Airport Road
Boulder, CO 80301
Directions
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Main: 303-441-4600

Communications Center

3280 Airport Road
Boulder, CO 80301
Directions
Non-Emergency:
303-441-4444

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