About The Bexar County Adult Detention Bureau

The Bexar County Adult Detention Center is the 16th largest jail in the nation and houses multiple security and custody levels. As a Bexar County Detention Deputy you will be expected to control, secure and manage inmates at the Adult Detention Center and Jail Annex by:

• Supervising inmates assigned to different work details
• Booking and Classifying inmates
• Transferring and Transporting inmates
• Performing inmate inspections, shakedowns, and room searches
• Responding to and resolving crisis situations such as fights, fires, and medical emergencies and restraining physically violent inmates
• Assisting with inmates' personal needs such as telephone calls, mail, laundry, visits, and commissary
• Completing and processing required paperwork on inmates and events occurring within the jail facilities

START YOUR CAREER TODAY!

HIRING PROCESS
​To ensure the best candidates are selected for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, all Detention Cadet applicants are taken through a detailed hiring process that includes:

​1. Submission of Online Application
2. Complete Personal History Statement
3. Pre-Interview
4. Written Exam
5. Physical Agility Obstacle Course
6. Polygraph Exam

​7. Background Investigation
8 Formal Screening Board
9. Psychological Evaluation
10. Medical Examination
11. Orientation

PLEASE NOTE: No prior arrest records for:Driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, no possession or trafficking of illegal narcotics or drugs, assault, stalking, family violence, theft, crimes of moral turpitude, or sexual offenses. All applicants must not have had any prior discipline which involves a violation of the uniform code of military justice (non-judicial punishment)”

​Online Application - All applicants must apply online. The position is posted as "Detention Cadet." As soon as you submit your application successfully, you will receive a confirmation email. Your application is first sent to Bexar County HR to be screened for minimum qualifications.
Personal History Statement - Once it has been determined you meet the minimum qualifications, your application is forwarded to Applicant Processing at the Sheriff's Office. The Applicant Processing Office will then send another email prompting you to complete the attached Personal History Statement and make an appointment to turn it in. Once we have received all documentation required and you still meet all minimum standards, you will be instructed to schedule an entrance exam consisting of written and physical agility portions.
Written Exam - The written exam is a 50 multiple-choice question personal aptitude test consisting of grammar, spelling, math, memorization, and a diagram. We currently do not have a study guide for the written exam. Upon completion of the written exam, the test proctor will provide you with your score. A 70 or above is considered a passing score. If pass the written exam, you will be sent to complete Physical Agility exam.
Physical Agility Obstacle Course - The Physical Agility Test (PAT) is administered the same day as the written exam. Click here for more information about the Physical Agility Obstacle Course
Pre-Interview - Upon completion of the Personal History Statement, you will call to make an appointment to turn in all required documents. The Applicant Processing staff will review all of your paperwork while you are present and follow up with a "pre-interview." You will be given a conditional offer as well as a polygraph questionnaire to prepare you for your next step - polygraph examination.
Polygraph Exam - You will be contacted by the Polygraph Examiner to schedule your appointment. Your polygraph can take anywhere from 2-4 hours.
Background Investigation - We will conduct a background investigation using information you have provided as well as outside sources i.e. your fingerprints and other law enforcement database information.
Formal Screening Board - Once your background and polygraph are complete, you will be contacted to schedule your Screening Board which is a formal oral board interview with 3 ranked officers.
Psychological Evaluation - You will be evaluated by a physician to determine whether you are fit to carry out the duties of a Detention Officer.
Medical Examination - You will undergo a routine wellness physical as well as a urinalysis test for drug screening.
Orientation - Once you have been entirely vetted, you will attend an Orientation one week prior to the start of the Academy.

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Benefits for Adult Detention Deputies

• Shift Differential
• $2 for $1 Retirement Plan
• Wellness Rewards Program
• Jail Proficiency Pay
• Dental Benefits
• Education Benefits including Tuition Reimbursement and training
• Employee Health and Wellness Clinic
• Flexible Spending Accounts (flexible tax-deferred health and dependent care accounts)
• Legal Plan
• Life Insurance
• Financial Program including savings programs and deferred compensation plans (457 plans)

• Longevity Pay
• Sick Leave Pool
• Mentoring and Leadership Development
• Free Parking
• Medical Benefits
• Paid Leave (sick, vacation, holiday, personal, military)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Transportation benefits including a Flex Spending Account, Van Pool, Carpool services, and Via Bus services
• Vision Care Plan
• Supplemental Insurances including short and long term disability, critical care, critical illness, intensive care, cancer, and accident plans

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Once you graduate, you will be placed in the DTO training program. This is a two week, hands on training that can be extended to three weeks if needed to help you handle the inmate units on your own.
 
DETENTION HAS SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES. THE LONGER YOU STAY, THE MORE OPTIONS YOU HAVE!
After six months in the units you will have the opportunity to apply for different areas as openings occur:
Booking - Booking and Releasing Inmates | SERT - Special Emergency Response Team

​After your one year probation is complete:

• Classifications
• Human Services
• Jail Industries
• Commissary
• Transportation Team
• Front Desk Administration
  
• ​Facilities

• Grievances
• Jail Support
• Laundry
• Planning and Development
• Standards Accreditation and Compliance
• Work Release

After two years of continuous service as a Detention Officer:

• Plus a Jailer Certificate from TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) which includes 15 hours of college hours you will be eligible to test for promotion to Detention Corporal. Or,
• Plus one year with a Peace Officer License you will be eligible to test for transfer into the Law Enforcement Division.

After two years of continuous service in the rank of Detention Corporal:

• Plus an Intermediate Jailers License from TCOLE which includes 30 college hours you will be eligible to test for
• Detention Sergeant.  

After two years of continuous service in the rank of Detention Sergeant:

• Plus an Intermediate Jailers License from TCOLE which includes 45 college hours you will be eligible to test for Detention Lieutenant.      

After two years of continuous service in the rank of Detention Lieutenant: 
Plus an Advanced Jailers Certificate from TCOLE which includes 60 college hours you will be eligible to test for Detention Captain. 
The availability of these opportunities is based on attendance and performance.

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