What are the responsibilities and job description for the Detention Officer (Positions Available Now 3-27-2025) position at Gaston County Sheriff’s Office?
We are currently hiring Detention Officers as of March 27, 2025. See below for more information.
We are seeking interested persons that must be eager, energetic, honest, mature, level-headed and of good moral character. If you are serious about pursuing a criminal justice career with a professional organization, we have Detention Officers positions available. Fill out a job interest form and submit by mail or in person to our office. There are more content about the jobs in this section. If you have any further questions, you may contact Deputy M. Agerton at 704-869-6834.
Hiring Process/Recruitment
- The process to apply with Gaston County Sheriff’s Office involves filling out a Job Interest Form. A resume can be attached to this form, but is not required. The Job Interest Forms are available at the Reception Clerk Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (excluding county observed holidays). This form can be submitted online or delivered to the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office Reception area or mailed to:
Gaston County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Corporal Agerton
425 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Gastonia, NC 28052
- Job Interest Forms are maintained for 6 months. When positions become available you may be contacted for a series of preliminary testing. During this process you will be fingerprinted and required to fill out all necessary forms, supply an information packet to be completed and submitted back to the recruitment section. A thorough background investigation is conducted on all selected applicants that apply with Gaston County Sheriff’s Office.
- Those applicants that meet the qualifications will go through a series of interviews which include a hiring board committee. After successfully passing the board interview, applicants applying for Deputy or Detention positions must undergo and pass a psychological assessment, medical exam and drug screening. This Office will select the most qualified applicants in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission.
- The final process is the submission of all information to the Sheriff and Chief Deputy for approval.
- All employees are employed by the Sheriff and work at his discretion.
Minimum Requirements for Employment
- Age – Applicants must be at least 21 years of age for Deputy, Detention and Warrant Record Clerk positions. All other clerical position must be at least 18 years of age.
- Education – Applicants must have graduated from an accredited high school or hold an approved General Education Development Certificate (GED). To be a Deputy Sheriff, you must have completed Basic Law Enforcement Training in North Carolina.
- Citizenship and Residency – Applicants must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Gaston County, Cleveland County, Lincoln County, Mecklenburg County, or York County. If you live in any of the adjacent counties that border Gaston County, you may apply for any available positions. For additional information contact Deputy M. Agerton at 704-869-6834.
- Criminal History – Pursuant to the rules and regulation of the North Carolina Sheriff’s Training & Standards Commission an applicant must not have been convicted of a felony, a crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment for more than two years or conviction of certain misdemeanor crimes.
- Military Service – Applicants with prior military service must have received an honorable discharge.
Detention Officer (Positions Available Now 3-27-2025)
As a Detention Officer, you are assigned to the Jail Operations. The Jail Operations is responsible for the custody and control of inmates awaiting trial or sentencing. The following areas include booking, housing, classification and property.
Benefits/Pay Scale Full-Time
Competitive Salary based on job related experience- 11 paid holidays a year
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Accrued Annual Leave -
Accrued Sick Leave -
Workman’s Compensation Insurance -
Eligible for full retirement benefits from the state after 30 years of credible service. -
- Paid Bi-weekly
Hourly Rate Starting Salary Ranges $20.43 to $33.70. Based on Certifications, Education and Experience.
Vision Coverage
Medical & Dental Coverage
Deferred Compensation
401-(K) Retirement
Life Insurance
Salary : $20 - $34