How to hire a jailer

How to hire a jailer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step jailer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a jailer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new jailer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a jailer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect jailer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of jailers.

   Type of Jailer	Description	Hourly rate
   Jailer	Correctional officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain safety and order in courtrooms.	$13-26
   Corrections Deputy	A corrections deputy assists senior officers in overseeing the daily activities in jail or prisons and keeps order by enforcing strict rules and regulations. They must observe the inmates' behavior and progress in different programs, monitor any suspicious behavior, conduct routine inspections on cells, and coordinate with co-workers to maintain security... Show more	$15-29
   Correction Officer	A correction officer is responsible for monitoring the daily activities of individuals serving time in prison, enforcing the standard rules and regulatory procedures to maintain safety and security within the premises. Correction officers' duties include searching for restricted items, inspecting the facilities' condition, observing unusual and suspicious behaviors, generating incident reports, and providing assistance during counseling and trial schedules... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Transport Inmates
   • Booking
   • CPR
   • Security Checks
   • Emergency First Aid
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • Emergency Situations
   • NCIC
   • Jail Facility
   • Control Room
   • County Jail
   • Head Counts
   • Computer System
   • Book-In

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Train on the air pack and CPR
   • Train in CPR and first responder techniques.
   • Monitor jail through CCTV and monitor dispatch.
   • Book and fingerprint inmates, classifying and running NCIC and TCIC warrant checks, and listing inventory and inmate property.
   • Complete designate booking paperwork and system entry.
   • Record information in booking such as inmate identification, charges and classification.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your jailer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A jailer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, jailers' average salary in arkansas is 57% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level jailers earn 47% less than senior-level jailers.
   • Certifications. A jailer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a jailer's salary.

   Average jailer salary

   $40,540yearly

   $19.49 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level jailer salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 17, 2026

4. Writing a jailer job description

   A jailer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a jailer job description:

   Jailer job description example

   Maintains order and security in the jail and ensures the safety and well-being of inmates, employees, and visitors within the guidelines of applicable state and federal laws, departmental directives, and rules and regulations. Reports to the Sergeant or other designated person and works with co-workers, inmates, attorneys, visitors, ministers, social workers, and probation, parole, court, police, and other agency personnel to provide operational support.
   PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   * Monitors inmate activity, and records/maintains in log book.
   * Works control panel for cells, entrance to cell block, emergency exits, and visitation/attorney area.
   * Conducts security inspections.
   * Oversees inmate recreation activities.
   * Assists in the distribution and collection of commissary items, inmate clothing, and linen.
   * Performs emergency first aid to inmates as necessary.
   * Answers telephone and operates intercom system.
   * Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
   
   MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
   
   Education: High school diploma or G.E.D.
   
   Experience: No experience required. Selected candidate will be trained to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this position.
   
   Preferred:Previous experience in law enforcement, public safety, or related occupation
   
   Age Requirement: MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE.
   
   Citizenship Requirement: United States citizen
   
   Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
   
   * Considerable knowledge of law enforcement and the corrections process.
   * Familiarity with applicable state and federal laws, county policies and procedures, and departmental directives.
   * Proficiency in using GCIC/NCIC and JMS computer operations, physical restraint methods and equipment, first aid, CPR, and interpersonal communications.
   * Good communication skills, both oral and written.
   * Demonstrated ability to work independently.
   * Meetor have ability to meet current requirements set forth in the Georgia Mandate Law Enforcement Training Act/Peace Officer's Standards and Training Act.
   * Possess or have the ability to obtain a valid operator's/driver's license for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
   * Meet or have the ability to meet the standards of training to be certified in the carrying and deployment of a taser.
   
   May Require: CPR and First Aid annual training
   
   Must pass Physical Fitness Assessment
   
   * One (1) mile run in 10.38 or less
   * Thirty-one (31) sit-ups in a minute
   * Twenty-six (26) push-ups in a minute
   
   Physical Requirements:
   
   Positions in this class typically require: standing, walking, running, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, using tools and equipment that require a high degree of manual dexterity, ability to distinguish between shades of colors, and physically subdue individuals when required. Work is performed in a jail with exposure to diseases, dirt, dust, and physical confrontations.
   
   Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
   
   OTHER
   
   Applications must be accompanied by legible copies (no originals) of the following documents:
   
   * High school diploma, transcript indicating graduation date, or G.E.D. certificate
   * DD214 Member-4 (from those with military experience)
   * Valid Driver's License
   * Birth certificate
   * Social Security Card
   * Any other job related documents.
   
   APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right jailer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your jailer job on Zippia to find and recruit jailer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with jailer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new jailer

   Once you've decided on a perfect jailer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new jailer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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