Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (KS)
Douglas County, Kansas is accepting applications for a 3-month hiring pool (May 2026 – August 2026) for candidates seeking a career-oriented position as a Corrections Officer.
Next Hiring Start Date (Estimated): September 2026
Successful applicants will work at the Douglas County Correctional Facility, a 186-bed direct supervision facility for adults.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years or older with a High School Diploma or GED
- Valid driver’s license, free from restrictions
- Proficiency in written and oral English communication
- Basic word processing and computer skills
- Must be free of:
- Felony convictions
- Crimes of dishonesty (e.g., forgery, perjury, false reporting)
- Theft convictions within the last 12 months
- Must pass:
- Background check
- Written test
- Physical fitness exam
- Drug test
- Polygraph examination
- Shift work is mandatory
Douglas County is committed to eliminating racial inequities. Successful candidates must demonstrate the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
Salary:
$28.86 – $43.28 per hour (depending on qualifications and experience)
$28.86 – $43.28 per hour (depending on qualifications and experience)
Benefits Include:
- 4.5 hours vacation leave and 4.75 hours sick leave accrued each pay period (bi-weekly)
- Accrual increases after every five years of service
- 8 hours of personal leave annually
- 9 holidays (10 paid days per year), with holiday pay at double-time-and-a-half if worked
- Uniforms and equipment provided (excluding footwear)
- Free on-site gym, track, and obstacle course
- Dry cleaning services provided
- Health insurance effective the first of the month following start date
- Dental, vision, and life insurance options
- Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS)
- Optional 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Two approved VA / GI Bill education benefit programs
- On-site VA Coordinator
- Discounted fitness memberships and additional voluntary benefits
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other factor prohibited by law.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other factor prohibited by law.
Application Deadline:
August 5, 2026 (or until positions are filled)
August 5, 2026 (or until positions are filled)
** After completing one (1) year of service as a Corrections Officer, employees become eligible to apply for a Deputy Sheriff position within the agency. **
Sheriff Jay T. Armbrister
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Have questions? Request a Sheriff’s Office recruiter contact you
Inside Corrections Video Series
Episode #1: Corrections Academy
Episode #2: Starting Your Career in Corrections
Episode #3: Jobs on a Corrections Shift
Job Requirements
- Must be 18 years of age to apply for corrections officer.
- Must be 21 years of age to apply for deputy.
- Must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. and a valid driver’s license.
- Must also have basic computer skills, good written skills, and good communication skills.
- Must be able to pass a background check, which includes a polygraph, and a drug screen.
Competitive Salary
- Corrections Officers start at $28.86-$43.28, depending on qualifications and experience.
- After completing one (1) year of service as a Corrections Officer, employees become eligible to apply for a Deputy Sheriff position within the agency.
Benefits and Retirement Plan
- Health, dental and vision benefits package.
- Other benefits include sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and holiday pay (when applicable).
- Retirement plans through KPERS or KP&F. Approved VA programs available.
- New employees immediately start accruing 4.5 hours of vacation leave and 4.75 hours of sick leave every pay period (two weeks). These hours increase after every five years employed with the Sheriff’s Office.
- Eight hours of personal leave are also awarded to employees in one calendar year.
- There are also nine holidays in a calendar year that employees are either paid (if not worked) or receive holiday pay (if worked).
- Corrections officers and deputies are provided all of their uniforms (except footwear) and equipment needed for their job.
- Employees also have access to an on-site gym, track and obstacle course.
- Dry Cleaning Services
Opportunity to Develop
Aside from regular job duties, Sheriff’s Office employees have an opportunity to participate in a variety of specialized teams or earn additional certifications, which can include:
- Underwater Search and Recovery Team
- Disturbance Control Team
- Crisis Response Team
- Honor Guard
- Project Lifesaver Search Specialist
- Child Passenger Safety Technician
- Crisis Intervention Team
- Accident Reconstruction Team
- Field Training Officer/Jail Training Officer
- Certified Training Instructors
Testing Details
Physical test: Must score 15% or higher on pushups (in one minute), sit ups (in one minute) and 300 M-timed run for your age/gender group as set on the Cooper Standards. (See Below) You must pass at least two of the three tests.
Written test: Tested over reading comprehension, writing, and problem solving that includes a combination of multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.
Interview: Panel interview with current Sheriff’s Office personnel
How long does this take?
Expect up to 4 hours for testing and interview. Background investigator and polygraph examination vary, but about an hour each. Those who apply should expect the entire hiring process to last a minimum of six weeks.
