Detentions Lieutenant - Department Only

Salary : $91,707.20 - $111,883.20 Annually
Location : Kings County Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA
Job Type: Full-time permanent
Job Number: 2026-052
Department: Sheriff - Administration
Division: Jail
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 10/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

We are seeking a knowledgeable and forward-thinking leader to support the management and daily operations of the Detentions Division. This is an excellent opportunity for those ready to take the next step in their career within the Sheriff's Office by helping plan, organize, and oversee key functions such as staffing, booking, classification, housing, training, transportation, and facility services. In this role, you will ensure the safety and security of incarcerated individuals, staff, visitors, and the public by upholding proper policies, procedures, and operational standards.

This management position carries significant responsibility and provides opportunities to coordinate division activities, support policy implementation, and guide staff across multiple functional areas. The role requires sound judgment, initiative, and strong leadership within a dynamic and high-accountability environment.

Note: This is a DEPARTMENT ONLY recruitment with one immediate vacancy in the Kings County Sheriff's Office. To be eligible to apply, you must be a current Kings County Sheriff's Office employee. Extra-help employees are not eligible to apply in this recruitment.
Law Enforcement Resume Required: in addition to the application, applicants are required to submit a Law Enforcement Resume outlining relevant education and experience including assignments. This resume must be attached to your application. Law Enforcement Resumes must be scanned and attached to your application prior to submission (or your application will be rejected). For more information on how to add attachments to your application, clickhere.
For complete benefit details, please see Section V of the Salary Resolution

DUTY SAMPLE
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, oversees, and assists with the management of the functions, operations, activities, and administration of the Detentions Division, including overseeing staffing, booking, classification, housing, training, transport, and food services.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; initiates, develops, and implements, independently or under direction, programs and activities designed to increase the efficiency and productivity of detentions facilities and improve the care and custody of the incarcerated persons.
• Directs and supervises the work of Detentions Sergeants and other subordinate detentions supervisory staff; oversees and participates in the division hiring and background process, selection, assignment, training, evaluation, and discipline of staff; responds to and helps resolve grievances and personnel issues.
• Coordinates assigned detentions services, programs, operations, and activities with other law enforcement personnel, other divisions, those of other divisions and outside agencies.
• Participates in the development of division budget; identifies resource needs, monitors expenditures, and helps ensure operation within budget constraints; implements grants and ensures compliance with their budget and regulations.
• Oversees the booking process and classification of incoming incarcerated persons; supervises the housing, safety, and security of incarcerated persons.
• Directs investigation of and helps resolve incarcerated person problems, issues, and complaints; takes or recommends measures to have problems corrected.
• Ensures that detentions activities are conducted in a manner consistent with established department rules and legal requirements; provides direction to subordinates to help ensure good relations with visitors and remedy potential problems.
• Inspects facility for proper operation, deterioration of equipment, safety, and security of the facility; recommends and implements remedies for issues or problems; maintains records of inventory and production.
• Reviews report of information and other material gathered by subordinates; ensures proper preparation of material; supervises the establishment and maintenance of reports, records, databases, and files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Provides assistance to management personnel; prepares and presents a variety of oral and written reports and staff reports and other written materials.
• Manages and takes necessary and appropriate action when alerted of emergency and potentially dangerous situations; acts in the absence of the Assistant Sheriff - STC.
• Represents the department and the County in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, developers, and the public.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date**
Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience performing duties at a level equivalent to the classification of Detentions Sergeant with Kings County.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licenses:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

Certifications:

• Possession of a minimum mandated Standards and Training Certified (STC) Adult Corrections Officer Core Course issued by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) or an STC approved supplemental course with valid Basic Certificate issued by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of an appropriate STC Supervisor's Core Course certificate issued by the BSCC.
• Possession of valid certificate of completion of Penal Code 832 Laws of Arrest and Firearms issued by the California State Commission on P.O.S.T. to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of valid Impact Weapons/Batons, Weaponless Defense, and TASER certifications to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a chemical restraint course certification for carrying Oleoresin Capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray, to be maintained throughout employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation (including but not limited to medical and psychological evaluations) and fingerprint check, which includes a credit check. Ability to qualify for deputization by the Kings County Sheriff's Office. Ability to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays, work stand-by, and work overtime as necessary. Ability to work in a locked detentions facility which enforces a "lock down, no hostages" policy. Ability to complete additional training as required, including the Kings County Sheriff's Office firearms orientation and range training, and qualify to carry all duty firearms on a regular basis. Ability to maintain peace officer qualifications as required by the State of California.
Must meet minimum standards as described in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031. Must meet peace officer requirements pursuant to federal, state, and local law.

All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the selection process may include the following:

(1) Screening committee (pass/fail) and/or

(2) Written examination(pass/fail) and/or

(3) Oral examination (100%) This may include a written practical component (100%) to determine placement on the eligible list.

Note: Those applicants who are among the top 40 written test scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination process.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Final Date to Apply: October 23, 2026

Human Resources Interview: Week of November 4, 2026

Department Interview: TBD
Management Group I = Appointed and elected officials in salary bands.

Management Group II = Middle management (all other management not in Group I or III).

Confidential Management Group III = All Executive Secretary positions, Deputy Clerk to B.O.S. I/II, Human Resources Assistant I/II, Human Resources Technician I/II, Payroll Technician I/II, Risk Technician I/II, Secretary, Secretary to the County Counsel, Secretary to the District Attorney, Secretary to the Sheriff.

VACATION
1. An eligible management employee may accrue vacation at the appropriate rate applicable to the employees length of service (2080 hours of actual service as defined in the County Personnel rules equals one year) as follows:
Service HoursHours (days) Earned (based on hours)Rate (based on hours)0 - 10,40096 (12 days).04615410,401 - 20,800120 (15 days).05769320,801 - 31,200140 (17.5 days).06730831,201 +160 (20 days).076924

2. An eligible management employee may accrue vacation at the appropriate rate applicable to the employee's length of service (as set forth above) until the employee reaches one of the following accrued hours of vacation limits:
Hours (days) Earned (based on hours)Maximum Vacation Accumulation Limits96 (12 days)192 hours120 (15 days)240 hours140 (17.5 days)280 hours160 (20 days)320 hours

Once the appropriate accumulation limit has been reached, the employee shall cease to earn additional vacation until the employee's accumulated vacation balance falls below the limits listed above.

3. Effective July 1, 2014, management employees in Group I & II will be granted 64 hours of additional vacation time as management leave in the first full pay period of each fiscal year (or pro-rated upon hire date). These hours are a separate leave benefit and not counted against the maximum vacation accrual established based on length of service. Employees may, at their option, sell back up to 48 of the 64 hours of management leave each fiscal year at their hourly rate of pay. This leave will be tracked separately from the regular vacation accrual and is not intended to carry over from year to year. If this time is not used by the end of the fiscal year (see note), up to 48 hours of the remaining balance will be automatically cashed out to the employee. Any sale of management vacation hours will be deducted only from the management vacation leave balance. The remaining 16 hours of leave cannot be cashed out and must be taken as time off only. If any hours remain at the end of the fiscal year after 48 hours are cashed out, the remaining hours will carry over to the new fiscal year (see note) However, the hours granted for the new fiscal year shall be reduced by the number of hours equal to those carried over. Effective July 1, 2025, the amount of management vacation time will increase from 64 hours to 80 hours of which will not carry over and may be cashed out in full.

a) All management attorneys in the District Attorney's Office, Child Support, Administration-Minors Advocate, and County Counsel will be granted 80 hours additional management leave in the first full pay period of each fiscal year (or prorated upon hire date). Which will not carry over and may be cashed out in full. Effective July 1, 2025, the amount of management vacation time will increase from 80 to 100 hours each fiscal year (or pro-rated upon hire date).

b) Management employees in Group III will be granted 40 hours of vacation time in the first full pay period of each fiscal year (or pro-rated upon hire date). All other terms described above apply. Effective July 1, 2025, the amount of management vacation time will increase from 40 to 50 hours each fiscal year (or pro-rated upon hire date).

4. All management employees may, at their option, sell back an additional 8 hours of regular vacation each fiscal year, (see note) at their hourly rate of pay, to be contributed directly to the employee's deferred compensation account.

5. Upon the recommendation of the Human Resources Director, the County Administrative Officer may authorize a vacation accrual rate for management positions hired from outside the county at an amount equivalent to what their accrual would be if their service time with other public agencies was earned in Kings County. Additionally, when this advanced accrual rate is authorized at the time of hire, the prior public s