Detention officers needed at Boone County Jail

COLUMBIA, Mo- Ten detention officers are needed at the Boone County Jail.

The jail has continuously had a problem with keeping a full staff. It was so in need of officers at one point that they had to move some inmates to another facility.

Luckily the pod was reopened just last month but the search continues for new employees.

Officers have to be on duty at all time, constantly interacting with inmates. The position should not be taken lightly meaning the hiring process is thorough.

There is a background check, written and physical exams, drugs and psychological screenings and interviews. Just the application process takes around 60 days.

The Director of Human Resources and Risk Management, Jenna Redel says its difficult to find the correct people for the job, but when they do employees can make it a career, “Once we find a good fit, we tend to keep folks for a long time. We have a great environment at the Boone County Jail, folks have been here for a long time. They enjoy working with each other. You know it’s a family environment for the most part.”

168 people have already applied for the positions since the beginning of the year. Over half of them did not meet the preliminary requirements.

The starting hourly pay is $17.18.

Applications to become a detention officer can be found here.