CUSTODY SUPPORT ASSISTANT

BIG COUNTRY. CLOSE TEAM.

Support Public Safety. Serve Gunnison County.

Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office | Gunnison, Colorado

Pay: $4,710.58–$5,363.12 per month, depending on experience
Schedule: 12-hour rotating shifts | Typically 14 workdays per month

Status: Full-Time | Benefits Eligible | Non-Exempt
Position Type: Civilian, Non-Sworn

Be Part of Public Safety—No Badge Required

You don’t have to be a sworn deputy to play an important role in the safety and operation of the Gunnison County Detention Center. The Custody Support Assistant (CSA) is a civilian, non-sworn position that works inside the Detention Center alongside detention staff. CSAs help keep the facility operating safely and efficiently by monitoring security systems, controlling access to secure areas, maintaining records, supporting inmate processing, coordinating activities, and communicating important information to detention staff.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is observant, dependable, organized, comfortable with technology, and able to stay calm when things are moving quickly.

A Schedule That Gives You More Days Off

Custody Support Assistants work 12-hour rotating shifts, which means you typically work 14 days per month—giving you more full days away from work throughout the year.

Day Shift: 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Night Shift: 7:30 p.m.–7:30 a.m.

The Gunnison County Detention Center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. CSAs rotate between day and night shifts, and the schedule includes weekends and holidays. The 12-hour schedule means longer workdays, but it also provides extended stretches of days off and means you typically report to work only 14 days each month.

What You’ll Do

As a Custody Support Assistant, you’ll provide administrative, operational, and security support that helps the Detention Center function effectively.

Your work will include:

• Operating the Detention Center control tower 
• Monitoring security cameras, intercoms, telephones, computer systems, and facility activity 
• Controlling secure doors and access points 
• Communicating safety, security, and operational information to detention staff 
• Supporting inmate booking and release paperwork and records processing 
• Entering, reviewing, and maintaining records, logs, forms, files, and databases 
• Assisting with property documentation and inventory records 
• Coordinating visitation, court appearances, transports, attorney visits, and other activities 
• Answering phones and assisting members of the public 
• Supporting detention staff with reports, correspondence, records, supplies, and other operational needs 
• Following established procedures during facility emergencies 

The position requires the ability to monitor several sources of information at once, maintain attention to detail, and communicate quickly and accurately when something needs the attention of detention staff. These responsibilities are consistent with the current job description’s emphasis on situational awareness, multitasking, sound judgment, and remaining calm during rapidly changing or emergency situations. 

View the full job description here.    

A Civilian Role Inside the Detention Center

This is an important distinction: the Custody Support Assistant is not a Detention Deputy and does not perform sworn law-enforcement duties.

You will work inside a secure detention facility and may be physically present in areas where inmates are being processed, including the booking area. However, the CSA does not assume direct physical custody or supervision of inmates. Employees remain behind designated barriers and/or maintain an established safe distance in accordance with Detention Center safety and security procedures. 

You may also communicate with inmates through approved systems such as the intercom while working in the control tower.

You support the people responsible for custody—you do not assume custody yourself.

Who We’re Looking For

Great candidates for this position can come from many different backgrounds.

You may be a strong fit if you have experience in:

• Administrative or clerical support 
• Records management or data entry 
• Customer service including retail, food service, restaurant, and public service
• Dispatch, security, or public-safety support 
• Healthcare or other environments involving confidential information 
• Corrections or criminal-justice support 
• Other positions requiring organization, multitasking, communication, and attention to detail 

Previous detention or law-enforcement experience is not required. The job description identifies general detention, criminal-justice, court, or law-enforcement support knowledge as preferred rather than required. 

What matters is your ability to stay focused, communicate clearly, follow procedures, protect confidential information, use good judgment, and work effectively as part of a team.

More Than an Office Job

This position combines administrative skills with real-time operational support.

You may be preparing records one moment and monitoring multiple security screens the next. During an emergency, you may be responsible for securing designated areas from the control tower, controlling access points, contacting additional law-enforcement or medical personnel, and communicating critical information to detention staff—all while following established procedures. 

It’s a good fit for someone who likes structure and organization but also wants work that has purpose, variety, and responsibility.

Why Gunnison County?

Gunnison County offers meaningful public service, a close professional team, and a community where your contribution is visible.

As a CSA, you’ll work directly with Sheriff’s Office professionals and play an important behind-the-scenes role in supporting the safety and daily operation of the Detention Center.

Outside of work, the Gunnison Valley offers access to millions of acres of public lands and year-round recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, skiing, and cross-country skiing, along with the restaurants, arts, events, and communities of Gunnison and Crested Butte.

For candidates considering a move to the Gunnison Valley, housing designated for Gunnison County employees may be available to rent.

Pay & Benefits

Monthly Pay: $4,710.58–$5,363.12, depending on experience

Gunnison County offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports you and your family, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage 
• Vacation leave beginning at 8 hours per month 
• Sick leave at 8 hours per month 
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Account options 
• Dependent Care FSA 
• Employer-paid basic life insurance equal to 1x annual salary 
• Supplemental life and AD&D insurance options for employees, spouses, and children 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Employer-paid Norton LifeLock membership 
• Discounted pet insurance and gym memberships 

The County pays monthly on the last weekday of the month

Retirement

Gunnison County contributes toward your long-term financial future:

• 3% employer contribution to a 401(a) 
• Up to 3% employer match for voluntary contributions to a 457(b) 
• Social Security and Medicare employer contributions 

Ready to Support Public Safety in a Different Way?

If you’re looking for meaningful work where organization, communication, attention to detail, and good judgment make a difference, the Custody Support Assistant position may be a great fit.

BIG COUNTRY. CLOSE TEAM.
Support Public Safety. Serve Gunnison County.

Hiring Manager: Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office
Phone: (970) 641-1113
Posting: Open until filled

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of employment 
• Have a high school diploma or GED 
• Be able to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing 
• Possess and maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license 
• Be able and willing to work within a secure detention facility 
• Successfully complete the required pre-employment screening and Sheriff’s Office background investigation 
• Complete ICS-100 and IS-700 within the first year of employment 
• Be willing and able to complete the training necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position 

One year of experience in clerical support, administrative support, records management, customer service, corrections support, criminal-justice support, or a related field is preferred but not required. Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may also be considered.