For years, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department has dealt with the problem of not being able to find enough detention officers to staff the county’s two jails – one in Greensboro and one in High Point.

But the “great resignation” during the pandemic and a very tight job market have made matters even worse.  So currently the department is offering a $5,000 signing bonus and is putting out press releases advertising the jobs on an almost monthly basis.

On Tuesday, Aug.23, the department put out another release touting the signing bonus and announcing a special information session for those who are interested.

The Sheriff’s Department will be conducting the session on how to become a certified detention officer and get a job in the county’s jails on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. It will be held at the Sheriff’s Department’s Administrative Office at 400 W. Washington St. in Greensboro.

Department officials note, “If you are interested in applying for a career as a Detention Officer or just gaining additional employment information about the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, please join us during this informative session, where we will discuss pay, incentives, certification, work schedules and etc.”

Officers in the Greensboro jail have faced even more stress than usual lately after a good deal of mold was discovered in the Greensboro jail, and inmates had to be moved out of the affected areas while repairs were made and cleanup conducted.

The public was also reminded of the dangers of the job last week when two Forsythe County detention officers were attacked by a jail inmate.

Currently, Guilford County is offering the $5,000 signing bonus for jail guards and there are also a huge number of other perks that the department has been publicizing to entice people to consider this admittedly challenging occupation.

To sign up to attend the session, you can call the Sheriff’s Department’s Personnel and Training Division at 336-641-3387.