Deputy Sheriff

Position Summary

• Competitive Pay - The Benton County Sheriff's Office Salary Range for 2025 is $30.69 - $42.10 per hour.
• Lateral Placement - Successful candidates with previous law enforcement experience are eligible for lateral placement on our pay scale.
• Take-Home Squads - Provided for those living within or near the county.
• Excellent Benefits Package.
• Annual Uniform Allowance - In addition to the hourly wage, Patrol Deputes receive a $1,200.00 yearly uniform allowance.
• Shift Differential - $1.00 per hour shift differential for all hours worked between 7 PM and 7 AM.
• Annual holiday bonus equivalent to 96 hours of pay.
• Fitness Incentive Program—Patrol Deputies are eligible to participate in our fitness incentive program and can earn a bonus of up to 3% of their yearly salary.
• Many overtime opportunities and compensation for special assignment positions.
• The Benton County Sheriff's Office offers specialty assignments such as Investigations, SWAT, K9, Dive Team, Violent Offender Task Force, Drone Operator, Snowmobile and ATV Enforcement, Water Patrol, Specialty Instructor positions, Community Engagement and Youth Programs.
• Shift assignments are bid annually by seniority.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions
A. Patrols within Benton County for the prevention of crime and enforcement of laws and ordinances.
B. Protects life and property through answering calls for service, patrol activities, criminal investigations, enforcement of laws, crime prevention, and providing other general assistance as needed to the citizens of Benton County.
C. Responds to emergencies and promotes public safety.
C.1. Performs emergency first aid.
C.2. Assists other agencies such as emergency medical services, fire and rescue, etc.
D. Conducts welfare checks on individuals or families for local agencies including Human Services.
E. Enforces DNR, Off-Road Vehicle, Boat and Water, and Snowmobile laws and regulations.
F. Interacts with and manages individuals who are in emotional crisis or suffering from mental illness.
G. Creates and maintains professional relationships with community members and other agencies.
H. Creates and updates a variety of reports and forms for court prosecution, other agencies, and local and state reporting.
I. Serves civil process and arrest warrants.
J. Completes predatory offender checks.
K. Testifies in court and performs bailiff duties at courts.

Additional Functions
A. Attends trainings as needed.
B. Serve as Deputy in Charge during absences of supervisors.
C. Maintains equipment and patrol vehicles.
D. Maintains, trains, and learns to use developing technological devices.
E. Assists in community outreach events such as the Police Activities League (PALS) and ATV/Snowmobile Youth Safety Programs.
F. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications - Training and Experience Required

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
A. Associate degree in criminal justice or related area; and
B. Eligible to obtain a Minnesota Peace Officer License.
C. Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.
D. Must successfully complete a background check.
E. Must complete and pass a physical exam, psychological exam, physical ability testing, drug, and alcohol screening.
F. Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures.
F.1. Ability to obtain within six months of hire.
F.1.1. EMR, Taser training, firearms, Use of Force, and BCA Single certification.
F.1.2. Standard field sobriety testing, Portal’s training, and OC certification.

Preferred Qualifications
A. Prior law enforcement work experience.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Physical Demands and Working Conditions Required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
A. Working knowledge of local, state, and federal statutes, laws, and ordinances relevant to department operations.
B. Knowledge of civil and criminal court proceedings.
C. Knowledge of modern law enforcement methods and procedures including rules of evidence, forensic interviewing, investigative techniques, report writing, and documentation.
D. The ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive public relations skills.
E. Knowledge of Benton County geography, street, and highway system, and location of significant areas of attention.
F. Ability to maintain effective public relations and deal with hostile or aggressive persons.
G. Skill in the use of law enforcement equipment and vehicles.
H. Ability to apply professional judgment within overall goals.
I. Ability to apply widely varied complex and significant variables, requiring analytical ability and inductive thinking in adapting policies, procedures, and methods to fit unusual and complex situations.
J. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with frequent interaction to carry out organizational programs on matters requiring cooperation, explanation, and persuasion; or work requiring enforcement of laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures.
K. Ability to work extended, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
L. Ability to travel within your daily work assignment.
M. Ability to travel within Minnesota, including extended overnight stays.
N. Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
O. Performs physical/mental demands of the work environment requirements for this position.
P. Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours, and outside regular hours, as necessary.
Q. Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers.
R. Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to private data. Any access to private data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that is necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data is being accessed, employee should take reasonable measures to ensure the private data is not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is finished the private data must be properly stored according to county policies and the Minnesota Statutes.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions
A. Work is performed in office and building environments as well as in vehicles and outdoors, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. This position may encounter unexpected and prolonged workdays and stress and pressure from dealing with conflicts and physical altercations. This position may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and illegal/dangerous chemicals and substances.
B. Likelihood of verbal abuse and violence exposure in the line of duty.
C. This position is exposed to mental effort and stress. This position frequently performs work under moderate attention to detail and deadlines.
D. This position is exposed to critical incidents/deadly force encounters which may involve the death/serious injury of suspects at the hands of a deputy.
E. This position is exposed to critical incidents which may involve the death/ serious injury of deputy.

Hours of Work
A. Schedule to fit a 24-hour/day, 7 days/week demand.

Equipment Utilized
A. Office equipment and computers, Patrol vehicles including squad cars, ATVs, boats, law enforcement equipment, and tools including firearms and medical equipment.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The County Board, County Administrator, or appropriate Elected Official retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.