What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Sheriff - Patrol position at Polk County, Oregon?
Brief Description
WORK SCHEDULE: Three 12 Hour Shifts (Rotating 3 days on / 3 days off)
ABOUT THE JOB
This is law enforcement work involving the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws, the investigation of crimes by utilizing both specialized technical and interpersonal relationship skills.
Work involves responsibility for the performance of law enforcement duties in accordance with regulations and procedures prescribed by command and supervisory officers. The work contains a substantial element of personal risk and an employee must be able to exercise sound judgment independently in emergency situations. Duties will involve responsibility for recognizing the social importance of law enforcement functions as well as responsibility for the eventual application of a considerable knowledge of human nature and the behavioral sciences to the resolution of day to day law enforcement problems. Tactful and courteous treatment of the public under adverse psychological conditions is an imperative function of this position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from high school or possession of the equivalent GED certificate. Must be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years of age by the date of appointment. No felony criminal record. Must possess a valid Oregon driver’s license and a good driving record. Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation and medical and psychological examinations. Must have the strength and agility sufficient to perform law enforcement work.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Must obtain DPSST certification within one year of appointment. Must meet minimum standards established by OAR 259-008-0010 as a Law Enforcement Officer.
General Statement
Polk County, the Organization:
Polk County takes pride in knowing that our employees are what makes the County a great place to work. We have a strong desire for each employee to feel respected; connected to the department they work for as well as other County departments and the community at large; and know that they are critical to County business. We understand that work may be necessary, but not what should define each individual. We all have diverse personalities and interests away from the job, and at Polk County we encourage our employees to be connected to something bigger than work.
Benefits:
Polk County offers generous employee benefits including, but not limited to:
- Paid training for growth opportunity
- 8 hours Holiday Leave per month
- 8 hours of vacation earned monthly with increases every 5 years
- 8 hours of sick leave earned monthly
- 2 Personal Leave Days earned each fiscal year (prorated first year depending on date of hire)
- PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) - 100% employer funded contributions
- Full health benefits for the employee and qualified family members with the employee paying only 10% of the premium
- Life Insurance - employer paid
- Optional benefits such short term disability, deferred compensation savings program and flexible spending accounts for unreimbursed medical and dependent care expenses
- Qualifying employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
- 9 FLSA hours monthly
- Grants provided for overtime opportunities
- In addition to the base pay rates, deputies may be eligible for a variety of pay incentives to include bilingual, certification, detective, education, and more.
Polk County is located in the Willamette Valley just an hour from the Pacific Coast to the west and an hour from Portland to the north. The population is approximately 87,000 and the area spans about 744 square miles, with two thirds of the western part of the county being forest. National protected areas include the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Siuslaw National Forest.
The County is part of the agricultural richness the Willamette Valley has to offer. In recent decades, the valley has also become a major wine producer, with Polk County being one of the best in the area. The valley is often known as the “Oregon Wine Country.” Polk County has over 25 wineries alone.
Polk County also houses the beautiful liberal arts college, Western Oregon University (WOU), and is only 30 miles from Oregon State University. WOU was an inaugural winner of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award. This award recognizes universities and colleges that have demonstrated the highest level of commitment and action towards fostering a campus community that celebrates all the many facets of diversity. WOU is one of the most diverse universities in Oregon and has a higher percentage of Latino students in the Oregon University system.
Qualifications
Please refer to the Class Specification for the full job description and minimum experience, education and training requirements for this position.
Three Required Steps to Move Forward in the Process:
1. Applicants must complete the NEOGOV application for Polk County.
2. Applicants must complete ONEof the following academic proficiencies:
- Recent (within the past 12 months) Frontline Test with the National Testing Network (NTN); or
- Recent (within the past 3 years) POST taken with either Polk County or other law enforcement agency with a minimum score of 70 on each section of the test; or
- Possess a four-year, post-secondary degree issued by an accredited, degree-granting college or university recognized by the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization under the provisions of ORS 348-604; or
- Successfully complete training resulting in the award of Basic Police certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST.)
- Applicants that have not completed one of the academic proficiencies above will be offered testing to fulfill this requirement if chosen to advance within the recruitment process.
- Recent (within the past 12 months) Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT) from an Oregon law enforcement agency or NTN; or
- Recent (within the past 12 months) Physical Abilities Test (PAT) completed time from a military or law enforcement related source; or
- Successfully completed training resulting in the award of Basic Police certification from Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST.)
- Applicants that have not completed one of the physical proficiencies above will be offered testing to fulfill this requirement if chosen to advance within the recruitment process.
Supplemental Information
** A cover letter is required. If you are a military veteran and want to apply for Veterans' Hiring Preference, you must attach the Veterans' Preference Form (available on our website) and your DD-214/215 and/or disability letter. **
** Attach any supporting documentation for completion of academic and physical proficiencies listed under the supplemental questions. **
Polk County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities will be provided upon request.
Benefits Overview:
- Polk County offers a generous benefits package to support employees' physical, financial and emotional well-being. Benefits are available to regular status employees working 20 or more hours per week.
- Part time employees receive pro-rated benefits.
- Benefits will vary according to bargaining unit.
- Temporary employees are not eligible for benefits.
Health Insurance (medical, dental, Rx and vision): We offer Kaiser Permanente and PacificSource. Coverage varies according to bargaining unit. Employee share of the premium will vary according to bargaining unit and full-time or part-time status.
Paid Leave:
- Vacation: New full-time employees generally earn 12 vacation days per year; this increases with years of service. Part-time employees earn a pro-rated amount.
- Holidays: A generous number of paid holidays annually. This will vary according to bargaining unit.
- Personal Leave Days: These are floating holidays. The number of Personal Leave Days varies according to bargaining unit.
- Sick Leave: 8 hours per month (pro-rated for part time) with no maximum accrual.
- Other Leaves: Jury duty, bereavement, military.
Retirement: We participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Polk County picks up the employee's share of the retirement contribution (6% of wages.) See the PERS website for more information: www.pers.state.or.us
Employee Assistance Program: Provides a variety of counseling options and/or online information for emotional well-being, relationships, financial, health, legal and personal growth.
Optional Benefits Include:
- Deferred Compensation: Employees may elect to participate in a 457(b) deferred compensation plan through convenient payroll deductions. We offer the Oregon Savings Growth Plan and Nationwide.
- Life Insurance: Polk County provides basic life insurance and AD&D at no cost to employees. Additional insurance is available to purchase.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Option to participate in this pre-tax plan to cover eligible health and dependent care expenses.
- Aflac: Employees have the option of participating in a variety of Aflac plans.