Certified Sheriff's Deputy (K-9)

Job Summary:  This position is responsible for performing a full range of law enforcement duties in any of the bureaus of the Sheriff’s Office, including, but not limited to the following: patrol, civil, crime prevention, community outreach, investigation, transportation, court security, administrative, support or jail. The incumbent may be assigned temporarily to a specialty area within the agency based on needs. Depending on qualifications, a certified sheriff’s deputy may hold the rank of Certified Deputy I, Certified Deputy II, or Certified Deputy III.  Must have K-9 Handler Certification

A certified deputy sheriff may be assigned duties in any Sheriff’s Office bureau. Employees in this classification may be expected to perform any related duties as required by proper authority. Major duties may include any of the following tasks:

Knowledge Required by the Position:
•    Knowledge of law enforcement concepts and terminology, including jail operations, criminal investigation, law enforcement, and crime prevention; first-aid principles and techniques; report preparation and record keeping; and human behavior theories related to criminology, crisis intervention, and crowd control.
•    Knowledge of laws and court decisions about law enforcement, including search and seizure, suspects and prisoner’s rights, and custody and protection of evidence; operational principles and practices of criminal investigation, law enforcement, and crime prevention; and court and trial procedures.
•    Knowledge of the use and effects of law enforcement weapons; methods of self-defense and physical restraint.
•    Knowledge of Sheriff’s Office organization, policies, and procedures; geographic layout of Rockdale County; vocabulary of technical/specialized fields of law enforcement such as identification, detention, and pathology.
•    Skill in learning, interpreting, applying, and explaining complex laws and regulations; reading and interpreting documents such as maps, diagrams, and textbooks.
•    Skill in performing accurate mathematical calculations; comprehending and retaining factual information and applying what is learned.
•    Skill in observing and remembering details of events, names, faces, numbers, and physical descriptions; preparing and maintaining clear, accurate, and concise reports and files.
•    Skill in communicating effectively in both verbal and written form; exercising tact, self-restraint, judgment, and strategy in dealing with people of all races, ethnicities, and socio-economic groups and who may have emotional or physical difficulties.
•    Skill in exercising sound independent judgment in an emergency or stressful situation; correctly interpreting a given situation and taking appropriate action under a variety of conditions.
•    Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
•    Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
•    Ability to gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence and to draw sound conclusions; working ability to obtain valid information by interview and interrogation.
•    Ability to work rotating shifts, varying hours, and be on call.

Supervisory Controls: The bureau commander or his/her designee assigns work regarding agency goals and objectives. The work is reviewed through reports and observation of activities.

Guidelines: Guidelines include applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures related to public safety communications and law enforcement standards. These guidelines require sound judgment and interpretation in application.

Personal Contacts: Contacts are typically with co-workers, business leaders, educators, attorneys, representatives of the judicial system, federal state, and local law enforcement officers, inmates, and the general public.

Purpose of Contacts: Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, resolve problems, influence/motivate persons, justify/settle matters, coordinate work efforts, and provide services.

Physical Demands: Work may be sedentary in the office environment and fieldwork may subject the incumbent to extended periods of physical and mental exertion under highly stressful conditions. The person must be able to remain calm and think logically when defending himself/herself from imminent danger, apprehending suspects of crimes, etc. The person must be able to load, unload, aim, and operate firearms. The individual must have correctable hearing, visual, and speaking abilities to perform assigned duties. The person must be able to sit or stand for prolonged periods; walk, run, kneel, stoop, crawl, and crouch; make precise and coordinated finger, hand, and limb movements; maintain uniform, controlled hand-arm posture or movement; push, pull or drag an adult (averaging 5'6", 160 pounds); lift and carry boxes of evidence (average 50 pounds); use force to restrain/subdue others; work efficiently for long periods.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a variety of field, office, and in-vehicle settings, including a secured jail facility, and may require exposure to dangerous and life-threatening situations. The employee must be willing to carry a firearm on the job; mentally and physically capable of taking the life of another, if justified; willing to work any hour of the day or night (shift work), overtime, weekends, on-call, and holidays. Employees must be willing to work at any location in the County and travel on specific assignments, comply with the agency’s grooming standards, and wear a uniform.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility: None.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
•  Baccalaureate degree in criminology, criminal justice, political science, public administration, or related field preferred.
• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must have a valid State of Georgia Driver’s license.
• Must be certified as a Peace Officer under regulations of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Council.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience 
•  K-9 Certification

Position Content: This position classification is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position's activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.