DEPUTY SHERIFF

We offer a great benefit package including uniforms (three summer and three winter), duty gear, footwear allowance, take home squad, PTO, gym membership, retention bonus pay, personal leave, paid holidays, 10 hour shifts with every other weekend off, free single health insurance with employer contribution into an HSA.

Job Summary

To perform general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property throughout Aitkin County. Patrol the county to enforce laws and secure compliance with traffic regulations, escort prisoners, undertake routine investigations, serve legal instruments and execute court orders. Work involves an element of personal danger and employees must act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment meeting emergency situations. Assignments and orders are received from superior officers who review work methods and results through reports, inspections and discussions.

Supervision Received

Employees working in this job class work under general supervision about 75% of the time and under general direction about 25% of the time.

Under general supervision, they usually receive some instruction with respect to details of most assignments, but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods, and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and are only subject to periodic supervisory checks. Under general direction, they plan and carry out assignments with considerable independence, and have some latitude in developing procedures and methods. They report to a superior by occasional conferences to discuss work progress or problems requiring upper advisement. 

Supervision Exercised

Manages Boat and Water seasonal workers as assigned. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints; training and rewarding employees. Responsibilities also include, in collaboration with the Human Resources Department, interviewing, and implementing performance improvement plans.

Also directs other law enforcement personnel, the ATV posse volunteers, and fire and ambulance crews at the scene in accordance with general police procedures.

Essential Functions

This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other essential and nonessential functions as assigned or apparent to meet the ongoing needs of the department and organization. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential requirements of this position.

1. Patrols Aitkin County to protect and preserve law and order and to prevent and discover crime. Operates radio equipped vehicle, boats, and all terrain vehicles.
2. Answers a wide variety of calls and complaints involving felonies, misdemeanors, domestic disturbances, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, drownings, animal control, searches, and other incidents.
3. Administers first aid, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witnesses, makes arrests, and transports prisoners.
4. Enforces traffic laws and cites traffic violators.
5. Stays current with ever changing technology, tools, and equipment.
6. Serves warrants, summonses and other processes on persons; executes court orders; conducts routine crime and accident investigations and assist in complex investigations. Processes crime scenes, collects evidence, photographs, and videotapes. Evaluates and interprets the evidence collected. Maintains and keeps sufficient documentation, including photographing evidence, collecting handwriting samples, preserving evidence, preserving the chain of custody, and submitting evidence to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension forensic laboratories, and other agencies, as necessary, to substantiate criminal prosecutions and related cost claims.
7. Assists fire departments and other law enforcement agencies in emergency response and natural disaster response.
8. Testifies in court; participates in the preparation of cases for court.
9. Prepares all necessary reports.
10. Transports prisoners and others to and from court, jail, other jurisdictions or rehabilitative institutions.
11. Acquires and maintains current knowledge of federal, state, county, and local laws and ordinances.
12. Acquires and maintains current knowledge of the street and highway system geography of Aitkin County and the location of buildings and areas requiring special law enforcement services.
13. Monitors dangerous, high level criminals by conducting random checks involving interviews about jobs, vehicles, residences, collecting hazardous materials such as urine and DNA, and updating forms.
14. Documents and records patrol activities so that records and reports are suitable for judicial proceedings. Completes paperwork for submitting cases to various prosecuting and recording agencies, as well as other enforcement agencies, to aid and assist in the tracking of the criminal elements in our area.
15. May be assigned to Boat and Water / Snowmobile patrol duties. May be assigned to provide assistance to other law enforcement agencies.
16. May be assigned VCET (Violent Crimes Enforcement Team) duties.
17. May be assigned to School Resource Officer which would include tasks such as: Investigates criminal activities committed on or adjacent to school property and formulates educational crime prevention programs. Counsels public school students in special situations, such as students suspected to be engaged in criminal misconduct or truancy, when requested by the superintendent, principle, principle designee, parent of the student, or Sheriff. Serves as liaison between schools, community agencies and the Sheriff’s Office. Disseminates information beneficial to public order and safety. Responds to citizens and merchants regarding complaints about school aged students during the hours of school.
18. Teaches programs at schools designed to educate students on harmful activities.
19. Attends training and meetings as needed.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications

Licensed or eligible to be licensed by the Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board, which includes two years post-secondary education or more; and continues to receive education credits to be licensed.

Valid Minnesota driver’s license required. Employment reference checks, a criminal background check, pre-employment physical, drug test, and psychological evaluation will be performed as part of the pre-employment process.

Must be First Aid, CPR/AED certified or obtain within 30 days of hire.

Must be able to work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Knowledge of:

1. County and departmental policies, procedures, and practices to safely and effectively accomplish the needs of the department.
2. Federal, State, and local laws relevant to the work performed in the position.
3. The principals, practices, methods and modern techniques of criminal investigations, crime prevention, and law enforcement, interrogations, rules of evidence, preservation of evidence, death investigations, jail security, communications practices, court procedures, and data privacy.
4. Geographic character of the county sufficient to locate buildings and areas requiring special police attention.
5. FCC rules and regulations.
6. Community and law enforcement available resources.

Skills in:

1. Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with staff and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
2. Interview and interrogation techniques.
3. Tactics for law enforcement.
4. Organizing and prioritizing work.
5. Efficient computer and typing skills. Current technology skills including GPS, cell phone, etc.
6. Use of cameras and complex audio and video recording devices.
7. Proper care and use of firearms. Use of intermediate weapons such as soft hand, hard hand, Taser, asp, baton, and mace.
8. Reading, writing, and speaking English proficiently. Good writing and communication skills are required for report preparation and court testimony. Must be able to express self well orally and in writing.
9. Pursuit driving. Safe operation of vehicles in all weather and traffic conditions.
10. Standardized field sobriety tests.

Ability to:

1. Present a positive attitude in the workplace, promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, and be able to treat co-workers, supervisor, and subordinates with respect, honesty, and consideration.
2. Respond to emergencies in a safe, efficient manner; record activities and proceedings in order to prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports.
3. Interpret statues and apply them to the crimes in order to determine if a suspect should be arrested for a specific offense.
4. Perform detailed investigations, gather pertinent facts, and integrate data into objective patterns leading to the solution and disposition of criminal cases.
5. Use verbal judo, a tactical communication, to use presence and words to achieve the desired outcome of the encounter.
6. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, court and enforcement agency representatives, and the general public.
7. Deal tactfully, but firmly, with offenders, suspects, and witnesses.
8. Maintain equipment.
9. Maintain confidentiality.
10. Travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary.
11. Tow and maneuver trailers hauling ATV’s, snowmobiles, command center, speed trailer, etc.
12. Travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary.

Language Skills

High Skills – Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Skills

High Skills – Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient at using the following software: County Payroll Software/E-time, Webfusion, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, specialized law enforcement software - Enfors/portals/APS/Accurint/DVS, Internet, and other job-related software.

Ability to Travel

Daily travel required for routine patrol, training, meetings, and investigations in Aitkin County. Occasionally out of county travel is also required.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should consistently demonstrate the following competencies (definitions attached or available upon request):

Ethics, attendance/punctuality, safety and security, dependability, analytical, design, problem solving, project management, technical skills, customer service, interpersonal skills, oral communication, written communication, teamwork, delegation, leadership, quality management, cost consciousness, diversity, organizational support, judgment, motivation, planning/organizing, professionalism, quality, quantity, adaptability, initiative, innovation, patience, decisiveness, flexibility, and crisis management.

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The office is a shared space setting. 

Deputies drive frequently and are subject to dealing with emergency situations including hostile and combative persons as well as dealing with people wielding deadly weapons such as guns or knives; occasionally is exposed to contagious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis or Tuberculosis; required to drive at high rates of speed on all types of road conditions; subject to working under all types of weather conditions; subject to exposure to dangerous chemicals, dangerous animals, fumes and dust; works with and handles firearms and substances such as tear gas, pepper mace and controlled substances; periodically required to work in inadequate lighting and subject to intense siren, gun shot, and K-9 barking and radio noise; required to be available for call out including days, nights, weekends and holidays; may work long hours during major crime investigations and emergency situations.

The working conditions under which a Deputy operates are highly variable. The variations include not only the climatic conditions, but also the variation in the levels of stress and/or danger.

The stress continuum ranges from routine (low stress) environments to high stress environments, such as dealing with individuals or groups of individuals that are in an agitated state, under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or are mentally impaired - in an uncontrolled setting. High-stress incidents would also include the hands-on dealing with natural disasters or other catastrophic events.

Similarly, the danger continuum ranges from routine (low danger) situations in controlled environments to high danger situations, which involve the use of force or threatened use of force against a law enforcement officer. A Deputy also faces the danger of infectious contamination of pathogenic disease in responding to medical-related calls, such as accidents.

Equipment and Tools

Personal protective equipment, squad car, radars, Intoxilyzer sensors, portable and mobile radios, firearms (handgun, shotgun, automatic rifle), Taser, Preliminary Breath Tester, expandable baton, handcuffs, flashlight, first aid, hand tools, power tools, measuring and metering devices, oxygen units, tape recorders, cameras, audio and video equipment, computer and software, printer, telephone, pagers, copier, fax, statute books, calculator, shredder, county-owned vehicles, trailers, ATV, winch, snowmobile, boat, and other job-related equipment.

Physical Activities/Requirements

Must have and maintain the physical ability to perform the essential functions of this position. Physical requirements include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, twisting, fingering, grasping, feeling, smelling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. 

Very Heavy Work which involves exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force. 

Physical requirements also include the following: eyesight correctable to 20/20; ability to engage in activities which require physical exertion; ability to withstand inclement conditions (i.e. cold, rain, snow, heat) for extended periods of time; ability to perform under high stress situations; the capability of responding to situations involving physical violence.

Deputies are subject to call-out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Working safely is a condition of employment. Aitkin County is a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace.