Deputy Sheriff

Aitkin County•Aitkin, MN

15d

About The Position

The Deputy Sheriff performs general law enforcement duties throughout Aitkin County to protect life and property, preserve law and order, prevent and discover crime, and enforce traffic regulations. The work includes patrol, responding to a wide range of calls and emergencies, preliminary and routine investigations, evidence collection and preservation, arrests, prisoner transport, serving legal instruments, executing court orders, preparing reports, and participating in court proceedings. Duties may also include assisting other agencies, natural-disaster response, and assignments such as Boat and Water or snowmobile patrol, the Violent Crimes Enforcement Team, or School Resource Officer. The position works under general supervision approximately 75% of the time and general direction approximately 25% of the time. Deputies exercise independent judgment when handling emergency situations and may direct seasonal workers, volunteers, and other responders at incident scenes. The work involves significant variability in stress and danger, including exposure to hostile or combative people, weapons, hazardous substances, contagious diseases, severe weather, and high-speed driving. Deputies are subject to 24-hour call-out and may work long hours during major investigations or emergencies.

Requirements

Licensed or eligible to be licensed by the Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board, including two or more years of post-secondary education, and continue receiving education credits to maintain licensure.
Valid Minnesota driver's license.
First Aid and CPR/AED certification, or obtain certification within 30 days of hire.
Ability to work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays as assigned.
Ability to travel and work beyond standard hours when necessary and be available for call-out 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Knowledge of relevant county and departmental policies, federal, state, and local laws, law enforcement and investigative practices, evidence rules and preservation, death investigations, jail security, communications, court procedures, data privacy, county geography, FCC rules, and community resources.
Communication and interpersonal skills to exchange information with staff and the public and receive work direction.
Skills in interviewing and interrogation, law enforcement tactics, organizing and prioritizing work, computer use and typing, current technology, cameras and audio/video recording devices, firearms and intermediate weapons, English communication, report writing, court testimony, pursuit driving, safe vehicle operation, and standardized field sobriety testing.
Ability to respond safely and efficiently to emergencies; prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports; interpret statutes and apply them to suspected offenses; conduct detailed investigations and integrate facts; and use tactical communication to achieve appropriate outcomes.
Ability to establish effective working relationships, deal tactfully but firmly with offenders, suspects, and witnesses, maintain equipment and confidentiality, tow and maneuver trailers hauling equipment, and work in excess of standard hours when necessary.
High-level language skills, including reading and interpreting professional, technical, and governmental materials; writing reports and correspondence; and presenting information effectively.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and interpret rates, ratios, percentages, and bar graphs.
High-level reasoning skills, including solving practical problems with limited standardization and interpreting written, oral, diagram, or schedule instructions.
Proficiency with County Payroll Software/E-time, Webfusion, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; specialized law enforcement software such as Enfors/portals/APS/Accurint/DVS; the Internet; and other job-related software.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including very heavy work requiring exertion of more than 100 pounds of force, and to perform the essential physical functions of the position.
Eyesight correctable to 20/20; ability to exert physically, withstand inclement weather for extended periods, perform under high stress, and respond to situations involving physical violence.
Successful completion of employment reference checks, a criminal background check, pre-employment physical, drug test, and psychological evaluation.
Regular attendance, punctuality, and safe work practices.

Responsibilities

Patrol Aitkin County to protect and preserve law and order and prevent and discover crime.
Operate radio-equipped vehicles, boats, and all-terrain vehicles.
Respond to calls and complaints involving crimes, domestic disturbances, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, drownings, animal control, searches, and other incidents.
Administer first aid; conduct preliminary investigations; gather evidence and witness information; make arrests; and transport prisoners.
Enforce traffic laws and cite traffic violators.
Serve warrants, summonses, and other legal processes; execute court orders.
Conduct routine crime and accident investigations and assist with complex investigations.
Process crime scenes; collect, photograph, videotape, evaluate, document, and preserve evidence; maintain chain of custody; and submit evidence to forensic laboratories or other agencies as needed.
Assist fire departments and other law enforcement agencies with emergency and natural-disaster response.
Testify in court and help prepare cases for court.
Prepare reports and paperwork for prosecuting, recording, and enforcement agencies, and document patrol activities for judicial proceedings.
Transport prisoners and others to and from court, jail, other jurisdictions, and rehabilitative institutions.
Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, and Aitkin County geography.
Monitor designated high-level criminals through random checks, interviews, collection of specified samples, and updated records.
When assigned, perform Boat and Water or snowmobile patrol, assist other law enforcement agencies, or undertake VCET duties.
When assigned as a School Resource Officer, investigate criminal activity on or near school property, develop crime-prevention education, counsel students in specified situations, serve as a liaison, respond to school-related complaints, teach educational programs, and attend training and meetings.
Manage Boat and Water seasonal workers when assigned, including planning, assigning, directing, and evaluating work; addressing complaints; training and rewarding employees; and participating in interviews and performance improvement plans with Human Resources.
Direct other law enforcement personnel, ATV posse volunteers, and fire and ambulance crews at scenes in accordance with general police procedures.
Maintain equipment and stay current with changing technology, tools, and equipment.
Travel within Aitkin County for patrol, training, meetings, and investigations, and occasionally travel outside the county.
Perform other related duties as assigned or apparent and maintain regular attendance and punctuality.