Sheriff Chief Deputy

Saline County • Benton, AR

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Deputy is the chief operations law enforcement executive in the Saline County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) and reports directly to the Sheriff. The position oversees all aspects of SCSO operations, providing supervision and guidance to five divisions and more than 100 employees, and general oversight of the 314-bed Detention Facility. The Chief Deputy ensures compliance with federal and state requirements and safeguards the rights and safety of detainees and employees.

The role puts the Sheriff’s goals and objectives into practice and monitors results by balancing personnel, resources, and budgets. It assists the Sheriff with policy and objective development, purchasing and equipment coordination, staffing recommendations, and management of the SCSO’s multi-million-dollar budget. The Chief Deputy has administrative authority and accountability for overall operations, and general oversight of prisoner-care fees and law-enforcement contracts. The position also compiles operational information and reports, oversees internal and employee-misconduct investigations, and builds professional and community relationships.

This is a safety-sensitive, exempt position. It requires law-enforcement administration knowledge and experience to supervise sworn and civilian employees and jail detainees, enforce criminal and traffic laws, prepare reports, and deliver community presentations. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with paid holidays off depending on workload. The job involves some travel and extended evening or night hours for meetings or conferences; work hours may also be extended during emergencies, disasters, staffing shortages, or heavy workloads. Exposure to danger is possible, and carrying a firearm is required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; documentary evidence of completion is required. Home-school diplomas require Commission approval.
• At least 15 years of law-enforcement experience and/or 10 years of related management experience; the posting also specifies full-time certified law-enforcement officer status with at least 15 years of experience.
• No felony convictions.
• Possess or be able to immediately obtain a valid Arkansas driver’s license.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship upon request.
• Complete a minimum of 24 training hours per year and mandated annual classes specified by the Commission on Law Enforcement and Training.
• Qualify with a score of at least 80% with each firearm used or carried.
• Ability to read, analyze, and understand scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents, and respond to complex inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including calculations involving money and measurement.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, interpret technical instructions, and manage abstract and concrete variables.
• Advanced word-processing and typing skills; intermediate accounting, presentation/PowerPoint, and spreadsheet skills.
• Knowledge of law-enforcement principles, practices and techniques, the criminal justice system, self-defense, and firearms use.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
• Ability to meet the physical readiness activities specified for sworn deputies, including a plank, pushups, and a one-mile walk.
• Ability to meet the stated physical demands, including regularly standing, walking, sitting, using hands, reaching, talking, and hearing; occasionally climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, tasting, or smelling; and occasionally lifting or moving more than 100 pounds and frequently lifting or moving up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in potentially hazardous conditions, with possible exposure to danger, and carry a firearm.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office and confer daily with the Sheriff about activities.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal law-enforcement agencies; attend meetings as needed to represent the Sheriff and maintain effective liaison relationships.
• Conduct staff meetings and obtain regular updates from Command Staff.
• Oversee employee training and minimum standards.
• Assist with the budget and approve supply purchases for SCSO; recommend equipment purchases to the Sheriff.
• Assist with oversight of the SCSO Detention Facility and ensure detainees’ rights, safety, and legally required basic needs are protected.
• Ensure contacts with SCSO are handled courteously and fairly in accordance with federal and state laws.
• Attend Quorum Court meetings, answer questions, and prepare operational reports requested by Quorum Court members.
• Prepare special-project reports and news releases; assist with speeches for the Sheriff and with writing and reviewing grants.
• Work with County department heads and serve as a liaison to cities and other governmental agencies in the region and state.
• Communicate with the public about SCSO affairs, resolve complaints, and negotiate with vendors concerning supplies.
• Ensure operations are adequately staffed and that hires meet SCSO qualifications and receive proper training.
• Attend civic-club and community-organization meetings to explain and promote SCSO activities and build favorable public relations.
• Oversee internal departmental investigations and investigations of employee misconduct.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities, including interviewing, hiring, training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and resolving complaints and problems.
• Complete at least 24 hours of training annually, qualify with a score of 80% on firearms used or carried, and complete mandated yearly Commission on Law Enforcement and Training classes.
• Participate in physical readiness testing conducted twice per calendar year; required activities for sworn deputies include a plank, pushups, and a one-mile walk.

Benefits

• Paid holidays off, subject to workload.
• County-paid group health, dental, and life insurance for employee coverage, provided the employee obtains a wellness check within the designated time frame.
• County retirement contribution of 15.32% of the employee’s gross pay per pay period through the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System.
• Certificate pay according to the certification schedule, paid in the first pay period in December each year.
• Bilingual pay once proficiency has been established.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: High school or GED