Deputy Sheriff - Patrol

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.

Three 12 Hour Shifts (Rotating 3 days on / 3 days off)

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.

Must obtain DPSST certification within one year of appointment. Must meet minimum standards established by OAR  as a Law Enforcement Officer.

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.

• 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 as 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 "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.

Please refer to the Class Specification for the full job description and minimum experience, education and training requirements for this position.