Deputy Sheriff

Overview

Come join our team of committed and motivated professionals in a growing department with a combination of city life and county living all in the same geographical location. With county wide jurisdiction, our deputies patrol neighborhoods, highways, and rural areas, investigate crimes and work to strengthen community ties during each shift. The mission of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is to work in partnership with the community to provide quality public safety services in a reasonable manner through innovation, leadership, and the cooperation of dedicated people.

Once deputies demonstrate proficiency in general patrol duties, a wide range of career‑enhancing opportunities become available, including:

• General and Specialized Investigations
• Narcotics
• Water, Parks, and Trails Unit
• Court Security
• Civil Process
• School Resource Officer
• Special Enforcement Teams
• K9 Unit, and more

Additionally, there are broad-range technical roles & tactical roles: SWAT, Water Rescue & Recovery, Mobile Field Force and more.

• Take Home Squads
• Generous benefit program
• On‑site access to mental health providers
• Peer support
• Tuition reimbursement
• Ability to earn an extra day off each year through County Wellness Program
• Lateral transfer opportunities
• Vacation & sick pay
• Holiday pay
• Yearly uniform allowance
• Shift differential of $1.10/hour
• Comprehensive insurance package

• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must be eligible to possess and lawfully use a firearm, and successfully qualify with a handgun and other department weapons according to existing department qualification standards.
• Must be P.O.S.T licensed or be eligible for licensing by the Minnesota P.O.S.T. board at the time of hire. Include a copy of your Minnesota P.O.S.T license, eligibility letter, or letter addressing when eligibility can be expected at the time of application.

• Currently POST eligible or soon to be eligible for a Minnesota P.O.S.T. license (Individuals completing their classroom and skills training within the next two months are encouraged to apply).
• Successful completion of a degree program in law enforcement or similar field.
• Eligible to possess and lawfully use a firearm under local, state and federal law.

Training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted. The top‑scoring candidates will be invited for an interview with members of the Command Staff.

All finalists must achieve a passing score in each of the following phases of the hiring process:
Interviews; background investigation; psychological examination; medical examination; and drug test.

Deputy Sheriff‑Patrol Officers work five days on, three days off, 9‑hour days.

Shifts are as follows:
Day shift: 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM;
Afternoon Shift: 2:30 PM – 11:30 PM;
Night Shift: 10:30 PM – 7:30 AM. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based on department needs.

2026 Starting Pay Range: $41.85/hour ($87,048 annually) to $49.15/hour ($102,232 annually). Lateral wage consideration will be based on paid experience as a law enforcement or military police officer, longevity as a paid police officer or military police officer, specialized assignments and specialized training.

Washington County participates in the federal E‑Verify program. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action. Employers may not use E‑Verify to pre‑screen job applicants.

The Deputy Sheriff is responsible for the protection of life, the security of property, the prevention of crime, the apprehension of criminals, and the general enforcement of laws and ordinances by way of routine patrol, investigation, and traffic regulation performed in a squad car or on foot. Deputies are also tasked with working to strengthen our community through community engagement activities.

A variety of career enhancing assignments are available once proficiency in…