Deputy Sheriff

This hiring process is conducted in compliance with the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations to create an Eligibility Roster of qualified candidates for Deputy Sheriff positions. The roster is valid for one year, with exact dates established by the Civil Service Commission. Deputy Sheriffs are selected from the roster as vacancies arise.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements to proceed to the competitive examination phase:

• Have an active Minnesota POST license and meet the requirements for maintaining such license; or
• Have approval from, or have applied for approval from, the Minnesota POST Board to take the Licensing Reciprocity Exam; or
• Have approval from, or have applied for approval from, the Minnesota POST Board to take the Peace Officer Licensing Exam; or
• Have approval from, or have applied for approval from, the Minnesota POST Board to take the Reinstatement of Eligibility Exam; or
• Have approval from, or have applied for approval from, the Minnesota POST Board to take the License Restoration Exam.
• Be Minnesota POST license eligible by the time a conditional job offer is made.

Additional information about Minnesota POST Board exams is available at https://dps.mn.gov/entity/post/exams/Pages/default.aspx.

Qualifications

In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicants must have the following to proceed to the competitive examination phase:

• U.S. Citizenship; and
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Requirements for Appointment from the Eligibility Roster

To be eligible for appointment as a Deputy Sheriff, candidates must:

• Live within Olmsted County or any of the surrounding counties (Dodge, Goodhue, Mower, Fillmore, Winona, or Wabasha); and
• Have an active Minnesota POST license and meet the requirements for maintaining such license; or
• Be Minnesota POST license eligible by the time a conditional job offer is made (having completed and passed the appropriate Minnesota POST Board Examination).

Individuals will be required to complete a pre-employment and any potential post-accident drug test, as these positions are deemed safety-sensitive. Regardless of Minnesota statute, marijuana and other drugs will disqualify individuals from initial and continued employment.

Hiring Process

The following steps are followed in sequence. Failure at any step removes the applicant from further consideration.

• Applications: Applicants must fully complete and submit the application form online by the closing date or return the application postmarked by the closing date. Only applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be accepted.
• Oral Interviews: Oral examinations consist of two 30-minute interviews conducted consecutively. Candidates must score a minimum of 70% on each interview to proceed. Interviews will take place at the Regional Public Safety Training Center on August 11–12, 2026 (dates tentative).
• Strength and Agility Examination: Conducted on the same day as oral interviews (August 11–12, 2026) at the Regional Public Safety Training Center. Candidates must row 2000 meters using a Concept 2 Rower, meeting a minimum 50% VO₂ max score for their age and gender. Locker rooms are available for changing. Candidates may calculate minimum requirements at https://app.dps.mn.gov/msptroopercandidate/home/fitnessrequirements (note: the website defaults to 60%; adjust to 50% in the "Desired Results" section). A liability waiver must be signed prior to testing.
• Eligibility Roster: Applicants who pass the strength and agility examination are ranked numerically, with the highest score at the top. Veterans who provide a DD214 may receive preference points. The roster is certified by the Civil Service Commission and presented to the Sheriff. Candidates must keep their license eligibility status updated.
• Conditional Job Offer: The top seven candidates are reviewed by the Sheriff to fill vacancies. A conditional job offer is made only after proof of license eligibility or an existing license is provided.
• Background Investigation: Pass/Fail. Includes checks of personal references, fingerprints, driving record, credit, education, employment history, military service, and more.
• Psychological Evaluation: Pass/Fail. Conducted to determine the presence of any mental or emotional condition that might adversely affect performance as a Deputy Sheriff.
• Medical Examination: Pass/Fail. Includes a rigorous medical exam and drug test, reviewed by the Commission’s medical consultant.
• Appointment: Candidates who pass all prior steps are appointed as Deputy Sheriffs.
• Evaluation Period: Deputy Sheriffs serve a one-year evaluation period, during which job performance is periodically reviewed.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned areas in a radio-equipped vehicle, enforce traffic laws, investigate complaints, disturbances, and crimes, and collect evidence.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, providing necessary assistance.
• Interview suspects and witnesses, take statements, and document scenes with measurements and diagrams.
• Make arrests using objectively reasonable force and transport suspects to the Adult Detention Center.
• Operate as on-scene incident commander until relieved.
• Assist other law enforcement agencies, such as the State Highway Patrol.
• Serve civil processes as assigned.
• Engage with citizens individually or collectively to discuss crime prevention programs (e.g., personal protection, home/business security).
• Develop training programs for the Sheriff’s Office to ensure proper use of equipment and understanding of policies.
• Lead other law enforcement officers during special investigations, if assigned.
• Act as substitute sergeant, receive calls, and operate radio emergency equipment, if assigned.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills and Knowledge

• Working knowledge of state and local laws, county ordinances, highway regulations, and current police practices.
• Knowledge of evidence requirements for prosecuting criminal violations, Olmsted County geography, and human/social/economic problems.
• Knowledge of civil process service and the authority of the Sheriff’s Office.
• Skill in firearms use per Minnesota POST requirements, verbal/written communication (including report writing), and computer/technology use.
• Ability to administer first aid and CPR, direct traffic, manage crowds, and respond appropriately to mental health issues.
• Ability to act quickly, decisively, and calmly in emergencies or stressful situations with good judgment.
• Ability to operate all Sheriff’s Office equipment and maintain good character both on and off duty.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The following represents the physical and environmental demands of the role:

• Environmental Exposure:
  • Outdoors (75% or more)
  • In vehicle/operating equipment (50%–74%)
  • Law enforcement (75% or more)
  • Exposure to needle sticks/sharps, human blood/pathogens/body fluids, hazardous materials/chemicals, atmospheric conditions, weather, extreme heat/cold, noise, vibration, and animals.
  • Confined/restricted working environments.
• Physical Activities:
  • Sitting, standing, walking (75% or more)
  • Reaching, pulling, climbing, crouching, kneeling, stooping, balancing, crawling, handling, feeling (25%–49%)
  • Pushing and lifting up to 50 pounds (50%–74%)
  • Repetitive hand movements, typing/data entry (25%–49%)
  • Talking and hearing (75% or more)
  • Operating vehicles (50%–74%)
  • Close, distance, and color vision; depth perception; accommodation; field of vision.
  • Medium effort (exert up to 50 pounds of force) and heavy effort (exert up to 100 pounds of force) occasionally required.