General Duty Deputy (Sheriff's Office)

Salary: $73,515.00 - $114,868.00 annually, with a preferred hiring range of $73,515 - $91,894. Potential for an additional $7.00/hour or $14,616 annually. POST-licensed deputies receive a $4.00/hour stipend, and Patrol Deputies receive an additional $3.00/hour stipend.

About the role

A General Duty Deputy serves the community by performing court and building security, prisoner transports, investigating crimes, apprehending criminals, enforcing laws, responding to calls for service, and performing proactive and reactive patrols within Dakota County. This position offers flexibility and stability through various shifts and rotations, along with opportunities for career development in specialty assignments.

Specialty assignments include Patrol, Water Patrol, Snowmobile Patrol, ATV Patrol, School Resource Deputy, K9, Courts, Prisoner Transport, Civil Process, Crime Scene Team, Use of Force/Firearms Instructor, Investigations, Drug Task Force, US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, DEA Task Force, SWAT Team, Dive Team, Drone Operator, Social Media Team, Community Engagement/Recruitment Team, Honor Guard, and Electronic Crime Unit.

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office serves thirteen townships and six small cities, covering 355 square miles. We foster a culture of collaboration, growth, diversity, and stability, emphasizing personal growth, well-being, and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Represents the Sheriff's Office in a positive, professional manner.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with colleagues and the public.
• Attends community meetings and gives educational presentations to build effective relationships.
• Complies with dress code, policies, and procedures, including memorandums, directives, and notices.
• Enforces criminal, civil, and traffic laws; responds to calls for service; and performs proactive patrols.
• Maintains radio protocol in normal and stressful situations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of geographic locations in assigned areas.
• Follows proper arrest procedures and warrant confirmations.
• Operates vehicles safely and maintains equipment in good working order.
• Follows security procedures during inmate, civil commitment, and suspect transports.
• Obtains pertinent information from suspects, witnesses, or victims using appropriate interviewing techniques.
• Submits concise and accurate reports in a timely manner.
• Uses and understands commonly used forms, computer programs, and applications.
• Maintains officer safety and situational awareness.
• Follows evidentiary procedures to maintain evidence integrity.
• Communicates feedback and pertinent information to supervisors.
• Provides credible and truthful reporting and testimony as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Unit-specific duties (e.g., Transport, Court Security, Patrol, School Resource Officer, Parks, Investigations, Civil) will be assigned upon hire or movement into the unit.

Requirements

• Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field.
• P.O.S.T. Licensed or eligible for P.O.S.T. licensing prior to starting.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Must pass all recruitment and pre-employment requirements, including:
  • Documentation of P.O.S.T. status upon request.
  • Series of interviews (phone, oral board, Chief Deputy & Sheriff).
  • Background check (electronic packet for efficiency).
  • Psychological examination.
  • Medical examination.
• Must comply with Minnesota Administrative Rule 6700.0700 Minimum Selection Standards (U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S.).
• Visible tattoos will be reviewed; tattoos on ears, head, face, neck, or hands are prohibited and may require covering if deemed unsightly or offensive.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a paid, licensed law enforcement position (e.g., Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff).
• Experience in non-licensed public service work (e.g., CSO, Animal Control, Park Ranger).
• Experience as a Correctional Officer in a locked secure facility.
• Paid or unpaid experience as a Reserve Officer, EMT, Firefighter, etc.
• Experience working for or volunteering with diverse communities.
• Multilingual skills.

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of Dakota County geography and Minnesota State Statutes, traffic laws, and county/township ordinances.
• Ability to work effectively under stressful situations.
• Ability to author factual, unbiased reports.
• Ability to drive in various conditions (emergency and non-emergency).
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact fairly and respectfully with co-workers and the public.
• Proficiency with assigned handgun, rifle, and self-defense techniques.
• Knowledge and ability to apply reasonable force when applicable.
• Deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to see, hear, and remember facts, people, and circumstances.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to testify credibly in court.
• Maintain physical fitness to perform duties effectively.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in various locations, including county office buildings, jail facilities, transport vehicles, and patrol vehicles.
• Occasional out-of-state and overnight travel for courts and prisoner transport.
• Lifting requirement of over 100 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Exposure to hazardous conditions, including mechanical parts, electrical currents, fumes, dust, gases, chemicals, body fluids, restricted workspaces, intense noise, and extreme temperatures.
• Equipment used includes computers, printers, telephones, squad cars, radar, Alco-Sensor, DataMaster DMT-G, digital recorders, squad cameras, first aid kits, defibrillators, oxygen, handguns, rifles, handcuffs, electronic control devices, batons, and chemical agents.

Benefits

• Take-home squad for a majority of positions.
• Full benefits package with employer contributions:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision.
  • Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance.
  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care and Dependent Care).
• Retirement: PERA pension.
• 11 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday.
• Three weeks paid parental leave.
• Bilingual pay.
• Unused flex vacation carryover year to year.
• Higher accrual rate for those with 10+ years of experience.
• Facial hair and tattoos allowed, per policy.
• Flexible scheduling.
• Comprehensive Wellness Program (Peer Support Team, On-site Fitness Center, Annual Wellness Check-in, Employee Assistance Program).
• Cutting-edge equipment, including external/load-bearing vests.
• Annual Uniform Allowance of $1,050.
• Countless training opportunities.

Current Dakota County employees are eligible for a $500 referral bonus for this position.