Lateral Deputy Sheriff

Contact Information

Lake County Sheriff's Merit Commission
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

Website: www.lakecountyil.gov
Email: meritcommission@lakecountyil.gov

Compensation and Benefits

• Hourly rate: $41.97 – $58.72
• Starting annual salary: $81,494
• Current top‑out pay: $118,601
• Projected top‑out pay (12/1/25): $127,046
• Sign‑on bonus: $10,000 ( $2,000 upon hire and $8,000 after completion of year 2 )
• Retention bonuses awarded every 5 years, capped at 30 years of service
• Take Home Squad eligibility (must reside within 5 miles of the County)
• IMRF SLEP pension
• Lake County Government offers a competitive salary and benefit package

Position Details

The Deputy Sheriff performs complex work related to the protection of life, persons, and property of Lake County citizens through enforcement of laws and ordinances. The role operates under moderate supervision and includes responding to dispatch calls (both emergency and non‑emergency), investigating crimes and suspicious conditions, and handling complaints.

Key duties include:

• Arresting individuals suspected of violating ordinances or statutes, using physical force when necessary
• Interviewing offenders and victims of crimes
• Testifying in court on behalf of the County
• Serving warrants and summons
• Speaking to organized groups or the public about law‑enforcement activities
• Coordinating special education programs

Requirements

• Current full‑time certified police officer in good standing at the time of Merit Commission certification
• Availability to work all shifts, including holidays and weekends
• At least two years of full‑time, continuous experience with a law‑enforcement agency that has arrest and firearm authority
• Successful completion of Illinois Basic Police Officer Training, or a comparable Basic Police Officer Training Program accepted by the Illinois State Training Board
• For lateral candidates not presently employed in law enforcement, the Commission may consider applicants when required by federal or state regulations
• Applicants who were not certified may reapply after two years; those whose certification list expires may reapply when the list is reopened

Application

Only online applications are accepted. There is no application fee.

Apply at: GovernmentJobs.com – Lake County Deputy Sheriff

For questions, email the Merit Commission at meritcommission@lakecountyil.gov.

Employment is conditioned on successful completion of a pre‑employment medical exam, drug and alcohol screening, and background screening.