POST Academy Cadet/Patrol Deputy I

Boulder County Sheriff’s Office - Operations Division

2026 Hiring Range: $81,828 - $94,104
2026 Salary Range: $81,828 - $114,384
2027 Salary Range: yet to be determined

About the role

The POST Academy Cadet will be hired to attend a certified law enforcement training academy. If the selected cadet is not currently a Deputy I, they will have their job status changed to Deputy I upon start of the academy. Upon successful completion of the POST academy, the trainee will transfer to Patrol as a deputy and enter the Operations FTO program if selected. FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime once academy and field training program have been successfully completed).

Responsibilities

During Academy Attendance

• Attend Law Enforcement Academy, passing all required skills and assessments required of an academy cadet.
• Successfully pass Colorado POST certification testing.

For Deputy I after obtaining POST certification

• Enforces laws, resolutions, and statutes.
• Investigates criminal and non-criminal cases.
• Prepares and executes arrest and search warrants.
• Conducts and organizes search and rescue efforts.
• Makes arrests based upon probable cause and/or personal observation.
• Processes arrestees into the jail.
• Prepares cases and testifies in court.
• Performs related work as required or assigned.
• May be reassigned in case of emergency situation.
• Responds to emergencies.
• Assists other agencies as needed.

Requirements

• A high school diploma, or equivalent.
• Must be 21 years old or be at least 20 years old and turn 21 during attendance at the academy.
• No felony convictions.
• Must not have any domestic violence offense related convictions or domestic violence related restraining orders in effect.
• No criminal record that would include misdemeanor conviction(s) for crimes involving controlled substances.
• No illegal drug use within last three years.
• Must not use marijuana upon job offer.
• Must not have any DUI/DWAI convictions or driver's license suspensions or revocations within 24 months of application, or more than one DUI/DWAI conviction in lifetime.
• Must have a good driving record.
• Must maintain a neat, clean, business-like appearance. Cadets may be required to shave, remove piercings, and have short hair, depending on academy policies.
• Successfully complete any required Deputy I testing, to include: Written testing, polygraph, background investigation(s), psychological testing, physical agility testing, drug screen, hearing test, physical, or other testing as required.
• A history of excessive use of illegal drugs, or other offenses, could disqualify an applicant.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to complete an obstacle course in 101 seconds or less.
• Must be able to lift 35 lbs. from floor to height of 5 feet (60 inches).
• Must be able to carry 60 lbs. at least 25 feet.
• Must be able to drag 150 lbs. 25 feet.
• Must be able to push a car 10 feet on a level surface.
• Must be able to scale a 5 foot fence or wall from a standing position.
• Must be able to run 1/4 mile in 162 seconds or less.

Schedule

This position is a minimum 42 hours per week while attending the POST academy. The number of hours per week may fluctuate depending on weekly class schedules. The academy hours and days per week will be established by Academy staff, which may include evenings, weekends, or holidays. The specific academy has yet to be chosen, with an anticipated start date in January 2027.

Benefits

• Outstanding options of comprehensive health plans that include vision and dental coverage.
• Family-forming benefits: infertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy reimbursements.
• 12 weeks Paid Caregiver leave.
• Breastfeeding-friendly work environment.
• Infants-at-work policy.
• Access to LifeMart and Benefits Hub discount hub, including discounts on childcare centers, event tickets, travel and more.
• Access to a nationally-recognized wellness program.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• PERA 401k.
• Social Security retirement plans.
• Additional Life and Disability Insurance.
• Critical Illness and Accidental Insurance.
• County-paid tuition assistance.
• Eligible for PSLF- Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Free EcoPass.
• Hospital Indemnity.
• ID Theft Protection.
• Pet Insurance.
• 8 Hours of Paid Public Service Leave.
• Generous paid time off.
• Paid holidays:
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King's Birthday (January)
  • Presidents' Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Indigenous People's Day (November, first Tuesday after the first Monday, even years)
  • General Election Day (November)
  • Veterans' Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Friday after Thanksgiving (District Attorney’s Office observes Francis Xavier Cabrini Day on the first Monday in October instead)
  • Christmas Eve (½ day, full day off depends on day of the week)
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year’s Eve (½ day, full day off depends on day of the week)
• Vacation:
  • 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire.
  • Eight hours of vacation per month for the first year of continuous service.
  • Twelve hours of vacation per month after the first year of continuous service.
• Medical leave: Eight hours of medical leave for each month employed.
• PERA: The County and all employees pay into both Social Security and PERA.
  • Employer contribution to Social Security: 7.65% of salary.
  • Employer contribution to PERA (Local Government Division): 15.80%.

Vacation and Medical leave are based off of full time FTE accruals. Part-time FTE/term employees accrue leave based on the percentage of time they work.