Probationary Deputy Sheriff

Full-time, on-site position with the Missoula County Sheriff's Office.

About the role

This is an entry-level probationary position used for training and evaluation for the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.

Pay

$38.75 per hour

Responsibilities

• Drives a vehicle to patrol assigned areas of the County to provide for the safety and well-being of life and property.
• Responds to calls for assistance and complaints of crimes and disturbances.
• Makes initial investigations at crime scenes, including interviews and preserving evidence.
• Serves legal and civil process orders of courts including arrest warrants, restraining orders, and subpoenas.
• Appears in court to give testimony and present evidence.
• Prepares and submits reports as required.
• Arrests or assists in the arrest of suspects.
• Enforces traffic regulations.

Requirements

• Must meet minimum requirements as set forth by Montana State statutes:
  • Be a citizen of the United States.
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Be a graduate of an accredited high school or the equivalent.
  • Never have been convicted of a felony.
  • Be fingerprinted and a search made of appropriate files to disclose any criminal record.
  • Not have been affiliated in any manner with a subversive organization within 5 years.
  • Within 30 days immediately preceding the date of employment, have been examined by a physician licensed to practice in the State of Montana and have been pronounced in good physical condition (this examination is provided by the County).
  • Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
  • Have successfully completed an oral interview in which the characteristics necessary to a peace officer are demonstrated.
  • Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver's license.
• Must successfully complete the department Field Training Officer (FTO) program.
• Must attend and satisfactorily complete Basic School at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy within one (1) year of employment.
• Requires passing a background investigation.
• Must pass departmental physical ability examination prior to employment and participate periodically thereafter.
• Requires a valid Montana driver’s license and safe driving record.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• The employee is required to carry a weapon and is exposed to potentially dangerous situations.
• Requires adjusting to changing shifts; exposure to a stressful environment; exposure to human blood, urine, and other contagious sources; and working both indoors and outdoors in all temperatures.
• The work may require working longer than twelve-hour shifts. Employee is subject to call-out at any time.
• The work requires frequent driving; occasional standing and walking on all types of surfaces; and frequent reaching.
• Use of the hands is continuously required; applying pressure with the hands and forceful, repeated, or sustained exertions are occasionally required.
• Running, jumping, and climbing stairs, ladders, and fences are activities required occasionally.
• Lifting, carrying, and pushing/pulling of items weighing greater than 140 lbs are required occasionally.
• Requires hearing which falls within normal limits for both pure tone and speech, per audiogram (an average will be taken of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz; the applicant must have an average threshold of 25dBHL or less in each ear).
• Requires vision acuity as follows:
  • Binocular vision of 20/80 uncorrected, which is corrected using glasses or contact lenses to binocular vision of 20/30.
  • 140 degrees peripheral.
  • Normal color vision to sufficiently distinguish red, yellow, and green.
  • Normal depth perception.

Applicant testing will occur in Missoula, Montana on October 3rd & 4th, 2026. Remote testing is not available. All passing applicants will be scheduled for interviews on October 5th & 6th, pending the size of the applicant pool. Applicants will be notified via email of the testing location and time.