Salary : $73,153.60 - $102,523.20 Annually
Location : Justice Center, 401 Carver Rd., Mankato, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Sheriff's Office
Division: Patrol
Opening Date: 09/17/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 11:59 PM Central

DESCRIPTION
Under general supervision of the Lieutenant, this position is responsible for providing professional, courteous, and courageous law enforcement services that are vital to the protection of life, property, and preserving the public peace. This position will exercise independent judgement in patrolling roadways and cities under the jurisdiction of the Blue Earth County Sheriff, enforce statutes and ordinances, make critical decisions, conduct general patrol, respond to emergency calls, monitor traffic, conduct investigations, prepare reports, develop community partnerships, and carry out special duties.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Makes decisions, independently or in consultation with the supervisor, at incidents or crime scenes which may be centered around life-or-death situations; decisions may be split-second and are based on the safest procedures to be followed to ensure safety to individuals involved and fellow officers/members of the public. Evaluates situations, determines the need and justification in implementing the use defensive tactic maneuvers, chemical agents, weapons, firearms, and deadly force to protect the life and safety of self and others. Evaluates the need versus threat to initiate or terminate a high-speed pursuit. Determines if arrests are deemed lawful and follows proper statutes.
2. Patrols State, County, Township, and city streets within Blue Earth County in an emergency vehicle to preserve law and order. Prevents and detects the commission of crime. Monitors multi-agency radio traffic for service. Conducts search and surveillance activities and prevents crime.
3. Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service. Takes appropriate action when responding to dangerous and unpredictable emergency calls. Prioritizes response to non-emergency calls and acts appropriately. Triages the situation to determine what is needed to be dispatched to the scene: for example, tow trucks, fire and rescue, medical personnel, air ambulance, crash reconstruction, commercial vehicle investigators, human services, supervisors, hazardous material teams, and/or tactical response teams. Deposes victims, witnesses, suspects, and uses observation skills and training to control the situation.
4. Monitors vehicular traffic throughout the County. Enforces state and local traffic laws. Keeps current on new and changing laws, attends mandated training and meets required testing standards. Assists motorists. Locates, identifies, and processes persons driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Responds to and investigates all motor vehicle crashes.
5. Conducts investigations. Preserves the integrity of the crime scene. Identifies, documents, collects, and preserves evidence. Interviews victims and witnesses. Develops informants and suspects. Prepares applications and serves search warrants, arrest warrants, court orders, civil papers, and commitment orders. Works effectively and cooperatively with the detectives at crime scenes and aids with following up on cases. Provides sworn testimony during criminal and civil trials in both District and Federal Court proceedings. Evaluates the safety of a living environment for domestic disputes for children and mentally disturbed persons. Protects the rights of all persons involved. Determines case by case action for future follow up on investigations.
6. Prepares and records reports. Completes initial incident reports of investigated complaints and findings. Documents cases by preparing written reports, which are compiled with other law enforcement on scene to present to prosecutors, judges, probation officers, human services, and others for review of the case. Exchanges and shares information with a multitude of other law enforcement agencies from other county, city, state, and federal agencies on a day-to-day basis. Corresponds with schools, other county and city agencies such as human services and environmental services. Determines the legality and need, then completes legal and administrative documents.
7. Controls individuals, their actions, and the situation. Evaluates information to determine the need to arrest a person. Gives orders to control, negotiate, and react to human behavior. Responds with tact, appropriate level of demeanor and professionalism when dealing with certain subjects or at death scenes. Assists human services staff with removal of children from their homes. Transports and assist probation at and during visits to client's residences and on the street. Transports and guards suspects and prisoners in court, jail, medical, and other facilities. Assists in providing courtroom security to provide decorum, prevent injury, and escape.
8. Carries out special duties. Additional duties within the Sheriff's Office may include but are not limited to; Field Training Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Canine Handler, Taser Instructor, Special Weapons and Tactics Operator, ARMER Radio Instructor, Squad Camera Administrator, Towards Zero Deaths Enforcement Grant Coordinator and Fiscal Administrator, Warrant Officer, IT Committee Member, Snowmobile/ATV Safety Instructor, Water Patrol Deputy, and Water Emergency Response Team. Participates in training and develops a specialized skill set or base of knowledge. Patrols water areas and snowmobile trails. Performs specialized water rescue and search and recovery for victims and property. Responds to severe weather emergencies.
9. Provides Credible Testimony in Court. Attends and testifies in criminal and civil court proceedings. Represents the interests of the county, state, and federal government. Makes a verbal account for observations, actions, and findings while performing official duties.
10. Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
11. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, elected officials, external agencies, and members of the public through professional, respectful, and solution-oriented communication.
12. Performs the physical and mental demands required for the position.
13. Maintains regular and reliable attendance and may work extended evening or weekend hours as necessary to meet organizational needs.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Trains and mentors new staff as requested.
2. Serves Civil Process Papers. Serves civil papers, including but not limited to: subpoenas, summons, writs, dissolution orders, and levies of garnishment to citizens, places of business, and organizations as directed by Court. Advises the public on the proper process for initiating civil proceedings. Serves orders for protection and removes persons and property listed on those orders.
3. Participates in professional staff development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency. Attends and participates in professional organizations. Associates with employees and departments from other counties and states for collaboration.
4. Performs other functions as apparent or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma/GED; and
• Must be licensed or eligible for licensure as a Minnesota peace officer in accordance with Minnesota POST requirements at the time of application; or
• A current Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office employee eligible for Minnesota POST Board licensure at the time of the background investigation, including successful completion of required education and passage of the POST licensing examination
• Applicants must submit a copy of their Minnesota P.O.S.T. license, Letter of Eligibility, or other documentation demonstrating eligibility, as applicable

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of three (3) three years of experience as a full-time licensed peace officer.
• Proficient in understanding and speaking languages other than English, such as Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Sudanese, and Arabic, among others.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the State of Minnesota.
• Must pass a psychological evaluation, physical examination, drug and alcohol testing and background check.
• Must be eligible for MN P.O.S.T. licensure at time of background check.
• Must qualify with firearms within existing departmental qualification standards.
• Must submit to fingerprinting and a check of those fingerprints through the FBI and Minnesota BCA.
• Must comply with all federal and state laws and organizational and departmental policies and regulations.
• Must wear a bullet-resistant vest while on duty.
• Must adhere to data practices policies and standards regarding non-public data. Access to non-public data must be limited to what is necessary to perform job duties. Employees must take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access and ensure secure storage of data in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes.

HOURS OF WORK

Involves a rotating shift which, under normal conditions, results in an eighty (80) hour work period over fourteen (14) days. Night, weekend, holiday, and overtime hours may be required Hours of work are structured to meet call-for-service demand and the needs of the public served.
Benefits Overview
LELS - Deputies

The County of Blue Earth provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive total compensation package. The County's benefit programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or dependent care assistance, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings. Benefits begin upon date of hire.

The following outlines County offered total compensation benefits. This document provides an overview and does not offer all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents and/or collective bargaining agreements, the plan documents will prevail.

Regular, Full-Time Employee

Wage/Salary Scale
Blue Earth County features a 12-Step Pay Plan. Our advertised salary ranges include all 12 Steps. Typically, a selected candidate will be offered Step 1 of the salary range. Additional salary considerations are subject to negotiation and dependent on skills and experience directly related to the position.

Vacation Leave
Vacation accruals, utilization, and payouts are detailed in the collective bargaining agreement and/or the employee handbook. An additional eight hours shall be paid in lieu of Christmas Eve.

Blue Earth County Years of Service Bi-Weekly Accrual Rate
0 - 5 years - 3.85 hours
6 - 9 years - 4.77 hours
10 - 13 years - 5.69 hours
14 - 18 years - 6.62 hours
19 - 24 years - 7.54 hours
25 + years - 8.46 hours

Sick Leave
Employees accrue sick leave at a rate of eight (8) hours for each full month of service.

Paid Holidays
Blue Earth County recognizes 11 days + 4 hours (92 hours) paid holidays in lieu of holidays.
Health Insurance
Employees may choose from 3-health insurance plans and either single or family coverage. Insurance Rates (Monthly) - Effective: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

Plan 1: CMM $0 Deductible
Employee: Single - $157.63 / Family - $1,389.71
Employer: Single - $1,418.63 / Family - $3,242.66
Total Cost: Single - $1,576.26/ Family - $4,632.37

Plan 2: CMM $300 Deductible
Employee: Single - $1.18/ Family - $929.98
Employer: Single - $1,418.64 / Family - $3,242.66
Total Cost: Single - $1,419.82 / Family - $4,172.64

Plan 3: HDHP with HSA
Employee: Single - $0.00 / Family - $488.78
Employer: Single - $1,108.79 / Family - $2,769.74
Total Cost: Single - $1,108.79 / Family - $3,258.52

Blue Earth County contributes to a health savings account (HSA) when the employee elects the HDHP. Single coverage HSA contributions equal $1,500, and family coverage HSA contributions equal $3,000.

Life Insurance
Employees are provided with Term-Life Insurance at no cost to them:

• $20,000 term-life/$20,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)
• After ten (10) years of continuous employment with Blue Earth County, the policy will increase to $35,000 term-life/$35,000 accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D)

Retirement
The County and the employee contribute to the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) based on a percentage of the employee wage:
Police & Fire Plan
Employee: 11.8%
Employer: 17.7%
Blue Earth County contributes 1.25% of the gross monthly wage per month into a Post-Employment Health Plan (PEHP). Employee contributions: 0-5 years, 1%; 6-10 years, 1.5%; 11+ years, 2%.

Voluntary Benefits Available

• AFLAC
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Nice Healthcare
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Voluntary Life (Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren))
• Deferred Compensation (457b)
• Roth IRA
• 529 Educational Roth
• Minnesota Benefits Association (MBA)
• Savi Student Loan Benefit

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The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?