Deputy Sheriff

Salary: $32.67 - $44.61 Hourly
Location : Jackson, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Sheriff
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: LELS 53

Description
The Deputy Sheriff provides law enforcement services to the citizens of Jackson County. The Deputy Sheriff is responsible for providing protection of life and property which includes traffic and crime prevention patrol and follow-up investigations on crimes committed or reported. Performs other related law enforcement activities or orders of the court within the County and elsewhere in the State of Minnesota, where mutual aid agreements exist. The Deputy carries out duties of the job in conformance with federal, state, county, and city laws and ordinances.

Responsible for their own work and may act as the Officer in Charge in the absence of a Supervisor for shift purposes.

Duties/Responsibilities

1. Patrols all County roads, County State Aid Highways, Township and minimum maintenance roads and public access roads to preserve the peace and enforce all traffic laws; maintains 24-hour availability by radio, computer, or telephone, for consultation on major emergencies.
   
   • Enforces motor vehicle and commercial vehicle regulations;
     
   • Responds to calls and assists with motor vehicle crashes on the Interstate and State highways; assists the State Patrol with problems on State highways and the Interstate;
     
     • Administers first aid to victims of accidents, crashes, assaults and other medical problems;
       
     • Calls for backup emergency personnel (fire, ambulance, police, air care) when needed;
       
     • Locates and secures safe landing zone for air care at crashes and other life threatening incidents;
   • Responds and assists with driving complaints and any other calls for service on the Interstate and State highways; facilitates solutions for helping citizens obtain tow trucks, directions, and explanation of laws, rules, and ordinances;
     
   • Apprehends and arrests, with reasonable force if necessary, persons involved in criminal activity; pursues and apprehends fleeing suspects on foot or in motor vehicles at high rates of speed in accordance with statues and department policy;
     
   • Responds to emergency calls, sometimes at high rates of speed, under varying road, weather and traffic conditions;
     
   • Detects and arrests alcohol and drug-impaired drivers; communicates with and de-escalates incidents involving drug, alcohol and mentally impaired persons; calibrates and operates Preliminary Breath Test machines;
     
   • Responds to investigate residential and commercial building alarms;
     
   • Responds to assist or advise correctional officers in the jail with out of control or defiant inmates;
     
   • Responds to reports of domestic disputes, assaults, missing persons, runaways, suspicious persons or vehicles and persons with gun calls;
     
   • Responds to public nuisance complaints such as barking dogs, loud music, juvenile drinking parties, fireworks, animals at large, etc;
     
   • Performs boat/water patrol and snowmobile patrol as needed.
2. Performs administrative and non-emergency police duties.
   
   • Conducts transfers of prisoners from other jurisdictions to the County for prosecution and mentally ill prisoners to correctional agencies;
     
   • May provide D.A.R.E. and similar education to the youth in the local schools;
     
   • Prepares evidence, ships it to laboratory for testing as needed and provides results to attorneys and court as required;
     
   • Provides security at courthouse and courtrooms;
     
   • Assists County Human Services with child protection and welfare fraud issues;
     
   • Testifies in Court of Law as arresting officer in criminal and civil matters whenever needed; consults with prosecuting attorneys and investigators regarding cases;
     
   • Prepares necessary reports, logs and other forms and correspondence as required;
     
   • Serves civil and criminal complaints, executes summons, subpoenas, complaints, warrants and protection orders; arrests and transports criminals on outstanding warrants.
3. Conducts follow-up investigations and interviews of suspects or witnesses on reported crimes and other pertinent incidents.
   
   • Interrogates and tape records adult and juvenile suspects of crimes within the confines of State law, case law and department policy;
     
   • Establishes videotape, photographic evidence of crime scenes and severe personal injury crashes;
     
   • Processes crime scenes and gathers and preserves important evidence, maintaining chain of custody and proper evidence gathering procedures;
     
   • Investigates and interviews drivers and witnesses at motor vehicle crash sites.
4. Serves on task forces and assists other local, county, state and federal agencies with investigations and crime detection; acts as backup for the police force in local jurisdictions.
   
5. Attends required training classes and completes qualifications necessary to maintain POST license and other required certifications.
   
   • Maintains a current certification in the following areas: as a First Responder, pursuit driving, all firearms including less-lethal, use of force and other specialized certifications;
     
   • Maintains knowledge and proficiency operating on state computer and related websites;
     
   • Maintains continual training for an active P.O.S.T. license;
     
   • Maintains firearms proficiency with duty weapon, off-duty weapon, rifle, shotgun, less-lethal shotgun, Taser and attends mandated qualifications on a yearly basis;
     
   • Maintains a professional appearance and code of conduct in accordance with department policy.
6. Performs Other Related Functions as Apparent or Assigned.

Qualifications
The job requires an associate's degree in Criminology, Sociology, Psychology or a related field and successful completion of a Law Enforcement Skills Field Training Program at an accredited facility, or equivalent, as mandated by POST (must be eligible for licensure as a peace officer), plus one year of previous law enforcement experience. The job requires a driver's license.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and department policies related to law enforcement;
• Ability to maintain integrity and competence; good investigative skills;
• Advanced driving skills for emergency response;
• Knowledge of first responder emergency medical procedures;
• Ability to make life and death decisions during critical incidents;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors and the public;
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and maintain composure in stressful situations;
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition;
• Skilled in operation of computers, printers, telephones, fax machines and copiers;
• Skilled in arrest procedures, use of force, law enforcement software, cameras, PBTs, radar, evidence collection procedures and pursuit driving.
• Create a positive work environment of equity and inclusion.
• Promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation among all employees and provide a work environment of mutual respect.
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries.

The County of Jackson provides a comprehensive, balanced, 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 the first day of the month following the first day of employment.

The following outlines the County's 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 (40 hours per week)

• Biweekly pay periods, by direct deposit to a checking or savings account.
• 12 Paid Holidays
• 16 Paid Personal Hours for employment starting between January 1 and June 30; 8 hours of Paid Personal hours for those starting between July 1 and December 31. Prorated for Regular, Part-Time Employees.
• Emergency Sick & Safe Time Leave accumulates at 8.0 hours per month. Prorated for Regular, Part-Time Employees.
• Vacation Leave accumulates at 8.0 hours per month for the first five years, and increases based on years of service. Prorated for Regular, Part-Time Employees.
• Pension Plan for employees is automatic under PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association).

Health Insurance
Insurance rates (Monthly) - Effective January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026.

Plan 1: $5,000/$10,000
Employee: Single - $44.30 / Family - $266.52
Employer: Single - $841.94 / Family - $2,398.84
Jackson County makes bi-weekly medical savings account contributions on behalf of employees. Contribution amounts are $200.00 per month for single coverage and $350.00 per month for family coverage.

Life Insurance:
Employees are provided with $20,000 Basic Life Insurance, with an additional $20,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment at no cost to them.

Dental Insurance:
Jackson County pays for Employee Only dental coverage and offers co-paid Employee + One and Family dental coverage.

Voluntary Benefits Available:

• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical & Dependent Care)
• Supplemental Accident Insurance
• Supplemental Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Hospital Insurance
• Short-term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Supplement Life
• Deferred Compensation (457b)
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PLSF)

MN Paid Leave
A state-mandated program that provides paid time off for qualifying events. Jackson County has elected to meet this requirement by offering coverage through a private plan MetLife. MN Paid Leave premiums are co-paid by Jackson County and the employee.
01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

02

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you an honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States or are you otherwise eligible to claim Veteran's Preference Points? In order to claim veterans preference, you must meet the requirements as outlined in MN Statutes and attach, email required documentation - eg. DD214.

• Yes
• No

04

If you wish to claim Veterans Preference what status do you wish to claim?

• Veteran (submit DD214)
• Disabled Veteran (Need to submit DD214 and FL-802 or comparable certification of disability status within past 12 months)
• Spouse of Deceased or Disabled Veteran (Need to submit proof of veterans status and proof of marriage and/or death of veteran, if applicable)
• Not Applicable

05

Do you have at least an associates degree in Criminology, Sociology, Psychology or related field?

• Yes
• No

06

Have you successfully completed and/or will successfully complete in the next 6 months, a Law Enforcement Skills Field Training Program at an accredited facility or equivalent?

• Yes - already completed
• Yes - will complete in the next 6 months
• No

07

Are you a currently licensed peace officer, eligible for licensure as mandated by P.O.S.T, and/or will become eligible for licensure as mandated by P.O.S.T within the next 6 months?

• Yes - currently licensed peace officer and/or eligible as mandated by P.O.S.T
• Yes - will be eligible and/or licensed as mandated by P.O.S.T within the next 6 months
• No

08

Do you have any formal training in law enforcement? If yes, please choose the box below that best describes your years of training.

• No formal training
• < 1 year of formal training
• 1 year of formal training
• 2-4 years of formal training
• 5 + years of formal training

09

Check Below if you have ever been convicted of any of the following offenses:

• A felony in this state or in any other state or federal jurisdiction
• An offense in any other state or federal jurisdiction which would have been a felony if committed in Minnesota
• MSS 609.224 (assault in the 5th degree)
• MSS 609.2242 (domestic assault)
• MSS 609.231 (mistreatment of residents or patients)
• MSS 609.2325 (abuse of a vulnerable adult)
• MSS 609.233 (neglect of a vulnerable adult)
• MSS 609.2335 (financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult)
• MSS 609.234 (failure to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult)
• MSS 609.324 (prostitution related prohibited acts)
• MSS 609.465 (presenting false claims)
• MSS 609.466 (medical assistance fraud)
• MSS 609.52 (theft)
• MSS 609.72 subdivision 3 (disorderly conduct in re a vulnerable adult)
• Any state or federal narcotics or controlled substance law
• Any crimes listed in another state or federal jurisdiction, or under a local ordinance that would be a conviction if committed in Minnesota
• Not Applicable

10

Have you ever been convicted of a gross misdemean