2026 Saline County
Sheriff Chief Deputy
Job Description
Exempt: Yes
Department: Sheriff's Office
Reports To: Sheriff
Location: 735 S Neeley St, Benton, AR 72015
Safety Sensitive: This position is designated as safety/security sensitive and is subject to pre-employment, reasonable suspicion and random drug and alcohol screening.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION
The Chief Deputy is the chief operations law enforcement executive in the Saline County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) and reports directly to the Sheriff. The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of SCSO operations, providing supervision and guidance to five (5) divisions and over 100 employees. The incumbent is responsible for general oversight regarding the safety/security of the SCSO 314-bed Detention Facility and further, makes certain the SCSO is in full compliance with Federal and State guidelines. Mandates and ensuring detainees, as well as employee constitutional rights are not violated, which if violated could cause the Saline County considerable financial loss. The incumbent must have impeccable integrity, ethics and professionalism, excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and outstanding interpersonal skills. The incumbent is responsible for putting into practice the goals, objectives, and ideas of the SCSO Sheriff. The incumbent monitors the progress and ensures that results are achieved by the balancing of resources, personnel and budgets for the improvement of safety, welfare and the economic growth of Saline County. The incumbent assists the Sheriff with policy making, formulation of department objectives, purchasing and coordination of equipment, implementing cost effective standards and procedures, interviewing and recommending staff for employment and promotion, management of the SCSO multi-million-dollar budget with full administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for the overall operation. The incumbent has general oversight of collection of thousands of dollars in prisoner care fees and law enforcement contracts. The incumbent is responsible for compiling information on departmental operations and preparing related reports. This position oversees internal departmental investigations and investigations of employee misconduct. The incumbent must also have a strong desire and ability to establish personal and professional community ties. The incumbent is responsible for exercising an in-depth knowledge of the law enforcement administration in protecting and serving the county by enforcing the criminal and traffic laws. The incumbent relies on past law enforcement experience and training to supervise employees both sworn and civilian, jail detainees, and prepare special reports and give community presentations. This position is designated as a "safety sensitive position" as defined by Act 593 of 2017.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversees day to day operations of the Sheriff's Office.
2. Confers on a daily basis with the Sheriff on day-to-day activities.
3. Coordinates with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
4. Conducts staff meetings.
5. Gets regular updates from Command Staff.
6. Oversees training and minimum standards for employees.
7. Assists with budget and approves supply purchases for SCSO.
8. Assist in oversight of the SCSO Detention Facility.
9. Ensure that the rights and safety of detainees are not violated and that they receive the basic requirements as required by law.
10. Ensure that all contacts with the SCSO are treated courteously and fairly in accordance with Federal and State laws.
11. Attend Quorum Court meetings to answer any questions and prepare reports as requested by Quorum
Court members regarding SCSO operations.
12. Assumes responsibility for ensuring close, effective liaison with local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies (Drug Task Force, Federal, State and Local Legislators, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshal, Arkansas State Police) by attending meetings as required to represent the Saline County Sheriff.
13. Write various special project reports for Saline County, write news releases, assist in writing speeches for the Sheriff, and assist in the writing and reviewing of grants for the SCSO.
14. Work closely with other County department heads in all matters related to the SCSO and serve as liaison with cities and other governmental agencies in the region and throughout the state.
15. Communicate with the public concerning SCSO affairs to include the resolution of complaints, negotiations with vendors concerning the purchase of supplies, and make recommendations to the Sheriff concerning the purchase of SCSO equipment.
16. Ensure that all SCSO operations are adequately staffed and that individuals hired meet SCSO
qualifications and receive proper training.
17. Attends civic club and other community organization meetings to explain and promote the activities and functions of the SCSO and to establish favorable public relations.
18. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
High School Diploma or have passed the General Education Development (GED) testing indication high school graduation level. Documentary evidence shall consist of official transcript, diplomas or GED test report form. In unusual circumstances the Commission may be required to accept other documentation and in such cases the decision of the Commission will be final. Home schooling diplomas will not be accepted unless approved by the Commission. Previous law enforcement experience of 15 years and/or 10 years related management experience.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and understand common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; ability to respond to complex or difficult inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers. Ability to perform these mathematical skills using money and other forms of measurement.
CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- No felony convictions.
- Possess or be able to immediately obtain a valid Arkansas Driver's License.
- Provide proof of U.S. Citizenship upon request.
- Full Time Certified Law Enforcement Officer with at least 15 years of experience.
- Complete a minimum of 24 hours of training per year;
- Qualify with a score of 80% with all firearms he/she will be using or carry;
- Complete mandated yearly classes as specified by the Commission on Law Enforcement and Training.
- Physical Readiness Testing: The Sheriff will authorize appropriate personnel to conduct physical readiness testing (PRT) of all deputies two (2) times in a calendar year. All Sworn deputies, including detention deputies, must perform the following:
- Plank (no time requirements)
- Pushups (no number of time requirements)
- One (1) mile walk (no time requirements)
PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Not indicated.
SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED
Advanced: Word Processing/Typing
Intermediate: Accounting, Presentation/PowerPoint, Spreadsheet
RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK OF OTHERS
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include but not limited to interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Supervises and manages multiple divisions through 5 supervisors who supervise 100+ employees who are engaged in diversified activities.
Supervises the following divisions: All divisions associated with the Office of the Saline County Sheriff
RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDS, PROPERTY and EQUIPMENT
Regularly responsible for funds, building premises, inventory, or other property owned or leased by the organization and, in addition, may have temporary custody and responsibility of patron property, which through carelessness, error, loss, theft, misappropriation, or similar action would result in very important monetary losses to the organization. The total value for the above would range from $100,000,000 to $250,000,000.
IMPACT ON END RESULTS
Major impact. Job has a considerable impact on the organization's end results. A high level of accountability to generate, manage, and/or control funds within a department and/or total organization.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Extensive contacts with various diversified sectors of the public environment; wherein, the contacts are of major importance and failure to exercise proper judgment can lead to substantial losses to the organization.
EMPLOYEE CONTACT
Continuous contacts frequently involve difficult negotiations which require a well-developed sense of strategy and timing. Involves contacts with senior level internal officials.
USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS
Regular use of highly complex machines and equipment; specialized or advanced software programs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Outside or inside working environment, wherein there are potentially hazardous working conditions and life-threatening situations exist (fire, chemicals, electrical sources, heights, dangerous people, etc.) all the time per job duties and responsibilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions; and occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
Moderate diversity, moderately physical. Work activities which allow for a moderate amount of diversity in the performance of tasks which require somewhat diversified physical demands of the employee.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear; and occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The position involves regular and irregular hours needed to perform related duties. Work hours may be extended in the event of an emergency, disaster, manpower shortage, workload and work-in-progress. Exposure to danger is possible and carrying a firearm is required. Knowledge of principle, practice and techniques of law enforcement, criminal justice system, self-defense and use of firearms. This position is designated as a "safety sensitive position" as defined by Act 593 of 2017. An essential function is the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
The duties listed above are intended only to show the various types of duties that will be performed. The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. All positions within the Sheriff's Office are assigned by the Sheriff or a designated representative and are subject to be changed when deemed in the best interest of the Sheriff's Office.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Saline County and the employee and is subject to change by the employer if the need of the employer and requirements of the job change.
CHIEF DEPUTY
- Starting at a rate of $93,647 annually for a new hire or promotional rate up to $102,830 annually for an established employee certified by CLEST prior to employment (An individual who has been full-time Saline County employee for more than 90 days).
- This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- This position is scheduled to work Monday/Friday, from 8 AM - 4:30 PM with paid holidays off, dependent upon the workload. This position will involve some travel and/or work extended into the evenings or night hours to attend meetings or conferences.
- Certified Law Enforcement Certification with a minimum of 15 years of law enforcement experience.
- This position is eligible for certificate pay according to the certification schedule, paid the first pay period in December each year.
- Bilingual pay once proficiency has been established.
- This position is designated as a "safety sensitive" position as defined by Act 593 of 2017. An essential function of this position is the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
- Group health, dental and life insurance is paid by the County for the employee's coverage provided the employee obtains a wellness check within designated time frame.
- For employee retirement, the County contributes 15.32% per pay period of the employee's gross towards the employee's retirement through the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System.
POSTED 10/30/2026 ON B
