Deputy Sheriff

Deputy Sheriff Position

The Northampton County Sheriff's Department is searching for capable, energetic candidates who are up to the challenge to be their best. In return, they will get the satisfaction of serving their community and a sense of pride that will last a lifetime. We offer a competitive starting salary, excellent benefits, and continuous training and educational opportunities throughout your career.

Written Exam Dates - TBD

Effective immediately, applicants may take the exam for this position a maximum of two (2) times per 12-month period.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Upon hire new Deputy Sheriff's must attend the 19-week training Academy at Penn State University. This is required and residency is mandatory for this training. For additional information regarding this Academy, please click here. Those with Act 2 or Act 120 training will complete Waiver Training, as outlined on the site.

In order to be considered for this position, candidates must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume. Please answer any supplemental questions truthfully and completely. Use the employment history section of your application to substantiate your answers to supplemental questions. Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the minimum requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered for the position. All qualified, eligible applicants will move on to the next step in the recruitment process, which is a Written Exam. Candidates will be notified to schedule their testing session; they will be allowed up to three hours to complete the exam, which is a law enforcement test called FrontLine National. The test consists of the following:

• Situational Judgment and Human Relations Video Test
• Report Writing Test
• Reading Test

FrontLine National does offer practice tests which can be accessed here.

Candidates will receive email notification regarding the results of their exam. Applicants who pass the test will receive subsequent email notification of the next step in the recruitment process, the Physical Agility Test. Information regarding the Physical Agility Test requirements will be provided to applicants when they take the written exam. Please note, candidates who possess Pennsylvania Act 2 or Act 120 certifications are exempt from taking the Physical Agility Test. Candidates are also required to successfully pass the following:

• Polygraph Examination
• Background Investigation
• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination (including a drug screen)

Equal Employment Opportunities – It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law. For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst, at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE A Deputy Sheriff is a sworn and certified law enforcement officer who provides courthouse and courtroom security, transportation of prisoners, and service of court orders and writs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED This position reports directly to a Deputy Sheriff Sergeant, a Sheriff's Lieutenant, Chief Deputy Sheriff, and/or the Sheriff.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION Serves court orders and writs. Tracks down individuals named in such papers, visiting home and business addresses, and talking to family members. Locates individuals and serves legal papers. Apprehends and arrests individuals who are wanted for Commonwealth Court issued orders/warrants, probation violations, and other orders. Serves protection from abuse papers. Enforces court orders. Serves incompetency papers securing witness signatures. Locates personal property, including vehicles, for sale or levy. Executes court orders, injunctions, and possessions. Provides security for Northampton County government buildings by screening all individuals entering the building for weapons, drugs, explosives, or other prohibited items. Responds to emergencies in the Courthouse, courtrooms, or other government buildings as required. Transports individuals from prison to court for trials, hearings, and sentencing. Escorts sentenced defendants from courtroom to collection, and other offices, as required for each case. Transports prisoners to and from various penal institutions within the state, and for extradition to and from other jurisdictions. Drives and/or rides escort in County vehicles to effect such transport. Searches individuals being transported for weapons, drugs, or other contraband. Directs security in courtrooms. Calls for prisoners. Depending on nature and circumstances of cases being heard, searches individuals entering courtroom. Observes court proceedings, particularly individuals' activities and demeanor, to anticipate and control problem situations. Guards jurors and judges during course of trial. In the event of an emergency, summons appropriate agency, and within limits of training, renders emergency treatment.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma; AND Must be 21 years of age by date of hire; AND Employees assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license and have a clean driving record; AND Employees assigned to this title will be required to achieve and maintain certification under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania act of February 9, 1984 (known as Act 2) and amended by the act of July 9, 2014 (known as Act-114) known as the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Act.

NOTE: The County may give preference to a candidate who has Act 2 (Deputy Sheriff's Academy) or Act 120 (Municipal Police Officer's Academy) certification. This exception may be used when Deputy Sheriff's Academy availability is limited or when the operational needs of the Sheriff's Department require faster certification of an applicant(s). Faster certification is possible when an applicant has either (1) already completed the Deputy Sheriff's Academy and is certified or (2) completed Act 120 training and can obtain a waiver to take the shorter, two week Deputy Sheriff's Academy training. Candidates on the eligibility list bypassed when this exception is used shall remain on the list. This exception is not intended to be used at all times when an applicant has a Deputy Sheriff's Academy certification or has completed Act 120 training.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION – All Deputy Sheriff candidates are required to successfully pass a polygraph test.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION – All Deputy Sheriff candidates are required to successfully pass a background investigation, including a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and credit history.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION – All Deputy Sheriff candidates are required to successfully pass a psychological examination.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION – All Deputy Sheriff candidates are required successfully pass a medical examination, including a drug screen. Must maintain certifications in First Aid, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillation)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of the methods and techniques commonly employed in law enforcement, security, and prisoner transportation. Knowledge of the principles and practices of the criminal and civil justice system, including the rules of procedure. Knowledge of the goals and objectives of law enforcement work at the County level. Familiarity with the use and maintenance of weapons used in law enforcement. Ability to maintain order, including the control of disruptive individuals, in a variety of situations. Ability to locate geographical locations, including alternate routes, across the County and State. Ability to keep records and prepare reports from them. Ability to write reports and citations, and document and maintain files, including using computers for reporting and retrieval. Ability to conduct a criminal investigation, prepare criminal complaints/affidavits, file criminal charges, and prepare for prosecution. Knowledge of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Laws of Arrest. Ability to operate computers,