Deputy Sheriff

Law Enforcement Position

An employee in this position performs general duty law enforcement work to protect life and property in Harnett County for the Office of the Sheriff. This includes: patrolling the County during an assigned shift in a vehicle; preventing, detecting, and investigating disturbances and crime; enforcing gun carry laws; serving various civil and criminal papers; responding to calls; apprehending suspects; and executing related assignments. Other duties include assignment as Court Deputy/Bailiff, assignment to the Civil Services Unit, serving as School Resource Officer, or other special assignments. Annual Salary: Deputy I: $55,688.00

Essential functions of the position include patrolling the County in a vehicle; serving a variety of civil and criminal papers; responding to calls; examining premises of unoccupied residences or buildings; detecting unusual conditions; maintaining surveillance and observation for stolen cars, missing persons, or suspects. Other duties include responding to calls for assistance, complaints, suspicious activity, domestic disputes, and loud, disruptive behavior; completing calls by determining true nature of the situation; and taking whatever legal or persuasive action is warranted. The position also involves investigating possible crimes through observation, questioning witnesses, and gathering physical evidence; performing investigative tasks; making arrests; processing criminal suspects; and presenting findings in court. Additionally, the position includes serving warrants, apprehending, processing, and transporting criminal suspects to County magistrate and/or County detention facilities. Courtroom security for judges, the public, and inmates is also a responsibility, which may include calling court into session, ensuring judges’ security and other needs are met, performing coordination, seclusion, and other procedures with juries, and escorting inmates to and from the courtroom. The position may also serve as School Resource Officer, establishing rapport with students, faculty, and staff; providing security on campus; providing traffic control and enforcement; working various athletic and social school events; providing counseling regarding substance abuse, gang avoidance, drug resistance, DWI, and other laws to students, faculty, and staff; presenting various programming in classrooms; and investigating criminal activities on campus. Other duties include advising the public on laws and local ordinances; serving papers; assisting stranded motorists; giving information and directions to visitors and the general public; working an assigned shift; and performing other related duties as assigned.

Minimum requirements to perform work include a high school diploma and completion of basic law enforcement training; no experience required; or equivalent education and/or experience. Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license (or obtain before assignment to sworn duties) is required. Possession of a Basic Law Enforcement Certification is preferred. Meet at least the minimum requirements established by the North Carolina Sheriff's Training and Standards Commission for certified law enforcement officers with prospects of successfully completing the entire certification process within prescribed time frames.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and policies of the Department, especially relating to search and seizure, serving papers, pursuit, and arrest. Knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, and equipment. Knowledge of scientific crime detection and criminal identification methods and procedures. Skill in using firearms and other law enforcement equipment and in the application of self-defense tactics. Skill in collaborating with others. Skill in resolving conflicts. Skill in using tact and firmness with the public. Ability to act with sound judgement in routine and emergency situations. Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms. Ability to present effective court testimony. Ability to prepare clear and concise activity reports. Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the citizens. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, and other public officials. Ability to remain calm under challenging or volatile circumstances.

Physical demands include the ability to perform light work frequently exerting up to 30 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; and occasionally requiring to exert up to 50 pounds of force to move objects. This work also involves the physical abilities of balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, having manual dexterity, using mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, performing repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, shouting to be heard above ambient noise, and walking. An incumbent must also possess the visual acuity to analyze data, work with color or depth perception, distinguish details and differences when observing people/places/things; operate motor vehicles, use a computer, and inspect for defects. The employee is subject to hazards associated with law enforcement work including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and with exposure to various hazards such as dangerous persons, loud noises, and hazardous spills with fumes, oils, gases, or flammable liquids. Work may subject employee to compliance with final OSHA Standards on bloodborne pathogens.