Volunteer - Search and Rescue, Sheriff's Office

Search And Rescue Volunteer

The Search And Rescue Posse is a volunteer unit developed to support the Search And Rescue division. The Pinal County Sheriffs' Office currently uses the search and rescue posse to perform missions in Pinal County and surrounding counties if requested. The Pinal County Sheriffs' Office has several different types of resources that are called upon during missions. These resources include: Ground Searchers, K-9 Tracking, Technical Rescue and Helicopter operations. Please write in the Objective line which type of volunteer team are you interested in: Ground Search, K9, etc.

Minimum Requirements To Perform Work

• High School Diploma or G.E.D.; must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age, a United States citizen or legal resident.
• Must possess a valid Driver's License. Arizona Driver's License preferred
• Must have transportation
• Must possess proof of current auto insurance, at all times
• Must successfully pass a background examination.
• Must complete oral interviews
• Must complete required basic Search and Rescue classes during probation and maintain training throughout the year.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Upon review and approval of your application, you will be contacted for an oral board interview.

• Commitment of one year of service for volunteer
• Commitment of one semester for interns
• Commitment of a minimum of 16 volunteer hours per month, on average
• Commitment to attend ongoing meetings, in-service training and education workshops.
• Individuals selected will be placed on a one year probationary period
• This is a voluntary unpaid position.

Must be capable of completing a 7 mile endurance hike in mountainous terrain carrying a 30 lb. All prospective candidates must complete the following before scheduling the background interview:

1. Response Time Requirement
   • Must be able to respond to the Helicopter Pad at Lost Dutchman State Park within one (1) hour.
2. Physical Capability Assessment
   • Must be capable of hiking approximately 1.5 miles uphill while carrying a 30 lb backpack.
   • This activity will be timed and evaluated.
   • Additional physical tasks will be included, such as stokes basket carry and other functional SAR activities.
3. Required FEMA Training (Online / No Cost)
   • Completion of three (3) FEMA online courses prior to the interview (course list will be provided).
4. CPR/AED Certification
   • Must be current in CPR/AED prior to the interview.
5. SAR Skills Evaluation
   • Candidates will be tested on the ability to correctly perform several essential SAR knots during the interview/testing process

Link to the Search And Rescue Volunteer Physical Assessment Waiver:

*This is a volunteer position with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. Volunteers serve at the discretion of their respective Appointing Authority. The employment relationship of incumbents in this position is "at will" the employee may be terminated at any time, for any reason, with or without cause. This is not a compensated position.

We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value professionalism and treating others with respect. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration and may impact your future Pinal County applications. The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the first quartile require additional approval.

All qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States are welcome to apply. However, visa sponsorship is not available. Pinal County does not participate in STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT).

Pinal County requires pre-employment screening, which includes a Motor Vehicle Record check, a comprehensive background check (encompassing employment, education, and criminal history), and drug testing for safety-sensitive roles. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. Employment offers are contingent on successful pre-employment screening. If driving is a requirement of the position, you must have a valid Arizona State Driver's License in accordance with Arizona State Law.

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties, just as though they were actually written out in this description.