Salary : $81,120.00 - $90,584.00 Annually

Location : Buffalo, MN

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 2024 May-Deputy

Department: Sheriff

Opening Date: 05/03/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

General Definition of Work

Qualified applicants must have a MN POST license or be eligible to be licensed as a peace officer by hire date.

Click on the link to learn more about the Wright County Sheriff's Office:

Performs difficult protective service work maintaining the peace, protecting the public, promoting public safety, responding to emergency situations, and enforcing Minnesota statutes and local ordinances. Work is performed under the general direction of the Sergeant.

In this position you have the ability to work in the following units: Patrol, School Resource, Narcotics - Special Investigations, Major Crimes Investigation, Court Security, Detective, Civil Process, Field Training, K-9, Warrant and Transports, Boat and Water Safety, or any other capacity deemed necessary by the Sheriff.

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Serves in a designated area of the County to enforce all laws and regulations, to provide security, to detect violators, and to develop positive relationships with the public.
2. Receives, prioritizes, and responds to non-emergency calls.
3. Responds to emergency situations such as accidents, medical emergencies, fire scenes and other emergencies; performs various other tasks to secure the scene and assist other emergency personnel.
4. Conducts detailed investigations of accidents, criminal activities, and public safety incidents.
5. Participates as a team member with Deputies, supervisors, and residents to identify and prioritize problems, develop and implement solutions, and evaluate results.
6. Organizes resources within the community, the Sheriff's Office, and other agencies to reduce crime and meet the appropriate needs of the community; works toward building partnerships with residents, service providers, other agencies.
7. Maintains records of activities; prepares reports to provide information to investigators and/or prosecutors.
8. Testifies in court proceedings to present evidence and to give personal account of incident/crime as needed.
9. Maintains firearms and other equipment issued.
10. Attends all required training classes; completes testing and certifications as required.
11. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Addendum/Other Assignments
Patrol Deputy
The Patrol Deputy spends most of the work time in marked squad cars, patrolling the district, responding to calls for service, and investigating incidents. Has frequent public contact and maintains positive public contact.

School Resources Deputy
The School Resource Deputy is assigned to specific schools and/or school districts and is responsible for developing positive relationships with students, school administration and staff and for security related issues, criminal complaints, bomb threats, facility safety and drug abuse resistance education programs. Work is performed in the schools most of the time and in the office, at meetings and events, and driving the rest of the time. All physical demands and working conditions of the core job description also apply.
Patrols hallways and parking lots, lunchrooms, recess, problem crosswalks, bus stops, pick up and drop off areas; reviews camera surveillance.
Communicates with students, answers questions, provides information.
Recognizes pre-delinquent behaviors and takes steps to avert problem behaviors.
Serves as liaison with school counselors, teachers, and administrators regarding building security, developing procedures and following up on referrals, etc.
Checks on the welfare of students out of school, as requested by child protection or other Deputies and facilitates meetings with other Deputies.
Conducts classroom programs on any law enforcement topic for students; conducts school staff training.
Assists with locker searches, student searches, lock down, and safety drills.
Attends school administration and staff meetings, committee meetings, County Board meetings, meetings with parents, and school events.
Responds to incidents and emergencies; takes command of critical incidents at schools until supervisor arrives.
Assigned where needed during summer months.

Narcotics Deputy - Special Investigations Unit (SIU)
The Narcotics Deputy works in a plain-clothes, undercover capacity to investigate narcotics crimes and any other investigations requiring plain-clothes or covert surveillance technology. Work is performed in the office and in the field. This position is regularly exposed to garbage (during drug searches), methamphetamine labs, mold, and electrical hazards. All physical demands and working conditions of the core job description also apply.
Plans, documents, and executes search warrants, surveillance, undercover buys, informant buys and other high-risk operations; installs covert surveillance equipment; oversees cash used in investigations and payment of informants.
Recruits, manages, and uses informants (both civilian and criminal) to aid in the investigation and prosecution of offenders.
Creates, maintains, and safeguards intelligence files accessible only by SIU; maintains security of off-site evidence shed.
Assists other Sheriff's Office divisions by disseminating confidential information or utilizing investigative techniques and contacts not available to other divisions.
Cooperates and participates in investigations, maintains relationships with task forces from local, State, and Federal agencies; enters all operations into national database to ensure safety of SIU and other units in geographic area.
Represents the Sheriff's Office in civil forfeiture proceedings for property seized and forfeited.

Major Crimes Investigation Unit (MCIU) Deputy
The MCIU Deputy locates, collects, and documents any and all physical evidence found at crime scenes. Work is performed in the office approximately 60% of the time and in the field approximately 40% of the time. Collects evidence at traffic crash scenes, in 'garbage houses', on decomposing bodies, and in all types of weather. All physical demands and working conditions of the core job description also apply.
Determines how to process evidence at a crime scene including the best order, what to process, and what methods to use.
Performs tests in the lab and at the crime scene using specialized equipment to test for various substances, fingerprints, impressions.
Works with other agencies to send evidence out for testing and to get instructions on handling various materials.
Presents and recreates the crime scene in reports and in court.
Enters and classifies fingerprints in system and runs searches.
Schedules and develops training for MCIU on evidence handling.
Maintains and orders specialized supplies and equipment used in evidence handling, processing, and testing.
Works with Detectives and County Attorneys in preparing cases, explaining processes.

Deputy - Court Security Division
The Deputy - Court Security Division provides essential security functions and maintains a secure environment throughout the facilities for judges, staff and the general public. The Deputy operates and maintains the security screening functions of the courthouse; enforces courtroom and courthouse policies and procedures relative to safety, security and orderliness. Most work is performed in a courtroom and building environment. Occasionally work is performed to transport prisoners. All physical demands and working conditions of the core job description also apply.
Controls entry into the Government Center/Court building.
Patrols hallways and offices within the building in order to observe any breaches of security.
Secures courtrooms and inspects them for explosives, weapons, or other contraband.
Guides juries in and out of courtrooms and administers to their needs.
Accompanies prisoners on transports using the procedures and level of security appropriate to the nature of the person and risk.

Detective Deputy
The Detective conducts and manages investigations of alleged felony and serious misdemeanor incidents in the County, to establish a basis for arrest and court action. Follows up on initial reports from Patrol Deputies or the public, developing leads, identifying suspects, witnesses, and clues. Develops cases and prepares cases for prosecution. Gathers, analyzes, and distributes crime data and intelligence regarding crime trends and patterns, and provides information internally to alert the Department or Division. Detectives may specialize in intelligence or property crimes, or the collection of evidence such as fingerprints, computer storage devices, handwriting, other. Physical demands and working conditions are the same as for Deputies, but there is less frequent exposure to hazards, unpleasant working conditions, and physical demands; time is generally split evenly between work in the office and in the field depending on the specific assignment. Detectives may spend more time working independently and less time driving (approximately one hour per day driving) but there are some longer trips. Requirements for timeliness and large case load require high attention to detail and working under tight deadlines. All physical demands and working conditions of the core job description also apply.
Conducts and manages investigations on criminal cases.
Investigates all unnatural deaths and some natural deaths within the County.
Cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in investigations; analyzes cases and works with other agencies to make connections to other cases, including inactive cases, and resolve open cases; exchanges information; attends meetings.
Prepares required investigative reports and develops and maintains accurate, complete, and up-to-date case files and case notes; develops complete reports and writes case narrative.
Works to develop confidential informants; maintains contact with these individuals for certain periods of time and tracks down and serves subpoenas when necessary.
Coordinates and cooperates with local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies on cases; takes internal cases from other Counties and agencies as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Associates/Technical degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, or related field, or other credentials acknowledged by the MN Peace Officers Standard and Training Board that allow for full-time licensure.

Special Requirements
Must be able to pass a medical evaluation, physical assessment screening, psychological evaluation, and background investigation.
Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) license upon hire.
Must be able to legally possess/carry a firearm.
A valid driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required upon hire and throughout career.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of principles, theories, and concepts of law enforcement, investigations, criminal justice; knowledge of local, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and codes relating to law enforcement activities; knowledge of approved Sheriff's Office practices, procedure, and techniques; knowledge of the streets and highways and geography of Wright County; knowledge of first aid and emergency medical response; skill in assessing situations quickly and accurately and implementing responses and course of action to resolve serious/major incidents within established guidelines; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including computer and software programs; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively draft and present sensitive or technical information, including investigative reports, and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences, including speaking before groups and with the media; reading comprehension skills sufficient to understand and interpret technical documents;
interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to learn computer systems specific to the County and Sheriff's Office; ability to operate and use emergency vehicles, handgun, shotgun, baton, handcuffs, chemical munitions, first aid kit, pagers, bolt cutters, portable breath tester, radar units, varda alarms, intoxilyzers, gas guns, gas masks, special firearms, night vision equipment, body armor, traffic control vest, riot helmet, and surveillance equipment; ability to perform physical tasks while under emotional stress; ability to use practical judgment in potentially dangerous, life threatening situations; ability to sufficiently defend self and others in a physical encounter; ability to use firearms and other types of law enforcement equipment; ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to effectively deal with hostile, potentially violent individuals and de-escalate dangerous behavior; ability to work long hours which may include rotating shifts; ability to be available on call after hours as a resource to the on-duty supervisor and in case of emergency situations; ability to pay attention to detail and effectively organize time and anticipate, plan and successfully respond to changing circumstances, pressure and deadlines; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires reaching with hands and arms, tasting or smelling and lifting and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, working with explosives, exposure to vibration, wearing a self contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Wright County offers an exceptional benefit package including vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package is health, preventative dental and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (pension). For a more detailed overview of our benefit package,

01

I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete all the following supplemental questions. I understand that I will only receive credit to responses that are supported in the information I provide in my employment application and that a resume will not be accepted in lieu of an incomplete application. Please check the "yes" button if you have read and understand this.

02

The minimum qualifications for this position include an Associate's/Technical Degree in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, or related field or other credentials acknowledged by the MN Peace Officers Standard and Training Board that allow for full-time licensing. Check "yes" only if you are currently eligible or will be eligible for licensing by hire date.

03

If you currently meet the educational requirements as stated in question #2, indicate your degree, the school where you attained your degree and the date you attained your degree. If you do not meet the minimum qualifications, write "NA".

04

In reference to question #2, if you are currently Post Board licensed for full-time employment or are currently eligible for full-time licensing, write your license number and your license expiration date below.

05

If you have not taken the MN POST Board licensing examination, indicate the approximate date that you anticipate taking the examination.

06

Please indicate your status regarding licensure in the State of MN.

Currently licensed as a full-time peace officer in the State of MN
Currently eligible to be licensed in the State of MN
None of the above

07

Have you held any special assignments or supervisory roles? (Check all that apply.)

School Resource Officer
Special Investigations
Major Crimes Investigation
Detective
Field Training Officer
SWAT
K-9
Sergeant
None of the above

08

In reference to the above question, indicate where you attained this experience and the date(s) you attained this experience. If you do not have this experience, write "NA".

09

Veterans preference points are awarded to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans and are added to competitive exam results. Qualified veterans are eligible to receive 10 or 15 preference points subject to the provisions of MN Statutes 197.455. YOU MUST SUPPLY A COPY OF YOUR DD214 (Member Copy 4). Disabled veterans must also supply a letter from the USDVA verifying active duty disability. Spouses applying for preference points must supply their marriage certificate, the veteran's DD214 and a letter from the USDVA verifying the veteran's disability or death certificate. Veterans applying for promotional exams may only claim veterans preference points if they have a service connected disability of 50% or more. The five points preference is only available when applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County. All required documents must be received no later than the closing deadline for accepting your application. Are you applying for Veterans Preference points?

No
Yes - Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge - see MN Statute 197.447
Yes - Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connect disability of 10% or more
Yes - Spouse of a veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connected disability of 10% or more (the Veteran must also be qualified to apply for the position but their service connected disability restricts them from applying for or performing the job duties)
Yes - Spouse of a deceased veteran who served on active duty 181 or more days, received an honorable discharge, had a service connected disability of 10% or more and was disabled at the time of death. You are ineligible if you have remarried or were divorced from the veteran.
Yes - Spouse of a deceased veteran. You are ineligible if you have remarried.
Yes - Current employee with a 50% or more service connected disability rating applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County.

10

I understand that any falsified information, omissions of important facts, or misrepresentation of my job education or experience on either the application or during my interview may disqualify me from further consideration for employment and may be considered justification for dismissal, if hired.

Required Question