Probationary Deputy Sheriff 3rd Class

POSITION: Probationary Deputy 3rd Class

Open until filled

Current base rate $30.44 FY27 Rate

Benefits:

• • Annual Vacation Leave: 15 days (3 weeks) paid leave per year
    
  • Sick Time: 12 days paid leave per year
  • Holidays: 10 paid holidays (11 in State General Election years) with premium holidays paid at time and one-half (per Collective Bargaining Agreement)
  • Sheriff’s Retirement System (SRS): Employee contribution - 10.495%, Employer contribution - 13.3150%, fully vested after five years
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision group health insurance: The County offers $1,300 per month toward six group health insurance plans with the option to add family coverage. Alternatively, the County provides an In-Lieu of Insurance payment of $650 per month with proof of other qualifying health coverage.
  • Group Life Insurance: If enrolled in the group health plan, the County provides $25,000 basic group term life insurance. Employees have the option to purchase additional life insurance, even if not enrolled in the group life plan.
  • Annual Clothing Allowance: $1500
  • Employee Assistance Program: The EAP provides confidential access to professional counseling services. Available to all employees and their immediate family members.
  • 457 Plan: The County offers a voluntary deferred-compensation retirement plan allowing pre-tax and after-tax Roth contributions.
  • Longevity pay increases annually: 1%
  • Overtime and Comp Time available
    
  • Shift differential for night shift: $.50 per hour
    

ACCOUNTABLE  TO:

The following chain of command: Corporal/Field Training Officer (FTO), Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Undersheriff, and Sheriff

 

SUMMARY OF WORK:

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of duties involving the enforcement of Federal and State laws and the prevention of crimes; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic regulations; issues citations; participates in and conducts a variety of criminal investigations; makes arrests; provides support and assistance to special crime prevention and law enforcement programs; and performs a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of law enforcement services and activities.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Supervision from the assigned Corporal/FTO, Patrol Sergeant, and is subject to the direction of any deputy of higher rank in absence of Corporal and Patrol Sergeant.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB ACCOUNTABILITY:

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address office needs and changing office practices.

 

Patrol designated areas of Ravalli County in car, by foot, or other means to preserve law and order, discover and prevent the commission of crimes, and enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances; protect real and personal property by providing security checks of residential, business, and public premises; maintain awareness of and remains alert for wanted suspects, known criminals, stolen vehicles, missing persons, traffic violators, and crimes in progress; issue warnings and citations.

Respond to calls for the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, general public service calls, and complaints including those involving automobile accidents, traffic hazards, misdemeanor and felony incidents, domestic disturbances, property control, civil complaints, and related incidents; investigate complaints and takes appropriate action, which may include the use of deadly or non- deadly force; use sound judgment under adverse, stressful conditions.

 

Conduct investigations at scenes of incidents to which dispatched or incidents observed; determine what, if any, crime has been committed; identify, collect, preserve, process, and log evidence; locate and interview victims and witnesses; identify and interrogate suspects. 

Work in partnership with the County Attorney’s Office to obtain and file criminal complaints on arrested subjects. 

Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants; apprehend and arrest offenders for crimes committed under federal, state, and local laws and codes; control and mitigate people under the influence of drugs or alcohol or other potentially hostile situations. 

 

Establish and preserve good relationships with the general public; answer questions from the public concerning local and state laws, procedures, and activities of the office; make presentations before a variety of public groups to promote crime prevention activities and to enhance public understanding of law enforcement activities. 

Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses; may respond to requests for assistance from agencies outside the County for mutual aid in the suppression of civil disturbances, apprehension of criminals, or other related requests.

 

Participate in continuous training to enhance law enforcement skills including firearms proficiency, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills. 

 

Perform a variety of administrative and other types of duties in support of law enforcement services, programs, and activities; attend meetings; maintain that specialized equipment including preliminary alcohol screening devices are calibrated monthly.

Initiate and complete reports, legal documents, and other required paperwork; prepare a variety of reports including those on activities, operations, arrests made, and unusual incidents observed; prepare investigative reports and case information.

 

Testify in courts and at hearings; prepare and present case evidence; respond to mandatory court appearances during off duty hours. 

 

Direct traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency situations; provide traffic and crowd control at events. 

 

Performs other related duties as required.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

 

Knowledge of:

• 
  Law Enforcement methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, and investigation. 
• 
  Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, County ordinances, and regulations including laws governing the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons accused of felony and misdemeanor offenses. 
• 
  Rules of evidence pertaining to the search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• 
  Techniques and applications of self-defense and proper use of force.
• 
  Operational characteristics of police equipment, vehicles, and tools including firearms, chemical agents, baton, Taser, and other related equipment.
• 
  Use of firearms and other modern police equipment.
• 
  Methods and techniques used in interviewing witnesses, victims, or suspects.
• 
  Principles and applications of public relations.
• 
  Principles and practices of data collection and analysis.
• 
  English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 
• 
  Basic principles of report preparation.
• 
  Geography of the County.
• 
  Standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• 
  First aid and CPR techniques. 
• 
  When assigned to investigations: investigative techniques, procedures, and sources of information; principles and practices used in the identification, preservation, and presentation of evidence; recent court decisions on arrest procedures and the preservation and presentation of evidence; methods and techniques used in interviewing witnesses, victims, or suspects including effective methods of obtaining information from reluctant witnesses. 

 

Ability to:

• 
  Perform a wide range of law enforcement assignments.
• 
  Understand, interpret, apply, enforce, and make decisions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• 
  Interpret and explain County law enforcement policies and procedures.
• 
  Think clearly and act quickly in a variety of situations.
• 
  Assess situations/people accurately.
  
• 
  Effectively use and qualify with law enforcement tools and weapons including firearms, batons, defensive tactics, and other safety equipment.
• 
  Operate specialized law enforcement equipment including specialized police vehicles, radios, video systems, and radars.
• 
  Conduct a variety of criminal and special investigations. 
• 
  Gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence.
• 
  Interview victims, complainants, witnesses, and suspects. 
• 
  Accurately observe and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
• 
  Control violent people and affect arrests. 
• 
  Prepare clear and concise reports and routine correspondence.
• 
  Maintain contact and preserve good relations with the public; respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• 
  Prepare and make presentations related to law enforcement efforts in the community.
• 
  Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• 
  Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• 
  Work irregular and on-call hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• 
  Meet and maintain required Montana peace officer employment standards.
• 
  Meet and maintain the Sheriff’s Office firearms qualifications standards.
• 
  Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.
• 
  Meet office psychological and background requirements.
• 
  When assigned to investigations, perform specialized investigative duties involving the interpretation, explanation, and application of laws and proper investigative techniques; gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence, drawing appropriate conclusions and making recommendations for the disposition of cases; secure information from witnesses, victims, and suspects. 
• 
  Undertake and satisfactorily complete required and assigned in-service training programs. 
• 
  Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• 
  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• 
  Perform basic First Aid and CPR techniques. 
• 
  Performs other related duties as required.

 

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

 

Education/Training:

Performing the above knowledge, abilities, and job performances are acquired through a combination of education, training, and experience. Must have a High School diploma or equivalency; pass the MPAT physical agility test, written test, standard psychological test, oral interview, and background investigation. Pass the 14 week Field Training Program. Must satisfactorily complete the basic Montana Law Enforcement Academy or successfully challenged Montana Post within a year of date of hire. Meet minimum requirements as set forth by Montana State Statutes.

 

License or Certificates:

Possession of a valid Montana driver’s license

Possession of a valid AHA (American Heart Association) First Aid and CPR card

 

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

 

Environment: Reactive emergency, natural or man-made disaster, and routine peace keeping environments with travel from site to site. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and vibration; exposed to potentially hostile environments; extensive public contact. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be very loud due to sirens, firearm training, etc. Required to work various shifts, including evenings and weekends, and may be required to travel outside the County to attend meetings or trainings. Work in an office setting with artificial light, using a desk, chair, and computer.

 

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a law enforcement setting and an office setting; restrain or subdue individuals; walk, stand, sit, or run for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; occasionally climb and balance; regularly push, pull, lift, and/or carry light to heavy weight; operate office equipment including use of computer keyboard; requires a sense of touch, finger dexterity, and gripping with hands and fingers; ability to speak and hear to exchange information; ability to operate a vehicle to travel to various locations; ability to operate and use specialized law enforcement tools and equipment including guns and handcuffs.

 

PROMOTION TO DEPUTY SECOND CLASS:

On a Deputies 1st year anniversary, a Probationary Deputy 3rd Class shall be recommended for promotion to Deputy 2nd Class by the Patrol Lieutenant. The Sheriff or Undersheriff will make the final decision based on the following factors: The review of the minimum requirements located in the job description, past performance evaluations, and any documented disciplinary issues.