LEXIPOL

Deputy Sheriff

Black Hawk County (IA) | Black Hawk County Sheriff

Posted Date 4/16/2025
Description Under the supervision of the shift supervisor, deputy sheriff's may by division assignment be responsible for protection of lives and property, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, enforcement of laws, service of civil processes, supervision and security of inmates of the county jail and training of probationary employees. The deputy sheriff takes official action whenever and wherever required in a professional manner, within the bounds of the law and in accordance with the Sheriff's Office policies and procedures.

This position requires that all applicants work shifts. At present time, deputy sheriff’s work one of three shifts and will be assigned to a five day work week with two set days off. Applicants must be able to work weekends and holidays.

Applicants will be subject to pre-employment drug screening in accordance with Iowa statute 730.5 as part of the application process for the position of Deputy Sheriff of Black Hawk County.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council, in recognizing the importance of physical fitness in job performance, established the physical test regimen as a pre-employment standard effective February 15, 1993. Provisions were modified August 6, 2020 to the 2017 Cooper Test Standards.

No person can be selected or appointed as a law enforcement officer without first successfully passing all of the elements of this test, as prescribed in 501 IAC 2.1(6), adopted pursuant to Section 80B 11(5), Code of Iowa.

Upon entry into the Academy, every recruit will be given the same test as an assessment for training purposes and to ensure that each recruit can undergo the physical demands of the Academy without undue risk of injury. If, at the time of entrance to the Academy, an officer does not meet minimum standards, he or she will not be admitted.

Physical fitness test standards:

Males/Age

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

1 Minute Sit Up

38

35

29

24

19

1 Minute Push Up

29

24

18

13

10

1.5 Mile Run

12:51

13:36

14:29

15:26

16:43

Females/Age

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

1 Minute Sit Up

32

25

20

14

6

1 Minute Push Up

15

11

9

*12

*5

1.5 Mile Run

15:26

15:57

16:58

17:54

18:44

*Females in excess of 49 years of age may do push-ups on their knees. Normative data for these age groups have not been established.

Each of the following duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Sheriff are performed on an on-going basis. The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:
  • Must be capable of regular and predictable attendance at a specified location in order to perform assigned tasks.
  • Enforcing the laws of the County and all other pertinent local, State and Federal Laws.
  • Managing and overseeing the custody and care of prisoners and new arrests.
  • Escorting prisoners from jail to the courthouse or other facilities.
  • Applying physical force in situations necessary to maintain the orderly operation of the jail.
  • Patrolling an assigned area checking doors, windows and examining premises of unoccupied buildings or residences in order to detect any suspicious conditions.
  • Investigating suspicious conditions, complaints and making arrests of persons who violate the law.
  • Making traffic arrests and issuing citations to those who break traffic laws, aiding motorists and investigating traffic accidents.
  • Assisting in cases of fire, accidents, rescues, hazardous materials, and disorders in assigned areas as directed.
  • Restoring order, regulating traffic and preparing necessary reports.
  • Conducting investigations of serious crimes and accidental deaths.
  • Preserving the scene of a crime and interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects.
  • Follow-up leads and presenting cases to the County Attorney's Office.
  • Serving warrants, subpoenas, and legal papers.
  • Handling and supervising evictions, performing repossessions and placing liens as necessary.
  • Appear in court as an arresting officer.
  • Assisting on medical calls with CPR and first aid.
  • Maintaining records and prepare reports.
  • Performing all other related duties as assigned.
  • Supervision is received from Black Hawk County Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains or other designated supervisor.
  • No functional and administrative supervision is exercised over support staff.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Must be a citizen of the United States and be able to provide documentation if needed.
  • Must be able to speak, understand, and read the English language.
  • Must be eighteen years of age at the time of appointment.
  • Must be a high school graduate with a diploma, or possesses a GED equivalency certificate.
  • Must possess a valid Iowa driver’s license:
    • Applicants will not be considered for employment at any time if they have been convicted of perjury or making false statements during driver’s licensing procedures.
    • Applicants will not be considered for employment at this time if their license has been suspended, canceled or revoked in the three (3) years prior to the application process.
    • Applicants must be insurable by Black Hawk County’s automotive insurance carrier.
  • Not addicted to drugs or alcohol or have a history of drug abuse that includes:
    • Use within three (3) years of the application of marijuana, or any of its derivatives.
    • Use or experimentation of marijuana or any of its derivatives, at any time before the third year prior to the application, will be evaluated, but in no case will an applicant be further considered if said use or experimentation goes beyond five (5) individual uses.
    • Any drug use, other than marijuana, will be evaluated at the time of the polygraph.
    • Use of any illegal drug after becoming an applicant.
    • The illegal sale or any drug.
  • Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation including a fingerprint search conducted of local, state and national fingerprints files. In addition, an applicant will be disqualified for the following:
    • Conviction of a felony.
    • Conviction of a crime of moral turpitude, as defined by written regulations of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
    • Giving false or misleading information on the application or during the application process.
  • Successfully pass the physical agility test developed by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
  • Must not by reason of conscience or belief opposed to the use of force, when necessary, to fulfill duties.
  • Must have uncorrected vision of not less than 20/100 in both eyes, corrected to 20/20, and normal color vision. Normal color vision, as determined by the American Optical Company, Pseudo-Isochromatic Plates test, requires correct identification of ten out of fourteen test plates.
  • Must have normal hearing in each ear. Hearing is considered normal when, tested by an audiometer, hearing sensitivity thresholds are within 25 db measured at 1000Hz, 2000Hz, and 3000 Hz averaged together.
  • Must be examined by a licensed physician or surgeon and meet the physical requirements necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a law enforcement officer.
  • Must perform satisfactorily in pre-employment cognitive or personality tests, or both, as prescribed by the Iowa law enforcement academy.
  • Must be eligible and able to obtain a permit to carry weapons under Iowa Law.
  • Must be willing to take a polygraph examination. The questions will cover all areas of the minimum qualifications and indications of deception received by the examination will disqualify the applicant.
Knowledge:

  • Relevant policies, procedures related to public safety and enforcement. Regulations related to inmate's rights.
  • Knowledge of English language and the meaning and spelling of words.
  • Knowledge of Computer software and applications including, but not limited to: Internet Browser Software, Microsoft Word, Excel and Jail Security Control System.

Skills:

  • Active listening, speaking and writing skills.
  • Mathematical skills to include adding/subtracting numbers and counting.
  • Conflict resolution skills.
  • Social perceptiveness skills.
  • Monitoring/Assessing skills.
  • Judgment and decision making skills.

Abilities:

  • Establishing and maintaining good working relationships with co-workers and management.
  • Concentrating on a task over a long period of time without being distracted.
  • Recognizing when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
  • Observing information or human behavior and analyzing and evaluation to choose the best solution to solve problems.
  • Inspecting facilities or inmates to identify any potential threats to security.
  • Operating equipment including, but not limited to: hand held radios, video surveillance equipment and monitors, sidearm, shackles, hand-cuffs, fax/copy machine and computers.
The work environment and physical demand characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. It is a high probability for exposure to violence and potential physical harm while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Applicants who are extended a job offer will be examined by a licensed physician or surgeon and must meet the physical requirements necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a law enforcement officer.
  • Near and Far Vision is required as the Civilian Detention Officer is responsible for conducting searches and scanning inmate activity at a distance.
  • In order to physically detain an inmates an individual must be able to:
    • Coordinate the movement of your arms, legs and torso;
    • Exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull or carry objects;
    • Use short bursts of muscle force;
  • Quick reaction/response time to triggers.
Salary61,963.20 - 85,571.20 Annual
Field
Police
Highest Educational Degree Required
High school diploma

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