Join our team!

Collage of sheriff deputies in their various job duties

 

 

 

The Johnson County Civil Service Commission oversees the Deputy Sheriff hiring process as described in the Code of Iowa, Chapter 341A. The Commission will announce their intent to conduct periodic testing of applicants for Deputy Sheriff positions on the home page of the Johnson County website (www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov) under Jobs and openings. As with all general employment opportunities with Johnson County, interested applicants can complete a job interest card to receive email notifications of open positions. Applications are only accepted when openings are posted.
 


The core mission of the Johnson County Sheriff's Office is to provide the citizens of Johnson County with the highest level of law enforcement in a fair and equitable manner. In your career with our office, you will serve in the distinguished field of law enforcement while having extensive opportunities to make a difference in your community. Whether you are just starting out or seeking your next profession, you will find a rewarding, challenging career and family with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office offers a competitive salary and outstanding benefit package which includes:

  • Medical, dental, vision insurance
  • Life Insurance and Long Term Disability
  • Deferred Compensation (457) Plan
  • Flexible spending account
  • IPERS retirement plan
  • Vacation and sick days
  • Paid holidays
  • Opportunities for advancement
  • Current certified law enforcement officers may be eligible to start at an advanced salary commensurate with their years of experience (not to exceed step 4 on the wage matrix).

  Deputy Sheriff Duties

Typically, all new full time deputies are assigned to work in the Jail Division. Primary duties may include:

  • Ensuring the custody, welfare and security of prisoners including booking, feeding, exercising and related record keeping
  • Controlling inmate movement
  • Transporting prisoners and individuals under mental health commitments in compliance with court orders
  • Attending court
  • Responding to emergency situations

Future opportunities include working in the Patrol, Civil, Detective or Courthouse Security Divisions. Some of these duties may include:

  • Providing contracted law enforcement and handle all calls for the cities of Lone Tree, Hills, Solon, Shueyville, Swisher, Tiffin and Oxford. Regularly patrolling all areas of the county and providing security at special events.
  • Executing, processing, and serving notices and orders of the court including small claims, subpoenas, and related civil papers.
  • Conducting in depth investigations that may require additional specialized training such as burglary, robbery, sexual assault, fraud, murder and arson.
  • Providing security at the Courthouse.

  Deputy Sheriff Qualifications

All candidates must meet the basic requirements for law enforcement officers established by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. These requirements provide that, prior to appointment, the candidate must:

  • Be a U. S. Citizen and a resident of Iowa or intend to become a resident upon being employed;
  • Be 18 years of age at the time of appointment;
  • Hold a valid Iowa driver's license;
  • Not be addicted to drugs or alcohol [modified for Chapter 400 civil service positions by ยง400.17 of the Code of Iowa];
  • Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation including a fingerprint search conducted of local, state and national fingerprint files and have not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;
  • Successfully pass physical fitness tests.
  • Not be opposed to use of force to fulfill duties;
  • Be a high school graduate or hold a GED certificate;
  • Have uncorrected vision of not less than 20/100 in both eyes, corrected to 20/20, and color vision consistent with the occupational demands of law enforcement;
  • Have normal hearing in each ear (hearing aids are acceptable if a candidate can demonstrate sufficient hearing proficiency to perform all necessary duties of a law enforcement officer);
  • Be examined by a physician and meet the physical requirements necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a law enforcement officer;
  • Undergo psychological testing;
  • Undergo cognitive (Basic Skills) testing.

In addition

  • All candidates must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the Deputy Sheriff job description.
  • Fingerprints, an extensive background investigation and polygraph examination will be conducted on finalists.

  How To Prepare For Testing Day

 

Video Transcript

Physical testing

Recognizing the importance of physical fitness in job performance, the Iowa Law Enforcement Council established the physical fitness test regimen as a pre-employment standard. Applicants will be required to meet the standards of the 40th percentile for each age and sex group. The physical fitness standards can be found here. The physical fitness test established by the Council consists of three events.

  • One Minute Push-up Test
  • One Minute Sit-up Test
  • One and one-half Mile Run.

Written testing

In addition to the physical fitness test, candidates must also successfully complete the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST). The written exam consists of four sections; arithmetic, reading comprehension, grammar and incident report writing. A score of 70% on each of the four sections is required per Iowa Law Enforcement Standards. Candidates interested in preparing for the POST exam can purchase online POST practice tests and study guides through Stanard & Associates.

Applicants who have taken the Police Officer Selection Test (POST) in the past year and have a qualifying score may choose to use their previous score or retest. If you choose to retest, the most recent score will be used in our hiring process.