Sheriff Career Opportunities
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office is Now Hiring Deputy Positions!
The Johnson County Civil Service Commission will conduct a periodic testing of applicants for the position of Deputy Sheriff on February 26, 2022.
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.
Starting salary is $29.13/hour plus outstanding benefits. Current certified law enforcement officers may be eligible to start at an advanced wage not to exceed step 4 on the wage matrix. To apply and learn more about this position please review the information below. All application materials are due by 5:00 PM on February 10, 2022.
- Required application material
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All applicants are required to complete the Civil Service Test Application and the Personal Information Release Waiver.
All non-certified applicants are also required to complete the Physical Fitness Waiver.
The application and waiver(s) must be submitted by 5:00 PM on February 10, 2022. The application and waivers can be submitted by email to Major Lamm at [email protected] or mailed to:
Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Major Lamm
PO Box 2540
Iowa City, Iowa 52244 - Certified peace officers
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Current State of Iowa certified peace officers, who are in good standing, will not be required to complete the physical and P.O.S.T. test. Once your Civil Service Test Application and Personal Information Release Waiver are submitted, reviewed and approved you will be contacted to complete a longer application and schedule an interview.
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Physical fitness test
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Saturday, February 26, 2022
Check in begins at 8:00 AM
Physical Assessment will start at 8:30 AM
Late arrivals will not be admitted
**Applicants will be notified of physical fitness location closer to testing day.- All applicants must present a state driver's license or state issued I.D. card at check-in.
- ALL non-certified applicants are required to take the Physical Fitness Assessment.
- The Physical Fitness Assessment will be in accordance with state mandated standards adopted by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.
- Physical fitness performance requirements can be found here.
- Applicants are advised not to eat heavily prior to taking this test and should wear gym clothes and running shoes.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain a complete physical examination from a doctor prior to the testing date.
- Failure to correctly perform any of the exercises or exceeding the prescribed time limits will disqualify you from further consideration in the selection process. This test is scored on a Pass/Fail basis.
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Written test
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Saturday, February 26, 2022
The written test will start after the Physical Assessment Testing at the following location:
Joint Emergency Communication Center
4529 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa 52246- All applicants that pass the physical fitness test will be permitted to either take the required written Police Officer Standard Testing (P.O.S.T.) authorized by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy or transfer P.O.S.T. scores eligible under state requirements. If you choose to retest, the most recent score will be used in our hiring process.
- The P.O.S.T. test for Deputy Sheriff will be administered by the Johnson County Civil Service Commission. The written test will take approximately one and one-half (1 1/2) hours and 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 the Stanard & Associates link here.
- Veteran's Preference
- Honorably discharged veterans as defined in Section 400.10 of the Code of Iowa (2019), shall have five (5) points added to their written examination score. An additional five (5) points shall be added if such veteran has been awarded the Purple Heart for disabilities incurred in action or has a service-connected disability. A copy of Form DD214 and documentation verifying a service-connected disability must be submitted at the time of application.
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Selection requirements
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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 §400.17 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 more turpitude;
- Successfully pass physical fitness tests; (see State of Iowa Facts about Iowa Law Enforcement Physical Standards for Pre-employment testing)
- 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 requirement necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of a law enforcement officer;
- Undergo psychological testing;
- Undergo cognitive (basic skills) testing.
- In addition, all applicants should be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the Deputy Sheriff job description.
- The Deputy Sheriff job description can be found here.
- Fingerprints, an extensive background investigation and polygraph examination may be conducted on finalists.
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How to prepare for testing day
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 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
- The physical fitness standards can be found here.
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.
- Links
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Important links for testing day can also be found here:
Applications and Waivers
Job Description
Physical Fitness Test
POST Exam Study Guide
Benefits
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office offers a competitive salary and outstanding benefit package which includes:
- Starting wage of $29.13/hour
- 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)
- Paid vacation days, sick days and holidays
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Flexible Spending
- Life Insurance and Long Term Disability
- IPERS retirement plan
- Deferred Compensation (457)
- Opportunities for advancement
For more information about benefits and compensation please review the Johnson County Sheriff's Office Collective Bargaining Agreement at the link below
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.