Deputy Sheriff Salary $32.07 - $51.45 Hourly Location: Government Center, MN Job Type: Regular Full-Time Department: Sheriffs Office LEC Opening Date: 03/04/2026 Closing Date: 4/1/2026 11:59 PM Central FLSA: Non-Exempt Hours of Work: Varies
Union Deputy Sheriff Association- LEC
Description Benefits Questions
Recognized as one of the best places to work in Southeast Minnesota for three consecutive years, at Olmsted County every role helps to foster a vibrant community where everyone thrives. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, driving public service excellence and community well-being. We don't just offer a job, we offer a career filled with purpose, growth, and fulfillment. Our benefits package ensures your wellbeing, while career advancement opportunities and professional development empower you to reach your full potential. Join us, and youll be part of a purpose-driven team where your work truly makes a difference. Together, we build a sustainable, healthy, and welcoming community.
Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience
The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office ("OCSO") hiring process is conducted in compliance with the OCSO Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations. The purpose of this process is to create an Eligibility Roster of candidates who are qualified for appointment to a Deputy Sheriff position with OCSO. The roster is valid for one year with exact dates established by the OCSO Civil Service Commission. Deputy Sheriffs are selected from the Eligibility Roster as vacancies arise.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet ONE of the following requirements in order to proceed to the competitive examination phase of the hiring process:
• Have an active Minnesota POST license and meet the requirements for maintaining such license; • Have approval from, or have applied for approval from, the Minnesota POST Board to take the Licensing Reciprocity Exam; • Have approval from, or have applied for approval from, the Minnesota POST Board to take the Peace Officer Licensing Exam; • Have approval from, or have applied for approval from, the Minnesota POST Board to take the Reinstatement of Eligibility Exam; • Have approval from, or have applied for approval from, the Minnesota POST Board to take the License Restoration Exam.
Be Minnesota POST license eligible by the time a conditional job offer is made.
Additional information about Minnesota POST Board exams is available here: https://dps.mn.gov/entity/post/exams/Pages/default.aspx.
In addition to possessing one of the above qualifications, applicants must have the following in order to proceed to the competitive examination phase of the hiring process:
• U.S. Citizenship; • Possession of a valid driver's license.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT FROM THE ELIGIBILITY ROSTER
To be eligible for appointment as a Deputy Sheriff from the Eligibility Roster, you must live within Olmsted County or any of the surrounding counties to include Dodge, Goodhue, Mower, Fillmore, Winona or Wabasha counties and:
• Have an active Minnesota POST license and meet the requirements for maintaining such license; • Be Minnesota POST license eligible by the time a conditional job offer is made.
This means that you have completed and passed the appropriate Minnesota POST Board Examination.
Individuals will be required to complete a pre-employment and any potential post-accident drug test as these positions are deemed safety sensitive. Regardless of Minnesota statute, marijuana and other drugs will disqualify individuals from initial and continued employment.
HIRING PROCESS
The steps listed below are followed in sequence. Failure at any step removes the applicant from any further consideration from that point on. Applicants will be notified of their status after each step.
APPLICATIONS Applicants must fully complete and submit the application form online by the closing date or return the application postmarked by the closing date. Applications will be accepted only from those who currently meet the minimum qualifications. Applicants must identify on their applications which qualifications they meet.
ORAL INTERVIEWS Oral examinations consist of two interviews, each scheduled for thirty-minute timeslots. The second interview occurs immediately after the first. The members of the interview panels ask a series of predetermined questions and assign a numeric score to each response. Candidates must score a minimum of 70% on each of the two interviews in order to proceed to the next step. Oral interviews will take place at the Regional Public Safety Training Center on:
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Examination dates are tentative and subject to change. Eligible candidates will receive communication regarding scheduling of oral examinations.
Applicants will be required to sign a waiver of liability prior to the test.
The completed eligibility roster is presented to the Civil Service Commission for certification before it is presented to the Sheriff. Candidates on the eligibility roster have an ongoing obligation to provide updated information about their license eligibility status or the existence of a current license with another law enforcement agency.
CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER The top seven candidates on the eligibility roster are reviewed by the Sheriff to fill vacancies as they arise. After selecting a candidate for appointment, the Sheriff or the Sheriff's designee makes a conditional job offer to the candidate. Conditional job offers cannot be made unless a candidate has provided proof of their license eligibility or their existing license.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION Pass/Fail. The applicant must complete an extensive background application providing information from which the applicant's background can be checked. This investigation includes, but is not limited to, such areas as personal references, fingerprint check, driving record check, credit check, education, employment history and military services, etc.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION Pass/Fail. The applicant must pass a psychological evaluation arranged/approved by the Sheriff's Civil Service Commission. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the presence of any mental or emotional condition which might adversely affect performance as a Deputy Sheriff.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION Pass/Fail. Applicants must pass a rigorous medical examination as prescribed by the Sheriff's Civil Service Commission. All medical exams will be reviewed by the Commission's medical consultant and determined as pass/fail. A drug test will be given at this time.
APPOINTMENT Candidates who pass Steps 6-8 will be appointed to the position Deputy Sheriff.
EVALUATION PERIOD Deputy Sheriffs serve a one-year evaluation period in which the Deputy's job performance is periodically reviewed to determine his/her future status with the department.
Nature of Work Under direction of the County Sheriff, participates in an assigned shift engaged in law enforcement in Olmsted County. Enforces state and local laws, apprehends criminals, prevents crime, serves civil processes and protects property. Position requires rotating shifts that include nights, evenings, weekends and holidays. Supports a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
Examples of Work Patrols assigned beat/area in a radio equipped patrol vehicle and enforces traffic laws Investigates complaints, disturbances and crimes and collects evidence Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls and provides necessary assistance Interviews suspects and witnesses, takes statements from witnesses and makes measurements and diagrams of scenes Makes arrests using objectively reasonable force in order to transport suspects to the Adult Detention Center Operates as on-scene incident commander until relieved Assists other law enforcement agencies such as the State Highway Patrol and officials in carrying out their duties Serves civil process as assigned Meets with citizens individual or collectively, to discuss crime prevention programs such as personal protection, home security systems and business security systems Upon assignment, develops training programs for the Sheriff's Office to ensure other deputies are trained in the proper use of equipment and understanding of current policies and procedures Upon assignment to a special case, may lead other law enforcement officers during an investigation Upon assignment, acts as substitute sergeant, receives calls and operates radio emergency equipment Performs other duties as required
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Working knowledge of state and city laws and county ordinances relating to criminal acts Working knowledge of highway regulations and what constitutes a violation Working knowledge of current police practices and methods Working knowledge of what constitutes evidence in the prosecution of criminal violations Knowledge of Olmsted County roads and geography Knowledge of human