Job Description Summary

Job Description

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 4003 - Deputy Sheriff I

Salary Grade: L2

Pay Range: $32.21 Per Hour 

The Sheriff Deputy I position performs law enforcement work of moderate complexity, including enforcing laws, maintaining order, protecting life and property, and investigating and assisting in the prevention of crime; and performs related work as required. Work may be required on weekends and holidays according to assigned shift, and duties may be assigned in any geographical or functional unit of the department. This classification is the entry-level commissioned officer in the Sheriff's Department and is actively engaged in law enforcement activities. It is distinguished from Sergeant, which has supervisory responsibility for a unit on an assigned shift.

THIS IS A TESTED POSITION.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Patrols assigned area for the prevention of crime and enforcement of laws and ordinances;
• Responds to requests for law enforcement services and takes appropriate action;
• Arrests violators of laws and ordinances, and ensures violators are booked on charges;
• Escorts prisoners to jail and court;
• Enforces traffic laws, directs traffic and provides information concerning the location of streets, routes and buildings; Investigates and prepares detailed reports of collisions;
• Investigates suspicious conditions, activities, or persons;
• Investigates and checks for wanted or missing persons and stolen property;
• Participates in the operation of various units and the service of civil and criminal subpoenas and other court orders;
• Participates in riot and crowd control;
• Controls and restrains potentially violent persons;
• Carries a department authorized firearm at all times while on duty;
• Prepares a variety of reports;
• Conducts investigations of criminal cases and gathers, preserves and analyzes facts and evidence;
• Conducts follow up investigations of preliminary investigative reports;
• Interviews complainants, suspects and witnesses while acting as the preliminary investigating officer;
• Records statements and testimony;
• Prepares and submits reports of criminal offenses, including modus operandi and description of incriminating evidence, for determination of guilt and prosecution of charges;
• Prepares material evidence for courtroom presentation and testifies in court on various matters, including findings of investigations;
• Provides information to attorneys and other authorized persons; Assists in rescue activities for sick and injured persons.

Minimum Qualifications:

At the time of appointment, applicants must possess a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application. 

Additional Information: THIS IS A TESTED POSITION. Email notifications will be sent out to all candidates that submit a completed application. The email will provide instructions about the written and physical fitness assessment. Candidates will also receive an information packet detailing the steps of the hiring process.

The process dates are as follows:

• January 4-5, 2027: Multiple Choice Exam. This is a PASS/FAIL exam. (Time TBD - Human Resources will notify eligible candidates of the time and location.)
• January 16, 2027: Physical Fitness Assessment. All candidates who pass the Multiple Choice Exam will continue to the Physical Fitness Assessment. (Time TBD - Human Resources will notify eligible candidates of their scheduled time for the physical fitness assessment.)
• January 18-22, 2027: Oral Board Interviews. Candidates who pass the Multiple Choice Exam and Physical Fitness Assessment will be scheduled for this process. (Exact dates and times TBD and will be scheduled by the Sheriff's Department.)
• February 1 - June 2, 2027: Background investigations, psychological tests, polygraphs, etc. (The Sheriff's Department will notify eligible candidates regarding dates, times, and locations.)
• July 12, 2027: Deputy Sheriff Training Academy begins.

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.  

Supplemental Information:

License and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record.  The valid Arizona driver license shall be unencumbered by any ignition interlock restrictions.

Special Notice Items: At time of appointment, must be 21 years of age, a resident of the State of Arizona, registered as a voter in Pima County, able to read and write the English language, and eligible to be certified by AZPOST per rule R13-4-105. All positions require satisfactory completion of a background investigation due to the need for access to law enforcement, corrections, and courts facilities, property, communications, and associated confidential information and documents, databases, and evidentiary materials. Pre-/post-appointment drug screening and polygraph examinations are required of all positions due to the need for access as described above. All positions are required to work rotating shifts, which includes days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and to work an assigned post that can be rotated/reassigned at management’s discretion. The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen, which  may include respirator fit test. This position will require post-job offer proof of immunization(s) or immunization(s) and/or a TB screening. 

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Constantly uses fine motor skills to operate firearms and other necessary equipment. Constantly required to speak and listen to communicate critical information, and to observe details at close range and at a distance. Constantly operates a motor vehicle safely. Frequently required to walk/run varying distances in pursuit of suspects, over rough terrain and/or uneven ground. Frequently required to work in areas presenting obstacles. Constantly required to carry and/or lift objects weighing up to 25 pounds, such as firearms and protective equipment. Frequently required to carry and/or lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds such as recovered property. Occasionally required to carry and/or lift objects weighing 100 pounds or more, such as suspects and/or victims. Frequently required to push and/or pull objects, such as to move vehicles and other objects. Action Activity - bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching, squatting and stooping; Motion Activity - simple and firm grasping and fine movement; Hearing Activity - in noisy areas, on a radio, behind themselves and equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone, on a radio; Vision - operate a motor vehicle, distinguish colors, have depth perception and peripheral vision. Frequently required to lift, push or pull objects weighing up to 100 pounds.

Working Conditions: Will have direct physical contact with arrestees during arrest procedures and subsequent custody. Frequently exposed to severe weather conditions. Frequently exposed to loud noises from firearms training, sirens, and other similar situations. Frequently required to work in areas presenting obstacles. Frequently exposed to dangerous traffic conditions.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.