NOTICE OF CIVIL SERVICE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FOR DALLAS COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF
Dallas County, Iowa is taking applications for Deputy Sheriff. We are looking for both uncertified and certified applicants to come work for the fastest growing county in Iowa, and one of the fastest growing counties in the United States!
To Apply: Complete an application on Dallas County’s website.
Please include a cover letter and resume. For more information on requirements to become a certified Peace Officer in the state of Iowa, please visit the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy’s website.
Uncertified Applicants (including certified officers outside of Iowa)
We will be conducting entrance examinations for Deputy Sheriff the week of September 28th, 2026 through October 3rd, 2026 at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office located at 28985 Thin Blue Line Lane Adel, Iowa. Testing will be done by appointment to accommodate as many applicants as possible. Each candidate will be required to present a state driver’s license or state I.D. card (state of current residence) before participating in the testing process. The testing process will include a physical agility test and a written test (POST).
Minorities, females, and bi-lingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications must be submitted no later than 9:00am on September 18th 2026. Applicants who have taken the POST test in the past year, and have a qualifying score, may choose to use their previous score, or have the option to retest. If you choose to retest, the most recent score will be used in our hiring process.
If you cannot make our testing week, but have passed the physical agility test with another agency withing the past 6 months, let us know. If we can get those results, we will accept them in the short term. You will, however, be required, prior to a hiring offer, to pass the physical agility with our agency for verification.
IOWA CERTIFIED PEACE OFFICERS
DO NOT have to take the physical agility test or the POST test. Certified applicants do not have to be present for initial testing. You will be contacted by our office for interviews.
Effective July 1, 2026:
Starting pay for non-certified applicants is $36.64/hour.
Certified applicants are eligible to begin as high as $44.71/hour depending on experience. Deputies will top out at $51.36/hour * at the conclusion of the union contract. Certified applicants are also eligible for longevity pay which is in addition to the rates given.
Some reasons to consider the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office!
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Great benefits (very good insurance at low costs including flex spending and life insurance)
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Awesome retirement-the best IPERS plan there is (special class-can retire at 50 years old with 22 years on the job)
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Young aggressive department with good equipment
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Take home cars for patrol/special assignments-no commute time
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Firearms are issued including patrol rifle (brand new) and plate carrier
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All uniforms are provided including bullet proof vests
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Shift differential for Afternoon and Midnight shifts *
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Longevity pay for every 5 years of experience
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11 paid holidays
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5 on 3 off patrol schedule
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Brand new Sheriff’s Office
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Expanded vacation accrual for new hires
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Lots of overtime and off duty jobs available
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Multiple Monday-Friday assignments available
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Rural and Urban patrol areas for variety
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SERT/Drug Task Force/Specialized instructor assignments
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Brand new indoor Shooting Range/Training Facility
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this job.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
Dallas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Dallas County participates in E-Verify.
