GENERAL PURPOSE
A Deputy Sheriff is a sworn and certified law enforcement officer who provides courthouse and courtroom security, transportation of prisoners, and service of court orders and writs.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to a Deputy Sheriff Sergeant, a Sheriff’s Lieutenant, Chief Deputy Sheriff, and/or the Sheriff.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Serves court orders and writs. Tracks down individuals named in such papers, visiting home and business addresses, and talking to family members. Locates individuals and serves legal papers.
Apprehends and arrests individuals who are wanted for Commonwealth Court issued orders/warrants, probation violations, and other orders. Serves protection from abuse papers. Enforces court orders. Serves incompetency papers securing witness signatures. Locates personal property, including vehicles, for sale or levy. Executes court orders, injunctions, and possessions.
Provides security for Northampton County government buildings by screening all individuals entering the building for weapons, drugs, explosives, or other prohibited items.
Responds to emergencies in the Courthouse, courtrooms, or other government buildings as required.
Transports individuals from prison to court for trials, hearings, and sentencing. Escorts sentenced defendants from courtroom to collection, and other offices, as required for each case. Transports prisoners to and from various penal institutions within the state, and for extradition to and from other jurisdictions. Drives and/or rides escort in County vehicles to effect such transport. Searches individuals being transported for weapons, drugs, or other contraband.
Directs security in courtrooms. Calls for prisoners. Depending on nature and circumstances of cases being heard, searches individuals entering courtroom. Observes court proceedings, particularly individuals' activities and demeanor, to anticipate and control problem situations. Guards jurors and judges during course of trial. In the event of an emergency, summons appropriate agency, and within limits of training, renders emergency treatment.
- An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma;
AND
Must be 21 years of age by date of hire;
AND
Employees assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license and have a clean driving record;
AND
Employees assigned to this title will be required to achieve and maintain certification under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania act of February 9, 1984 (known as Act 2) and amended by the act of July 9, 2014 (known as Act-114) known as the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Act.
NOTE: The County may give preference to a candidate who has Act 2 (Deputy Sheriff’s Academy) or Act 120 (Municipal Police Officer’s Academy) certification. This exception may be used when Deputy Sheriff’s Academy availability is limited or when the operational needs of the Sheriff’s Department require faster certification of an applicant(s). Faster certification is possible when an applicant has either (1) already completed the Deputy Sheriff’s Academy and is certified or (2) completed Act 120 training and can obtain a waiver to take the shorter, two week Deputy Sheriff’s Academy training. Candidates on the eligibility list bypassed when this exception is used shall remain on the list. This exception is not intended to be used at all times when an applicant has a Deputy Sheriff’s Academy certification or has completed Act 120 training.
POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION – All Deputy Sheriff candidates are required to successfully pass a polygraph test.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION – All Deputy Sheriff candidates are required to successfully pass a background investigation, including a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and credit history.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION – All Deputy Sheriff candidates are required to successfully pass a psychological examination.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION – All Deputy Sheriff candidates are required successfully pass a medical examination, including a drug screen.
Must maintain certifications in First Aid, CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillation)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of the methods and techniques commonly employed in law enforcement, security, and prisoner transportation.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of the criminal and civil justice system, including the rules of procedure.
Knowledge of the goals and objectives of law enforcement work at the County level.
Familiarity with the use and maintenance of weapons used in law enforcement.
Ability to maintain order, including the control of disruptive individuals, in a variety of situations.
Ability to locate geographical locations, including alternate routes, across the County and State.
Ability to keep records and prepare reports from them.
Ability to write reports and citations, and document and maintain files, including using computers for reporting and retrieval.
Ability to conduct a criminal investigation, prepare criminal complaints/affidavits, file criminal charges, and prepare for prosecution.
Knowledge of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Laws of Arrest.
Ability to operate computers, alarms, and emergency dispatching radios/equipment.
Ability to react calmly and effectively in an emergency situation.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials and representatives of other agencies, associates, and the public.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Sheriff Department vehicle, sheriff radio, handgun, shotgun, handcuffs, conducted energy device (CED) (e.g. Taser), telephone, cell phone, first aid equipment, flashlight, expandable baton, oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) and other less lethal equipment such as personal computer (including word processing software), video and audio equipment, digital camera, writing implements, fax machine, copier, and paper shredder.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than one hundred (100) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee must have the physical ability to make an arrest under the law. Employee must be able to apprehend, detain, and secure those who violate the law.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions, and may occasionally work near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.
May come in contact with bio-hazardous materials and waste, secondhand smoke, narcotics, and individuals with contagious diseases. May be shot, stabbed, bitten, kicked, and/or hit by various objects.
The noise level in the work environment varies.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.
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.
FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE
PAY GRADE: DS-23
UNION STATUS: NORTHAMPTON COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION
Updated August 2023
