Certified Deputy Sheriff

Under moderate supervision, enforces laws and ordinances, maintains order, prevents crime, makes arrests (citations or warnings) of criminal law violators, performs community education and advocacy, provides protective patrol services and community-based policing, provides arbitration in neighborhood and family disputes, performs crisis intervention, and recovers stolen property.  

The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities.  Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Answers calls and complaints involving automobile accidents, domestic disputes, robberies, assaults, and other felonies and misdemeanors
• Patrol a designated area in a radio-equipped car, motorcycle, bicycle, and/or on foot to preserve law and order
• Enforces traffic and other laws and ordinances.
• Assumes control of traffic accidents to maintain traffic flow.
• Assists accident victims, and investigates cause of accidents; apprehends suspects.
• Search, inspect, transport, and take custody of prisoners; advise subjects of their rights; secure the crime scene.
• Conducts preliminary investigations, identifies and instructs witnesses, gathers information, and prepares detailed reports.
• Investigates suspicious conditions; conducts primary investigations of attempted or committed crimes.
• Prepares investigative reports; prepares misdemeanor and felony cases for proper action; interviews witnesses.
• Appears in court to present evidence, prosecutes and testifies on behalf of the state; maintains professional demeanor in the courtroom.
• Prepare and submit daily activities and other written reports to superior officers.
• Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile views and opinions of suspects and other people encountered in an antagonistic environment.
• Responsible for knowing and abiding by all department and county policies and procedures.
• Work under pressure (i.e. handling significant problems and tasks that come up simultaneously and/or unexpectedly)  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Modern principals, methods, and procedures of law enforcement administration used in the technical aspects of law enforcement, including accident and criminal investigation and identification, crime prevention, law enforcement tactics, traffic control, and community-based policing; criminal law and criminal procedures involving the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons allegedly committing misdemeanors and felonies. 
• Rules and regulations of the Sheriff’s Office.
• Analyzing complex law enforcement problems and situations.
• Latest court interpretations of the legal obligations of law enforcement agencies.
• First aid principles, practices, and techniques for both the ill and injured. 
• Ability to understand the rules and regulations of the Sheriff’s Office 
• Ability to analyze complex law enforcement problems and situations 
• Must be able to work with all departmental personnel and the general public.
• Must be able to perform duties while under stress and respond appropriately to situations. 
• Observe situations analytically and objectively and to record them clearly and completely.
• React quickly and calmly in emergencies and decide the best course of action.
• Solve problems dealing with emotionally volatile issues.
• Enforce the law with firmness, tact, and impartiality.

• High School or GED certificate
• Must be a U.S. citizen, and 21 years of age at the time of employment.
• Valid New Mexico State Driver’s License.  Must have a good driving record to be insurable for liability purposes.
• No DUI convictions within the past three years.
• No Felony Convictions and no misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude.
• Certified Law Enforcement Officer

Conditions of Employment:

• Must satisfactorily complete a Background Investigation.
• Must participate in and successfully pass a Background Interview.
• Must complete a Personal History / PEP Questionnaire.
• Must successfully pass an Oral Board Interview.
• Must submit to and pass a Polygraph Examination.
• Must complete and satisfactorily pass a Psychological Evaluation.
• Must successfully pass a Medical Examination, including a Drug & Alcohol Analysis Test.
• Must not have any felony convictions or convictions involving immoral or unethical conduct.
• Safety-Sensitive and DOT positions are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Environmental Factors and Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Shift work
• Most work is typically performed in an outdoor environment regardless of the weather conditions.
• Must be able to operate a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night.
• In emergency situations involving speeds over posted limits, in congested traffic, and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice, and snow. 
• Will be exposed to temperature extremes; is exposed to hazardous conditions, such as physical confrontations, driving hazards, high-speed chases, animals, gunfire, rescue attempts on difficult terrain, and toxic chemicals and may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles.
• Will be exposed to stressful and dangerous situations depending on the severity of the emergency
• The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration, such as a shotgun and/or off-road travel
• The noise level in the work environment may be moderate to loud and the employee 
• may be exposed to long working hours and job-induced mental stress and tension 
• Must withstand vigorous physical demands common to law enforcement.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, stoop, sit, run, climb ladders and/or fences; walk "I" beams, and/or drive and quickly enter and/or exit a law enforcement vehicle.
• Duties are performed indoors and outdoors in adverse weather and conditions.
• Travel for training may be required on an infrequent basis.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office 
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

• Work irregular hours including after hours if needed. 
• Work under stressful conditions and under pressure. 
• Work in varying degrees of temperature (heated or air conditioned).
• Position requires light to moderate work with 180 pounds maximum weight to lift and carry.
• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing. 
• Manual and finger dexterity
• Hand and eye coordination.
• Corrected vision and hearing to within normal range. 

Equipment and Tools Utilized:

• All types of emergency tools and equipment and response vehicles.
• Telephone (landline and cell phone)
• Handheld radio
• County-issued Unit 
• Camera
• Copy machine
• Firearm
• Baton
• Flashlight
• Handcuffs
• OC spray
• Lights/siren/PA system
• Radar gun
• First aid kit
• Flares
• Reflective vest
• Hearing and eye protection.
• May be exposed to chemical hazards and communicable diseases.
• Computers and office machines, i.e. copiers, fax machines, etc.