Community Service Officer (Hourly), Sheriff's Office

Salary

Hiring Rate: $19.85/hour, Grade 08, Non-Exempt, Non-Union

Stearns County Mission: Provide Exceptional Public Services to Assure a Safe, Healthy, Vibrant County for All.
Stearns County Values: Professional | Approachable | Responsive | Collaborative | Fair & Equitable

Stearns County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, public assistance status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Hiring Rate: $22.34/hour

Are you looking to serve your community while gaining experience working in law enforcement?  Then the Community Service Officer position may be right for you!  This position will allow you to work on a wide array of law enforcement tasks between our patrol, dispatch and jail units.  No day will be the same, as you help the Sheriff’s Department address the community’s needs.

Position Objective 
To provide support to the Sheriff’s Department by fulfilling various duties that can be performed by a non-licensed officer.  This position will take on a large array of duties designed to allow deputies to focus on patrol, correctional officers to focus on their post within the jail, as well as aid in projects and support areas within the agency.    

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  
These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.  

1. Handles calls relating to service animals. Enforces any ordinances relating to animals. Follows up as needed to ensure animal cases are correctly taken care of.
2. Sets up, maintains, and deploys the Speed trailer.                              
3. Picks up and delivers paperwork or checks to designated agencies and businesses.  

4. Assists in picking up medication that is dropped-off.
5. Transports fleet transportation for vehicle maintenance.  
6. Leads funeral escorts safely to their destination.                    
7. Leads building/house relocations safely to their destination.                                
8. Controls traffic during events or crashes, either on foot or stationed in a vehicle with emergency lights on.                        
9. Places signage where appropriate (no wake, thin ice, etc.).                            
10. Transports non-arrest individuals to necessary locations via squad car.                                
11. Conducts extra patrol checks where necessary (cabin or home checks requested by residents, recording speeds during specific times of days).
12. Enforces parking regulations in public access locations as well as in the wintertime.  
13. Receives citizen reports to gain information for investigation.            
14. Picks up investigation data/surveillance video from businesses/ residents to help improve the speed and accuracy of data collection.
15. Provides general operations support (refills 02 tanks, refills supplies, etc.).            
16. Assists with set-up of community events.     

17. Assists with jury attendant duties when necessary.                   

18. Assists with visiting monitor duties when necessary. 

19. Attends work in a regular and timely manner. 

20. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications 

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• High School graduate or equivalent
• Must possess a valid CPR/Basic Frist Aid Certificate or ability to obtain within 60 days of employment
• Must possess a valid Minnesota Driver's License or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment

Preferred Experience Beyond Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of experience in the same or similar field

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

1. Knowledge of the Minnesota criminal code and the ability to recognize and apply the appropriate statutes for recognized violations. 

2. Ability to perform and make intelligent decisions under pressure. 

3. Ability to identify persons with mental health issues, including those who may be depressed and/or suicidal. 

4. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.

5. Ability to work independently with little oversight and also in a team setting. 

6. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing. 

Accountabilities Shared By All Employees 

1. Consistently performs job responsibilities with a positive attitude and in a manner consistent with the County’s mission and values.

2. Develops and maintains a respectful and collaborative professional relationship with all County employees and the public we serve.

3. Values and respects the diversity each employee brings to the organization.

4. Develops and maintains knowledge and understanding of all department and County-wide policies, protocols and procedures that apply to the performance of this position.

5. Complies with all rules and policies to maintain a safe work environment.

Work Environment and Physical Demands 
The primary responsibilities for this position will be performed indoors approximately 50% of the time and outside work approximately 50% of the time. This position will have some exposure to health hazards and accidents including weather extremes, traffic, and citizen encounters. This position may require you to be able to lift up to 50 pounds. All employees are required to reside within the state of Minnesota.

Extent of Supervision or Guidance Provided 
Work is performed under the general supervision of a Lieutenant of the Patrol Division.  

Responsibility for Public Contact 
Extensive.  

Hours of Work 
As needed, not to exceed an average of 18 hours/week. Must be available to work weekends and holidays. Hourly employees are not eligible for County fringe benefits except those mandated by state or federal law.

Interview Date 
If you are selected to be interviewed for this position, interviews will be held on August 25, 2026. Invitations to interviews will be sent to the email address listed on the job application and will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. A job specific physical, drug and/or psychological exam may be required before appointment.  

Benefits

To view Stearns County benefits go to: Stearns County Benefits Page

If you require special accommodations to participate in the Stearns County hiring process, please contact us at 320-656-3606.