Deputy Sheriff - RECRUIT
Job Number: 307
Salary: $38.36 - $55.10
Department:Sheriff's Office
Division: Training/Range
Location: 7375 S. Potomac St., Centennial, CO, 80112
Job Type: Hourly Full-Time
Posting Date: 01/07/2026
Closing Date: 01/10/2026
Testing by invitation ONLY
This application is for the July 2026 Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy
In order to be retained as a Deputy Sheriff you must pass all portions of the Academy
Applicants will be required to pass a physical ability test https://youtu.be/PWHlOLI6dbA
Written tests will be held online through the National Testing Network (fee paid by applicant) or in-person testing at the Sheriff's office.
If selected, you will receive training in law enforcement concepts by attending a sponsored POST Academy to prepare for an assignment in our Detention Facility. After certification in the academy, this position will focus on enforcing laws, rules and regulations and following the procedures of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Detention Facility. This will include areas such as booking, prisoner care, security and transportation. This is an appointed position that works at the pleasure of the Sheriff. After successfully completion of the POST Academy, you must successfully complete a one year assignment in the Detention Facility before being eligible to assess for patrol.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
This position is responsible for attending a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy to learn a variety of complex law enforcement duties to enforce Federal and State laws and County ordinances for the protection of life, health, safety, welfare and property. This position works under the general supervision of a Sergeant.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Attend a sponsored POST Academy and obtain certification.
Learn Federal law, Colorado Revised Statues, and Criminal Procedure.
Learn defense tactics and to restrain inmates using handcuffs and other restraints.
Learn various use of force methods, to include firearms, as well as de-escalation techniques.
Learn to perform routine patrol duties for the purpose of preventing, detecting, and responding to suspicious or illegal activity.
Learn to operate an emergency vehicle during normal, emergency, pursuit and hazardous weather conditions.
Learn to respond to calls for service on an emergency or non-emergency basis.
Learn to conduct initial investigations of crime scenes/incidents to obtain pertinent facts and information.
Learn to conduct interviews of witnesses, victims, participants, or suspects at scene of incident or crime.
Learn to collect and preserve evidence and property at incident or crime scene.
Learn to arrest suspects involved in misdemeanor/felony criminal activity; write citations to individuals for minor violations of the law.
Learn to prepare reports, forms, and documents related to law enforcement activities.
Learn to provide testimony in court as a witness/complainant.
Learn to provide assistance, direction, and support to persons in need during non-law enforcement emergency and non-emergency situations.
Is committed to a high standard of safety laws, all of the Sheriff's Office policies and rules, and must be willing to report safety violations and potential safety violations to appropriate supervisory or management personnel.
Maintain regular and acceptable attendance at a level that is determined at the Sheriff's Office discretion.
Is available and willing to work such overtime per day or per week as the Sheriff's Office determines is necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
Is available and willing to work such weekends and holidays as the Sheriff's Office determines are necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
Follows and supports the mission, values, organizational philosophies, operational principles, code of conduct, and policies and procedures of the Sheriff's Office.
Interacts effectively with others and exercises good judgment when dealing with people in sensitive situations.
May be assigned other duties as necessary.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Working knowledge of the policies, procedures, and methods utilized by the Agency.
Ability to maintain Agency proficiency standards in the use of firearms.
Ability to safely operate a County vehicle in normal and adverse conditions.
Ability to acquire skill in the use of related office and field equipment.
Ability to use computers as required by position.
Ability to define community policing as an evolving organizational strategy and personal philosophy based on a set of values emphasizing problem solving partnerships with neighborhoods which create and improve communities.
Ability to successfully complete mandatory training.
Ability to act with tact and impartiality.
Ability to read, learn and understand applicable Federal, State and local laws.
Ability to act and react to emergency and/or threatening situations in a manner consistent with the law, policies and procedures.
Ability to protect oneself and others in threatening situations.
Ability to physically subdue and control unruly and resisting individuals.
Ability to act and react to emergency and/or threatening situations in a manner consistent with the law, policies and procedures.
Ability to use sound reasoning and decision-making.
Does not pose a direct threat or significant risk of substantial harm to the safety or health of himself/herself or others.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, suspects, other law enforcement officials and the general public.
Ability to pass established annual physical testing.
Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written English.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: High School Diploma or G.E.D.
EXPERIENCE: No specific requirements.
OR
Any combination of education and experience that satisfy the requirements of the job as approved by the Sheriff.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
College course work in criminal justice.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess a valid Driver's License. Will be required to obtain a Colorado Driver's License.
Must be able to work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays.
Must possess current CPR and First Aid certifications within the initial status period.
Ability to successfully complete a Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy and obtain certification.
Must be 21 years of age at the time of certification.
Ability to legally possess a handgun.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all inclusive.
Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.
Spends 60% of the time sitting and 40% of the time either standing, walking or running while in the field or office.
Must possess sufficient strength to carry a human being from a hazardous area (average - 150 lbs.).
Frequently pushes, pulls, climbs, balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, reaches, handles and feels while in the field and office.
Must possess sufficient physical capability to overcome and restrain a combative or resistive subject.
Oral and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication as well as communication through automated devices such as the two way radio, intercom system and telephone.
Auditory capacity enabling the detection of sounds related to criminal or suspicious activity.
Visual and fine/gross motor skills enabling the use of a firearm, office and field equipment.
Visual and fine/gross motor skills enabling the safe operation of an emergency vehicle during normal, emergency, pursuit and hazardous weather situations.
Visual capacity including color vision in order to distinguish color/ descriptions of vehicles, suspects, victims and other relevant objects.
Olfactory sensory capabilities to detect criminal/hazardous situations.
JOB-RELATED CONTACTS:
Contacts are with individuals within the Sheriff's Office, with other Departments/Organizations and the general public. Specifically, extensive contact occurs with superiors, fellow workers, other Law Enforcement officials and instructors.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is generally confined to a controlled environment within a P.O.S.T Academy. May be stressful during peak activity periods demanding full attention and coordination.
BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:
This position has been determined to be a MODERATE exposure risk to "biohazards" including, but not limited to, viruses, toxins, and blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), HBV (hepatitis B virus), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "biohazard" may result in severe illness and/or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent and/or treat exposures to "biohazards".
YOU MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT VALID EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS (only one email address is accepted by the system).
BENEFITS:
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees are provided benefits to include, but not limited to, medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, retirement plan and paid time off. For a complete summary of benefits review them at: 2025 Benefits Summary (https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:42c002d5-221d-42db-80da-986f1b8914ec) .
401(a) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN:
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees participate in a mandatory defined benefit program designed to help employees establish a source of income for retirement years. Through the Plan, eligible employees set aside 9.00% of their salary on a pretax basis of which the County matches at 9.75%. The County also contributes 6.2% to Social Security.
APPLICANT DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:
Applicants are advised that areas for disqualification from further consideration include, but are not limited to, the following:
Illegal Drug Use - Marijuana use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who have used any other illegal drug use within the past five (5) years will be disqualified.
Any felony conviction
Any conviction involving an act of Domestic Violence
Driving Record - This includes receiving a DUI within the past five (5) years, having your driver's license suspended for any reason within the past five (5) years, and having five (5) or more tickets within the past five (5) years.
Outside activities which may be deemed a conflict of interest
Revelation or discovery of assaultive behavior
Documented record of prior poor work performance
Unsuccessful completion of any basic requirement
Inability to perform the essential functions of the position
Police history - @type, frequency and nature of contact(s)
Providing false or misleading information during the application/selection process
It is the policy of the Sheriff's Office to not discuss the reasons why applicants were not selected for hire. There is no flexibility to this policy. Applicants may be notified of their disqualification at any point in the selection process. If you receive such a notice, it simply means that you do not meet our standards at this time. Receiving this notice does not indicate that you are ineligible to apply with other agencies.
REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS
The screening process for any position within the Sheriff's Office may include written test(s), an oral interview, skills test(s), and/or other selection methods designed to measure applicants' ability to perform the essential functions of the job they are seeking.
Additional required examinations also include:
Physical Ability Test VPAT (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZRJOdb3QaU)
Suitability Exam
Polygraph Examination
Psychological Evaluation
Medical Examination, including a drug screen
Background Investigation - This will include, but is not limited to, contact with the applicant's former employers, associates, neighbors, and other pertinent sources. Applicant's military history, school records, police records, and driving record will also be investigated. All examinations are conducted by qualified/licensed individuals designated by the Sheriff's Office at the Sheriff's Office expense.
EXPECTED DURATION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
Due to the nature of the application and selection process for the Sheriff's Office, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately fourteen (14) to twenty (20) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.
WORK SCHEDULES:
Employees are required to work the time periods and/or shifts, rotational and/or stationary, and location assignment, consistent with the needs of the Sheriff's Office.
DUTY ASSIGNMENTS:
All applicants hired by the Sheriff serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff of Arapahoe County and may be assigned to any of the agency's bureaus, sections, or units at the discretion of the Sheriff or his duly appointed representative. Employment is at the will and pleasure of the Sheriff, per Colorado State Statute: 30-10-506. Written policies and other manuals do not alter the at will status of employment.
COMMUNITY POLICING:
The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is committed to the implementation of the community-policing concept. Community policing is an organizational strategy and philosophy which emphasizes problem solving partnerships between the Sheriff's Office, neighborhoods, and businesses working together to create a better quality of life within the community.
INITIAL STATUS PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT:
Successful applicants are subject to an initial status period of employment. This initial status period is twelve (12) months for all positions. The initial status period is regarded as part of the applicant's examination process and will be utilized for purposes of employee evaluation, training, and adjustment to the demands of the profession. New employees, who fail to perform satisfactorily during the period, may be separated from the Sheriff's Office, depending on the circumstance of each case.
POLICY ON REAPPLICATION:
Applicants who failed a written test may reapply and retest no sooner than three (3) months from the date they took the written test. Applicants who failed an interview may reapply and retest no sooner than six (6) months from the date they received notification of non-selection. All other applicants who are disqualified can reapply with the Sheriff's Office no sooner than one (1) year from the date of notification of non-selection.
This job announcement does not constitute a contract of employment. Should there be any discrepancy or error in this job announcement, the applicable policy or pay rate will apply. The Sheriff's Office retains the right to amend this job announcement at any time without notice.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Should you require an accommodation to apply for this position please contact Human Resources.
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