Patrol Deputy

STARTING SALARY: The starting salary for this position is $67,496 annually ($32.45/hr) based on the current 2025 pay grid (pay step increases may be considered based on experience).
**Receive anniversary step increases. In addition, receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

JOB OBJECTIVES: 

A Patrol Deputy performs duties to enforce federal, state, and local laws; protect and serve citizens of Douglas County and promote public safety. As a Patrol Deputy, you may be assigned special assignments on an ongoing or short-term basis. Special assignments include school resource officer, general investigations, fraud investigator, civil process, drug task force, k9, drone operator, SWAT, dive team, water patrol, honor guard, and recreational safety deputy. While much of this work is performed independently and without the immediate presence of a supervisor, deputies are required to draw upon their extensive training, department policies and procedures, mandates, and laws governing a deputy's response and conduct when determining the appropriate course of action, balancing education and enforcement.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 
The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of those specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Respond to calls, civil and criminal complaints, disturbances, medicals, accidents, and or requests for emergency assistance.
• Enforce laws, rules, and regulations associated with being a MN Peace Officer.
• Assists and conducts investigative activities and tasks.
• Administers medical assistance to the injured and sick.
• Appear and testify in court on civil and criminal matters.
• Complete incident reports, crash reports, obtain statements, and any other necessary  forms and or paperwork.
• Performs other law enforcement duties, as assigned or apparent.
• Reliable, predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Comply with all rules and policies in order to maintain a safe work environment.
• Other duties, as assigned or apparent.  

Access to Not Public Data
In this job, you may come across private or confidential information about people we serve. This data is protected by law and should only be viewed or used when it’s truly needed for your work. You are expected to only look at private data when your job duties require it. Keep it secure and make sure others who don’t need to see it don’t have access. Stop accessing the data once your task is done, and store or dispose of it properly, following the rules in Minnesota’s Data Practices Act (Chapter 13). If your job duties change and you need access to different private data, that access should also be limited to only what you need to do your job.

  


REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT HIRE:

Education

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement or its equivalent.

Experience
Must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Currently possess a valid Class D, Minnesota State Driver's License or ability to obtain upon start of employment.
• Qualify with a handgun and other department weapons according to existing department qualification standards.
• Must possess an operating telephone or cell phone for use of being contacted in case of an emergency.
• Shall not have been the subject of any prior conduct-related investigations or peace officer license suspensions or revocations by P.O.S.T. or any other state's licensing agency.
• Favorable recommendation for employment from a licensed Psychologist.
• Successfully pass a physical fitness agility test, an oral interview, a background investigation, and FTO program approved by the Sheriff.
• Current first aid and CPR training and certification.
• Possess a current, valid (full-time) Minnesota Peace Officer's License issued by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training by employment start date. If you currently possess, please attach a copy of your license or letter of eligibility!    

REQUIRED MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & QUALITIES AT HIRE: 

• Must possess good character and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to be courteous, tactful and deal effectively, efficiently, and firmly with people.
• Knowledge of Douglas County geography.
• Must have social and general intelligence with an aptitude for police operations.
• Knowledge of modern methods required to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Laws, ordinances, rules and regulations effective in County/State.
• Skills in the competent operation of emergency vehicles, various firearms and equipment, and general office equipment.
• Apply discretion and judgment in situations and circumstances in accordance with laws, rules, guidelines, departmental procedures and policies.
• Knowledge of and follow arrest procedures, use of force, law enforcement software, cameras, PBT, radar, and pursuit driving.
• Ability to complete reports and other documents and to read instructions and manuals, etc.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in the event of emergencies.

PREFERRED/DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience
Previous law enforcement experience.

Education
See required minimum qualifications at hire.  

Licenses
See required licenses and other requirements. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT
A mix of indoor/outdoor work. Workings in all types of weather/environmental conditions. Dealing with disagreeable human circumstances in stressful and unpredictable situations and circumstances.  Exposures may include but are not limited to, communicable diseases, body fluids, hazardous chemicals, elevated noise levels, and radio frequency radiation. Must be adaptive to shift work. Must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays for coverage of 24/7/365 operation.

Physical Demands can involve, but are not limited to:
Employee is required to CONTINUOUSLY talk and hear; FREQUENTLY stand, walk, sit, use hands dexterously (use fingers to handle, feel), reach with hands and arms and physically lift and carry up to 50 pounds; OCCASIONALLY reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, taste or smell and physically lift and carry up to 100 pounds.  Must have close vision (clear at 20 inches or less). Distance vision, (clear at 20 feet or more), color and peripheral vision and depth perception. Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.

See also physical and environmental factors form.

OTHER
Work time varies by shift. Must be available to work weekends and holidays. All listed above are essential functions of the job.

SALARY: Receive anniversary step increases for earning potential of $86,673.60 annually, ($41.67/hr). In addition, receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) per the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Benefits:  We offer free single health insurance plan options with a $200/mo Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account. We also offer Family plans. don't hesitate to get in contact with the Human Resources Department (320-762-3873 or 320-762-2922) for more information.  As an employee of Douglas County, you are required to enroll in P.E.R.A. (Public Employees’ Retirement Association). Participation is mandated for all public employees who meet the requirements of the plan. PERA – Police & Fire Member: Employee Deduction  11.8%; Employer Contribution 17.70%.
The official holidays for this Douglas County position are:* Personal Holiday Year’s Day*Martin Luther King Jr Day*Presidents’ Day *Memorial Day*Juneteenth*Fourth of July*Labor Day *Columbus Day*Veterans’ Day*Thanksgiving Day*When Christmas Eve falls on a work day, the County offices will close at noon (except for the Sheriff's Office)*Christmas Day.  
Sick Leave/Earned Safe and Sick Time: An employee shall be credited with 1 day of sick leave for each month of service, accumulative to 90 days. The first 48 hours (or up to 80 hours if any eligible time was carried over) will be counted as ESST.  
Vacations:
Employees will accrue vacation according to the following schedule:
0 - 5 years - 10 working days.
6 -10 years - 15 working days.
11 - 15 years - 20 working days.
16 - 20 years - 25 working days.
Over 20 years - 30 working days.

Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of Patrol Sergeant.
Supervision Exercised: None
Labor Group: Union-Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS)-Deputies/Bailiffs.
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Grade: 10
EEO Job Category: Protective Service Workers
Work Comp Code:  7720

This 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 the requirements of the job change.

Revised:  2/2025; updated 11/2025.

Salary : $32