Deputy Sheriff - Lateral Entry

Position Overview

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is currently accepting applications for Lateral Transfer Deputy Sheriff positions.

This Opportunity Is Open To

• Law enforcement officers currently certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC).
• Officers certified by a state POST agency outside Alabama
• Federal law enforcement officers with equivalent training and certification
  
  

Candidates from outside Alabama must be eligible for APOSTC reciprocity. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office will assist qualified applicants through the APOSTC certification process, including scheduling any required assessments or transitional training.

All applicants must be in good standing with their current or most recent law enforcement agency.

Automatic Disqualifiers for Applicants

Applicants will not be considered for employment if any of the following apply:

• Use of marijuana (including synthetic or CBD products) within the past 6 months.
• Use of cocaine, methamphetamine, or any other controlled substances not prescribed to the applicant within the past 5 years.
• Use of anabolic steroids within the past 12 months.
• Military service resulting in a discharge that is not Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions.
• Currently under criminal investigation or having any outstanding warrants.
• Any felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude.
• Any misdemeanor convictions within the past 5 years.
• Any pending DUI charges or DUI convictions within the past 10 years.
• Two or more DUI convictions at any point in time.
• Any Failure to Appear charge within the past 10 years.
• Two or more convictions of Failure to Appear.
• Any conviction for Domestic Violence.
• An unsatisfactory driving record.
• A poor employment history, as demonstrated by frequent job changes without valid justification, negative employment evaluations, or ineligibility for rehire by previous employers (within the past 5 years).
• Falsification of any information on the application or during the hiring process.
  
  

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

(All duties listed may not be included in any one position nor does the list include all tasks found in a position of this class.)

• Operate patrol vehicles in an assigned geographical area.
• Monitor and observe vehicular traffic, detect traffic offenses and issue traffic citations as warranted.
• Observe businesses and residences for criminal activity; check buildings for unauthorized entry, search structures and property for intruders, and investigate suspicious persons and events.
• Respond to robberies, thefts, burglaries, homicides, etc. Administer first-aid to injured, secure crime scenes, control and direct citizens at the scene, conduct interviews with complainants, victims, witnesses and suspects, and gather material/physical evidence from the scene as required.
• Respond to domestic disturbances, calm overly excited or agitated persons; physically restrain unruly individuals.
• Conduct interviews with complainants and witnesses, obtain relevant facts and information and mediate and resolve complaints and disputes.
• Make arrests, including subduing individuals with appropriate action and force as necessary, placing individuals into handcuffs or other restraining devices, searching vehicles and persons under arrest for weapons and contraband, and transporting arrested individuals to our detention facility.
• Complete paperwork to incarcerate arrestees.
• Assemble and prepare documentation and narrative reports, memorandums, miscellaneous, Incident/Offense, and activity reports.
• Maintain issued equipment, materials, and supplies required to support daily operations.
• Assist stranded motorists, direct traffic, transport prisoners, and escort funerals.
• Enforce court orders; including serving summons, subpoenas, eviction orders, Protection from Abuse, and executing arrest warrants when required.
• Provide sworn testimony in court proceedings.
• Operate computer terminals (MDTs, laptops & desktops) to retrieve information and data.
• Other duties or tasks may be assigned as needed.
  
  

Education and Experience

Education

• High school diploma from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized regional accrediting agency, or a GED certificate from an appropriate state agency.
  
  

Other Requirements

Must meet one of the following:

• Certified and in good standing with the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC), OR
• Certified and in good standing as a law enforcement officer by a state POST agency outside Alabama (must be recognized by APOSTC), OR
• Certified as a federal law enforcement officer by an agency such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, DHS, etc.
• Out-of-state/federal officers must be eligible for APOSTC lateral transfer certification.**
  
  

Certifications Or Licenses Required

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or provide proof of naturalization.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving force, violence, or moral turpitude.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be insurable by Madison County’s risk underwriters.
• Must be able to pass the Peace Officers Physical and a drug test.
• Must meet all APOSTC requirements for certification as a Peace Officer.
• Must be able to be certified in the use of the Sheriff's Department's weapons and munitions and meet all Department training requirements.
• Must be able to pass a Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA), criminal background check, drug screen, and physical examination.
  
  

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (APOSTC And Out-of-State Certified Applicants)

• Preferred: 24 months of verifiable road/field experience as a POST-certified Peace Officer.
• Applicants must complete the employment application in full and respond to all supplemental questions.
• These questions are required due to the nature and requirements of this position.
  
  

Other Necessary Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the application of modern law enforcement principles and practices.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of first-aid practices.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to cope with stressful situations and perform calmly under stressful conditions.
• Ability to work closely with others as a team.
• Ability to prepare and present clear, accurate, concise, and objective written and oral reports.
• Ability to enforce the law with firmness, tact, and impartiality and to deal courteously with the public.
• Ability to recognize and understand the emotional and physical reactions of both victims and perpetrators of crimes.
• Ability to maintain a level of physical conditioning to be able to physically subdue, restrain, and apprehend law violators.
• Ability to meet requirements of periodic in-service training in all high liability areas (firearms, defensive tactics, less-lethal equipment, etc...).
• Ability to render physical assistance to victims.
• Ability to adhere, at all times, to the standards and principles of honesty, integrity, transparency, and to keep private life unsullied as an example to all.
• Skill in calmly and systematically eliciting critical information from individuals who may be injured and/or highly emotional.
• Skill in the proper and safe utilization of law enforcement-issued equipment, radio communications equipment, and mobile dispatch terminals.
• Skill in firearms to operate and qualify with authorized firearms designated by the agency from a standing, crouch, kneeling, or prone position with either hand with accuracy.
• Skill in the operation of motor vehicles in a safe and efficient manner in a law enforcement environment.
• Other areas as prescribed by the Sheriff’s Office and/or Madison County Commission
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate standard equipment including: keyboard, computer, printer, copier, fax, telephone, radios, handgun, handcuffs, shackles, other restraint devices, chemical agents, baton, firearm, and bullet-resistant vest.
• The employee may be required to climb, crouch, crawl, bend or stoop, push, pull or drag objects, and must be able to run, jump, climb, move, etc..., objects in a manner that meets or exceeds APOSTC Physical Agility Exam requirements.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move over 50 pounds and must be able to control an unruly individual.
• Vision requirements include close vision, color and distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write clearly.
  
  

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• All applicants must complete the employment application in full and respond to all Supplemental Questions.
• Madison County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
• Madison County is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.
  
  

FY26 Sheriff's Deputy Lateral Pay Scale – Updated October 2025

Post-Academy ExperienceGrade-Step

Starting SalaryAt least 3 years17-8

$65,873.60At least 4 years17-9

$67,496.00At least 5 years17-10

$69,160.00At least 6 years17-11

$70,865.60At least 7 years17-12

$72,654.40At least 8 years17-13

$74,464.00More than 8 years17-14

$76,356.80

To be considered for this position, all applicants must complete the employment application in full.

Madison County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer that encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Madison County is a drug-free workplace and conducts drug and alcohol testing.

A comprehensive set of benefits is offered for all full-time employees. No benefits are offered to part-time or seasonal employees. Please consult with the Human Resources Department for a full list of benefits.

Madison County periodically reviews and when fiscally able, adjusts salary rates and our benefits package to remain competitive in our area.

Benefits Summary

Healthcare Insurance: Blue Cross of Alabama is administered through the Local Government Health Insurance Plan (LGHIP).

Coverage Type Employee's Premium

Single Coverage Bi-weekly Premium $ 61.00

Family Coverage Bi-weekly Premium $ 150.00

Dental Coverage: Dental coverage is included with LGHIP through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. LGHIP manages dental costs and provides enhanced dental benefits using negotiated discounts with in-network dentists. To locate in-network dentists go to www.bcbsal.com. Assuming the services are covered you will normally only be responsible for out of pocket.

Life Insurance: Madison County provides $25,000 in life, $25,000 in accidental death and dismemberment and $25,000 line of duty insurance to eligible employees in certified positions.

Employee Retirement Plans: Employees are required to participate in the Employees Retirement System, which is a Defined Benefit Plan administered through the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA). Participants contribute 5% to 8.5% of their earnings depending on their hire date and classification. Sworn Certified Personnel have an accelerated contribution schedule

• Employer contribution percentage is set by the Retirement Systems of Alabama and changes annually.
  
  

Employee Clinic: Madison County employees and dependents over age 12 may use the Employee Health Clinic for the low co-pay of $15.00 per visit. To be eligible to use the clinic, the employee and dependent must be enrolled in Madison County's health insurance plan as their primary coverage.

Voluntary Plans Are Also Available

• Additional life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and childcare)
• Vision Insurance
  
  

Holidays, Annual Leave and Sick Leave:

• Minimum of 10 holidays per calendar year
• Accrue 8 hours of annual leave and 8 hours of sick leave per month
  
  

01

I confirm that I have read and understand the Deputy Sheriff job description and the list of Automatic Disqualifiers for Applicants.

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

Are you a Certified Law Enforcement Officer?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

If you answered 'yes' to the previous question. Please list your APOST/certification number?

04

Are you prepared to work days and/or nights any day of the week?

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

Do you have a high school diploma or GED from an accredited institution?

• Yes
• No
  
  

06

Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No
  
  

07

Were you in the United States Armed Forces?

• Yes
• No
  
  

08

If you answered 'yes' to the previous question. Please confirm it was an Honorable Discharge on your DD214 by answering yes or no.

• Yes
• No
  
  

09

Do you have a current, non-expired, driver license? Please provide. o State o Number o Expiration date

10

Have you ever been arrested or detained? If so, please answer the following question. o Please provide details, including the name of the agency that detained or arrested you.

11

Do you agree to a background check?

• Yes
• No
  
  

12

If you answered 'yes' to the previous question. Please select the authorize option.

• You are hereby authorizing a pre-employment background check and driver's history check to be performed.
  
  

13

Do you agree to sign up for text alerts as part of the recruitment process?

• Yes
• No
  
  

14

If you answered 'yes' to the previous question. Please select the acknowledgment option.

• I acknowledge that at the request of the Sheriff's Department, when submitting my application, I will sign up for SMS Text notifications as part of the recruitment process.
• Required Question