Probationary Deputy

This is a full-time opportunity with many benefits! As a Missoula County employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community. The entry rate of pay for this position is $37.29 per hour.

The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is seeking a PROBATIONARY DEPUTY to join their team. This position performs basic law enforcement work. This is an entry level probationary position used for training and evaluation for the Missoula County Sheriff's Department.

Details: We are accepting completed application submissions until 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2026. It is in your best interest to apply by this date. In person applicant testing and interviews will be held in Missoula Montana January 31st thru February 3rd, 2026. Remote testing/interviewing is not available. Eligible applicants will be notified electronically if they are eligible to participate in testing no later than Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Applicants can reach out to gbrown@missoulacounty.us for advanced notification of eligibility to participate in testing.

To Apply

• Please complete all sections of the online application, even if a resume is submitted.
• If you are a Veteran or a Person with a Disability, please attached a DD214 or a DPHHS disability hiring preference documentation.
• Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.
  
  

Drives a vehicle to patrol assigned areas of the County to provide for the safety and well-being of life and property. Responds to calls for assistance and complaints of crimes and disturbances. Makes initial investigations at crime scenes, including interviews and preserving evidence. Serves legal and civil process orders of courts including arrest warrants, restraining orders and subpoenas. Appears in court to give testimony and present evidence. Prepares and submits reports as required. Arrests or assists in the arrest of suspects. Enforces traffic regulations.

Must meet minimum requirements as set forth by Montana State statutes:

• be a citizen of the United States;
• be at least 18 years of age;
• be a graduate of an accredited high school or the equivalent;
• never have been convicted of a felony;
• be fingerprinted and a search made of appropriate files to disclose any criminal record;
• not have been affiliated in any manner with a subversive organization within 5 years;
• within 30 days immediately preceding his/her date of employment have been examined by a physician licensed to practice in the State of Montana and have been pronounced in good physical condition (this examination is provided by the County);
• be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation;
• have successfully completed an oral interview in which the characteristics necessary to a peace officer are demonstrated;
• possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver's license.
  
  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must successfully complete the department Field Training Officer (FTO) program. Must attend and satisfactorily complete Basic School at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy within one (1) year of employment. Requires passing a background investigation. Must pass departmental physical ability examination prior to employment and participate periodically thereafter. Requires valid Montana driver's license and safe driving record.

The employee is required to carry a weapon and is exposed to potentially dangerous situations. Requires adjusting to changing shifts; exposure to a stressful environment; exposure to human blood, urine and other contagious sources and working both indoors and outdoors in all temperatures. The work may require working longer than twelve-hour shifts. Employee is subject to call-out at any time. The work requires frequent driving; occasional standing and walking on all types of surfaces and frequent reaching. Use of the hands is continuously required; applying pressure with the hands and forceful, repeated or sustained exertions are occasionally required. Running, jumping and climbing stairs, ladders and fences are activities required occasionally. Lifting, carrying and pushing/pulling of items weighing greater than 140 lbs are required occasionally. Requires hearing which falls within normal limits for both pure tone and speech, per audiogram. (An average will be taken of 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz. The applicant must have an average threshold of 25dBHL or less in each ear.) Requires vision acuity as follows: binocular vision of 20/80 uncorrected, which is corrected using glasses or contact lenses to binocular vision of 20/30; 140 degrees peripheral; normal color vision to sufficiently distinguish red, yellow and green; and normal depth perception.

Located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and home to the University of Montana, Missoula is an academic center situated in an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Depending on the season, you can hike, ski, fish, float rivers, ride mountain bikes, or just sit back and marvel at the surrounding scenery. Join us in a scenic, sophisticated, and service-oriented Missoula!

Missoula County covers over 2,618 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks. Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region.

Missoula County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Clark Fork River running through town to lush ranches and a growing economy of small business. Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, business owners, vacationers, fisherman, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Missoula County's boundless opportunities.