Deputy Sheriff

Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office; Edinburg (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office seeks qualified applicants for positions within the Criminal Enforcement Division. Duties include patrol, responding to emergency calls, traffic direction, investigative work and court-related duties.

Bilingual abilities are preferred to assist diverse communities. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, and at least 1 year of law enforcement experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a high school or equivalent (GED).
• At least one (1) year of law enforcement related experience preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Patrol an assigned area, generally by vehicle, to prevent crimes and enforce laws and regulations.
• Respond to emergency calls and routine complaints and take action as necessary.
• Issue traffic citations and direct traffic.
• Investigate traffic accidents and crimes against persons and property and assist federal, state and local law enforcement officials.
• Keep records of activities and make reports concerning crimes, complaints, accidents and investigations.
• File cases with District Attorney or U.S. Attorney.
• Make lawful arrests for violations of laws for the State of Texas and local government ordinance and/or resolution.
• Serve felony, misdemeanor and mental commitment warrants and make arrests.
• Serve court papers including writs, summons, subpoenas, capias, etc.
• Question witnesses and suspects and take statements and depositions.
• Assist other law enforcement agencies as needed.
• Perform surveillance of suspects and assigned locations.
• Meet with informants and conduct undercover narcotics work.

Skills

Bilingual preferred

Communication skills

Report writing

Education

High school diploma or GED

1 year law enforcement experience preferred

Tools

None

Job description

Employees may be assigned to patrol, narcotics, civil process, warrants, courthouse security, criminal investigation or school policing. Depending on area which assigned, may be required to perform undercover and surveillance work, patrol work, civil and criminal process serving or investigative work.

Criminal Enforcement Division

Depending on individual assignments, examples of work performed may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Patrol an assigned area, generally by vehicle, to prevent crimes and enforce laws and regulations
• Respond to emergency calls and routine complaints and take action as necessary
• Issue traffic citations and direct traffic
• Investigate traffic accidents and crimes against persons and property and assist federal, state and local law enforcement officials
• Keep records of activities and make reports concerning crimes, complaints, accidents and investigations
• File cases with District Attorney or U.S. Attorney
• Make lawful arrests for violations of laws for the State of Texas and local government ordinance and/or resolution
• Serve felony, misdemeanor and mental commitment warrants and make arrests
• Serve court papers including writs, summons, subpoenas, capias, etc.
• Question witnesses and suspects and take statements and depositions
• Assist other law enforcement agencies as needed
• Perform surveillance of suspects and assigned locations
• Meet with informants and conduct undercover narcotics work
• Handle and care for dogs involved in narcotics investigations
• Conduct background investigations on applicants for law enforcement and corrections positions
• Serve as a bailiff in county and district courts
• Gather and label evidence, take photographs and fingerprints, guard and transport prisoners and testify in court
• May address and work with community groups to promote good public relations and to inform citizens of police activities and crime prevention
• May be responsible for animal control, especially relating to cattle on roadways
• Return persons who have been arrested to county in other locations in and out of state
• Employees shall perform any and all other such duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the Sheriff's Office

Graduation from a high school or equivalent (GED)

At least one (1) year of law enforcement related experience preferred

Bilingual preferred

Certificates, Licenses and Registration:

• Applicant must possess a Basic Peace Officer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
• Applicant must have a current valid Texas operator's driver's license
• Must be able to be insured by the County's insurance carrier

• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions, departmental policy, rules, regulations and laws
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county employees and officials, law enforcement agencies and the general public
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective and reasonable course of action
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and to maintain complete records as required
• Ability to learn the use and care of vehicles, firearms, and specialized equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to work well with others
• Ability to solve basic mathematic problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• Ability to use decimals and percentages in solving such problems
• Ability to speak, read, and writes in the English language
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees or organizations
• Ability to also speak and write in Spanish preferred
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form