Deputy Sheriff

Mille Lacs County, MN; Milaca (MN); On-site; USD 44,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Shift differential

Job summary

Mille Lacs County is seeking a Deputy Sheriff to provide law enforcement services across the county, protecting life and property and enforcing laws and regulations. The role operates under the LELS bargaining unit, with a 2026 pay scale of $31.90-$41.73 per hour.

Fully paid single medical insurance begins after 1 month of employment for full-time staff, with a shift differential of $1.25 per hour for night hours. Other duties include investigations, court testimony, and public safety outreach.

Qualifications

• Must possess Minnesota POST license and firearms certification.
• Class D Driver’s License required.
• Successful completion of background check, pre-employment physical, agility testing, and psychological evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Prevent crimes and preserve public safety; patrol county roads and enforce traffic laws.
• Perform administrative duties; write clear reports and maintain equipment.
• Respond to emergencies; evaluate situations and assist SWAT, K-9, or Search and Rescue as needed.
• Administer medical aid until paramedics arrive and make arrests when justified.

Skills

Public safety

Emergency response

Community engagement

Education

Minnesota POST license

Firearms certification

Tools

Criminal background check

Job description

The Deputy Sheriff ensures the protection of the citizens of Mille Lacs County by providing law enforcement services. Duties include protecting life and property, preventing crime, apprehending criminals, and enforcing laws, rules, and regulations in Mille Lacs County.

This position operates under the LELS bargaining unit. Complete 2026 pay scale is $31.90-$41.73/hr. For a complete position description, click here.

Fully paid single medical insurance is available for full‑time employees and begins the 1st of the month following employment.

Shift differential of $1.25/hr is paid for all hours worked between 6 pm and 6 am.

This job description indicates the normal type and level of work expected of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as apparent or assigned.

Responsibilities

1. Works to prevent crimes and preserve public safety. Patrols county roads and enforces traffic laws, rules and regulations; issues warnings or citations. Reports road conditions or hazards to dispatch for communication with the responsible department or jurisdiction. Observes condition of signs, signals, road surfaces, and severe weather conditions.
2. Performs various administrative duties, such as writing clear and concise reports related to essential function activities and attending in‑service training and meetings. Accounts for activities during a shift. Assumes responsibility for the care of department vehicles and property, including assigned patrol unit and issued equipment.
3. Performs traffic control to allow emergency responders to work safely while at the scene of a fire or medical emergency; provides assistance to other law enforcement agencies on request.
4. Performs initial investigations and determines whether the case needs to be handed off to an Investigator for further work or completes the full investigation. Preserves evidence at the scene of petty misdemeanor to felony level crimes. Interviews suspects, victims, and witnesses of crimes to obtain statements and gather evidence. Investigates natural deaths within the county, prepares a report and files the report with the Medical Examiner’s Office. Watches for and investigates to find wanted or missing persons or property. Transfers cases to an Investigator when the nature of the case indicates a need to transfer based on Sheriff’s Office guidelines. Testifies in court as needed. Secures major crime scenes until investigation personnel arrive.
5. Responds personally to emergency calls per established Sheriff’s Office procedures. Evaluates each situation upon arrival to determine whether additional assistance is needed; conducts a preliminary investigation and brings the event to a conclusion; depending on the situation, requests deployment of the Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.), K-9, or Search and Rescue.
6. Makes contact with and resolves situations with violent, mentally ill, mental health crisis, and/or uncooperative citizens in a manner to protect the community and preserve the health and safety of the general public, deputies and bystanders.
7. Administers medical or trauma aid until the situation is stabilized or there is relief provided by paramedics or ambulance personnel. Makes arrests when justified by the circumstances. Participates in searches and rescue for lost, missing, or drowned persons.
8. May participate in special assignments as delegated or as a volunteer, such as
   1. Court Security Officer to maintain an orderly courtroom and provide for the safety of judges, attorneys, court personnel, witnesses, defendants, and the public; maintains rapport with all parties; schedules and provides work direction to civilian bailiffs.
   2. Boat and Water Patrol Officer; enforces laws while on the water; operates watercraft; inspects watercraft and checks operators for equipment or safety violations; issues warnings or citations.
   3. School Liaison Officer. Responds to requests for help from school officials, families and students; promotes a safe school environment; interacts and maintains rapport with all parties; participates in school committees.
   4. Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) as a volunteer; receives special training and equipment to resolve critical and high‑risk situations.
   5. Drug Task Force Officer. Investigates drug related crimes; writes search warrants; monitors and uses surveillance related equipment; works with confidential informants and works undercover.
   6. Domestic Violence Surveillance Officer. Provides intense supervision on released offenders court ordered on Domestic Violence Court. Conducts investigations and apprehends known violent individuals. Conducts surveillance in home and job‑related compliance checks; administers breath and urine tests to monitor sobriety; performs daily, weekly, and monthly meetings with clients; monitors defendants’ current locations through monitoring devices and through a dedicated monitoring phone line to ensure victim safety.
   7. Drug Court Officer. Supervises and monitors individuals court ordered to Drug Court. Conducts in home and job‑related visits; administers breath and urine tests to monitor sobriety; performs daily, weekly, and monthly meetings with clients.
9. Communicates professionally with the public in order to build rapport and solicit public cooperation with law enforcement activities. Develops materials and provides presentations oriented toward the public to inform them about safety or security matters.
10. May transport prisoners to the jail or medical facility.
11. Serves Civil Process paperwork.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Eligibility for Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board license, and firearms certification.
• Class D Driver’s License.
• Must successfully complete a criminal history background check, pre‑employment physical, physical agility testing, and psychological examination.

Candidates will be selected based on a review of training and experience. Qualifying candidates will be invited to participate in oral interviews.

Deputy Sheriff selection process:

1. Initial screening/oral interview
   1. Averages 20-30 minutes
   2. In-person
   3. A second‑round interview may be required
2. Background check including a criminal history check
   1. Paperwork averages 1-5 hours to be completed accurately
   2. Must be completed within 7 days of when candidate receives packet (HR will notify candidate of due date)
   3. Background check process averages 4-8 weeks to be completed, once everything is turned in to the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office
3. Pre-employment physical/medical examination (time varies)
4. Psychological evaluation (time varies)

The entire hiring process typically averages between 60 and 75 days from beginning to end.

Upon job offer, candidates will be notified of their assigned shift and schedule.