Deputy Sheriff - Detention

Churchill County; Fallon (NV); On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

Churchill County Sheriff's Office is recruiting for Deputy Sheriff positions in the adult detention center with potential advancement to Patrol Deputy. Applicants must live within 35 miles of Fallon, NV and pass rigorous background checks and medical and psychological exams.

The job includes 12-hour Pitman shifts, overtime, and comprehensive benefits including health insurance and paid leave. Successful candidates will perform duties in detention, transport inmates, conduct headcounts, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; POST certification desirable but not required.
• Ability to apply principles of public relations and customer service.
• Ability to make rapid, sound independent judgments within guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Maintain law and order within the Detention Facility and oversee inmate care and custody.
• Conduct headcounts, cell and pod checks, and move inmates for court appearances or medical visits.
• Transport inmates to and from court and provide security for court staff.
• Perform intake and release of inmates, including searches, bookings, fingerprints, and processing money.
• Ensure safety of inmates and staff by conducting searches and reporting incidents.
• Handle health and welfare needs for inmates, including meals, clothing, and medications.

Skills

Public relations

Interpersonal communication

Judgment under pressure

Record keeping

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Office software

Job description

Churchill County is looking to add to our successful and impactful team at the Churchill County Sheriff's Office. Consider a career in law enforcement, where you can serve our community in a lifelong career in a meaningful way. We are actively recruiting for Deputy Sheriff positions in the adult detention center, with the prospect of becoming a Patrol Deputy within a few years.

We are seeking people who are committed to Churchill County and are willing to make a long‑term commitment to the community and to the department.

Successful applicants must live within a 35‑mile radius of the Sheriff's Office within 3 months after their hire date. We offer a 12‑hour rotating Pitman shift schedule, giving you the advantage of working only 7 days within a two‑week pay period. This schedule allows employees to have every other weekend off. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding job and you can pass a rigorous background investigation, this may be the position for you! Deputy Sheriffs must work a variety of shifts and interact with individuals from various socio‑economic backgrounds in a variety of unique situations. They must be assertive and willing and able to make quick decisions under stressful circumstances.

Previous certification is not required for this position. Churchill County provides training and certification opportunities for properly qualified and motivated applicants.

The posted wage is only part of the compensation. In addition to the salary paid, the county contributes an additional 58.75% into PERS on the employee's behalf (value of $17.88/hour or $37,000 annually). In addition, the employee will not contribute to Social Security, resulting in an additional 6% in take‑home pay (an equivalent of $1.83/hour or $3,700 annually). The county also pays 100% for employee‑only health insurance premiums (equivalent to $6.49/hour or $13,500 annually). Employees in these positions will also receive full accruals of vacation leave (8 hours per month) and sick leave (10 hours per month). These employees also receive 8 hours for pay for paid holidays.

TESTING SCHEDULE

Written Testing: Will be administered online and must be completed by September 27, 2026. After submitting your application and closing of applications, you will receive testing instructions via email. Candidates must pass the written test to be eligible for the physical agility test scheduled for October 3, 2026. Applicants that have a category III POST Certificate, or higher, will have this requirement waived upon request.

Physical Agility Testing: Will be administered on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the following locations:

• Orientation: 8:00 AM on October 3, 2026
  Location: Sheriff's Admin, 101 N Maine Street, Fallon, NV 89406
• Physical Agility: 8:30 AM on October 3, 2026
  Location: Churchill County Junior High, 650 S Maine Street, Fallon, NV 89406

ALL applicants will take the physical agility test at the same time. Failure to register for and complete any portion of testing will remove you from further consideration. Oral Boards (Interviews) will be scheduled on a different day.

Successful applicants must pass a physical agility test, a written test, an oral board, a thorough background check, a voice stress analysis assessment, a psychological exam, a medical examination and a pre‑employment drug test.

The requirements of the physical agility test are the same as required by the State of Nevada for POST Category II certification:

• Vertical Jump – 15 inches
• Illinois Agility Run – 20.7 seconds
• Sit‑ups - 29 (1 minute)
• Push‑ups – 15 (no time limit)
• 300 Meter Run – 80 seconds
• 1‑½ miles – 20:06 minutes/seconds

THE JOB

Perform a full range of related functions within the Detention Facility, including maintaining law and order, prevention, detection and investigation of crimes, and the care and custody of inmates. Employees must be able to act without direct supervision in meeting emergencies. Work is generally reviewed through supervisory conferences, written reports, inspections and observation of results obtained. Work involves an element of personal danger. Employment with the Sheriff's Department requires shift work.

• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Accountability for Inmates – Conducts daily headcounts, periodic cell and pod checks; moves inmates to and from locations for court appearances, medical care, visits, etc.
• Intake and Release of Inmates – Brings inmates into the jail by conducting searches, booking questionnaires, fingerprints, photography, access to money and phone.
• Ensures Safety of Inmates and Staff – Conduct facility and person searches for weapons/drugs/contraband; conduct surveillance, investigations, and reports of crimes committed within the detention facility; monitor activity of inmates; handle inmates with mental health issues and provide intervention to ensure safety.
• Handle Health and Welfare Issues – Carry out processes to ensure that inmates are provided with adequate food, clothing, medicine, and clean living arrangements; conduct inspections of living conditions to ensure compliance with departmental policy and federal law.
• Customer Service – Receives and screens visitors and telephone calls and directs the caller to the proper person or personally handles the call; provides information which requires the use of judgment and interpretation of policies, rules and procedures.
• Court Appearances – Transports inmates to and from court; provides security for court staff and inmates during proceedings; updates legal paperwork to ensure timely compliance with court orders; responds to emergencies in the courthouse.
• Medical Treatment – Provide first aid for inmates as required; triage inmates for physician visits and needs for emergency medical treatment and transport; sets up medications and distribute to inmates daily as required; complete documentation for medical issues; provide security for medical staff.
• Extraditions – Transport inmates to other agency jails, courts, and other facilities; send notices to other agencies of arrests, process warrants, and set‑up extraditions with outside companies who transport inmates.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of

• Principles and techniques of public relations and customer service.
• County, State, and federal laws, statutes, ordinances and court decisions related to police activities.
• Principles and practices of effective interrogation.
• Criminal investigation principles, practices and techniques.
• Weaponry and associated safety practices.
• Safety and security policies and procedures.
• First aid and basic CPR methods.
• County geography.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Computers utilizing standard and specialized software applications.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone; often where relations may be confrontational or strained.

Skill in

• Maintaining accurate records of work performed.
• Remaining calm and taking appropriate action in tense situations.
• Making rapid, sound independent judgments within legal and procedural guidelines.
• Monitoring and maintaining the safety and security of detainees and facilities.
• Understanding and following oral and written directions.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Organizing own work, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Effectively listening to, communicating with, and eliciting information from upset, emotional and irate individuals.
• Dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from high school or obtain GED. Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification desirable but not required. Churchill County is looking for candidates who are willing to make a long‑term commitment to the department and the community.

Minimum Age

21 years old by time of appointment [per NAC (Nevada Administrative Code) 289.110]

Physical Demands

In addition to the minimum requirements and the job duties listed for this position, the following are required; sufficient mobility to handle altercations and work in a police setting and use standard equipment required of the job, vision to read printed materials, to drive vehicles at all times, and to interpret visual cues and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. NO accommodation can be made for these physical demands. NOTE: Applicants must submit to a pre‑placement physical.

Vision and Hearing

Must have normal hearing and color vision under all regular circumstances. Must have normal functions and visual acuity corrected to 20/20 in the better eye and not less than 20/25 in the lesser eye.

Driver's License

Must have a Nevada Driver's license by time of appointment.

Special Conditions

Candidates will be required to take a pre‑employment drug test, truthfulness verification examination, psychological examination, and must submit to an extensive background investigation conducted by the Sheriff's Department. Candidates are also required to pass an extensive medical examination prescribed by the department and the heart and lung examination required by NAC 617.040; .050; .060 and .070 prior to hiring and annually thereafter. Persons rejected as a result of these examinations will be removed from the eligible list.

Special Note

Employees must be willing to work overtime, shifts, weekends and holidays. Employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of a one‑year probationary period and a field training program.

An eligible list will be created for this position. The eligible list will be maintained for twelve months. Inclusion on the eligible list is not a guarantee of a current or future job offer.

This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Conditions of Employment

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. New employees are required to submit to a background investigation and if hired for a safety‑sensitive position, a drug/alcohol screen. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug/alcohol screen (if applicable).
3. Churchill County participates in E‑Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, with information from each applicant's Form I‑9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I‑9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.