Sheriff's Lieutenant

County of Nevada; Nevada City (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Sheriff’s Lieutenant to plan and lead the activities of one or more major units within the agency. You will provide leadership in the absence of the command-level manager and perform related work as requirements emerge.

Essential duties include supervision of patrol, investigations and jail operations, directing criminal investigations, and ensuring adherence to department policies.

Qualifications

• Six years of responsible experience in law enforcement, with at least four years as a sworn Sergeant.
• Bachelor's degree may substitute for one year of experience as a sworn Sergeant.
• Thirty college semester units from an accredited college or university preferred in criminal justice, government, public or business administration.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparation and management of division's budgets.
• Assigns and supervises the work of deputies in patrol, investigations and crime prevention on an assigned shift.
• Answers inquiries and gives general advice and guidance to station personnel and deputies.
• May supervise jail activities and oversee records, identification and dispatching functions.
• Assist in developing, directing, and evaluating the effectiveness of a sworn patrol unit, an investigative unit, or jail operational unit; directs and conducts criminal investigations.
• May investigate departmental rule and policy violations and recommend actions.
• Assists deputies on calls of a serious nature as needed.
• Participates in hiring processes for sworn, correctional, and support personnel.
• Prepares correspondence and statistical and administrative reports.

Job description

INTERVIEWS FOR SELECTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2026.

CAPTAIN INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2026.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Sheriff's Lieutenant. Nevada County Sheriff's Lieutenants plan and lead the activities of one or more major units of the Sheriff's Office. They provide leadership in the absence of the command-level manager and perform related work as requirements emerge. The breadth of responsibility and level of expertise required to perform the duties of the position distinguishes this class from the class of Sheriff's Sergeant.

To learn more about our agency and what it's like to work in Nevada County please watch this short video.

Why Nevada County Sheriff's Office?

We are committed to providing excellence in public service in partnership with our community. Our leadership values employee development and engagement, promotes open and clear communication, sets us up to be a hard-working organization, and recognizes our contributions. Our leadership connects with the community, listens to them, and provides relevant programming to keep us safe, healthy, and balanced.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Essential:

• Assists with preparation and management of division's budgets
• Assigns and supervises the work of deputies in performing patrol, investigations and crime prevention work on an assigned shift
• Answers inquiries and gives general advice and guidance to station personnel and deputies
• May supervise the activities of the jail as required, and assigns the proper operation of records, identification and dispatching functions
• Assists in developing, organizing, directing, and evaluating the effectiveness of a sworn patrol unit, an investigative unit, or jail operational unit; directs and conducts criminal investigations
• May be required to investigate departmental rule and policy violations, irregular and suspicious occurrences, and recommend appropriate actions
• Assists deputies on calls of a serious nature as needed

Important:

• Assists in conducting hiring interviews and selecting candidates or participates in the selection process of sworn, correctional, and support personnel
• Receives and transmits communications and instructions, assists in formulating and implementing departmental policy and procedures, assists in preparing and managing departmental budgets
• Prepares correspondence and statistical and administrative reports
• Instructs subordinates in proper law enforcement methods

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of supervision and training
• Criminal law and investigation techniques
• Collection, identification, and preservation of evidence techniques
• Interviewing and counseling techniques and methods
• Departmental and countywide policies, rules and regulations
• Care and operation of county facility, firearms, and other law enforcement equipment

Skill in:

• Analyzing and interpreting police problems and criminal evidence
• Supervising and instructing subordinates in all pertinent phases of law enforcement procedure
• Preparing clear, concise and comprehensive verbal and written reports
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Working with considerable independence, judgment, and initiative
• Gathering, assembling, analyzing and evaluating facts and evidence; drawing logical conclusions and making recommendations
• Speaking confidently in public

Equivalent to six (6) years of responsible experience in law enforcement work, with at least four (4) years as a sworn Sergeant. Possession of a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college with major course work in the criminal justice field, government, public or business administration, behavioral sciences or a related field may substitute for one year of experience as a sworn Sergeant.

Thirty (30) college semester units from an accredited college or university with major course work in the criminal justice field, government, public or business administration, behavioral sciences or a related field preferred.

OR

Equivalent to five (5) years of responsible experience in law enforcement work with at least three (3) of those years in the position of a sworn Sergeant for the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. Possession of a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college with major course work in the criminal justice field, government, public or business administration, behavioral sciences or a related field may substitute for one year of experience as a sworn Sergeant.

Thirty (30) college semester units from an accredited college or university with major course work in the criminal justice field, government, public or business administration, behavioral sciences or a related field preferred.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license within 30 days of hire.
• Possession of a valid Supervisory POST (Peace Officer Standards Training) certificate, or required to qualify and apply for POST supervisory certificate within sixty days of hire.
• Advanced P.O.S.T. certificate.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Mobility to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings. Mobility and strength to respond to emergency situations, and to reach, grasp, bend, kneel for extended periods of time. Strength and stamina to climb and run and occasionally lift and carry individuals weighing up to 165 pounds. Vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen. Hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone.
• Willingness and ability to accept assignments in a locked detention facility serving clients of various cultural, physical, behavioral and psychological profiles.
• Willingness and ability to work various shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays, and respond to calls after hours.
• Some accommodations may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.

Other Requirements:

• Must submit to and pass a psychological evaluation, medical examination and a background investigation, if not already a Nevada County Sheriff's Office Peace Officer employee.

This class description lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Not all duties are necessarily performed by each incumbent. Incumbents may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.

Read the full job description for more information.