Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

Enforce law and order in rural or unincorporated districts or serve legal processes of courts. May patrol courthouse, guard court or grand jury, or escort defendants.

Median Annual Wage: $56,810

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (55%); Post-secondary certificate (21%); Associate's degree (19%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Deputy Sheriff; Deputy; Civil Division Deputy Sheriff; Canine Deputy (K-9 Deputy); Civil Process Server; Chief Deputy Sheriff; Corporal-Road Deputy with Sheriff Department; Deputy (Patrol); Deputy Sheriff (Generalist)-Bailiff; Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer (DARE Officer)

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs.

More Protective Service Careers

  • Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.
  • Take control of accident scenes to maintain traffic flow, to assist accident victims, and to investigate causes.
  • Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.
  • Record daily activities and submit logs and other related reports and paperwork to appropriate authorities.
  • Execute arrest warrants, locating and taking persons into custody.
  • Notify patrol units to take violators into custody or to provide needed assistance or medical aid.
  • Serve statements of claims, subpoenas, summonses, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony, and other court orders.
  • Question individuals entering secured areas to determine their business, directing and rerouting individuals as necessary.
  • Patrol and guard courthouses, grand jury rooms, or assigned areas to provide security, enforce laws, maintain order, and arrest violators.
  • Transport or escort prisoners and defendants en route to courtrooms, prisons or jails, attorneys' offices, or medical facilities.
  • Locate and confiscate real or personal property, as directed by court order.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs.

  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs.

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