Deputy Sheriff- Lateral

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$40.48 - $49.75 Hourly

Department:

Sheriff

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

March 21, 2026

The Opportunity:

OVERVIEW:

THIS IS A LATERAL RECRUITMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT CERTIFIED CANDIDATES ONLY

Join the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and become part of a dynamic team where your commitment to justice and community safety can make a real difference. We are seeking individuals who are dedicated to serving the community, passionate about helping others and inspired by a strong sense of purpose. MCSO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and investing in professional development opportunities throughout your career. If you have strong communication and conflict resolution skills, are dependable, resourceful, and believe in providing unwavering compassion through exemplary public safety service, then we invite you to join our team and continue in your law enforcement career with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

To learn more about our agency, please watch our video: Join Our Team

Virtual Information Session:

Join us to learn more about MCSO! We will be hosting virtual information sessions in March, please fill out this form to register: Deputy Sheriff Info Session Registration

The Duties of a Deputy Sheriff include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Contribute to the team effort of maintaining a presence in the community that helps to deter crime and provide support to all community members; through patrolling county roads, highways, business and residential areas; enforcing traffic and criminal laws; providing business and residential security checks; investigating road and safety hazards; monitoring waterways within Multnomah County and enforcing other safety laws and regulations.
• Engage in community policing and proactive policing strategies, using traditional and non traditional approaches to law enforcement; collaborate with the community to identify and implement innovative approaches to reduce chronic crime.
• Work collaboratively to create a positive, supportive and safe work environment for all members through inclusive communication and teamwork; actively promote a workplace environment that is respectful of living and working in a multicultural society by modeling the agency’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Monitor and direct traffic to maintain safe traffic conditions; investigate traffic collisions; take statements, report unsafe streets, and offer general assistance.
• Assess situations, use informed judgment to determine whether laws have been violated, analyze impact of decision on situation and persons involved, and impartially determines appropriate action such as written or verbal warning, citation or arrest and transport to jail.
• Conduct investigations of reported criminal activity; gather crime scene evidence; interview and take statements from those involved.
• Conduct investigations of reported civil disturbances; respond to incidents such as family disputes, public disturbances, animal control, and lost children.
• Prepare reports for agency, court and state use of investigated disturbances, crimes, accidents, and traffic enforcement for agency, court and state use.
• Provide court testimony regarding criminal investigations and citations. Serve subpoenas and warrants of arrest.
   

Incentives for qualified lateral candidates: The intent of the lateral incentive program is to hire candidates who do not need to complete the DPSST academy. Candidates either need to be certified in Oregon at time of hire or must obtain certification through the DPSST COD program. Eligibility for the COD program cannot be determined until after hire. Incentives will be paid out once certification status is finalized and as noted below. All lateral incentives will be applied as outlined in the Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff Association Collective Bargaining Agreement.
 

• Lateral hires will be placed on a pay step on the pay scale with credit for their prior law enforcement experience.

• A lateral hire’s prior law enforcement experience as a Police Officer or Deputy Sheriff will be considered as “continuous service” for the purpose of determining the appropriate vacation accrual rate.

• Lateral hires from other law enforcement agencies are subject to a twelve (12) month probationary period (rather than standard 18-month probationary period).

• Lateral hires from other law enforcement agencies are immediately eligible for DPSST and Bachelor’s Degree incentive pay upon verification of lateral status.

• Lateral hires do not have to attend the 16-week Basic Academy.

• Lateral hires prior law enforcement experience will be considered as “County service” for the purpose of longevity pay, immediately eligible upon verification of lateral status.

• In addition to the Lateral incentives, candidates that must relocate to accept the position are eligible for moving expenses reimbursed up to $2,500 with submission of expense receipts.

DON’T FORGET – RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS!
Per the collective bargaining agreement, the county will pay one-half (1/2) of an eligible retiree’s medical insurance premiums from the retiree’s 58th birthday or retirement date, whichever is later, until their 65th birthday, death, or eligibility for Medicare, whichever is earlier. To be eligible for one-half (1/2) paid medical insurance premiums, retirees must be eligible to initiate a PERS pension upon separation from the County and meet one of the following criteria:

• Thirty (30) years of continuous County service regardless of age, or five (5) years of continuous County service immediately preceding retirement at or after age fifty-eight (58), or
•Ten (10) years of continuous County service immediately preceding retirement prior to age
fifty-eight (58), or
•Ten (10) years of continuous County service immediately preceding disability retirement regardless of age.
•For the purposes of this retiree benefit, a lateral’s prior law enforcement experience cannot be considered as continuous County service.

PLEASE NOTE:
As a Deputy Sheriff with our agency you will be expected to work weekends, holidays, days, evenings or nights as required. Overtime may be required, and newly hired employees should expect to rotate through all shifts during the Field Training and Evaluation Process. Deputy Sheriffs are represented by the Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff’s Association (MCDSA).

 TO QUALIFY:
Please be clear and specific on your application about dates of service, certifications you hold, and how your background is relevant to meet the requirements of the lateral position and incentives.

LATERAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Must have three (3) years prior sworn, certified police officer experience
• Must be or have been within the past 24 months, a certified civilian police officer who has passed probation
• Must be 21 years of age
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a valid driver’s license by time of appointment
• Background Investigation: Candidates must pass a thorough background investigation which includes but is not limited to a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history.

LATERAL Preferred Qualifications:

You do not need to have the following preferred qualification to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider the following when identifying the most qualified candidates.
• State of Oregon DPSST Law Enforcement Certification

SCREENING AND EVALUATION:

The Application Packet:
• A completed online application
• Responses to all electronic questionnaires sent to you after submitting your application.
Note: if you are requesting veterans’ preference, please be prepared to submit your DD214
and veteran disability verification forms electronically when requested in the online application process.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review The Selection Process page.

We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:
• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• Initial records check
• In-Person Scored Panel Interview
• Background Investigation to include, but not limited to the following:
○ Verification of qualifying credentials.
○ Criminal history review.
○ Verification of personal and professional references.
○ Education verification.
○ Employment history verification.
○If available, a review and assessment of relevant national and/or state
decertification records.
• In-person meeting with the Chief
 

All hire offers are contingent upon successful completion of the following:

•A Virtual Proficiency Exam (The proficiency exam will be required only if the applicant is not currently certified as a Deputy Sheriff in Oregon or does not possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university)
• Psychological evaluation
• Physical exam and a drug screen

The following elements of a candidate’s background, if disclosed as the result of interview, investigation and/or self-disclosure, will automatically result in a termination of the selection process:

• As an adult, being convicted of a felony crime.
• Conviction of a Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) within the last 5 years, or more than one DUII within the last 10 years.
• Present inability to legally drive in the State of Oregon.
• Dishonorable discharge from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Recent (within five (5) years of application) or ongoing affiliation with, and/or support of an organization or group, which advocates the violent overthrow of the United States Government.
• As an adult, selling, producing or financing the production or sale of illegal controlled substances.
• Discharge from another law enforcement or corrections agency for cause that would be basis for discharge from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
• Evidence that the applicant has willfully provided false or misleading information during the application process, in the online application or Personal History Statement state, or has attempted to gain unfair advantage during any phase of the testing or application process.
• Inability to be certified by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
• Failure to meet minimum educational/training requirements.
 

The following factors, or any combination, may serve as a basis for a termination of the selection process:

•Backgrounded by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office within the last year with a recommendation not to hire.
•As an adult, confinement in a correctional institution resulting from convictions totaling more than six (6) months.
• Unfavorable recommendations(s) on the part of references or past or present employers.

In accordance with Oregon Law, Multnomah County is not collecting school attendance dates in the initial application process; please do not include these dates in your resume, cover letter and other application materials.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Lauren Hart

Email:

lauren.hart@mcso.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 2010085

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

2025 - Deputy Sheriff