Deputy Sheriff Trainee

The fundamental reason that the Deputy Sheriff classification exists is to perform general duty law enforcement work in the protection of life and property through crime prevention and the enforcement of laws and ordinances.  A Deputy Sheriff’s duties range from periods of physical inactivity to situations requiring extreme physical exertion and may involve an element of danger. Deputies are usually appointed to patrol upon entry to the job, where they learn to perform various law enforcement duties.  After gaining experience, Deputies may be assigned to patrol, K-9, SOP, civil service, warrant service, probate, court security, etc.  Work responsibilities for Deputy Sheriffs are based upon assignment which may include all or some of the following: patrolling jurisdiction; completing documentation; interviewing witnesses & suspects; maintaining equipment and other physical resources; engaging in development and training; serving warrants and taking individuals into custody; maintaining court security; performing station desk duties; preparing for and testifying in court; securing crime scenes; performing outreach, special events, and public relations activities; investigating crimes; collecting, maintaining, and evaluating evidence; and performing a variety of additional law enforcement related activities. Employees must be able to act without immediate supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies. Work is typically assigned by and performed under the supervision of a Deputy Sheriff Sergeant.

For the Deputy Sheriff Trainee, a high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate is required.  For Deputy Sheriff, a high school diploma or G. E. D. certificate and completion of Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commissions minimum standards training.  Preference is given to individuals who are Alabama Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (APOST) certified or who would be eligible to complete the APOST refresher course.

According to the APOST Commission, an applicant must have graduated and received a regular or advanced high school diploma as approved or recognized by the Alabama State Department of Education (see Alabama Administrative Code Rule 290-3-1-02). Correspondence or mail order high school diplomas or certificates are not acceptable.   

Trainees will be required to complete the Alabama Minimum Standards Training for law enforcement officers (APOST).  Upon completion of APOST, candidates must be at least 21 years of age.  Trainees who have not yet been through the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commissions training are appointed provisionally.  They work on a desk assignment until sent to the academy.  Upon completion of the academy, Trainees may be appointed by the Sheriff to the Deputy Sheriff classification.  A six-month probationary period begins when trainees are appointed by the Sheriff to the rank of Deputy Sheriff.  

Alabama POST certified individuals are not required to attend the academy. They are appointed to the rank of Deputy Sheriff and serve a six-month probationary period. Applicants who are eligible for lateral entry equivalency training or with lapsed law enforcement APOST certification will be hired in trainee status until the APOST refresher course is completed.  

Applicants who are offered employment will be required to undergo a medical examination by a physician designated by the appointing authority and successfully complete a physical agility test, drug test, and thorough background investigation prior to being employed.   

Applicants must be available to work shifts, weekends, and holidays.  New hires may reside outside of Montgomery County but are required to live within a response time of thirty (30) minutes of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office before the end of the six month probationary period.  This response time is an average time of thirty (30) minutes, obeying all traffic laws.   Address must be approved by the Chief Deputy or the Assistant Chief Deputy.   

Employees must have and maintain a valid Alabama driver’s license. Must maintain APOST certification (12 CEUs annually) and firearms certification to include rifles and shotguns. Must have/obtain certifications in the deployment of taser, use of NCIC, Draeger, chemical irritant, and SSGT (strategic self-defense and gun-fighting tactics).

Applicants will be pre-screened using the application and an applicant’s responses to a qualification/willingness questionnaire. Individuals who meet the pre-screening criteria will be referred to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). MCSO will contact individuals to begin the next phase of the screening process. This process includes the following steps:

1. Physical agility test
2. Background investigation
3. APOST required entrance exam (Basic Ability Test)
4. Interview with staff
5. Polygraph
6. Medical examination
7. Drug screening
8. Interview with Sheriff

Complete an online application by visiting Montgomery City-County Personnel's Online Employment Center. Paper applications are no longer accepted. Completed applications will be accepted online until 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. If there is no closing date, the announcement may be closed at any time without prior notice.

BENEFITS: Employees are offered a competitive benefits package which includes health, dental, and life insurance, paid annual and sick leave, paid holidays, and a retirement program.

DRUG TEST: Employment is conditional upon the potential employee passing a preemployment drug test. (The drug test may require the submission of a sample of hair, finger nails, and/or urine that will verify illegal drug use).

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Discrimination against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline, or any other aspect of personnel administration because of political or religious opinions or affiliations or because of race, national origin, or any other non merit factors is prohibited. Discrimination on the basis of age, sex, or physical disability is prohibited except where specific age, sex, or physical requirements constitute a bona fide occupational qualification necessary to proper and efficient administration.

REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is the responsibility of the applicant with a disability to request accommodation which he/she requires in order to participate in the application or examination process. The Personnel Department reserves the right to require documentation of the need for accommodation under the ADA. In order to request accommodation in the application or testing process, contact the Personnel Director at (334) 625-2675.

I9: Prior to your employment, you will be required to provide to your employer documentation of your identity and employment eligibility in order to comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

UPDATE OF CONTACT INFORMATION: It is your responsibility to update your contact information (address, phone, email) so that we can contact you about jobs.  Please visit the Update Contact Information page to log in and update to your contact information at any time.