Job Description
Salary : $55,598.00 - $97,490.00 Annually
Location : Ellicott City, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: Deputy Sheriff (Recruits) FY25
Department: Sheriff's Office
Opening Date: 06/21/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION Howard County Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2023, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 51 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the most in the state of Maryland. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for? We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government: - We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
STARTING SALARY: $55,598 Annually ($26.73 Hourly) POSITION DESCRIPTION: Deputy Sheriff's are law enforcement officers, recognized in the State of Maryland, and have state wide powers when dealing with certain issues. Howard County Deputies provide many duties in this County.
CLASS DESCRIPTION: Performs technical level sheriff operations work under general supervision from a technical superior. Work includes serving civil and criminal papers; maintaining court room security; and maintaining security of and transporting prisoners.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Processes and serves civil and criminal summons, from in and out of state.
Transports prisoners as per court orders.
Preserves order during court sessions and maintains court security.
Enforces all Federal, State, and County laws.
Levies and seizes property on judgment, and collects money and fees.
Makes arrests on warrants and civil body attachments.
Investigates domestic animal kills in the County.
Works with various Local, State, and Federal officers in cooperative law enforcement efforts.
Provides court ordered protection.
Participate on extradition out of state with respect to prisoner transportation.
Maintain valid driver's license.
Issue Maryland State Citations as required.
Issue Howard County Parking Citations.
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
NOTE: Shift work, which includes weekends and holidays, is required.
Deputies may be required to remain in court for the duration of the daily proceedings resulting in irregular duty hours.
Deputies, on occasion, may be required to travel to other states and stay overnight in extradition cases.
Deputies are fully constituted peace officers and are responsible for taking law enforcement action.
Individuals selected to fill vacancies in this classification within the Howard County Sheriff's Office are designated as essential employees. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST: If you are selected to move forward, you must first pass a physical agility test. If selected, the Howard County Sheriffs Office (HCSO) will notify you of the date, time and location of the physical agility test. You will be required to bring with you a completed HCSO Physician's Authorization Form in order to complete the physical agility test.
The physical agility test is comprised of three physical tests; sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5 mile run. Standards for each test are based on your age and gender, which are detailed on the Physician's Authorization Form. You must pass in order to move forward in the hiring process, and prior to attending an Academy.
Successful candidates must achieve the following minimum scores:
MALE: Male/Age Sit-ups Push-ups 1.5 Mile Run/Walk 18-29372712:5330-39332113:2540-49281614:1050-59221115:53
FEMALE: Female/Age Sit-ups Push-ups 1.5 Mile Run/Walk 18-29311415:3230-39241016:4340-4919817:3850-5912719:43
You will be required to pass the physical agility test described above in order to enter the required training at the Academy. MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE High School Diploma or GED.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of law enforcement practices, court procedures, and process serving regulations.
Knowledge of Civil process procedures.
Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal laws.
Ability to use issued/approved firearms.
Ability to prepare records and reports.
Ability to understand and carry out oral and/or written directions.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedures manuals.
Ability to write reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS The selected candidate(s) will be required to successfully complete entry level police training as per Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission (MPCTC) requirements within one year of employment. Class C Maryland Driver's License.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history.
No paper applications will be accepted. Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.
GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.
PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.
ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.
DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.
PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.
HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays:
New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.
OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.
RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.
Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.
Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan.
SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate.
457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $1500 contingent upon County funding.
LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit.
DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources.
VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, universal life insurance, and discounted auto/homeowner's insurance programs.
CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.
01
Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The submitted electronic document must outline accurate dates to include (month and year) in association with each work history entry. Vague descriptions of experience will not be considered. Please include all pertinent experience in your application to include, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other such work history that is applicable to the position for which you wish to be considered. Descriptions of duties that state "see resume" will negatively impact your candidacy as resumes cannot be substituted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants will not be contacted for clarification or additional information.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
02
Do you possess a high school diploma or a GED?
03
If you possess a degree from an accredited college or university, was your degree conferred in one of the following disciplines: Management, Business Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration, Organizational Development, Criminal Justice or a closely related field? If so, please indicate the type of degree and major field of study. If you do not possess a degree, please type 'N/A' for not applicable'.
Please note that 'See Resume' is not an adequate response. 04
Do you possess at least one year of related experience?
05
If you indicated that you possess relevant experience , please provide your title, duties, dates of employment, and employer for whom these duties were executed in the space provided below. If you do not possess this experience please enter N/A (Not Applicable).
Please note that 'See Resume' is not an adequate response. 06
Do you have professional experience working for a department of corrections, department of parole and probation, security guard services, private investigations, or other such law enforcement or related entity?
07
If you indicated you possess the professional experience addressed in the previous question, please provide your title, duties, dates of employment, and employer for whom these duties were executed in the space provided below. If you do not possess this experience please enter N/A (Not Applicable).
Please note that 'See Resume' is not an adequate response. 08
This position may require you to work a rotating shift. Are you available to work days, evenings, weekends, as well as holidays?
09
Physical Agility Test: If you are selected to move forward, you must first pass a physical agility test. If selected, the Howard County Sheriffs Office (HCSO) will notify you of the date, time and location of the physical agility test. You must pass in order to move forward in the hiring process, and prior to attending an Academy; meeting the standards identified in the position description of this job posting.
Do you understand that you will be required to pass the physical agility test described above in order to enter the required training at the Academy? 10
If selected, you will be required to successfully complete a physical agility test annually.
Do you understand and accept this as a condition of employment for this position? 11
I understand and acknowledge that I am applying for a position within a law enforcement entity and as such will be required to undergo a thorough background check to include scrutiny of my criminal, credit, academic and employment history. - I have read, and agree to, the language above.
12
I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit click on the "career seekers" link, and follow the prompts.
Required Question
Job Tags
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