Careers

Deputy Sheriff

Posted: 01/31/24

Job Description:

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity employer, will conduct testing to establish an eligibility list for the position of Deputy Sheriff.

The general function of the position within the organization is to perform complex work related to the protection of life, persons, and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Duties include, but are not limited to, responding to calls for service involving emergency and non-emergency situations; investigating crimes, suspicious conditions and responding to complaints. The Deputy Sheriff is also responsible for arresting persons suspected of violating ordinances and statutes, including use of physical force, as necessary, to subdue suspects. A person in this position will interview offenders and victims of crimes; appear in court to testify on behalf of the County; serve warrants and summonses; and speak to organized groups or the general public about various law enforcement activities.

Starting salary, as of 12/1/2024, is $68,348.80, or $32.86 an hour.  There are normally negotiated cost of living increases every year, that raise salaries by an agreed upon percentage, and also predetermined step increases after a Deputy’s 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th year.  As of 12/1/2024, a twenty-year Deputy earns a salary of $38.90 an hour, which is $80,912.00 per year, before any overtime, redeemed holidays or vacation, longevity bonus, and retention bonus.  Those who are currently employed as a certified State of Illinois police officer, and have at least one year of full-time experience, are eligible for the Lateral Transfer List.  These individuals do not have to complete an eligibility test, but must complete an application.  Lateral hires will start at a salary and benefit level of a second year Deputy, which as of 12/1/2024 is $72,696.00.

BENEFITS

• Employees will be allotted 10 hours of vacation time per quarter during their first year of employment.
• Employees serving more than two years are allotted 80 hours of vacation.
• Employees serving more than ten years are allotted 120 hours of vacation.
• Employees serving more than twenty years are allotted 160 hours of vacation.
• Bereavement days
• Personal days (2 per year)
• Compensatory time
• Employees earn up to 96 hours (8 each month) of sick time per year, with a cap of 1,920 hours over their career.
• Thirteen (13) recognized Holidays each calendar year, and fourteen (14) Holidays during Presidential Election years.

RETIREMENT:

• The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is a member of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Personnel (SLEP) Plan. Deputies can retire as early as age 50 for Tier 1 applicable candidates, and as early as age 55 for Tier 2 applicable candidates. Deputies can elect to contribute to IMRF’s Voluntary Contribution program and/or to a 457 (deferred compensation) plan in addition to your retirement program.

HEALTH INSURANCE:

• HSA Account with $1,650.00 deductible, with preferred providers, (Individual Plan Only)
• Medical Plans for spouse only and family plus spouse are also available.
• Dental Insurance – Premiums paid by employee
• Vision Insurance – Premiums paid by employee

Application Instructions:

Full-time Deputy Sheriff applications are accepted year-round, but eligibility testing for new Deputies is generally scheduled one time per year.  The next scheduled test is 3/11/2025 at 6:00 p.m. and a $20 testing fee must be submitted with the application.

Requirements:

-Be at least 21 years of age at the time the application is received by the Sheriff’s Office

-Be a United States citizen, or eligible under Illinois House Bill 3751

-Be a resident of the State of Illinois, or become a resident upon certification

-Be a high school graduate, or have a General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate

-Reside within the residency boundaries (Effingham and surrounding counties), or relocate within the required residency boundaries, within (1) year of appointment as a Deputy Sheriff.

-Hold a valid Illinois Driver’s License, which has not been suspended or revoked, or obtain one upon certification

-Not have a felony conviction, a domestic violence criminal conviction, nor a dishonorable discharge (U.S. Army RE-4 separation classification or equivalent) from military service

-Pass a written examination, background investigation, interview, and other screening and testing as required by the Sheriff’s Office. Applicants who pass the written examination will receive more information about the subsequent phases in the testing process.

Applications may be picked up at the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, 101 North Fourth Street, Suite 101, Effingham, IL, or accessed below.  Anyone who has applied prior to this notice must submit a new application and resume, if it has been more than 6 months since last application. Persons who pass the written test will be eligible for hire for a period of two years following the test date.

Applications can be dropped off at the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office.

Application