Join The Sheriff's Office
Join the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office!
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office employs over 300 members, and over 300+ Volunteers. Through working together, we support the values and mission of the Sheriff’s Office “Proudly Serving our Community by Delivering Superior Public Safety and Service.” DCSO has three divisions: Patrol, Corrections, and Investigations. Specialized units include K9, Sheriff’s Office SWAT, Community Action Target Team (CATT), School Resource Deputy (SRD), Street Crimes, Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE), Search and Rescue/Special Services (marine, snowmobile, and ATV patrol) and Training.
Deschutes County was established on December 13, 1916. Located in beautiful Central Oregon, Deschutes County has an approximate population of 197,692 (2019) and a geographical area of 3,055 sq. miles, encompassing the very best Oregon has to offer in recreational activities; from mountains, lakes, rivers, hiking trails, camping, golfing, and a rich and diverse community life. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office provides service to the unincorporated areas of Bend and Redmond, and services the cities of Terrebonne, Sisters and LaPine.
Are you interested in a career as a Deputy Sheriff with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office?
Minimum requirements to work for DCSO:
- Age: 21
- US Citizen: Per Oregon law, an applicant must be able to obtain US Citizenship within 18 months of employment. To meet this requirement as a condition of hire, an applicant must demonstrate that he/she can obtain citizenship within the required timeframe.
- High School Grad/GED: Must be a high school graduate or possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate of high school equivalency.
- Valid OREGON State Driver's License: Ability to obtain a valid Oregon State driver’s license. Must also possess a current driver’s license in the applicant’s state with an acceptable driving history.
- Vision: DPSST requirement of at least 20/30 corrected vision when tested using both eyes together. Must also be able to distinguish color vision as determined by DPSST (OAR -0070).
- Academy Certification: Be able to obtain certification by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training – DPSST Minimum Standards of Employment as a Law Enforcement Officer as noted by DPSST; www.oregon.gov/DPSST (OAR).
Specific Disqualifiers/Behaviors:
Criminal Activity Disqualifiers:
Any felony conviction and some misdemeanor convictions
Driving Disqualifiers:
Repeated offenses, which indicate disrespect for the law. DUII arrest within the past 10 years.
Drug Use Disqualifiers:
Illegal manufacture, transport, or sale of a controlled substance. Repetitive, recent, or continual drug use.
Employment Disqualifiers:
Discharge from employment or disciplinary issues related to poor performance, negative co-worker interaction, attendance, policy violations or inability to adjust to corrective discipline.
Additional Disqualifiers:
- Negative outcome of Military separation review.
- Decertification as a police officer in any state.
- Any crime of violence, including domestic violence.
- Respondent named in a Restraining Order.
- Dishonesty
- Conviction of theft.
- Failure to follow directions.
Additional Requirements: Deputy Sheriffs are required to reside in Deschutes County or have a minimum response time of 60 minutes to the main Sheriff’s Office in Bend.
Recruitment and Hiring Process:
If you are interested in law enforcement employment with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, you may wish to first become a reserve deputy or attend a citizen’s academy which helps develop citizen awareness and understanding the role of law enforcement in the community. However, no experience is required to work for the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
To apply to become a Deputy Sheriff, you must first submit a completed application to Deschutes County Human Resources through the online application via Government-jobs: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/deschutes.
Every agency has different hiring requirements. Our job announcement will outline the required testing, which currently consists of a written exam through National Testing Network (NTN), and the Oregon Physical Abilities Test (ORPAT). For more information on NTN please visit NTN-Public Safety Jobs and for more information on ORPAT please visit DPSST-ORPAT. These are the required steps in the application process.
Once successful completion of testing has been confirmed by the due date, applicants will be invited to participate in a series of interviews. Successful candidates will then move onto the following steps in our hiring process:
- Statement of Personal History (SOPH) background investigation
- Sheriff/Captain Interview
- Conditional Job Offer
- Fingerprints, Psychological, Medical and Drug Screen
- Formal Job Offer
Candidates must pass all written, physical, oral, background, medical and psychological examinations prior to receiving a job offer by the Sheriff.
Once you become employed as a Patrol or Corrections Deputy, you must complete the basic academy training at the Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST). There are no self-sponsored basic law enforcement classes offered in the state of Oregon. Patrol Deputy Sheriff’s attend a 16-week Basic Academy OAR 259-008-0005 and Corrections Deputy Sheriff’s attend a 6-week Basic Academy OAR 259-008-0005.
Lateral Deputy Incentive Package:
Oregon Certified Law Enforcement who are eligible, will receive Certification pay immediately upon hire date. Out of State Certified Law Enforcement will receive Certification pay as soon as they are eligible to receive said pay, after receiving Oregon Certification.
- 6% for Intermediate Certification
- 11% for Advanced Certification
ORPAT 3% Incentive Pay will begin upon hire date.
50 hours Compensable Bank upon employment – can be used for vacation or sick time.
12-60 months experience – begin at pay step 2
61 months or more experience – begin at pay step 3
Classification & Pay Grade Listing
Links to Additional Information:
Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office website: Home | Deschutes County Sheriff's Office in Oregon
Property and Living: Deschutes County Online Maps (arcgis.com)
County & Benefit Information: About Deschutes County | Deschutes County Oregon
