DEPUTY SALARY

• Starting: $28.85 per hour ($60,000.00 annually)
• Top-out: $49.94 per hour ($103,875.20 annually, subsequent years after will receive an annual longevity bonus set by County guidelines) 

HEALTH CARE

You have the option of participating in one of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance plans, as well as the dental and vision plans. There is also the option of life insurance and county-provided short-term disability insurance.

For additional information on benefits, please check out the Johnson County Benefits page.

RETIREMENT

From your first day of employment, you will be participating in the Kansas Police & Fire retirement system. Your contribution amount in the system is 7.15% of your gross pay. You can find additional information at www.kpers.org.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

457(b) is a voluntary retirement plan that offers a tax-deferred option to additionally fund your retirement. The plan consists of several different investment options. Along with this deferred compensation plan, Johnson County will set up a secondary deferred compensation plan, 401(a), where a matching contribution will be made.

VACATION AND HOLIDAY LEAVE

Vacation leave is earned at the rate of 4 hours per pay period, (24 pay periods). The rate earned increases with longevity, earning 7.25 hours per pay period (24 pay periods) starting year 20. You also receive Holiday Pay for working on holidays designated by Johnson County.

SICK LEAVE

Sick leave at the rate of 4 hours per pay period (24 pay periods). Your unused sick leave will accrue and at your retirement, a percentage of the unused sick leave will be paid to you, up to, but not exceeding the cap set by the county.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

Tuition reimbursement for courses attended while a full-time employee and in a degree program that is from an accredited college. This could be up to $4,000/year.

RELOCATION REIMBURSEMENT

We will pay for moving expenses that are necessary and reasonable for bringing new employees closer to the area. Moving expenses will be reimbursed up to $2,500.00 for those who currently reside more than 150 miles from their designated work site upon employment.

 

For additional information on benefits, please check out the Johnson County 2025 Benefit Guidebook.

Prospective deputy sheriff applicants must meet ALL of the minimum requirements:

• 21 years of age at the time of swearing in.
• High School diploma, G.E.D. Certificate or equivalent. (Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently)
• United States Citizen.
• Possess a valid driver’s license with limited traffic record.
• Successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen.
• May not have any felony convictions, or other restrictions per KSA 74-5605 or its equivalent under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
• Honorable Discharge from Military (if applicable, Veteran's preference is available for applicants providing a DD-214 indicating an honorable discharge).
• May not have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, including expungements and diversions.

INITIAL APPLICATION

• Within five (5) business days after completing the initial application you will be sent an e-mail from Guardian Alliance with a link to the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). Please note: The email from Guardian Alliance may be sent to the spam or junk folder in your email, so please check there if you do not see it in your inbox. This PHQ must be completed in detail and submitted electronically. The PHQ is a comprehensive document covering all aspects of an applicant’s background. Applications will be reviewed for completeness.

CIVIL SERVICE TEST

• This entry-level National Deputy Sheriff Test™ (NDST™) consists of the following sections: Mathematical Reasoning, Writing Ability, Situational Judgment/Human Relations, Reasoning/Analyzing, and Reading Comprehension. The Civil Service Test is designed to measure critical constructs required for successful job performance as a Deputy Sheriff. Laterals are exempt from having to complete this test.

PANEL INTERVIEW

• A standardized panel interview will be conducted to assess the applicant’s personality, character, work habits, motivation, qualifications and various other matters relevant to the position.

POLYGRAPH

• Applicants will be interviewed by a Sheriff’s Office polygraph examiner. The polygraph examination will explore information provided on the application and information relating to the personal interview.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

• An in-depth background investigation will be conducted. During this phase, referenced and non-referenced individuals will be contacted regarding your employment history, associations to include family, friends, and neighbors. Your work history, driving record, financial record, as well as any civil or criminal history will also be reviewed. Our efforts are designed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the applicant to ensure only those candidates who have demonstrated the highest values are selected. Candidates must exemplify the highest moral and ethical standards.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST

• It is a fair and objective test based on the job description of a Deputy Sheriff and EEOC guidelines of fair testing. The essential functions test will have a specified amount of time in which to complete the testing.  The test determines your ability to meet or exceed the minimum requirements of a Deputy Sheriff. Test participants should wear loose athletic clothing and shoes.

MEDICAL/DRUG ANALYSIS

• As part of the conditional offer of employment, applicants must successfully pass a physical exam and drug screening test.

PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW

• As part of the conditional offer of employment, a psychologist retained by the Sheriff’s Office will evaluate each applicant’s interpersonal skills, personal traits and other factors that have a relationship to the successful performance of law enforcement duties.

SHERIFF'S HIRING BOARD

• Applicants will be interviewed by a Sheriff’s Hiring Board, which consists of command staff officers, who will make a final recommendation concerning their employment as a Deputy Sheriff.

A lateral is someone who has previously been a certified and/or commissioned law enforcement officer who has attended a federal or state police academy. You can receive credit for your previous FULL years of qualified experience. (This will be discussed with your assigned background investigator upon verification of previous employment).  Military and corrections experience will not be included. 

Prior experience is for salary calculations and will not be utilized for seniority purposes.

Laterals do NOT have to complete the Civil Service Test.  

If you are from outside of Kansas, your training records will be reviewed by the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) for determination of meeting reciprocity requirements.   We will assist you in this process. 

If you were previously certified and been out of law enforcement for more than five (5) years there is a challenge exam/lapsed certification process that can be completed through KLETC  We will assist you in this process.