Newton County

Job Descriptions & Applications

Thank you for your interest in a career with the Newton County Sheriff's Office.  This page will help you understand the duties and responsibilities of the jobs we offer.   

Included in this section are JOB DESCRIPTIONS and QUALIFICATIONS for various jobs within the NEWTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE and JAIL.  Although we may not currently have open positions, we always accept applications. Click on POLICE OFFICER to access the Sheriff's Deputy and Reserve Deputy application, and click CIVILIAN to access the general employment application for Corrections, Reception, Jail Cook, etc.  Please call for inquiries concerning salaries/hourly wages, as they may have changed since this page was created.

Please review the following information prior to completing an application to ensure you meet the qualifications of the position that interests you.  

Sheriff Thomas B. VanVleet

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DEPUTY SHERIFF / RESERVE DEPUTY

APPLICANTS MUST:

1. Be a United States citizen.
2. Be a resident of Newton County within 6 months of employment.
3. Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age when appointed as a police employee.
4. Have a High School diploma, or have completed a state approved GED Program.
5. Not have been convicted of a felony, hate crime or domestic violence.
6. Agree to a thorough physical & mental examination.
7. Have a good driving history, including traffic accidents.
8. Have a valid Indiana Driver's License.
9. Have a good work record with previous employers.
10. Have a good credit rating.
11. Complete and pass written and physical agility examinations. (Complete physical agility standards are located below)
12. Be in sound mental and physical health.
13. Submit to a thorough character investigation.
14. Appear for interviews by the Command Staff and the Merit Board.
15. Must possess a minimum visual acuity that is correctable to 20/20 in each eye.
16. Meet training requirements prescribed by Indiana Law.
17. Meet all requirements for employment as a Deputy Sheriff as prescribed by Indiana Law.
18. Be willing to work a revolving schedule, weekends and holidays.
19. Submit to being fingerprinted and a thorough background investigation.
20. Have primary source of income from the Sheriff's Office if appointed.
21. Must sign a 3 year training reimbursement agreement contract upon employment. 

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PHYSICAL AGILITY STANDARDS:

1. Vertical Jump. This measures leg power, and it consists of measuring how high a person jumps. Standard-16 inches.
2. One Minute Sit-Ups. This measures abdominal, or trunk, muscular endurance. While lying on his/her back, the applicant will be given one (1) minute to do as many bent leg sit-ups as possible Standard—29 sit-ups.
3. 300 Meter Run. This measures anaerobic power, or the ability to make an intense burst of effort for a short time period or distance. This component consists of sprinting 300 meters as fast as possible. Standard-71 seconds.
4. Maximum Push-Ups. This measures the muscular endurance of the upper body. This component consists of doing as many push-ups as possible until muscular failure. (No time limit, but resting is permitted only in the up position and the back must remain straight during resting. When the applicant elects to stop or cannot continue, the total number of correct push-ups is recorded as the score). Standard-25 push-ups.
5. 1.5 Mile Run. This measures aerobic power or cardiovascular endurance (stamina over time). To complete this component, the applicant must run/walk, as fast as possible, a distance of 1.5 miles. Standard-16 minutes and 28 seconds.

(These are the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Physical Agility Exit Standards)

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JOB DESCRIPTIONS:

Patrols assigned area on foot or in vehicle searching for suspicious activity or situations, and assists citizens with problems such as lost children, injured persons, animal bites, civil disputes, locked doors, vehicle inspections, verification, and abandon vehicles. Along with referring persons to appropriate social service agencies when situation warrants.

Monitors radio and other communication devices to receive assigned runs, and to maintain awareness of activities in assigned areas or by other officers.

Responds to assigned run by driving (sometimes at high speeds), walking, or running to a specified location, assesses situation, and determines need for other assistance, and takes appropriate action.

Investigates accidents, extracts victims, provides emergency medical aid, gathers evidence, records observations and statements of witnesses and victims, requests assistance from other officers or agencies as needed, directs the removal of the vehicles involved, and ensures the area is clear.

Searches crime scenes, and takes prescribed actions to preserve and protect evidence, and records findings and observations.

Pursues, apprehends, searches, and arrests suspects using only necessary force, advises suspects of rights, transports suspect to detention area, and interviews victims, suspects, and witnesses, and records responses and observations.

Restrains persons from physically striking or injuring others using appropriate force.

Stops drivers of vehicles when traffic violations are observed, verifies license and registration data, advises driver of safe driving practices, and issues citation or makes arrest as warranted.

Reports as directed to scenes of general emergencies, and takes appropriate action to protect life and property, such as directing traffic, quarantine area, assisting individuals in leaving area, prevents looting, and requests appropriate assistance. Removes persons from danger including carrying unconscious persons and provides emergency aid to injured persons.

Completes written and verbal reports and completes forms as required by operating procedure. Testifies in court, and prepares for such testimony by reviewing reports and notes, meeting with attorneys, and obtaining appropriate evidence.

Properly maintains uniforms, equipment, and weapons pursuant to agency policy.

Works assigned shifts (subject to call-ins on days off) at the discretion of the Sheriff. Performs other related duties as assigned.

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ESSENTIAL JOB REQUIREMENTS, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Extensive knowledge of law enforcement procedures and methods including patrol, traffic, officer safety, investigation, report writing and data systems.

Extensive knowledge of criminal law procedures such as search and seizure, arrest, interrogation, confession, evidence, crime scene protection, due process, and court procedure.

Extensive knowledge of criminal traffic law.

Working knowledge of emergency medical treatment procedures, and ability to apply those procedures safely to others.

Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time, sometimes in extreme weather conditions.

Ability to operate a vehicle safely at high speeds under less than ideal conditions or weather.

Ability to physically protect one's self, and restrain others.

Ability to pursue suspects by running, climbing stairs, forcing entry, scaling walls and jumping fences.

Ability to sustain physical effort in situations of personal danger or danger to others.

Ability to use weapons accurately and safely.

Ability to observe and report observations accurately and in detail.

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BENEFIT PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

Paid holidays

Overtime

Longevity Pay

Paid Vacation

Paid Personal Leave

Pension plan

Take home car

Uniform and equipment supplied

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CORRECTIONS OFFICER

APPLICANTS REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age when appointed as a corrections officer.

Must be a United States citizen.

Must have a High School Diploma or GED.

Must be able to successfully complete the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for Correction Officers and be able to obtain required certifications.

Must meet all Department hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the work place including detainees.

Must have working knowledge of and ability to follow and make practical application of customary practices , procedures, rules, regulations and personnel policies of the Sheriff’s Office. Ability to obey all written and oral orders/directives from Superior Officers.

Must be able to appropriately receive, secure and account for articles received in evidence, personal belongings of detainees and monies.

Must acquire the working knowledge of and ability to properly use all assigned Department issued uniforms and/or equipment including computer, printer, calculator, camera, fingerprinting equipment, intercom system, radio, telephone, surveillance/monitoring and video cameras, handcuffs, shackles, pepper spray deployment, taser device and other restraints.

Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, including, but not limited to, sitting and walking at will, walking/standing and or sitting for long periods of time, lifting objects weighing more than fifty (50) pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending at the waist, close and far vision, reaching, handling/grasping objects, hearing sounds/communication, and physically restraining detainees during emergency situations.

Must have the ability to deal swiftly, rationally and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations and perform duties despite the stress of potential injuries and/or loss of life to self and/or others. Ability to de-escalate volatile situations by means of effective conversation/negotiation.

Must have working knowledge of Standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare required forms and reports within Departmental deadlines. Ability to maintain confidentiality of Departmental information and reports as required.

Must have the ability to effectively listen, comprehend and communicate with co-workers, detainees and their family members, other law enforcement agencies, Department of Corrections, and the public by intercom, radio, telephone or in person, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.

Must have the ability to work alone or with others in a team environment with minimum supervision.

Must have the ability to work evenings/nights, weekends, irregular and/or extended hours and occasionally travel out of town to transport detainees, or attend training.

Must possess a valid Driver’s License and demonstrate a safe driving record.

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Maintains interior and exterior security of the Jail facility, including monitoring surveillance cameras, door controls, meals and visitors and conducting interior and exterior patrols of the facility.

Maintains accurate accounting of all detainees.

Performs booking procedures of individual being detained, including photographing/videotaping, fingerprinting, entering required information into the Jail Records Management System, receiving and receipting money and personal property, and assuring detainees are properly showered, changed into jail clothing and searched for weapons and other contraband.

Starts the initial Inmate Classification Process and initial Medical Screening Process.

Performs bonding procedures, including completing required forms, receiving and receipting bond money, returning personal belongings, having wanted warrant checks performed and releasing detainees.

Escorts detainees to/from the different areas of the jail facility such as visitation, recreation, class and meeting areas. Periodically assists with transport details.

Issues/monitors prescribed medications according to the orders of the Jail Medical Staff and administer Random Drug Screens as required.

Receives/distributes, examines and logs incoming/outgoing mail and personal items for detainees. Conducts routine inspections and searches of all cells and dormitories for contraband, and prepares written reports of the findings.

Ensures compliance with facility rules and regulations, and records and reports inappropriate behavior to appropriate Department personnel. Properly secures and/or physically restrains violent and uncontrollable detainees as situations demand.

Supervises and directs activities of Inmate Trustee Workers, such as serving meals and doing laundry, including making work assignments and assuring proper accomplishments of duties.

Maintains various records in Log Books and/or computer, such as medications, visits, religious and rehabilitative programs, work release, court appearances, laundry and cell checks. Prepares and submits required written reports according to Sheriff’s Office Policy.

Answers telephone and greets visitors, providing information and assistance, giving educational tours, taking messages or directing to appropriate individual or department. Responds to inquiries, such as visitation, Jail education and rehabilitation programs, Warrant confirmation and status of individual detainees.

Periodically responds to and channels detainee’s grievances following established Chain of Command Procedures.

Attends meetings and training sessions as required.

Performs related duties as assigned by Superior Officers.

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FULL TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

State Pension PERF

Paid Holidays

Paid Personal Leave

Overtime

Longevity Pay

Paid vacation

Uniform Issuance

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Newton County Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer