Frequently Asked Questions

Applications are accepted only for jobs that are in the open recruitment process. Jobs in the recruitment process are announced on the 24-hour job line (928) 771-3171 at the Human Resources office and are also posted online (see Yavapai County Job Postings).

After finding a job title that is of interest, ask for the job announcement. The job announcement lists the salary, duties, the minimum requirements, the type of test to be given, and most importantly, the date by which applications must be submitted. Human Resources must receive your application by the closing date listed on the job announcement. A separate application must be submitted for each announcement. There is no limit on the number of jobs you may apply for. Please read each announcement carefully to be sure you meet the requirements for each.

The minimum requirements are listed on the job announcement. Read the requirements carefully. Announcements may require college coursework, a specific amount and type of experience, a license or certification, or simply skill, knowledge, and ability in specific fields.

Your application will be reviewed for complete information and any other material required by the job announcement. These other materials may include a supplemental application designed for that position, a form to list completed college classes, or a statement of qualifications. Resumes are not acceptable in lieu of a completed application.

The testing process will consist of one or any combination of the following: a written test, typing test, evaluation process, oral assessment, performance test, physical agility assessment, polygraph, and medical test to include a drug test and/or a psychological evaluation. Failure to meet standards set for each category may result in disqualification from the entire process.

You may be notified by mail or telephone of when and where you are to report for the test along with any other test instructions.   If you have not received notification to report for a test within a month, it is your responsibility to contact the Human Resources Department or the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office regarding your eligibility. Makeup examinations are rarely allowed.

You are notified by mail of your results. If you are successful in the examination, you will be informed of your score and where you placed on the eligibility list. It is your responsibility to keep these results, as it tells you how long your name will remain on the list. You are responsible to keep the Human Resources Department apprised of any changes of address and telephone numbers, and to respond promptly to all inquiries about your availability. You will also receive a notice if you are not successful on the test either by failing to meet requirements or by failing to score competitively among the applicant group.

When a vacancy occurs, those with the top scores will be contacted to begin the background investigation process with Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.  You will not be offered a position until this process has been completed and the Sheriff has authorized an offer to be made. Job offers made are contingent upon passing several areas of examination, to include but not limited to, a medical examination which will include a drug/alcohol screening and/or a psychological evaluation, a polygraph examination and an extensive background history review. Failure to meet any standards outlined may result in withdrawal of offer, appointment or termination, if employed prior to completion of any examination.  When you are selected, your name is automatically removed from the eligible list for that job classification. Your name will remain on other eligible lists for the usual period.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office maintains the desire to hire the best person for the job, so competition is keen. If you are interviewed and not hired, your name remains on the eligible list unless it is removed for cause. If your name is removed for cause, you will be notified by mail. During your period of eligibility, your name may be removed for the following reasons: failure to meet standards set in the background process, failure to appear for a scheduled interview, declining a job offer, declining the opportunity to be interviewed on three occasions, and failure to keep the Human Resources Department informed of address or telephone number changes. It is important to keep your address and phone number current.  If you do not receive a job offer during the period of the list eligibility, you should wait for another announcement and reapply.

Your vehicle will be impounded by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office for violation of Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) §28-3511 when the following occurs:

The driver is in an accident, AND has no proof of insurance, AND has a suspended, revoked or cancelled driver’s license for ANY reason, or has never been issued a driver’s license.

       OR 

The driver’s license is revoked or suspended for any reason.

       OR

The driver has never had a driver’s license issued in Arizona or by any other jurisdiction.

       OR

The driver is arrested for either Extreme DUI or Aggravated DUI.

       OR

The driver is under legal drinking age and has any alcohol in their body.

       OR

The driver was operating a vehicle without a certified ignition interlock device when he/she is subject to an ignition interlock device.

Vehicles impounded under ARS §28-3511 must be stored for a period of thirty (30) days before being released. The law allows for some exceptions, and you may be eligible to have the vehicle released sooner.

Arizona law requires the owner to pay for all towing charges as well as storage fees. Storage fees are limited to a maximum of $15.00 per day. These charges are due to the towing company that removed and is storing your vehicle.

Only the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office can release your vehicle. On or after the 30th day of impound, your vehicle will generally be eligible for release to you. You will have to contact the tow company where your vehicle is being held in order to find out what your total impound fees will be.

• At the towing company, you must pay the towing and storage fees. Payment is made directly to the towing company by cash, money order, certified check or credit card. If you arrive at the tow yard to reclaim your vehicle outside of regular business hours, you may be charged a gate fee. You must also present proof of your identity and ownership to the tow company.
• If you do not claim your vehicle within ten (10) days of the available release date, the towing company may file for an abandoned title to the vehicle.

Pursuant to state statute, the operator of the vehicle is responsible for being a licensed driver, regardless of ownership status. The registered owner of the vehicle may request a Post Storage Hearing for the early release of the vehicle. The registered owner must also pay for all towing fees and storage charges directly to the towing company in order to qualify for the release of the vehicle

You must first completely meet all legal title and registration requirements before the vehicle can be returned to you. This can be done through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department (MVD). If the vehicle is registered out of state, you must either register the vehicle in Arizona or deal with the state in which it is currently registered. The vehicle cannot be released without proof of current registration and mandatory auto insurance.

Under Arizona law, the towing company may file for an abandoned title and seek ownership of the vehicle if it is left at the tow yard unclaimed for more than ten (10) days past the mandatory thirty (30) day impoundment. If you have difficulty in paying for the towing and storage, you should at least contact the towing company if you wish to retain ownership of your vehicle.

Yes. The owner would have to prove that this had been corrected and their driving privileges reinstated, at which time we will release the vehicle upon payment of an administrative fee of $150 and towing and storage charges.

Yes, the owner is still liable for the administrative fee ($150) and all towing and storage fees up to the actual date of release.

Generally yes, however the towing company is not allowed to release an impounded vehicle without authorization paperwork from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. The release authorization will be sent by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office on or before the 30 days has expired, but the vehicle will have to remain in impound until the full 30 days has run its course. You must then follow the claim process outlined above.

No. As long as the Deputy impounded your vehicle according to the law and Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures, the outcome of any trial is not relevant.

The Post Storage Hearing is solely for the purpose of determining the validity of the impoundment or to determine whether the vehicle may be released before the end of the 30-day period.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office will assign the hearing officer in accordance to the location in the county from which the vehicle was impounded.

The Post Storage Hearings will be scheduled according to the hearing officer’s availability, though some flexibility is made to accommodate those requesting the hearings.

The hearing officers cannot guarantee that your vehicle will be released at the time of the hearing.

*Please note:

1. These procedures only apply to vehicles impounded by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. If your vehicle was impounded by another agency you must contact that agency for the release of your vehicle.
2. If your vehicle was impounded as evidence of a crime these procedures do not apply to you.Please contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Section to find out what must be done to retrieve your vehicle.

You are entitled to a hearing to determine the validity of the impoundment.

A Post Storage Hearing can only be requested by the registered owner, the owner’s spouse, or the lien holder.

A request for a Post Storage Hearing must be received by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office within ten (10) days from the date of the vehicle impoundment notice. If your request is received after the ten day period, we will not grant you a hearing on this matter.

The request for a hearing must be submitted in writing. No hearings will be granted over the telephone. You may submit the request to:

Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Attn: Administrative Hearing Officer 255 East Gurley Street Prescott, AZ 86301

Post Storage Hearings are conducted by Administrative Hearing Officers throughout the County. Each Area Command within the agency has personnel specially trained to handle the hearings and assist you in the retrieval of your vehicle. Hearings are conducted in person and are generally informal and very brief.

You must show why the vehicle should not have been impounded by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. If you have any documentation, it must be provided to the hearing officer prior to or at the hearing.

Yes, there is a $150 administrative charge for the hearing. This fee was established by the legislature, not the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, and must be paid at the time of the hearing. Payment will be accepted in cash, or cashiers check only.

No, an attorney is not needed.

Yes.  It is approximately 176 sq. ft.