The Employment Process

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office has a lot to offer:

Click anyone of the links below to find out more…

see also: Frequently Asked Questions

Screening and Testing Process

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Examination:

The exam process includes meeting eligible requirements and passing a test, if applicable.

Special Testing Accommodations:

If you feel that you need special testing arrangements due to a disability, please request special accommodations prior to the examination date.

Eligible Lists:

A list of qualified candidates will be established in descending order of scores obtained during the examination process. Vacant positions will be offered to those achieving higher scores first. Candidates’ names will remain on eligible lists for six to twelve months, depending on the position.

Background Investigations:

The background investigation process includes a thorough check of any and all criminal and civil actions, inquiries into military, educational, and employment histories, and personal and professional reference checks.

All applicants for any position within the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office will be evaluated on current job dimensions as set by Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board.  These job dimensions include, but are not limited to, such areas as communication skills, dependability, honesty, judgment and integrity.

All applicants will be provided with the background information packet and must submit this package to include a financial breakdown, driving record, use of illicit drugs and intoxicants, etc. within a specified time frame.

Medical / Polygraph / Psychological Examination:

Job offers made are contingent upon passing various examinations as listed which may include a drug test and/or a psychological evaluation. Failure to meet standards set for each category may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, appointment or termination if employed prior to completion of any examination.

Probationary Period:

All County employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period of six months unless otherwise determined by the Sheriff.

Military Perference:

Any applicant who has served in the United States Armed Forces may claim military preference in all open examinations. An additional 5 points will be alloted to the applicants total score at the end of the process.  A legible copy of Form DD214 must be filed with the application.  The Deputy Sheriff and Detntion Officer training programs are GI Bill eligible/participating programs.

Please contact the YCSO Law Enforcement Services Recruitment and Training Unit at (928)771-3276 for further information regarding careers within the Law Enforcement environment.

Please contact the YCSO Detention Recruitment and Training Unit at (928)554-8611 for further information regarding careers within the Detention environment.

Testing and Background Process

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Written Exam

The written exam will be comprised of one or more of the following.

• Written Comprehension
• Communications Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Interpersonal Relations

Typing Test

A typing test may be required of some positions.

Physical Agility

If you pass the written examination for any of the following positions, you will receive an invitation to the physical agility test.  This test has been established as an occupational qualification through research and testing, to assure the agency that the applicant has sufficient endurance, strength and agility to perform physical tasks similar to those that could be required of a law enforcement officer in the performance of his duties.  This test is scored on a “pass/fail” basis; each applicant must meet the minimum passing requirement. The below times represent the average minimum passing times for each event.  Performance in each event at a time faster than below will ensure a passing score.

Animal Control Officers

1.  Sit-up Test  (21 in 1 minute)
2.  Push-up Test  (12 in 1 minute)
3.  1/4 mile run  (440 yards in 2 minutes & 56 seconds)

4. 100 pound Lift (lift from floor to waist)

Certified & Reserve Patrol Deputy Sheriff / Detention Officers

1.  Sit-up Test  (29 in 1 minute)
2.  Push-up Test  (27 in 1 minute)
3.  1.5 mile run  (in 15 minutes & 24 seconds- Certified & Reserve Deputy)

4. 880 Yard run (in 4 minutes & 30 seconds – Detention Officers)

Oral Interview

Oral interviews will be held for each position.  Interviews are conducted by a board of three individuals qualified to evaluate and rate candidates who best fit the needs of the position.

Background Investigation

The following will be supplied by each candidate for any position with Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

• Personal and professional references
• Credit/Financial History
• Employment History
• Residence History
• Military Records
• Educational Records
• Legal Inquiries (Civil and Criminal)
• Driving Record

Contingent Exams

The following exams will be requested of each candidate and paid for by Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.  Failure to complete any requested exam may result in disqualification from the entire process.

• Polygraph
• Medical Exam
• Psychological

Conditional Job Offer

After successful completion of the above process, the applicant is given a conditional offer of employment and will be notified of a start date and location.

Uniform Voucher and Upkeep

Once you have been offered a uniformed position, YCSO will supply you with a voucher to assist with the purchase of your initial uniform.  You will be supplied with a listing of equipment expectations and needs, some will be necessary, some will be optional.  You will be responsible, should you exceed the amount of the voucher, and expected to make payment in full to the selected vendor.  You will enter into a contract with Yavapai County indicating that should you terminate your employment (either voluntary or involuntary) within one year of your date of hire, you will reimburse the Yavapai County for the amount of the voucher which was used to purchase the uniform.

DEPUTY SHERIFF ACADEMY – Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy

The Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy is certified by the Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board and accredited by Yavapai College. N.A.R.T.A. is a regional basic training police academy serving all law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona.  It is governed by a steering committee made up of law enforcement officials from various agencies.   The Academy is based at the Yavapai College, Prescott Valley Business and Career Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona.  The Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy (N.A.R.T.A.) has emerged as one of the top Police Academies in the State of Arizona.  It has gained valuable recognition for its superior training and dedication to basic training.

The basic training program encompasses 680 intensive training hours (a seventeen-week) course.  The program is designed to introduce recruits to law enforcement work.  The training program is demanding, as is the job of law enforcement.  It will challenge recruits mentally, physically and academically, while at the same time, laying a foundation for advanced training.

Of the 680 hours of instruction, several areas of Learning Domains are provided, for example; Introduction to Law, Crime scene investigation and tactical communication. There are AZ POST-Mandated tests on the subjects taught at the academy with practical exercise scenarios. The physical fitness program consist of sessions that include weight training, mat/stretching exercises, and aerobic/formation runs on both dirt and paved surfaces.  NARTA offers a variety of classes that include Overview of Academy philosophy and Range Day-Firearm use and safety, Assault Prevention Class-Spousal awareness, and Emergency Vehicle Operation Center-Driver awareness instruction.  NARTA is proud to participate in community events such as blood drives, community runs, and charity projects.  NARTA has a structured environment in order to help students reach their full potential when dealing with stressful situations.  Upon completion of the academy, new officers are pared with veteran training officers for an intensive 12-week Field Training Program that applies their recently acquired academy training to on the job situations.

BASIC DETENTION OFFICER TRAINING ACADEMY

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in association with the ADA, conducts Training Academies to ensure each officer is qualified to fulfill their duties as a Detention Officer.  Most academies are conducted in the training area at the Camp Verde facility and a new class commences approximately every ten-weeks, or as otherwise needed.  The basic academy encompasses 320 hours of training.  The training program is demanding and challenges the recruits mentally, physically, and academically, while also laying the foundation for advanced training.  The eight-week course is designed to train and prepare Detention Officers in the various aspects of working within the jail environment. The daily care, custody and control of inmates involves not only physical abilities but also requires the officer to have a working knowledge of the law, legal issues, policies and procedures, first responder training, suicide prevention, gang and career criminal tactics, investigations, Spanish language training, officer safety and many other areas.

Each academy class consists of male and female officers ranging widely in age, background, and experience. In addition to classroom hours, cadets are trained in self-defense techniques, the use of less lethal weapons systems, cell and body searches, general first aid, crime scene preservation and various other aspects of working in the criminal justice environment. At the graduation ceremony, outstanding cadets are awarded special recognition for their extraordinary efforts during the academy.

The academy is facilitated by members of the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Detention Services Division.  Certified instructors from YCSO and other criminal justice and civilian agencies provide professional subject matter instruction.

Upon completion of the academy, new officers are pared with veteran training officers for an intensive 12-week Facility Training Program that applies their recently acquired academy training to on the job situations