Sheriffs and Assistant Sheriffs

Enforce law and order in rural or unincorporated districts or serve legal processes of courts. May patrol courthouse, guard court or grand jury, or escort defendants. 

Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests. Investigate illegal or suspicious activities. Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders. Execute arrest warrants, locating and taking persons into custody. Record daily activities and submit logs and other related reports and paperwork to appropriate authorities. Patrol and guard courthouses, grand jury rooms, or assigned areas to provide security, enforce laws, maintain order, and arrest violators. Notify patrol units to take violators into custody or to provide needed assistance or medical aid. Place people in protective custody. Serve statements of claims, subpoenas, summonses, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony, and other court orders. Take control of accident scenes to maintain traffic flow, to assist accident victims, and to investigate causes. Question individuals entering secured areas to determine their business, directing and rerouting individuals as necessary. Transport or escort prisoners and defendants en route to courtrooms, prisons or jails, attorneys’ offices, or medical facilities. Locate and confiscate real or personal property, as directed by court order. Manage jail operations and tend to jail inmates.

Sheriffs and Assistant Sheriffs

 Annual Earnings: $51,410

 Beginning Wage: $30,070

 Earnings Growth Potential: High (41.5%)

 Growth: 10.8%

 Annual Job Openings: 37,842

 Self-Employed: 0.0%

 Part-Time: 1.1%

 Job Security: Most secure

 Education/Training Required: Long-term on-the-job training

The Department of Labor reports this information for the occupation Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers. The job openings listed here are shared with other specializations within that occupation, including Police Patrol Officers.