Job Opportunities

Pottawattamie County is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment.  No person will be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other similar legally protected status.

You may request any needed accommodation to participate in the application process. Applicants may be required to submit to drug and alcohol screening prior to employment and can be subject to background verifications.

Applications are only accepted at the time of vacancy.  Unsolicited applications will not be kept on file.

For a list of current openings visit:
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Minimum Employment Qualifications
Qualification Standard
Age: All applicants must be twenty-one (21) years of age upon hire with the exception of clerical positions.  Clerical staff must be eighteen (18) years of age.
Education: Applicant must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of the United States.
Residence: Applicant DOES NOT have to be a resident of Iowa to apply. Once employed, Deputy Sheriff’s must meet residency requirements including proximity to Pottawattamie County and meet departmental response policy guidelines.
Physical Requirements: All applicants are required by law to be in acceptable physical and mental condition to perform his/her duties as specified by the specific job description.
Driving Record:

All applicants required to drive must possess a valid driver’s license and have a good driving record. It is indicative of the applicant's respect for traffic laws and other characteristics such as good judgment, physical and mental coordination, and respect for others.  An applicant, who has been convicted of the following offenses, will be evaluated to determine if their application will be denied: 

  • Alcohol/drug related driving offenses, including deferred judgment and sentences.
  • A failure to stop and render aid.
  • Perjury or making false statements during driver licensing procedures from any state.
Tattoos: The display of unprofessional or offensive tattoos is prohibited. If the Sheriff determines that a tattoo is inappropriate and the tattoo cannot be covered or for Deputy Sheriff’s covered in a manner which is consistent with summer and winter uniform standards, the individual WILL NOT be eligible for employment with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. It is the applicant’s responsibility to disclose any tattoos as outlined by the above standards.
Good Moral Character: 

An applicant must be of good moral character, which means that he or she can be trusted and is considered by those who know him/her to be a person of good reputation and good standing in the community.  When conduct is of a nature that, if known, would tend to discredit the applicant, the applicant WILL NOT be employed.  The character of a person is determined by past behavior. If this information is found after the applicant has been employed, this will be grounds for termination of employment.   Many factors are relevant in this assessment.  The Department seeks applicants whose histories show good judgment, maturity, a sense of responsibility, and the respect of others.  Several factors will be considered:

  • Conviction or commission of a felony, aggravated misdemeanor, or serious misdemeanor, or as defined by Iowa Law, excluding traffic violations, WILL DISQUALIFY an applicant.  Conviction or commission of any public offense will be evaluated.
  • A consistent pattern or unexplained failures to meet debt obligations will be evaluated.
  • An applicant who gives false or misleading information to the Department on the application or during the application process WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
  • Any history of excessive use of alcohol will be evaluated.
  • Unlawful sale, distribution or manufacturing of ANY drug(s) WILL DISQUALIFY an applicant.
  • Any unlawful use or experimentation of ANY drug within the last ten (10) years, (excluding marijuana and steroids WILL DISQUALIFY an applicant).
  • Experimentation with marijuana (including medical use) or steroids will be evaluated.
  • Use of marijuana or unlawful use of steroids within two (2) years from the date of the application WILL DISQUALIFY an applicant.
  • Use of prescription drugs not prescribed to you or for the purpose of getting high will be evaluated.
  • Use of any substance, legal or illegal for the purpose of getting high will be evaluated.
Background Investigation:
  • An investigation of the applicant's background will be conducted to determine the authenticity of all information submitted on the application, the personal history statement, as well as any other information obtained from other sources.
  • Operator’s license files will be checked to determine whether the applicant holds a valid Operator’s license.
  • Criminal history records will be accessed to determine past history.
  • Credit history will be obtained to determine the reliability of the applicant to pay his/her debts in a timely fashion.
Hiring Process:

Applicants are required to pass all phases of the hiring process before final employment offers are made.  The hiring process may include the following:

  • Phase 1: Complete On-line Application
  • Phase 2: Written Examination & Physical Agility (if applicable)
  • Phase 3: Complete Personal History Statement (if applicable)
  • Phase 4: Oral Interview(s)
  • Phase 5: Voice Stress or Polygraph examination
  • Phase 6: Background Investigation
  • Phase 7: Physical, Medical, and Drug testing
  • Phase 8: Psychological examination (if applicable)
  • Phase 9: Final hiring/Date set for starting employment
Physical Requirements
Deputy Sheriff Telecommunications Operator

The applicant must:

  1. Successfully pass physical fitness tests;
  2. Not be opposed to use of force to fulfill duties;
  3. Have uncorrected vision of not less than 20/100 in both eyes, corrected to 20/20, and color vision consistent with the Occupational demands of law enforcement;
  4. Have normal hearing in each ear (hearing aids are acceptable if a candidate can demonstrate sufficient hearing proficiency to perform all necessary duties of a law enforcement officer)

The applicant must:

  1. Applicant must have vision abilities including close vision, the ability to adjust, focus, and the ability to distinguish colors; vision must be correctable to 20/40 in each eye and together.
  2. Applicant must have hearing abilities including no hearing loss in either ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 hertz, 1000 hertz, and 4000 hertz, with or without the use of a hearing aid.
  3. Applicant is willing to work shift work and vary work schedules.

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