Deputy Sheriff - Sign- on bonus: $10,000 (details in posting)

Salary: $41.97 - $61.08 Hourly
Location : Waukegan, IL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 00947-07
Department: Sheriff's Merit Commission
Opening Date: 07/01/2025

General Description
Lake County, Illinois, offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a vibrant community and make a meaningful impact on the region's development and welfare. Lake County's diverse population and array of initiatives provide employees with a rewarding environment to grow professionally while serving the public interest.

Working for the sheriff's department can have a profound impact on individuals. The role involves upholding the law, ensuring public safety, and serving the community. Employees often find themselves at the forefront of maintaining order and protecting citizens, which can be both challenging and rewarding. The experience of working in law enforcement can shape one's sense of duty, integrity, and commitment to the well-being of society.
The general function of the position within the organization is to perform complex work related to the protection of life, persons, and property of the citizens of Lake County through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. The position is under moderate supervision.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office Merit Commission is accepting applications to form a Certified Eligibility List for current vacancies in the Sheriff's Office. The certification will be valid for two (2) years.

Starting Pay: $87, 297.26
Sign-On Bonus: $10,000 ($2,000 upon hire and $8,000 paid at the completion of year 2)
Current Top Pay: $127, 046.40
Retention Bonuses Every 5 Years (caps at 30 Years)
Take Home Squad (must live within 5 miles of County)
IMRF SLEP Pension
Essential Functions

• Duties include, but are not limited to, responding to dispatch calls for service to involve emergency and non-emergency situations; investigating crimes, suspicious conditions and responding to complaints.
• The Deputy Sheriff is also responsible for arresting persons suspected of violating ordinances and statutes, including use of physical force as necessary to subdue suspects.
• A person in this position will interview offenders and victims of crimes; appear in court to testify on behalf of the County; serve warrants, summons; speak to organized groups or the general public about various law enforcement activities; and coordinate special education programs.

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required

• Applicants must be 21 years of age at the time of application.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• High School diploma or equivalent certificate required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and legally permitted to possess firearms in accordance with state and federal law.
• Must Provide a copy of POWER card issued within six (6) months of the application date.
• Must meet such standards of intelligence, reasoning and judgement as the Commission may prescribe.
• Must be able to work all shifts, including holidays and weekends.
• No previous law enforcement experience is necessary.

NOTE: Applicants who have not been processed by the Merit Commission are eligible to reapply at any time. Candidates who were notified by the Merit Commission that they are not being certified are eligible to reapply 2-two years from the date of interview or polygraph (whichever is later).

Supplemental Information
Online written examination

Qualified candidates must participate and successfully pass the online written test. Instructions will be sent via email to qualified candidates within 7 days of submitted application. Upon completion of your exam, scores are reviewed and forwarded to Lake County's Merit Commission. Candidates who attain a passing score on the exam must successfully complete an oral interview with the Merit Commission and subsequent polygraph.
Candidates who are certified by the Merit Commission will be required to complete a thorough background investigation. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and will include a pre-employment medical exam.
Lake County offers a competitive salary and benefit package. We also offer flexible working hours, and a comprehensive wellness and training program. Visit our Prospective Employee page to get additional information on why you should work for Lake County!
Lake County is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
The County offers an extensive benefits package to eligible employees including health, dental, vision, life insurance, pension, deferred compensation plans, and so much more! Below are resources for the County's current benefits.

You can find additional details on our benefits at and
01

Minimum qualifications require you to be age 21 or older at the time of application. Are you age 21 or older?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you legally permitted to possess firearms in accordance with state and federal law?

• Yes
• No

04

The Merit Commission requires applicants to have passed a POWER agility test within six (6) months prior to the application date. Do you possess a POWER Card issued within six (6) months prior to the application date? If "yes", you MUST supply a copy of your POWER card at time of application. Please attach under the document category of "other". If "no", you MUST supply a copy to meritcommission@lakecountyil.gov by the application deadline to move forward in the process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Salary: $41.97 - $61.08 Hourly
Location : Waukegan, IL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 00947-07
Department: Sheriff's Merit Commission
Opening Date: 07/01/2025

General Description
Lake County, Illinois, offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a vibrant community and make a meaningful impact on the region's development and welfare. Lake County's diverse population and array of initiatives provide employees with a rewarding environment to grow professionally while serving the public interest.

Working for the sheriff's department can have a profound impact on individuals. The role involves upholding the law, ensuring public safety, and serving the community. Employees often find themselves at the forefront of maintaining order and protecting citizens, which can be both challenging and rewarding. The experience of working in law enforcement can shape one's sense of duty, integrity, and commitment to the well-being of society.
The general function of the position within the organization is to perform complex work related to the protection of life, persons, and property of the citizens of Lake County through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. The position is under moderate supervision.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office Merit Commission is accepting applications to form a Certified Eligibility List for current vacancies in the Sheriff's Office. The certification will be valid for two (2) years.

Starting Pay: $87, 297.26
Sign-On Bonus: $10,000 ($2,000 upon hire and $8,000 paid at the completion of year 2)
Current Top Pay: $127, 046.40
Retention Bonuses Every 5 Years (caps at 30 Years)
Take Home Squad (must live within 5 miles of County)
IMRF SLEP Pension
Essential Functions

• Duties include, but are not limited to, responding to dispatch calls for service to involve emergency and non-emergency situations; investigating crimes, suspicious conditions and responding to complaints.
• The Deputy Sheriff is also responsible for arresting persons suspected of violating ordinances and statutes, including use of physical force as necessary to subdue suspects.
• A person in this position will interview offenders and victims of crimes; appear in court to testify on behalf of the County; serve warrants, summons; speak to organized groups or the general public about various law enforcement activities; and coordinate special education programs.

Knowledge Skills Abilities and Education Required

• Applicants must be 21 years of age at the time of application.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• High School diploma or equivalent certificate required.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and legally permitted to possess firearms in accordance with state and federal law.
• Must Provide a copy of POWER card issued within six (6) months of the application date.
• Must meet such standards of intelligence, reasoning and judgement as the Commission may prescribe.
• Must be able to work all shifts, including holidays and weekends.
• No previous law enforcement experience is necessary.

NOTE: Applicants who have not been processed by the Merit Commission are eligible to reapply at any time. Candidates who were notified by the Merit Commission that they are not being certified are eligible to reapply 2-two years from the date of interview or polygraph (whichever is later).

Supplemental Information
Online written examination

Qualified candidates must participate and successfully pass the online written test. Instructions will be sent via email to qualified candidates within 7 days of submitted application. Upon completion of your exam, scores are reviewed and forwarded to Lake County's Merit Commission. Candidates who attain a passing score on the exam must successfully complete an oral interview with the Merit Commission and subsequent polygraph.
Candidates who are certified by the Merit Commission will be required to complete a thorough background investigation. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and will include a pre-employment medical exam.
Lake County offers a competitive salary and benefit package. We also offer flexible working hours, and a comprehensive wellness and training program. Visit our Prospective Employee page to get additional information on why you should work for Lake County!
Lake County is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
The County offers an extensive benefits package to eligible employees including health, dental, vision, life insurance, pension, deferred compensation plans, and so much more! Below are resources for the County's current benefits.

You can find additional details on our benefits at and
01

Minimum qualifications require you to be age 21 or older at the time of application. Are you age 21 or older?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you legally permitted to possess firearms in accordance with state and federal law?

• Yes
• No

04

The Merit Commission requires applicants to have passed a POWER agility test within six (6) months prior to the application date. Do you possess a POWER Card issued within six (6) months prior to the application date? If "yes", you MUST supply a copy of your POWER card at time of application. Please attach under the document category of "other". If "no", you MUST supply a copy to meritcommission@lakecountyil.gov by the application deadline to move forward in the process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

• 

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