Deputy Sheriff (Experienced, Certified, or Current Academy Attendees Only) 04.2026

SALARY RANGE

WORK ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

Waukesha County is accepting applications on a continuous basis from experienced law enforcement applicants, certified law enforcement applicants, and individuals currently attending a law enforcement academy.  

Click on the link below to learn more about the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department and becoming a Deputy Sheriff.

Becoming a Deputy

Pay & Benefits
Effective December 27, 2025, the starting pay rate for candidates with no experience is at least $36.60/hr. Starting pay for those hired with experience will be determined based on experience. Curious about the benefits you'll enjoy in this role? Check out the Represented Employee Benefit Summary.

Lateral Transfer Benefits
Newly hired deputies who have at least three years of full-time experience as a certified law enforcement officer within the 48 months prior to hire are afforded a higher starting wage, up to 10 days of vacation and 40 hours of paid sick time during the first year of employment.  After the first year of employment, deputies hired with lateral transfer benefits accrue vacation time in accordance with the County's vacation schedule, based on their total number of years of experience as a full-time certified law enforcement officer.  

The Waukesha Deputy Sheriff's Labor Union contract provides further details and may be accessed from the Deputy Sheriff career page.

CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION

To view the full classification specification for Deputy Sheriff click here.  

Minimum Training & Experience Requirements:

• At least 18 years of age.

• United States Citizen

• High School Diploma or GED.  

• Sixty (60) credits of post high school education (associate degree level or higher) from an accredited university, college or technical school, preferably in criminal justice, police science, business or public administration, or the social sciences. [In accordance with the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board, a maximum of 60 credits may be waived by the Board for officers who qualify for a waiver.  College credits will only be waived for individuals who have training and/or experience (such as military training) that has been evaluated and provided a college credit recommendation by a group such as the American Council on Education (ACE)].

• Ability to possess a firearm.

• No felony convictions.

• Valid driver’s license.  

• Sworn law enforcement experience, eligible for certification as a law enforcement professional in the State of Wisconsin (this means you graduated from a law enforcement academy), or individuals currently attending a law enforcement academy.    

If you are an out-of-state law enforcement officer, you must have your reciprocity exam scheduled at the time of application in order to be considered, and you must pass the exam prior to being hired. See Officer Training, Employment, and Reciprocity | WILENET.

In addition to the above, candidates must possess the physical and mental abilities to perform the essential job functions as listed in the Deputy Sheriff ADA Essential Functions Worksheet. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supplemental Information:

• In general, the selection process includes an application review, employment interview, background investigation, physical ability testing, polygraph examination (potential topics may include drug use, illegal activities, thefts, job performance/employment, driving habits, life history, integrity, etc.), psychological evaluation, medical examination, and drug test.

• Candidates best meeting the qualifications and requirements of a Deputy Sheriff position, as determined by the Department, may be invited to participate in other hiring activities.

• For more information about Wisconsin law enforcement professional standards, visit https://wilenet.widoj.gov 

• To learn more about Waukesha County's Deputy Physical Ability Test download the candidate preparation guide here: Physical Ability Test.

Waukesha County is a great place to work! We offer generous benefits such as excellent health-dental-vision-life insurance, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System, ample vacation time, training courses, career advancement, and an exceptional employee wellness program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote an employee's wellness and health.

About Us:
Waukesha County prides itself on operating in a business-like manner and is recognized as a leader delivering high quality services with competence and skill. With our vision of "Leading the Way", we value teamwork and collaboration, ethics and diversity, communication, efficiency and cost savings, innovation, and the wellbeing of our staff and the citizens we serve. Employees are provided professional development opportunities and encouragement to learn and practice continuous improvement and LEAN principles as we regularly ask ourselves "Is there a better way?"

Location:
Located in the City of Waukesha, our campus offers an on-site fitness center, free parking, and easy access to interstate highway systems. Waukesha County offers a perfect blend of urban and rural living where one can enjoy the benefits of quiet rural lake communities or opt for nearby attractions that the greater Milwaukee area offers including vast beach and park systems, public markets, performing arts, music festivals, and sports including the Milwaukee Admirals, Brewers, Bucks, Wave, Marquette University Golden Eagles and the UW-Milwaukee Panthers Basketball programs.

EEO:

Waukesha County is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in employment and adheres to all Federal, State and County Equal Employment Opportunity laws, policies, plans, rules, regulations and ordinances. The County recognizes and accepts its important leadership role in providing for equal employment/service opportunities. It is the express policy of Waukesha County to promote equal employment opportunity among all who are employed by Waukesha County and who seek employment with Waukesha County.

For further information visit: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov

The County does not sponsor applicants for work visas. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.