Employment information

Sheriff LogoJAIL DEPUTY

 On November 8, 2012, the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) adopted new pre-employment minimum standards regarding mental and physical fitness for local corrections officer candidates.  The new standards took effect January 1, 2013. All of the requirements listed below MUST be satisfied before a candidate will be considered for employment with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.  Qualified applicants will remain on file for one year.  For an overview of the standards for hiring visit:  www.misctc.org/standards.html.  Applicants are responsible for any and all costs required for the testing, and it is their responsibility to provide proof of successful completion of these requirements.

  • Written Examination for Mental Fitness:  Candidates are now required to take and pass an entry-level written examination at a designated test site as the first step in the process.  The EMPCO written test for correction officer candidates will be the ONLY written examination recognized and approved by the MSCTC.  There is no substitute for these tests.  Candidates can access the written examination application process and a list of testing sites/dates by going to www.empco.net.   The written examination will test mental fitness in the areas of reading comprehension, writing skills and situation reasoning.  Note: A screen print of your EMPCO score must be provided as we will not look it up.
  • Physical Fitness Examination:  Prior to being offered a position as a local corrections officer, each candidate is required to demonstrate his or her physical ability by successfully completing the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) Local Corrections Officer Physical Ability Test (LCOPAT).  For an overview on that procedure visit:  www.misctc.org/standards.html.  Candidate will need to have a Physical ability scores (valid for one year from successful completion of the test) must be valid at time of application.  Note:  A copy of your certificate must be provided.

 PATROL DEPUTY

 Candidates need to be a Licensed Law Enforcement Officer by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) or have successfully completed a police academy and be certifiable by MCOLES.

 REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT (both positions)

  • Be a citizen of the United States
  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalency
  • Be qualified to obtain a concealed pistol license
  • Have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record
  • Be fingerprinted with a search of state and federal fingerprint files to disclose a criminal record

 DISQUALIFICATIONS (both positions)

  • Any felony conviction
  • Conviction of Operating While Impaired (OWI) within the past three (3) years of application
  • Conviction of any serious misdemeanor offense or arrest for such an offense and/or provable voluntary guilt within the past five (5) years
  • Any domestic violence convictions or history of verbal or physical abuse or violence toward others
  • Any illegal use of a controlled substance listed in Schedule 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the Michigan Compiled Law within five (5) years of application.
  • Any substantiated illegal act involving the manufacturing and /or distribution of any illegal drug
  • Driver’s license suspension or revocation for moving violations within three (3) years of application
  • Military Dishonorable Discharge
  • Dishonesty or deceitfulness demonstrated in the application process