Detective I

Job Description Summary Department - SheriffJob Description

OPEN TO CURRENT PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 4006 - Detective I

Salary Grade: L3

Pay Range $36.19 - $38.17 Per Hour

Range Explanation:

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

Performs law enforcement work of moderate complexity including enforcing laws, maintaining order, protecting life and property and investigating and assisting in the prevention of crime; and performs related work as required. Work may be required on weekends and holidays according to assigned shift and duties may be assigned in any geographical or functional unit of the department.

This Detective I promotional process is intended to fill current and future vacancies within both the Criminal Investigations Division.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the application or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Conducts patrols to prevent crimes, enforce laws, and respond to requests for law enforcement services;
• Effects arrests and ensures proper booking of violators on charges;
• Enforces traffic laws, directs traffic, and investigates collisions, preparing detailed reports;
• Investigates suspicious conditions, activities, or persons, gathering and analyzing facts and evidence;
• Checks for wanted or missing persons and stolen property, conducting follow-up investigations;
• Participates in various unit operations, including the service of search warrants, court orders and riot/crowd control;
• Controls and restrains potentially violent persons during law enforcement activities;
• Carries a department-authorized firearm, adhering to safety protocols;
• Prepares reports on criminal offenses, modus operandi, and incriminating evidence;
• Instructs at training academies and engages with the community at various functions.

Minimum Qualification:

Currently a Pima County Deputy Sheriff I with a minimum of three (3) cumulative years with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff I.

OR:

Currently a Pima County Deputy Sheriff II.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Detective I Promotional Process – Nov/Dec 2026

The Detective I promotional process will include the following numerically scored components, with scores rounded to the nearest hundredth of a point. The weight assigned to each component is as follows:

• Tenure – 5%
• Oral Board – 80%
• Executive Review – 15%
• TOTAL – 100% (Minimum overall passing score for this promotional process is 65%)

Failure to attend any portion of the testing process will automatically eliminate the candidate from this testing process.

Tenure (5 points) Commissioned Tenure (maximum 5 points): Consecutive commissioned tenure with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department will be determined as of November 12, 2026. If there is a break in service, cumulative time of service will not be considered for the calculation. Points will be added at the rate of .25 per one year of service, earning the maximum of five (5) points for twenty (20) years of service.

Oral Board Interviews (80 points) The oral board interviews will be conducted on December 15, 2026, and will be held at The Clarence W. Dupnik Sheriff’s Complex, 1750 E. Benson Highway. Each candidate’s oral board will consist of five (5) questions and be approximately twenty-five (25) minutes in length. The Personnel Unit will contact candidates for scheduling.

Executive Review (15 points) Executive review will consist of a panel of commanders with the rank of Deputy Sheriff Captain, Corrections Captain, or above. The candidate will be reviewed and scored on multiple aspects to include discipline history, IA review as well as key investigatory traits.

Selection Procedure:

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record. The valid Arizona driver license shall be unencumbered by any ignition interlock restrictions.

Special Notice Items: At time of appointment, must be a resident of the State of Arizona, registered as a voter in Pima County, able to read and write the English language and holds a peace officer certification by AZPOST. All positions are required to work rotating shifts which includes days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, and to work an assigned post that can be rotated/reassigned at management's discretion. The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen. This position will require post-job offer proof of immunization(s) or immunization(s) and/or a TB screening.

Physical/Sensory Work Requirements: Constantly uses fine motor skills to operate firearms and other necessary equipment. Constantly required to speak and listen to communicate critical information. Constantly required to observe details at close range and at a distance. Constantly operates a motor vehicle safely. Frequently required to walk/run varying distances in pursuit of suspects, over rough terrain and/or uneven ground. Frequently required to work in areas presenting obstacles. Constantly required to carry and/or lift objects weighing up to 25 pounds, such as firearms and protective equipment. Frequently required to carry and/or lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds such as recovered property. Occasionally required to carry and/or lift objects weighing 100 pounds or more, such as suspects and/or victims. Frequently required to push and/or pull objects, such as to move vehicles and other objects. Frequently required to lift, push or pull objects weighing up to 100 pounds. Action Activity - bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching, squatting, stooping; Motion Activity - grasping; Hearing Activity - in noisy areas, on a radio, behind themselves, equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone, on a radio, on a cell; Vision Activity - operate a motor vehicle, distinguish colors, depth perception, peripheral vision.

Working Conditions: Frequently exposed to severe weather conditions. Frequently exposed to loud noises from firearms training, sirens, and other similar situations. Frequently required to work in areas presenting obstacles. Frequently exposed to dangerous traffic conditions.

EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.