The community of Lander County is seeking an individual to serve as Deputy Sheriff in the Sheriff’s Office.  Reporting to the Watch Sergeant, this position performs the full range of law enforcement from criminal investigations to crime prevention and enhances the protection of life and property through enforcement of laws and ordinances as well as completing related work as required.

 

Lander County

Lander County, an area rich in ranching and mining, is located in the sparsely populated region of north central Nevada.  Ranchers and buckaroos make a living tending their flocks and herds on the rugged mountain sides.  Full of western flavor the area has a large variety of recreational opportunities ranging from fishing and big game hunting to camping, backpacking, and golfing.  Over 100 years ago, towns grew overnight due to the abundance of minerals and gemstones.  Large mining operations continue to yield billions of dollars from the high desert valleys and mountains.  Battle Mountain and Austin flank one of the most productive gold mining areas in the United States.

 

Battle Mountain, the county seat, has been the hub of activity for Lander County since the late 1860's.  The name was borrowed from a rowdy silver mining district 12 miles to the south, site of an Indian and settler skirmish. For a short time a mining camp, Battle Mountain became the railhead for the district when the first transcontinental railroad pushed its way across Nevada.  With the coming of the railroad, the town became a regional trading center for ranches, mines and communities in much of northern Nevada.  Battle Mountain lies at the center of the most productive gold mining area in the United States.  Battle Mountain Proudly calls itself “The Last of the Real West”.

 

Austin, like so many towns whose origins are based in mining, sprang up almost overnight.  When a Pony Express rider kicked over a rock, he unearthed a silver deposit that brought 10,000 people to the town within two years.  Austin was the county seat for Lander County for 116 years before Battle Mountain became the county seat in 1979.  The courthouse, built in 1869, is still in use for county offices today.  Many historical buildings in downtown Austin are still standing.  Rooted in the town’s colorful history are Stokes Castle (a replica of a tower outside Rome), the International Hotel (moved piece by piece from Virginia City), and some of Nevada’s oldest churches.  Austin is on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

The Organization

The Lander County Sheriff’s Office provides the only Law Enforcement Services to the residents of the County.  We are assisted by Nevada Highway Patrol Officers. The County, the Sheriff’s Office and the residents pride themselves on the safe, hometown feeling.

 

The Department is currently staffed with 22 sworn Officers and 11 non-sworn or civilian personnel.  The Main Office is located in Battle Mountain with a sub-station in Austin.

 

The County opened a 19,000 square foot, 50 beds, full service, state of the art, detention facility, and a 4,400 square foot Administration wing in July of 2000.

 

The Position

 

The following duties are normal for this position and are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.

 

Maintains order and security within the detention facility through verbal communications with inmates and physical presence; assesses information and makes decisions regarding inmates; directs and instructs inmates (individually and in groups); monitors and documents behavior of inmates.

 

Operates electronic equipment allowing for movement of staff and inmates.

 

Initiates or relays alarms and communication to obtain response to emergencies, to maintain control and behavior of inmates, and to provide needed assistance to staff within an outside of the facility.

 

Searches incoming arrestees and inmates for removal of valuables and contraband; inventories property for secure keeping; conducts interviews and reviews background of inmates to determine classification; assigns inmates to housing; provides orientation to new inmates regarding rules, regulations, and responsibilities; fingerprints and photographs inmates.

 

Investigates crimes, makes arrests, and serves warrants in the detention facility.

 

Prepares written reports and maintains statistics on incidents such as use of force, disturbances, inmate violations of rules and regulations, inmate discipline, and confiscation of contraband; testifies in court.