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Gaylyn Larsen
Division Administrator:
Gaylyn Larsen
 
    An organization to provide law enforcement and to manage the incarceration of arrested persons is a well established need in our community.  To effectively provide this service, the Sheriff's Office needs two important resources:  money and people.  The Office also needs input and support from the public, and the cooperation and support of other elected leaders.   The public, through paying taxes, provides Salt Lake County with the money needed to run County Government.  The County Commission allocates this money across all agencies.  Most of the money allocated to the Sheriff's Office is used to hire, train and equip people to do their jobs.  The primary objective of the Human Resources Division is to find, attract, hire and keep quality employees.

     On December 31, 1999, the Sheriff's Office had 1,419 individuals working for the citizens of Salt Lake County, either as full-time merit employees, temporaries or as volunteers.  Of these,  1,187 were merit full-time equivalents positions, 5 were appointed members, 143 were volunteers, and 84 were temporary employees.  In addition to the 1,187 merit positions and 5 appointed, 362 positions were allocated but not filled.  Most of the unfilled allocated positions were new positions allocated for the new Adult Detention Complex that were allocated by the County Commission but not funded or were not yet filled.  Of the 1,554 meric positions allocated to the Sheriff's Office, 451 were sworn deputy classifications, 671 were sworn correctional officers or court officers, and 432 were civilian employees.

    Many of the temporary employees who work for the Sheriff's Office actually serve year-round, but work less than half time.  Temporary employees mainly work as school crossing guards, medical staff, dispatchers, and office support.  As budget cutback occur we employ more temporary employees to fill positions that full-time merit employees would normally fill.  Temporary employees are paid an hourly rate that is less than a merit-covered employee and receive no benefits such as insurance, retirement or paid leave.  They can only work up to 1,040 hours in a calendar year, then must be terminated.  This results in frequent turnover and higher training costs, but saves money due to lower pay and no benefit costs.  These types of jobs can be beneficial for students, spouses or retired individuals who don't necessarily need benefits but would like some additional income.

    The Sheriff's Office has 15 Divisions, each headed by a Division Administrator/ Commander.  Please refer to the Organization Chart to view the Office's Structure.

OUR MISSION AND VALUES

    The mission of the Human Resources Division is to provide systems and services to the Sheriff's Office in an effort to attract, retain and motivate quality employees to support the mission of the Sheriff's Office. We value each employee, and strive to treat all employees fairly and equitably. We value the public's trust and strive to maintain a workforce worthy of that trust. We value diversity in developing a workforce that is representative of the people we serve in our community. We value open communications both within the division and with others in the Sheriff's Office.

OUR FUNCTIONS

    The Human Resources Division is staffed by seven full-time merit employees.  We also have from two to five temporary employees or interns each year. The Division works as a team in performing the following functions, plus other assignments as directed by the Sheriff:

  • Testing of job candidates
  • Selecting candidates to recommend to the Sheriff for hire
  • Testing and selection of reserve deputies and other volunteers
  • Maintaining accurate position descriptions and competitive pay for all jobs
  • Maintaining personnel and medical files on all employees
  • Coordinating performance appraisal systems and overseeing merit pay advancement
  • Coordinating employee recognition and award programs
  • Managing / coordinating various employee-oriented programs such as: peer support, employee couseling referral, annual physical examinations, fitness for duty evaluations, random drug testing, significant exposure reporting and follow through, and supervisor certification program selection
  • Assisting employees in need of special leaves or work accommodations
  
  • Educating employees concerning rights / obligations under applicable employement laws
  • Investigating claims of discrimination
  • Answering questions from employees regarding benefits, policies and procedures
  • Advising and assisting supervisors and management in imposing disciplinary actions
  • Representing the Sheriff in grievances and appeals
  • Reseaching and making recommendations on topics of policy and practice
  • Developing and maintaining various information systems
  • Responding to requests for information to outside agencies or the public
  • Serving on various committees such as: Sheriff's Office Policy Advisory Committee, Sheriff's Merit Advisory Committee, and County Benefits Committee

TESTING AND SELECTION

    The Sheriff's Office is very selective when it comes to hiring employees.  Applicants are carefully screened through a competitive testing process  and must pass a thorough background investigation, prior to hire.  Sworn employees and some civilian employees, must also pass a medical examination and a drug test.  The testing process is managed by the Deputy Sheriff's Merit Commission for sworn personnel and by the County Personnel Division for Civilian personnel.  The Sheriff's Office Human Resources Staff is heavily involved in the testing process, and works closely with the Merit Commission and Personnel staff to develop and administer the tests.

    Once a merit register has been provided to the Sheriff, the Human Resources staff is responsible for the selection process, to include the background investigation, medical screening and coordinating the final interview and selection of employees. Because we take pride in selecting the very best people we can find, we commit significant resources to the testing and selection process.  For example, the Sheriff's Office spent approximately 3,000 staff hours to test and screen 650 applicants during one recruitment for Correctional Officer.

    In 1999 the Human Resources Division assisted the Sheriff in hiring 377 paid employees.  This included 141 Correctional Officers, 16 Deputy Sheriffs, 132 merit civilians and 88 non-merit civilians.  Every person who is hired in the Sheriff's Office undergoes some form of testing as well as a thorough background check/investigation.  Correctional Officers and Deputies must pass comprehensive written, oral, and physical tests.  The Sheriff's Office, and the Human Resources Division particularly, take pride in the quality of the selection process used to hire employees.

To view the openings we currently have listed online, visit the
Employment Opportunities page!

    The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office is an Office filled with dedicated, professional employees.  We encourage any person who can meet our high standards to contact us to see about employment opportunities.  Job opportunities are posted on this Web Page and a recorded "Job Hot Line" message can be heard by calling 801 468-3993.