UNDERSHERIFF

Job Specifications

Class Code:	RG8
Analyst:	CC, CL

Date Originated:	12/14
Date Revised:	2/25

DEFINITION

Under general direction, provides highly responsible administrative and management assistance to the Sheriff-Coroner in planning, directing and reviewing all functions and activities of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office; works with the Sheriff to establish, coordinate, and implement departmental policies and procedures; ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws; plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the day-to-day activities of the bureaus of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office through subordinate managers; may act for, or in the absence of, the Sheriff-Coroner as authorized by the Sheriff-Coroner; and performs other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Undersheriff is a single position class that is in the Executive Management Group and is exempt from the Civil Service rules. This class serves as the second-in-command to the Sheriff-Coroner. This position exercises direct line supervision over the various bureaus of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office and participates in the overall development and review of departmental policies, procedures and operations. The incumbent of this position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, interpreting and executing department mission and policy, and coordinating and supervising all elements of the department. This class is distinguished from the lower class of Sheriff’s Chief Deputy in that the latter’s responsibilities are limited to administering one of the major bureaus. Additionally, the Undersheriff stands next in authority to the Sheriff-Coroner and may act for, or in the absence of, the Sheriff-Coroner as authorized by the Sheriff-Coroner.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Plans, organizes, and directs the operation of the various bureaus of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office;
• Assumes day-to-day management responsibility for assigned services and activities;
• Acts as chief staff officer to the Sheriff-Coroner in all matters of departmental operations;
• Confers with and assists the Sheriff-Coroner on departmental plans, policies, procedures, budget preparation and development, and legislation that may impact the department;
• Consults with and advises Sheriff Chief Deputies on personnel issues, proposed departmental reorganizations, and establishing operating policies, as required to manage the bureaus;
• Plans for the utilization of resources and assists in the preparation, administration and management of the departmental budget;
• Establishes appropriate service and staffing levels for assigned areas;
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures;
• Allocates resources accordingly;
• Assists in maintaining departmental liaisons with other law enforcement agencies, other County departments and community agencies;
• Meets with Chief Deputies, Lieutenants, and other middle managers to review performance objectives, goals, assignments, allocating resources, budgeting and recordkeeping systems needed to meet the department’s diverse responsibilities;  
• Reviews and prepares a variety of reports on budgetary, personnel, administrative, managerial, and operational matters for submission to the Sheriff-Coroner;
• Implements, interprets, and develops policies and procedures related to law enforcement services;
• Plans and directs development and implementation of programs related to law enforcement activities, including prevention and investigation of crimes, protection of life and property, care and custody of prisoners, communications and related activities;
• Represent the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office to other County departments, elected officials, and outside agencies;
• Coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations;
• Actively plans for future growth, contingencies and changes in department functions and operations;
• Develop emergency response action plans as needed by the department and the community;
• Evaluate public complaints pertaining to activities, practices, or individuals of the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office;
• Direct internal investigations within the department as directed by the Sheriff-Coroner;
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints;
• Acts for the Sheriff-Coroner when so authorized in the latter's absence.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Principles and modern methods of law enforcement administration including organization, fiscal management, personnel management, staff development, budgetary preparation and controls, program planning, and implementation;
• Principles of employee supervision and personnel management including training, disciplinary action and modern information systems;
• Law enforcement theory, principles, and practices and t heir application to a wide variety of services and programs;
• Federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, court decisions, regulations, and rules enforced by and governing the activities of a law enforcement agency and related criminal justice agencies;
• Organization, functions and responsibilities of a Sheriff's department;
• Proper and effective methods of deploying law enforcement personnel in accordance with anticipated and actual emergencies;
• Principles and practices of supervision/management in the public sector;
• Techniques of criminal investigation and methods of identifying and preserving evidence;
• Community-orientated policing.

Working knowledge of:

• Court procedures in criminal and civil cases;
• Use and care of firearms and other modern law enforcement equipment;
• Geography and topography of Santa Cruz County;
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications;
• Technology applications related to law enforcement.

Some knowledge of:

· Principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

ABILITY TO:

• Develop, organize, supervise and effectively coordinate complex major departmental programs.
• Define problem areas; direct the collection, interpretation, and evaluation of data and development of sound solutions to technical and administrative law enforcement problems.
• Coordinate and initiate actions, implement decisions and recommendations.
• Analyze a wide variety of complex situations and information and draw logical conclusions and recommendations.
• Exercise tact and judgment in representing the Sheriff-Coroner on a variety of occasions.
• Exercise responsibility, initiative, ingenuity, independent analysis and judgment in solving highly specialized administrative and management problems.
• Use principles of inductive and deductive reasoning to validate conclusions and recommendations.
• Supervise, train and evaluate the work of others.
• Prepare and present logical, concise oral and written correspondence and reports.
• Interpret, apply, explain, comply with, and enforce complex laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and professional practices governing law enforcement services and operations.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Make quick, effective decisions in emergencies and take appropriate action.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with various diverse population groups, especially in sensitive relationships with representatives of other agencies or governmental units and citizen groups.
• Deal tactfully and persuasively with others in controversial situations. 
• Communicate effectively before groups; present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers, and the general public.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs.
• Work in a safe and prudent manner.
• Adhere to Sheriff’s Office code of ethics.

Desired Qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited university in law enforcement, criminal justice, business, public administration, or related field.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s Degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, business, public administration, or related field AND at least three years of management, administrative, and supervisory responsibility equivalent to a Lieutenant level management position or above.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Mentally and physically capable of performing the classification’s  duties  in  this job specification.
• Environmental Factors:  Exposure to variable temperatures, confined work spaces and heights; strong unpleasant odors, infectious bio-hazardous materials such as blood, urine and semen which might cause chronic disease or death; dust, pollens, chemical irritants; possibility of experiencing bodily injury and/or burns; individuals who may be hostile and abusive; evidence that may be disturbing such as homicide evidence.
• Hours:  May be required to work flexible hours, shifts, weekends and holidays and be subject to holdover and callback duty; and to provide a telephone number or means by which employee can be reached.
• Licenses/Certificates:  Possession and maintenance of a valid P.O.S.T. Peace Officers certificate as specified in Penal Code 13510.1.; Possession and maintenance of valid Class C California driver license issued by the California State Department of Motor Vehicles by the time of appointment.
• Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation.

Bargaining Unit: 07
EEOC Job Category: 01
Occupational Grouping: 62
Workers' Comp Code: 1073