Please use the following links below to check for pending exams with Erie County Civil Service:
Please use the following links to find the minimum requirements for several entry-level positions with the Sheriff's Office:
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants that reflect the diversity of our community.
Please send a cover letter and resume for the Undersheriff or 1st Dep. Superintendent - Compliance position to:
Chief John W. Greenan, Administration
Erie County Sheriff’s Office
10 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14202
OR
DEPUTY SHERIFF – CRIMINAL
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
The work involves performing general law enforcement a crime prevention work involving the protection of life and property, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, rendering appropriate assistance when summoned in an emergency, and exercising the responsibility for properly executing the mandates of the Courts, both Civil and Criminal, by serving, processing and executing various types of legal processes. Incumbents are assigned to one or a combination of functional units within the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. Work is performed under the direct or general supervision of an employee of higher rank and in accordance with established procedures and departmental/County regulations. Supervision is not usually a function of the class. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
- Patrols an assigned area on foot or in a vehicle;
- Apprehends crime suspects;
- Enforces laws and ordinances, investigate complaints of suspicious or unusual activities, issues summonses, and makes arrests;
- Controls traffic and investigates vehicle accidents;
- Obtains information regarding an incident by interviewing witnesses and victims;
- Operates and maintains patrol vehicle;
- Interacts with prisoners, provides security, safety, and transportation of prisoners;
- Protects property; safeguards and receipts found, seized, or recovered property;
- Prepares forms and reports;
- Prepares evidence for court testimony; appears as a witness in court cases;
- Photographs, fingerprints, and makes case history files on suspects/arrestees;
- Dispatches patrol units via radio; supplies legal/technical knowledge to patrol units;
- Works with other governmental agencies in the preparation of statistical data or other matters concerning public safety;
- Receives complaints concerning suspicious or illegal activities and relays same to the proper authority by teletype, radio, or telephone for appropriate action;
- Operates an alpha-numerical keyboard (computer terminal) for the retrieval or transmission of electronic information;
- Answers questions and provides information to the public;
- Interacts with the community by attending business, civic, or school meetings to make a presentation or represent the Sheriff’s Office, and to maintain an awareness of community problems and concerns;
- Records inappropriate ledgers or dockets, executions, and other civil processes which are received from attorneys’, litigants’ and the public;
- Reviews legal documents to verify the correctness of form and content and adherence to required legal regulations;
- Checks fees and other monies collected for accuracy and posts fees to proper account;
- Maintains records of garnishee and attachment payments;
- Prepares check for payment of funds to authorized person or agency;
- Records daily bank deposits and checks monthly bank statements;
- Assists in taking monthly trial balances of accounts;
- Records results of property sales;
- Executes civil orders of arrest and attachments by locating defendants and collecting fines or placing them under arrest;
- Serves Orders of Possession and Writs of Assistance and arranges for and supervises the eviction of defendants;
- Seizes and inventories real and personal property under Warrants or Writs and arranges for and supervises its appraisal and storage;
- Locates and auctions property of defendants failing to pay assessments under Writs of Execution and receives and accounts for money received;
- Operating an alpha-numerical keyboard (computer terminal) to retrieve or transmit electronic information.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Good knowledge of the New York State Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and the Civil Practices Law and Rules; good knowledge and proficiency in the use of firearms; good knowledge of legal regulations and procedures governing the execution, processing and serving of civil documents; working knowledge of the practices and procedures of accounting, mainly related to the collection and disbursement of funds; ability to get along well with others; ability to be courteous yet firm with the public; ability to understand and carry out complex oral and/or written instructions; ability to operate motor vehicles under emergency conditions, explicitly being able to activate emergency equipment, operate police radio and use police equipment, i.e.: weapon, spotlight, etc. while simultaneously operating a moving vehicle; good powers of observation and memory; good judgment and mental alertness; demonstrated social awareness, integrity and responsibility; physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and in addition either:
A) Completion of a minimum of sixty (60) semester credit hours from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university at the time of appointment; or:
B) Completion of a minimum of thirty (30) semester credit hours from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university and completion of one (1) year of active duty military service at the time of appointment; or:
C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Candidates must possess a valid New York State Driver's License
- Eligibility for appointment begins when a candidate reaches his 20th birthday.
- Candidates who reach their 35th birthday before the date of the written examination are not eligible except as follows*:
- Candidates may have a period of military duty or terminal leave up to six years, as defined in Section 243 (10-a) of the Military Law, deducted from their age to meet the age requirement. *Section 58.1(a) requires that applicants not be “more than thirty-five years of age as of the date when the applicant takes the written examination...”
- Candidates who may be impacted by the maximum age requirement and are requesting an alternate test date (for active military duty, Sabbath observance, or for an alternate test date situation that meets the conditions of Erie County’s alternate test date policy) are advised to contact Erie County to discuss the request.
- NOTE: Active duty military service does not include active duty for training.
- NOTE: Up to one (1) year of active duty military service may be substituted for education based on one (1) month of active duty equals 2.5 college semester credit hours.
- NOTE: Conviction of a felony will bar, and conviction of a misdemeanor or other offense may bar participation in examination and appointment.
- NOTE: Verifiable part-time or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.
DEPUTY SHERIFF - OFFICER
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
This is routine security and guard work that involves responsibility for providing for the custody and well-being of inmates while under detention in the County Holding Center, while in State and County courts for trial or hearing, during off-premises medical treatment or hospitalization, and during transport to and from the Holding Center. It also maintains order and decorum in County buildings and in the courts. The individual will provide security for court staff, jurors, trial participants, and spectators. Works under well-established procedures, but initiative and good judgment are expected in handling emergency situations. Works under the supervision of a Sergeant or other officer of higher rank. Supervision is exercised only over inmates. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
- Performs guard duties at various locations in the Holding Center, ECMC Lockup, County courts, State courts, and Family courts, such as entrance and exits, receiving and detention rooms, courtrooms, District Attorneys' offices, floors, and galleries of the Holding Center, the clinic rooms, elevators, jury rooms, and other County buildings and offices;
- Maintains security and discipline in the Holding Center courts and ECMC Lockup; makes regular inspections in the Holding Center and courts, including checking locking devices and punching clocks; makes counts and prepares report sheets; maintains order and settles disturbances; notifies supervisor of all unusual incidents;
- Attends to the care and well-being of inmates; secures and delivers sundries; delivers medical supplies; secures medical services and dispenses medicines; escorts inmates for interviews with attorneys, relatives, and law enforcement agencies; directs the serving of meals; directs the maintenance of inmates' sanitation and hygiene; attends inmates' phone calls;
- Performs clerical duties connected with the receiving, booking, searching, and release of inmates; accepts and records clothing and property; issues uniforms and assigns cell blocks; makes out composite census reports; maintains records on inmates; arranges for clothing and records for transfer of persons to courts, penal institutions, and hospitals;
- Guards prisoners of the Erie County Holding Center who are transferred to a hospital for treatment during confinement or to the court lockup for trial or hearing; escorts prisoners to jail and courts; transports prisoners both in and out of State;
- Provides security for charges juries; serves as Court Crier during the Crier's absence; retrieves papers for Court Clerks;
- May assist the training instructor in training activities;
- Performs duties and successfully completes the training that meets the standards of the New York State Commission of Corrections.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Good knowledge of techniques of penal and security operations;
Ability to maintain the discipline of inmates;
Ability to understand and follow routine oral and written instructions;
Ability to deal with inmates firmly and fairly;
Ability to conduct simple household training of inmates;
Unquestionable moral character;
Strength and agility;
Industry and dependability;
Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Candidates must have attained their 21st birthday at the time of the original appointment and must have a satisfactory hearing.
- Chapter 134 of New York State Law of 1984, under Section 22-A of the Corrections Law, and Section 217-A of County Law provides that conviction for a felony automatically bars appointment as a Correction Officer or Deputy Sheriff Officer. That prior conviction of a misdemeanor may be disqualifying for these titles after a review of the material facts of the individual case.
- Candidates must possess a valid New York State Drivers' License at the time of appointment.
NOTE: Verifiable part-time or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.
CORRECTION OFFICER
Correction Officer Job Duties:
Correction Officers directly oversee the safety, security, and supervision of incarcerated individuals at the Erie County Correctional Facility (ECCF). Correction Officers are responsible for understanding and knowing all applicable laws and facility rules to maintain order. Incarcerated individuals at the ECCF are held pre-trial and post-sentencing for crimes ranging from misdemeanor offenses to violent felonies.
Correction Officers undergo 14 weeks of training consisting of Correctional Law, Penal Law, New York State Minimum Standards and Regulations, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automated external defibrillators, first aid, suicide prevention, weapons qualification, defensive tactics, as well as many other areas. They respond to all emergency situations in the facility and are trained in emergency response procedures. Correctional Officers are recertified in their training annually.
Correction Officers maintain discipline; enforce rules and regulations; maintain constant alertness for attempts to escape, inmate disturbances, or other unusual incidents. They report any such incident to the sergeant or other officers immediately and initiate corrective action.
Correction Officers process incarcerated individuals into custody at the ECCF. They are responsible for the care, custody, and control of incarcerated individuals. While incarcerated individuals are attending programs, such as religious services, library, visitation, recreation, education, and work details, Correctional Officers maintain security. They are required to submit detailed written reports and paperwork at the completion of each shift.
Correction Officers also provide security within the Correctional Facility and outside movement during medical clinic transports and outside work details. They are required to thoroughly search incarcerated individuals, cells, housing areas, mail, packages, and all workspace areas in which incarcerated individuals have access, for dangerous contraband.
RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS:
CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. The eligible list resulting from the examination will be used to fill future Correction Officer positions in the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must meet the following requirements on or before the date of the written test: Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.
Candidates must have attained their twenty-first (21) birthday at the time of the original appointment.
LATERAL TRANSFER FOR CORRECTION OFFICERS:
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office currently has openings within the Jail Management Division and accepts lateral transfer candidates from correctional facilities across the state.
Candidates must complete an application and author a letter to Sheriff John C. Garcia requesting consideration for a position within the Erie County Sheriff’s Jail Management Division.
Once the agency receives the candidate’s application and letter, the Administrative Services Division will contact the applicant for additional employment information and documentation.
Here is a copy of the application - https://www3.erie.gov/employment/sites/www3.erie.gov.employment/files/2021-09/po_30x_emplapp_2020.pdf
Mail the letter and application to:
Erie County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Administrative Services Division
10 Delaware Ave.
Buffalo, New York 14202