Job Title: Detective             
Department: Sheriff’s Office               
Reports To: Patrol Captain
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation Range: $90,654-102,032 annually

• Based on years of experience as a certified law enforcement officer.
• 2026 Pay Scale:

Benefits: Employee Benefits | Lake County, CO
**Open until filled**

• Additional pay potential for fluency in Spanish, degrees in postsecondary education, certified field training officer, and other training certificates
• The Lake County Sheriff's Office is looking for a P.O.S.T certified Law Enforcement Officer, with a strong desire to serve our community with professionalism and honesty. Must possess good communication skills and a commitment to our core values of Integrity, Service and Excellence. The ability to connect with a diverse community in a rural setting, preferably with bilingual proficiency and a desire for public service.
• Overtime opportunities paid at time and a half, after 80 hours in a 14-day work period.
• County employees can also receive an annual allowance for health and wellness costs.
• End-of-Year bonus. Based on months of service within the year.
• Duty firearm will be provided. 
• All uniform, belts, holsters, and other equipment, including ballistic body armor and plates, with the exception of footwear, are provided. Ballistic armor is replaced every five years at no cost to the employee.
• Current P.O.S.T, and applicable instructor skills certifications will be considered for incentive bonuses to salary. (Firearms, arrest control, driving skills, other)
• Culture of personal and professional development through skills instructor courses, education, higher learning, etc.

• Provides administrative support for Investigations Section; responds to general inquiries from the public; assists other agencies in responding to citizen complaints and reports. 
• Investigates a variety of crimes; including but not limited to fraud, forgery, sexual assaults, missing persons and runaways, computer and criminal complaints; issues summons and court orders.
• Communicates with reporting parties, victims and offenders as necessary; addresses violations, conducts follow up visits to ensure compliance with prior violations.
• Prepares search warrants and assists investigators in crime scene searches, retrieves and preserves evidence for use in court proceedings; provides testimony in court as necessary in support of actions taken and chain of custody of evidence. 
• Enters, modifies, updates and retrieves data on a variety of databases regarding stolen and recovered property, driver’s licenses, vehicle registration information and warrants; receives, interprets and forwards information to the appropriate court and/or certified law enforcement personnel.
• Compiles information and prepares a variety of written reports, memos and correspondence related to law enforcement activities. 
• Attends training consistent with assigned duties, including obtaining and maintaining certifications necessary for the assigned role and responsibilities. 
• Develops and maintains relationships with a variety of community organizations and law enforcement agencies. 

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency.
• P.O.S.T. approved advanced investigation

• Three (3) years of sworn law enforcement experience.
• Criminal investigation experience
• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible law enforcement-related experience

• Possession of a valid Colorado driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

• Possession of an appropriate Basic Certificate issued by the Colorado State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.), or an equivalent State examination that may be transferable to Colorado, to be maintained throughout employment.   

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of investigation and interrogation. 
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Modern principles, practices, procedures, and terminology used in law enforcement and crime prevention, including patrol, courthouse operations and security, criminal investigation, pursuit and apprehension of suspects, arrest and custody, and related peace officer and detective duties.  
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the identification, marking, preservation, and presentation of evidence.  
• Functions, authorities, and organization of other departments and agencies involved in identification, investigation, and prosecution of criminal cases.  
• Operation and maintenance of equipment used in law enforcement. 
• Court procedures and operations.  
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, business letter writing and report preparation techniques.   
• Basic mathematical principles.  
• Techniques of effective oral and written communication. 
• County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols pertaining to law enforcement work.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Identify problems, research, and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solutions. 
• Organize, implement, and direct day-to-day law enforcement operations, programs, and activities; perform the most complex law enforcement activities. 
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Assess difficult or emergency circumstances and develop, implement, and direct appropriate response strategies.  
• Observe and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents.  
• Work under stressful or dangerous conditions, often involving considerable personal risk or risk to others.  
• Safely use and care for firearms.  
• Keep abreast of trends, technology, and requirements in law enforcement supervision and operations.
• Plan and make effective presentations to authoritative groups such as courts; testify in court.  
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Review and prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials related to law enforcement operations.
• Review and prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, records, and other correspondence and documents. 
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Notice of Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.