Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting welcomed families and thanked sheriff office employees for their dedication to the community at an annual award ceremony in March. The office is currently hiring. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)

CHENANGO COUNTY – On September 28, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office will offer a civil service examination for those interested in pursuing a career as a deputy sheriff. The exam is the first of several tests one must pass to become a deputy sheriff in the county.

According to the job listing, the exam has seven parts: situation judgment, language fluency, information ordering and language sequencing, problem sensitivity and reasoning, selective attention, visualization and spatial orientation.

Undersheriff Dustin Smietana said the exam tests candidates’ knowledge at a high school level.

“The examination tests basic, general knowledge, and you don’t need to know anything about law enforcement,” he said. “If you place high enough on it, you could be selected for further evaluation.”

Smietana shared that he worked as an ironworker before entering law enforcement. Though he enjoyed his job, he chose to pursue a new career path.

“My father noticed an ad in the local paper. He said, ‘Hey, the deputy sheriffs are hiring in Chenango County. That’s a pretty stable job. It’s probably got good benefits. This might be a good opportunity,’” Smietana shared. “I’ve always been a risk taker. So, on a whim, I took the exam. And lo and behold, I was the number one applicant, and I went through the process and started as a deputy sheriff in 2007.”

The Chenango County Sheriff has a long history and is highly significant in the community. The sheriff’s office opened on March 22, 1798. According to the county’s website, “the Law Enforcement Division is a New York State Accredited Agency. Of the 542 police agencies in New York State, only 20% have achieved the goal of accreditation.”

“Our organization is accredited, which means we operate by the best policies known. So when the reimagined policing came out and we had to do the evaluations of our agency, it was actually very easy for us because we already have the best policies,” said Sheriff Ernest Cutting.

Though the job is demanding, Smietana said the department acknowledges that deputy sheriffs have lives outside of law enforcement.

“We try to bend over as much as we can for people. We recognize the fact that everyone has families and other obligations outside of work, and we try to accommodate that,” Smietana said.

Smietana said one of the most rewarding aspects of working for the sheriff’s department is helping to improve people’s behaviors and educating the community about living safe and healthy lives. Smietana specifically takes the opportunity to teach adolescents about safe driving habits.

“The number one cause of motor vehicle crashes is speeding. I often tell young people who I pull over for speeding, ‘I’m giving you this ticket and my business card. I expect a phone call from your parents. I want to know that you told them about this event.’ And I would rather do that than knock on their parents' door at 3 a.m. and say, ‘Johnny’s not coming home,’” Smietana said.

If the candidate passes the civil service exam, they will take the physical fitness screening test. The test consists of sit-ups, push-ups and a one-and-a-half-mile run. After passing the physical exam, the candidate will complete an extensive background check and an oral board interview. Before hiring, candidates will also undergo a psychological and medical examination to ensure they are fit for the job.

“There are three things we do when hiring an officer – ‘The Three I’s,’” Smietana said. “The first thing we do is we hire for intelligence. If you pass the examination, you have a reasonable level of intelligence and aptitude to move on to the next phase. The second part is integrity. That’s your background packet. How do you act when no one’s watching? And the last part is initiative. How do you conduct yourself in our oral board examination?”

The compensation for a deputy sheriff in Chenango County is $27.37 per hour. The sheriff’s office uses a traditional pension system within the state of New York retirement system. A sheriff’s deputy must perform 20 years of service to receive full retirement benefits.

Those interested in taking the exam must first submit an application to the personnel/civil service office. A $20 non-refundable application processing fee paid through check, money order or cash is also required. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Chenango County Treasurer. Cash must be paid in person, not through the mail. The application and fee will be accepted through 5 p.m. on August 29.

To be eligible for the exam, the candidate must be at least 19 years old on or before September 28 and have graduated high school or completed a comparable diploma. Candidates are not required to be residents of the county to take the exam. Candidates with criminal charges but no felony convictions are eligible.

“We’re looking for exceptional men and women that want to come and help us in the efforts of keeping the community safe,” Cutting said.

Smietana invites those interested in taking the civil service exam and emphasizes the fulfillment one can experience serving as a deputy sheriff in Chenango County.

“A police officer’s role is to be a role model in society. That’s it,” Smietana said. “You’re in a clean, crisp uniform when there’s chaos happening. You arrive on the scene, you take control and you assess the situation and try to come to a successful resolution. That’s it.”

For more information, please visit www.chenangocountyny.gov/198/Examinations.