Salary & Benefits

Shifts & Hours

The Sheriff's Office maintains patrol coverage for the County 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Patrol deputies bid every six months, by seniority, for positions of shift and days off. Most, if not all, patrol deputies are assigned to 10-hour shifts, four days a week, with three consecutive days off. Other positions carry an 8-hour shift, five days a week.

Salary

Starting at $62,476.96 ($30.037 per hour). Veteran officers with law enforcement experience may be started at higher pay rates at the Sheriff's discretion. Upon meeting satisfactory standards on annual performance reviews, a deputy can advance a pay step each year, up to Step 8, paying $88,474.88 ($42.536 per hour). Deputies working evening and night shifts receive an extra 60 cents per hour. Deputies assigned to the supervisory ranks of sergeant and captain receive higher rates of pay.

Special Unit Pay

Additional incentive pay is available to specialized units within the sheriff's office. These rates vary based upon the assignment.

Overtime

Compensatory time or pay is earned at 1 1/2 times the hourly rate for time exceeding normal shift hours, including court attendance and training.

Longevity Pay

Deputies receive $400 annual longevity pay after completing six years of service. The amount increases up to $850 annually after completing 20 years of service.

Paid Holidays

Deputies are credited with up to 114 hours per year of paid holiday time, of which 10 days are designated County holidays and the remaining time as personal holidays. Deputies required to work on any of the ten designated holidays can choose to receive compensatory pay at time-and-a-half in lieu of taking time off at a later date.

Paid Vacations

Vacation leave is earned at 80 hours per year during the first four years of service; after five years - 120 hours per year; after 10 years, 148 hours per year; after 15 years - 168 hours per year; and after 20 years - 198 hours per year. Accumulation is continuous and is not to exceed 240 hours. Leave is earned but not granted during the probationary period.

Paid Sick Leave

Deputies accumulate 104 hours of sick time per year and there currently is no limit on banked sick leave. Deputies also enjoy a sick leave buyout program in which 100% of their unused sick leave at retirement can be credited toward an eligible retirement plan.

Paid Health Care & Life Insurance

Deputies may enroll in the Aetna health care plan. The county pays 95% of single premiums and 85% of family and 2/4 premiums. The county also pays in full for a $60,000 life insurance premium for each deputy. Supplemental health and life insurance is optional at the employee's cost.

Paid Dental Insurance

Deputies may enroll in the Ameritas Dental Plan. The county pays 100% of single premiums and 80% of family and 2/4 premiums.

Retirement Plan

Deputies who have attained age 25 and have one year of service automatically become members of the defined contribution retirement plan. Lancaster County contributes $1.50 for every $1 (up to 5.2% of wages) contributed by the deputy. Deputies may also irrevocably elect to contribute up to 8% of their wages for all future retirement contributions and the County will match 100% of the deputy contribution. The deputy's sub-account is 20% vested after 3 years in the plan, up to 100% vested after 7 years. The deputy can choose to place the money in any combination of investment options such as a selection of mutual funds or money market accounts.

College Tuition Reimbursement

Non-probationary full-time deputies are eligible for college tuition reimbursement up to $1,000 per labor contract year for successful completion of approved college tuition and expenses. Areas of study are limited to work related fields and must be pre-approved.

Equipment / Dress

All uniforms, uniform cleaning, equipment, and body armor are provided by the Sheriff's Office.
Per the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office Standard Operating Procedures, Permanent skin designs (tattoos) or body piercing (with the exception of stud earrings) shall not be visible while on duty. Employees who have permanent skin designs (tattoos) shall insure their clothing or an opaque covering renders the design (tattoo) not visible to the public.