SELECTION PROCESS:
OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY
Selection Process:
Applications will be accepted until 7/5/26.
Job Summary:
The Investigations Supervisor is a licensed peace officer who is responsible for conducting comprehensive criminal investigations into major and/or complex, predominantly felony-level crimes that occur in Renville County, including but not limited to death investigations, sexual assault, other significant person-type and property-type crimes and child abuse. The Investigations Supervisor is also a member of the Sheriff's Office's management team who is responsible for the first-line supervision, leadership, coordination and performance oversight of general, narcotics and fraud investigators. Responsibilities include assigning cases, monitoring investigative progress, ensuring proper evidence collection and case documentation, and preparing cases for successful prosecution in coordination with the County Attorney. Investigative work typically includes interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects; crime scene processing; executing search warrants and warrantless searches, including using technologically advanced methods; interpreting and analyzing complex data sets and case preparation.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: (These responsibilities are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)
General Law Enforcement Duties:
• Enforce state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Maintain professionalism at all times.
• Work independently, without direct supervision.
• Respond to and investigate complaints of criminal activity, disturbances, and other emergencies. Interview victims and witnesses, documenting statements clearly and accurately.
• Interrogate suspects in accordance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
• Collect, secure, and preserve physical and digital evidence, ensuring and documenting proper chain of custody.
• Prepare and execute legal documents such as search warrants, subpoenas, and court order proposals.
• Arrest suspects and transport prisoners using safe and legal practices.
• Complete timely, detailed reports and maintain organized case files.
• Provide clear, effective testimony in criminal and civil court proceedings.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
• Performs or effectively recommends hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, discipline, and direction of work on behalf of the employer of subordinate employees.
• Provides overall leadership and directs, supervises and/or coordinates 3-4 Investigators in their day-to-day operations and work.
• Interprets policy and procedures, resolves problems, conducts personnel complaints or conduct investigations and recommends discipline when warranted.
• Identifies staff educational needs and plans in-services for staff. Receives and approves staff training requests, ensuring staff has completed mandatory training as outlined by POST Board.
• Coordinates Investigations Unit and delegates work assignments as needed.
• Maintains fluent work schedules, approves time-off requests and ensures adequate staffing levels.
• Provides direction and assistance to investigators in performing duties; instructs and monitors investigators in correct reporting procedures.
• Reviews and approves investigative and other reports completed by investigators.
• Conducts probationary and yearly job performance evaluations of personnel under their supervision.
• Provides authorization for additional staffing needs relating to emergency or hazardous incidents, coordinates missing person searches or the execution of search warrants.
• Assists with recruitment and retention of sheriff's office personnel and with hiring processes.
Community Engagement & Community Policing:
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with community members, other public safety entities, schools, businesses and faith communities.
• Participate in outreach efforts, safety presentations, and crime prevention initiatives.
• Promote open communication with the public and collaborate on solving recurring issues.
• Demonstrate fairness, respect, and cultural sensitivity in all community interactions.
Civil Process Service:
• Serve subpoenas, summonses, protection orders, eviction notices, and other civil legal documents.
• Execute writs and court orders involving property seizure, restitution, or repossession.
• Accurately document all service attempts and ensure timely returns to the courts.
Death Scene Investigation:
• Act as the Medical Examiner's death scene investigator, respond to scenes involving unattended, suspicious, or unexpected deaths.
• Secure the scene and coordinate with medical examiner and other investigative staff.
• Accurately determine whether criminal activity has occurred
• Collect and document evidence, observe scene conditions, and interview involved parties.
• Notify next of kin when appropriate and provide family support with compassion and professionalism.
Special Investigative & Compliance Duties:
• Investigate missing persons cases, including endangered children and vulnerable adults.
• Conduct background investigations for employment, permits, or legal processes.
• Perform predatory offender registration checks and ensure statutory compliance.
• Assist in joint or multi-jurisdictional investigations as assigned.
Additional Duties/Responsibilities:
Technological Evidence:
• The Investigations Supervisor is responsible for broad knowledge of, obtaining legal access to and the forensic examination of digital equipment and media for the Renville County Sheriff's Office, as well as other mutual aid or contracted partners. This includes preparation of search warrants, subpoenas and other legal documents required to access particular data sets from cell phones, cell phone towers, computers, tablets, laptops, gaming systems, routers and other electronic devices.
• The Investigations Supervisor is responsible for learning, understanding and using various hardware systems and software solutions to properly gather, sort, categorize, analyze and report on data collected from above digital media equipment types.
Training:
• In addition to MN POST Board mandated training, the Investigations Supervisor is responsible for maintaining a level of expertise in their respective specialties as well as a comprehensive knowledge base to maintain their role in the realm of Renville County law enforcement as seasoned and experienced investigators.
• Maintains knowledge of ever-changing electronic and cyber-related evidence and appropriately gathers this new technology evidence.
• Attend specialized training in area of Investigations to include assaults, burglaries, fraud, theft, and forensic analysis of electronic devices.
• May testify as a court-recognized expert.
Leadership:
• Responds to scenes of major/critical incidents. The Investigations Supervisor on a crime scene is responsible for taking control of the scene by directing, advising, and administering the activities of law enforcement officers from the Renville County Sheriff's Office as well as any mutual aid or assisting agencies and personnel. The Investigations Supervisor is also responsible for directing medical personnel, any crime scene units, the medical examiner's office, fire department personnel, and any other EMS personnel responding to a crime scene.
• Provides work direction on crime scenes to all personnel present to ensure a comprehensive and competent investigation is completed.
• The Investigations Supervisor will be responsible for coordinating complex investigations that may involve numerous other agencies including Federal or State Law Enforcement.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of Law Enforcement Policies & Procedures:
• Considerable understanding of the Sheriff's Office policies, procedures, and regulations, as well as state and federal statutes.
• Strong familiarity with current police methods and techniques, including emergency response protocols and law enforcement best practices.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills:
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to interact effectively with co-workers, law enforcement agencies, and the public.
• Ability to communicate through various mediums.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate written reports, and to comprehend written and oral communication effectively.
Leadership & Supervision:
• Ability to deal tactfully yet firmly with offenders, suspects, witnesses, and other individuals in various law enforcement contexts.
• Assume and leadership and command of developing critical incidents to include directing law enforcement or other assisting entities with assignments.
• Maintain control during critical incidents or investigations while present at a crime scene.
Crisis Management & Decision-Making:
• Ability to react decisively and appropriately in high-stress situations, making critical decisions quickly and with sound judgment.
• Capability to subdue a suspect during the arrest process and defend self or others, if necessary, during physical encounters.
• Ability to function clearly and maintain composure under extended stress, ensuring effective law enforcement responses.
Physical & Technical Proficiency:
• Ability to qualify with approved weapons as required by the Sheriff's Office policy.
• Skilled in managing, storing, and retrieving sensitive information using computerized records systems.
• General knowledge of jail operations, dispatch procedures, and civil process protocols.
Relationship Building & Public Interaction:
• Ability to communicate effectively and courteously and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, the District Court, law enforcement and other public safety agencies, businesses, organizations, faith communities, and the public, whether in person, over the phone, or through written correspondence.
Work Habits & Reliability:
• Ability to maintain regular and timely attendance and manage responsibilities effectively within scheduled work hours.
Skills:
• Strong leadership, decision-making, organizational, and management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong understanding of criminal law, law enforcement techniques, and community policing principles.
• Ability to manage complex situations with professionalism and calmness, especially during emergencies or high-stress situations.
• High ethical standards and commitment to integrity, justice, and community service.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of law enforcement operations and recommending improvements.
• Conducting research.
• Preparing and analyzing reports and information.
• Conducting negotiations and mediations.
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes.
• Reviewing and analyzing records and logs.
• Exercising sound rational judgement in normal and emergency situations.
• Utilizing a variety of law enforcement weapons and equipment competently, logically and safely.
• Applying applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations in a fair and impartial manner.
• Compilation and analysis of facts and evidence to make valid civil and criminal recommendations.
• Providing excellent customer service.
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications.
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills to sufficiently and accurately exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Provide credible and truthful testimony.
• Deal with situations and people effectively and professionally in stressful situations.
• Work independently of direct supervision.
• Perform assigned duties and tasks in an effective, efficient, and safe manner.
Education and Experience:
• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or related field and two (2) years of experience in law enforcement; or an associate's degree (A.A) in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or related field and four (4) years of experience in law enforcement experience.
• Valid Minnesota driver's license.
• Documented completion of credentialed Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC).
• Successful completion of background check, psychological exam, physical fitness test, and firearms qualification.
Other Requirements:
• Must be able to provide professional, reliable and credible testimony in court, as deemed by the judge and/or prosecutor.
• Must be able to lawfully and competently possess a firearm.
• Complete all required continuing education and maintain Peace Officer licensure by the Minnesota POST Board.
Working Conditions:
• Physical Demands:
o The Sheriff's Office operates in a dynamic and physically demanding environment. Must be able to respond to emergency situations and physical confrontations, including those involving deadly weapons, that may require quick thinking, agility, and strength. May need to occasionally lift or drag up to 200 pounds or more.
o The role may involve long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as well as the need to be occasionally on call for emergencies or crises.
o Although the Investigations Supervisor works an assigned shift, must be flexible and willing to extend hours of work to handle critical incidents, investigations, and community outreach efforts.
o Must have the ability to work in various environmental conditions, such as extreme weather (heat, cold, rain, snow), and must be able to travel throughout the county, which may include driving in extremely hazardous conditions.
• Mental and Emotional Demands:
o Will be exposed to stressful, high-pressure situations, particularly during emergencies, major criminal investigations, or public safety crises.
o The role demands emotional resilience and the ability to ma