Non Exempt Magistrate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $49,795.72 - $57,286.32 Annually
Location : Lexington County, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00001
Bureau: Detention
Division: Judicial Services
Opening Date: 12/18/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Lexington County Sheriff's Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Job Purpose
Ensures civil process, criminal warrants, detention orders, mental transports, bond court, court security, and other duties assigned to the Judicial Services Division are completed in a professional, timely, and efficient manner. Provides a safe environment for all visitors, staff, and others at the Lexington County Judicial Center or a Magistrate's Court. Enforces all local, federal and state laws relating to public safety and welfare. Works under stressful, high-risk conditions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Enforces all local, federal and state laws relating to public safety and welfare; performs all duties in compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, regulations and standards of safety.
• Provides security during court proceedings. Monitors all persons for signs of potential disruptive behavior. Monitors and maintains control of inmates during all phases of court proceedings. Maintains position between the judge and litigants.
• Responds to and obeys any orders given by the presiding judge such as searching for and bringing before the court any missing jurors, taking individuals into custody, etc.
• Maintains the security and integrity of the court house or magistrate court. Conducts building inspections to ensure ongoing facility security by physically testing all security entrances and alarms for proper operation. Monitors the parking areas and court house grounds for any suspicious activity and/or suspicious items.
• Monitors the court entrance/exit and conducts screenings of incoming individuals, packages, and personal items using x-ray scanners, metal detectors, visual detection, and other approved security practices. Detects and confiscates all weapons, contraband, and/or suspicious items.
• Detains or arrests individuals as provided by South Carolina Law and processes accordingly.
• Interacts with court house visitors, and directs individuals to the proper area. Responds to public/staff inquiries, and requests for assistance. Investigates and resolves complaints from the public and staff. Provides personal security escorts to and from vehicles, upon request.
• Monitors and controls inmates who are receiving treatment at a medical facility. Maintains constant surveillance of inmate. Maintains alertness during long periods of inactivity. Enforces the detention policies and procedures as it relates to inmate visitation. Briefs replacement at shift change on the inmate/patient status.
• Transports inmates from detention center to/from court house.
• Executes psychiatric orders and transports.
• Executes, reviews, and facilitates processing of civil paperwork. Includes rule to vacate, summons and complaint, claim and delivery, subpoenas, family court rule to show cause, and common pleas hearing.
• Investigates, tracks, and executes criminal warrants.
• Provides staff escorts with daily bank deposits to and from financial institutions.
• Serves criminal warrants, civil process papers, and other court documents.
• Works overtime as necessary, including overtime in other duty areas, as well as the detention center.
• Acts as a liaison between the local magistrates and the Sheriff's Department.
• Provides court testimony as necessary.
• Participates in special operations as assigned.
• Maintains assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Attends periodic training sessions; maintains required level of proficiency in the use of firearms.
• Prepares various documents including incident reports, accident reports, investigative reports, pursuit reports, warrants, subpoenas, and case documentation.

Job Specifications and Qualifications
Education/Experience:

• High School diploma or equivalent

Licensing and Certifications:

• Class I Law Enforcement certification from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy (have it or ability to achieve it within 1 year of hire date); and
• Valid South Carolina Driver's License.

Qualification for Deputy:
Must be 21 years old, or within 3 months of turning 21 years old to apply.
Must be a United States citizen.
Must be a South Carolina resident, or will move to SC upon hire.
Must have one (1) of the following:

• Certified Class 1-LE from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, or
• Certified law enforcement from another state, or
• Military Police experience, or
• 3 years or more military experience in any job duty, or
• Associates degree or higher.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
• Positions in this class typically require, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, fingering, standing, walking, repetitive motions, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling, and lifting. Positions in this class may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, and intense noises.

The Lexington County Sheriff's Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Lexington County offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, retirement, holiday pay, vacation leave, sick leave, flexible spending accounts, wellness incentive health reimbursement account, deferred compensation, and more.
To learn more details, visit our website's
Salary for already certified Detention and Law Enforcement Deputy applicants
Starting Salary: $51,808 - $54,782
Applies to South Carolina Certified Officer working less than three years. Salary reflects working our standard shifts of 86 hours bi-weekly.
Three Years of Service Salary: $53,283 - $55,273
Applies to South Carolina Certified Officer working three years. Salary reflects working our standard shifts of 86 hours bi-weekly.
Six Years of Service Salary: $54,782 - $56,772
Applies to South Carolina Certified Officer working six years. Salary reflects working our standard shifts of 86 hours bi-weekly.
Salary for uncertified Detention and Law Enforcement Deputy applicants
Starting Salary: $49,795 - $53,772
Applies to the brand-new detention or law enforcement applicant. Salary reflects working our standard shifts of 86 hours bi-weekly.
Applicants may be eligible for additional incentives, depending on education and Spanish fluency. Call our HR Division office at 803-785-2407 to learn more.
Health Insurance
The County of Lexington provides medical insurance for its employees through a county funded Employee Health Care Plan. There are multiple coverages available for the employee to choose from, depending on his/her personal coverage needs.
Actual rate within the range is determined on which coverage plan is chosen and how many children are being covered.
The following semi-monthly rates apply:
Employee Only $35.00 - $88.50
Employee and Child(ren) $62.00 - $257.50
Employee and Spouse $135.50 - $242.00
Employee and Family 162.00 - $410.50
Employee Wellness Center
The County of Lexington provides a Wellness Center for its employees and their dependents who are covered under county health insurance. The staff of the Health and Wellness Center is licensed to diagnose, treat and prescribe for a wide variety of common illness and injuries at no cost to the employee and their covered dependents, when participating in the Gold or Silver Health Insurance Plan. There is a small co-pay if employees choose the Bronze Health Insurance Plan. Check out Marathon Health at
Dental Insurance
The County of Lexington provides dental insurance for its employees through the county's plan. There are two coverage plans from which the employee can choose, depending on his/her personal coverage needs.
Actual rate within the range is determined on which coverage plan is chosen and how many children are being covered.
The following semi-monthly rates apply:
Employee Only $3.11 - $3.58
Employee and Child(ren) $8.52 - $31.98
Employee and Spouse $9.28 - $10.67
Employee and Family $14.69 - $35.57
Vision Insurance
The County of Lexington provides vision insurance for its employees through the county's plan. Basic coverage is provided at a minimal cost to the employee. Employees who wish to cover members of their family may do so through payroll deductions.
The following semi-monthly rates apply:
Employee Only $3.75
Employee and Child(ren) $7.75
Employee and Spouse $7.60
Employee and Family $11.80
Life Insurance
The County of Lexington provides life insurance for its employees. Basic coverage is provided at no cost to the employee, with a benefit amount at 1.5 times the employee's basic annual earnings, up to $50,000.
Additional coverage on the employee or his or her dependents is available and can be paid for through payroll deduction.
Retirement
All full-time employees of the county participate in the South Carolina Retirement System or the South Carolina Police Officer's Retirement System.
Deferred Compensation
Employees are eligible to participate in the South Carolina Public Employees Deferred Compensation Plan, 401K or 457. The amount deposited is determined by the employee and participation is optional. This is a tax-deferred savings program and is handled automatically by payroll deduction.
Overtime
Employees who are eligible for overtime are paid overtime at the rate of 1.5 times his or her regular rate of pay for time worked. Overtime will be calculated at any hours worked over 86 in a two week pay period for non-exempt, sworn personnel.
Holiday Pay
The County of Lexington observes 13 paid holidays each year. When 86-hour law enforcement and detention deputies work on of these holidays, they are paid for twice the number of hours worked on the holiday.
Annual Leave and Sick Leave
Annual leave is accrued at the rate of 10 days per year for employees with less than five years of service with the county; 15 days for 5-10 years of service; and 20 days for 10 or more years of service. Sick leave is accrued at 12 days per year.
Collateral Duty Pay
Employees receive collateral duty pay, in the form of quarterly-paid supplements, for serving in specialized assignments over and above their regular, paid assigned job duties.
Extra Duty Opportunities
Law enforcement officers (patrol deputies and other class 1 certified officers) have the opportunity to sign-up for extra-duty jobs to earn extra income working for secondary employers. Most extra-duty jobs pay $50/hour, with a 3-hour minimum.
Education Incentive Pay
Employees receive educational incentive pay for completing degrees in pre-approved courses of study at approved accredited institutions.
College Tuition Discount
Employees may be eligible for law enforcement tuition discounts at various institutions. The employee needs to check with the college or university to inquire if they have a tuition discount available to law enforcement.
Montgomery G.I. Bill
Veterans may qualify to use their G.I. Bill education benefits while working and receiving on-the-job training at the Sheriff's Department.
Gym Membership
Gym memberships are available to all employees at a highly discounted rate to the employee, made possible through the efforts of the Lexington County Sheriff's Foundation.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers' Association Membership
The department pays for membership in the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers' Association for all law enforcement and detention deputies. Membership in SCLEOA entitles the member to a list of member benefits. For more information, see SCLEOA's website at
South Carolina Sheriffs' Association Membership
Certified personnel receive an Individual Membership to the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association. For more information, see South Carolina Sheriffs' Association website at
Work Schedules
Patrol deputies and detention deputies work the following schedule:
12-hour shifts - 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Patrol Deputies: Two days on, two days off; three days on, two days off; two days on, three days off; (this cycle then repeats).
Detention deputies work a permanent shift (days or nights).
Patrol deputies rotate between dayshift and nightshift every 28 days.
Vehicles
At the discretion of the Sheriff, employees in designated positions are authorized to be assigned a department vehicle on a 24/7 week basis. Take-home vehicles are only available to personnel living in Lexington County or living in one of the adjacent/bordering counties of Aiken, Calhoun, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland or Saluda.
Equipment
Department personnel receive the equipment (uniforms, firearms, etc.) necessary for the position for which they are hired.
01
Do you currently have South Carolina Class 1 Law Enforcement certification?

• Yes
• No

02
If you are certified in South Carolina through the Criminal Justice Academy, please list your Academy ID number.
03
What state were you born in? If you were born outside the Un...