County approves promotion of deputy-trainee to deputy sheriff after internal training program

The Pine County Board voted to approve the promotion of Henry Arata from deputy sheriff trainee (grade 8) to deputy sheriff (grade 10), effective July 21, after discussion about the county’s trainee hiring model. The promotion was described by county officials as the conclusion of a previously approved trainee model: the county can hire a deputy trainee when a deputy vacancy exists, allow the trainee to complete required POST licensing while performing duties in the jail, then move them into the open deputy slot if successful. The board recorded that the trainee was hired previously into a jail role, completed required training steps and was judged qualified for promotion. Commissioners asked whether the trainee process circumvented open hiring. County staff said an initial external deputy posting had been made when the prior deputy left; then an internal posting was used to consider a current employee for the trainee slot because the employee was working in the jail and attending school. County staff explained trainee positions are not counted as separate deputy vacancies: when a trainee fills that trainee slot, the existing vacant deputy position is considered filled by the trainee upon promotion. Sheriff's office representatives said on-the-job training shortens the time before a deputy can operate independently and provides cost savings. The promotion carried after a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.