Deputy Sheriff I

An Overview
The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is recruiting qualified applicants for a career as a deputy sheriff. We are seeking candidates dedicated to serving the community with honor, respect, and courage. You must have unquestioned integrity and a commitment to help others in this rewarding profession. Applicants for the position of deputy sheriff should possess exceptional flexibility, with a willingness to work both day and night shifts, weekends, and holidays as assigned. We continually accept applications and will notify candidates of the opportunity to attend the first component of our selection process when it is scheduled.

Deputy sheriffs primarily work in the Office’s direct supervision adult detention center, which houses approximately 350 adult inmates. Deputies manage inmate living units, handle inmate discipline, respond to inmate requests, supervise inmates’ day-to-day activities, and resolve various problems. Other responsibilities of a deputy sheriff outside of the detention center include service of court papers, warrant execution, courthouse/courtroom security, prisoner transportation, community engagement, and general law enforcement duties within the City of Alexandria.

All newly hired deputy sheriffs will begin their career working in the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center. Deputies work a 12.5-hour shift of either days or nights. All shifts work approximately 15 days per month, equaling 87.5 hours every two-week pay period.

Entry-level salary for deputies is $58,407.96, plus built-in overtime for detention center deputies averaging more than $6,000 per year. Candidates currently certified by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) as a law enforcement officer will earn a starting salary of $61,329.84. Prior years of relevant Virginia law enforcement experience, military service, or college education will be reviewed and may result in additional salary increases.

The Sheriff's Office is committed to the health, safety, and wellness for all staff. In support of that commitment, all newly hired employees are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Applicants with a disability or sincerely held religious belief which prohibits them from receiving a vaccine may request a reasonable accommodation. Adherence to this policy is a condition of employment.

Application Review Schedule
This position is advertised on a continuous basis. Applications for this position will be reviewed on a weekly schedule and qualified applicants will be contacted to begin the hiring process.

What You Should Bring
Integrity - The Alexandria Sheriff's Office believes that integrity is central to everything we do and is key to maintaining the trust of our citizens, colleagues, and criminal justice partners.
Respect - We protect the dignity of others and value human life above all else.
Excellence - We strive to do the best we can in everything we do.
Accountability - We are accountable to the citizens we serve, those committed to the care of the Sheriff, and our colleagues.
Flexibility - The dynamic nature of the work of a deputy sheriff requires candidates to be flexible in both their schedule and work assignments in order to assist with achieving Office objectives.

The Opportunity
Deputy Sheriff’s work a 12.5-hour shift, during daytime or nighttime hours, on weekdays, weekends, and holidays. As this position is physically demanding, you should possess a satisfactory level of physical fitness. Applicants will be scheduled for a complete medical exam and must be cleared by a physician to perform the duties required of a Deputy Sheriff. You will need to be, and remain, flexible throughout your career as a Deputy Sheriff. There are occasions when you may be required to report for work early or stay after your normal shift has ended. Newly hired deputies will be assigned to work inside the adult detention center supervising male and female inmates who are committed to the jail for a variety of criminal offenses and for varying lengths of time. You must be a team player and have excellent communication and problem-solving skills. You will need to be able to adapt to rapidly changing situations and may need to use physical force to protect inmates or other staff from injury or death.

The Ideal Candidate
To qualify for this position, candidates must be of good character, possess a high school diploma or GED, be a United States citizen, reach 21 years of age by graduation from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy, and possess a valid driver’s license at the time of appointment.

Additionally, candidates must have proven experience dealing with people under varying circumstances. Candidates for positions in this class are required to meet all standards of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Alexandria Sheriff's Office training program.

To be considered an ideal candidate, one must also possess the proven ability to deal courteously with others and exercise sound judgment and common sense even under stress. You must be able to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and prepare clear and concise written reports. Deputy sheriffs are required to physically perform the required tasks of the position and act quickly, calmly, and effectively in stressful situations.

Candidates who are currently certified by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justices Services (DCJS) as a deputy sheriff, law enforcement officer, or both, are highly desired by the Alexandria Sheriff's Office. Current DCJS certifications and previous years of service as a deputy or law enforcement officer will be considered for starting salary determination.

Expanded Candidate Evaluation Information
This position requires an orientation with the Office, a writing sample, and a background investigation which will include a search for any criminal history, driving record, and a credit report. The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office also requires candidates to attend a physical fitness assessment to gauge their ability to perform the duties of a deputy sheriff. During the hiring process, previous employers and personal references will be contacted. Candidates will be required to undergo a polygraph examination, psychological examination, and medical examination.

Failure at any step of the hiring process may result in elimination from the process. The following list contains examples of conditions which may be disqualifying for the position of deputy sheriff with the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office:

False Information
1. Evidence that the applicant has willfully provided false or misleading information during the application or screening process, either orally or in writing.
2. Discrepancy of information or misinformation given on the background questionnaire or in reference to employment. Information on these forms will be verified through the polygraph examination and the background investigation.

Alcohol/Substance Abuse:
1. Current alcohol abuse is prohibited. Alcohol abuse is defined as excessive drinking which impairs personal and work performance.
2. Current or recent use of illegal drugs or abuse of any legal drugs is prohibited. Any pattern of illegal drug use that indicates an ongoing, regular, or recreational illegal use of a controlled substance, is disqualifying. Legal drug use is defined as medically prescribed drugs or drugs bought over the counter. Illegal drug use is defined as non-medically prescribed use of any illegal drug.

Criminal Activity
1. Any conviction of a felony. Commission of a serious detected or undetected felony (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, auto theft, weapons charge, drug sales, illegal sex crimes, arson, etc.)

2. As an adult, the selling, production or financing the production, sale or distribution of illegal controlled substances, or the obtaining of such substances through illegal use of a prescription(s).

3. Conviction of crime involving domestic violence.

4. Membership or participation in any organization advocating the violent overthrow of the government of the United States.

Traffic
1. Any circumstance which causes the applicant to be uninsurable to drive a motor vehicle.

2. Any circumstance which causes the applicant to be ineligible to be licensed to drive a motor vehicle.

Other
1. Dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States military.

2. Failure to keep an appointment at any step of the hiring process, without prior approval of the Sheriff's Office.

3. Failure to pass any part of the selection process.

4. Failure to meet the minimum standards described in this announcement.

5. Failure to notify the Office of a change in current address and/or telephone number.

6. Behavior(s) which do not necessarily reach the level of severity of the disqualifying information listed above but may still be a basis for rejection after consideration of each case on its individual merits.

Appearance
With the exception of a wedding band tattoo on one finger, face, neck, or hand tattoos are prohibited for applicants.

Physical Requirements
The Deputy Sheriff candidate is required to pass a thorough medical examination, to include a stress test. Some of the components of the medical examination are listed below and may be disqualifying if they are not met. This list is a portion of the categories covered during the thorough medical examination. Additional information related to the examination will be provided upon request.

• Eyesight
  -Far visual acuity: 20/20 binocular corrected with contact lenses or spectacles. Monocular visual acuity: No worse than 20/40 corrected.
  -Monocular vision and color blindness are disqualifying.
• Hearing
  -Normal, without use of a hearing aid.
• Resting Blood Pressure

Excellent character/background:
The selection process for deputy sheriff is highly competitive. Persons who have engaged in any activity which could constitute acts of moral turpitude are unlikely to receive favorable consideration for this position. For purposes of this announcement, moral turpitude is defined as wicked, deviant behavior constituting an immoral, unethical, or unjust departure from ordinary social standards.

If you have any questions, or need to request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact HR Director Latoscha Hart via email ( Latoscha.Hart@alexandriava.gov ) or by telephone at 703.746.5025, weekdays between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. We welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!

Click here to learn more about Employee Benefits
Click here to learn more about the City's Employee Development Program

The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. For further information, please contact the Benefits and Records Division of the Human Resources Department at 703.746.3785.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

High School Diploma or GED; some experience involving meeting and dealing with people under varying circumstances; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities; candidates for positions in this class are required to meet age, height and weight standards as established by the NBSP; State Department of Criminal Justice Services and Office of the Sheriff training requirements; good character and background requirements; must meet the requirements set forth in the Deputy Sheriff I; employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence.