Become A Deputy Sheriff

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office offers a well paid and challenging career in the fields of corrections, court security and law enforcement. Deputy Sheriffs primarily work in the direct supervision Detention Center housing approximately 450 local, state and federal inmates. Deputy Sheriffs manage inmate living units, deliver inmate discipline, respond to inmate requests, supervise inmates, and resolve inmate problems.

Alexandria Deputy Sheriffs possess both law enforcement and civil authority in order to carry out their many roles and responsibilities. Successful Deputy Sheriffs possess personal confidence in themselves and appropriate confidence in their statutory authority, and must be able to lead and motivate people.  To become a Deputy Sheriff, applicants must meet minimum qualifications, must not have any disqualifying behaviors or situations, and pass a selection process that includes physical and mental examinations and a criminal records check. 

Deputy Sheriff Minimum Qualifications

To become an Alexandria Deputy Sheriff, you must:

• Be a United States citizen
• Be 21 years of age at the time of hire
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be in excellent physical and mental health (maximum body fat standard is 20% for men and 26% for women)
• Have vision of 20/100 or better in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in each eye (color blindness is disqualifying)
• Have an excellent driving record and possess a valid license at the time of hire
• Not have engaged in any activity that would support a domestic violence or felony conviction
• Be of good moral character and behavior

Deputy Sheriff Disqualifiers

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office has determined that there are some past and present behavior(s) which make some applicants not desirable for employment because they do not meet the high standards of the Office. Applicants who have past or current behavior(s) as listed below will not be considered for employment.

• Alcohol Use - current alcohol abuse is prohibited. Alcohol abuse is excessive drinking which impairs personal and work performance.
• Drug Use - current or recent use of illegal drugs or abuse of any legal drugs is prohibited. Legal drug use is medically prescribed drugs or
  drugs bought over the counter. Illegal drug use is non-medically prescribed use of any drugs but not limited to: narcotics, stimulants, cannabis, hallucinogens, amphetamines, depressants, steroids, designer drugs, and inhalants.
• Felony Criminal Activity - any conviction of a felony and the commission of a serious detected or undetected felony.
• Domestic Violence - any conviction of a crime involving domestic violence.
• Controlled Substance - conviction for possession or manufacturing of controlled substance(s) with the intent to distribute.
• Traffic/Driving - inability to be insured to drive a motor vehicle, failure to possess a valid drivers license, and inability to be licensed to drive a motor vehicle.
• Government - membership or participation in any organization advocating the violent overthrow of the government of the United States.
• Discrepancies - misrepresentation, misinformation, misleading, inaccurate, untruthful or distorted information provided on the Background Questionnaire or during any part of the selection process.
• Appointments - failure to keep an appointment at any step of the hiring process without the prior approval of the Sheriff's Office.
• Change of locator information - failure to notify the Office of a change in current address and/or telephone number.
• Selection - failure to keep an appointment at any step of the hiring process without prior approval of the Sheriff's Office.
• Other - behavior(s) which do not necessarily reach the level of severity of the disqualifiers listed above, but may still be a basis for rejection after consideration of each case on its individual merits.

Physical Requirements - the chart below contains only a few of the physical requirements; additional information is available upon request:

Body Fat Composition:
male - equal to or less than 20%
female - equal to or less than 26%

Eyesight:
20/100 uncorrected
20/20 corrected in each eye
color blindness is disqualifying

Hearing:
normal with no use of hearing aid

Blood Pressure:
resting blood pressure less than 140/90

Deputy Sheriff Selection Process

The selection process is established to determine the applicant’s integrity, truthfulness and ability to perform the duties of a Deputy Sheriff. The process includes:

• correctional scenario video testing with reading, writing and math exercises
• thorough background investigation
• criminal history investigation
• driving history investigation
• polygraph examination
• physical examination to include a stress test
• psychological examination
• interview with Sheriff or designee

Special arrangements may be made to facilitate the selection process for interested individuals who live over 200 miles from Alexandria. The completion of the hiring process may take up to one year. Candidates must pass each phase of the selection process.

Deputy Sheriff Compensation

Deputy Sheriff I - $43,617-56,793.63

Deputy Sheriff Benefits

• Competitive salary with annual increases based on performance (merit) and cost of living as determined by the City. Deputy Sheriffs enjoy pay parity with local police and fire employees.
• Advancement opportunities for those who meet established criteria for Deputy Sheriff II, III and IV/Master Deputy. Promotional and transfer opportunities based upon established criteria and formal selection processes. Paid vacation leave based on length of service. The initial rate is 3.69 hours bi-weekly, with an accrual rate to a maximum of 7.39 hours at 12 years of service.
• Paid sick leave with an accrual rate of 96 hours per year as well as the Family Medical Sick Leave Act.
• Group health, dental, disability and life insurance.
• Eleven paid holidays per year.
• Uniforms and equipment furnished.
• Overtime and shift differential pay per the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Participation in City funded retirement systems: Virginia Retirement System, City Retirement System and Deputy Sheriff Retirement income Plan (401a), and Social Security an employee contribution program.
• Voluntary participation in the Deferred Compensation Plan (457), Catastrophic Illness Leave Bank, Leave Donation Program, Savings Bonds, Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act, Military Leave, Funeral Leave, Employee Assistance Program, Educational Assistance Program, Direct Deposit and Employee Credit Union.

Deputy Sheriff Training

Upon appointment, Deputy Sheriffs will receive two weeks of New Employee Training and then participate in a two month Field Training Deputy Program. Within one year of hire, Deputy Sheriffs will attend a six month criminal justice academy which after successful completion, they are state certified in corrections, court security, civil process and law enforcement. Physical fitness, firearms qualifications and defensive driving are also parts of the academy training. Deputy Sheriff’s earn 24 college credit hours upon completion of the academy training. Deputy Sheriffs are encouraged to pursue a Bachelor's Degree and career development opportunities.

Deputy Sheriff Conditions of Employment

At the time of appointment all Deputy Sheriffs sign a contract requiring a two year commitment with the Office from the date of successful completion of the entire academy training. If a Deputy Sheriff chooses to leave the employ of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, the Deputy is required to reimburse the Office for all of their training expenses on a pro-rata basis. The contract also requires the Deputy Sheriff to abide by the Alexandria Sheriff's Office General Orders, Standard Operating Procedures, applicable City Administrative Regulations, laws and ordinances, and other lawful orders and directives. Deputy Sheriffs are required to carry out their duties impartially, to the best of their ability, and to not discriminate against any person because of their race, religion, sex, or national origin. Deputy Sheriffs are appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff. Deputy Sheriffs serve a one year probationary period.

Deputy Sheriff Application and Contact Information

If you are interested in becoming a Deputy Sheriff with the Alexandria Alexandria Sheriff's Office, please apply directly by going to the City Job Opportunities page or contact:

Address: Alexandria Sheriff's Office
Recruitment - Administrative Services
2003 Mill Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Telephone: 703.746.4114 extension 4117 or 4248

Directions: Take I495 (Capital Beltway) to Exit 2B (Telegraph Road/North), turn right to Pershing Avenue, turn right to Stovall Street, turn left to Eisenhower Avenue, turn right to Mill Road, enter Public Safety Center at 2003 Mill Road.

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.