Deputy Sheriff

Fairfax County Government; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Foreign language stipend

Holiday pay

Night differential

Job summary

Fairfax County Sheriff's Office seeks dedicated individuals to join the Adult Detention Center and related units, offering a $15,000 sign-on bonus for fully qualified new county employees.

Roles include supervising inmate activities, processing orders, court security, transport, training, and other public safety duties; candidates must meet rigorous standards and may receive additional stipends and holiday pay.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of policies, procedures and practices of the assigned functional area.
• Knowledge of federal, state and county laws and ordinances affecting duties.
• Knowledge of standard operating procedures, riot, hostage, fire and disaster plans.
• Knowledge of the agency's information technology system (e.g., PC).
• Demonstrated skill in the use of firearms, defensive tactics and non‑lethal weapons.

Responsibilities

• Supervises inmate activities, prevents escapes, and maintains order, discipline and security.
• Takes appropriate action in emergency situations following riot, hostage, fire, and disaster plans.
• Executes and returns civil and criminal process, DMV suspension orders, court orders, levies, and evictions.
• Serves warrants and makes arrests.
• Gives testimony in court on actions taken during arrests and investigations in criminal matters.
• Secures courtrooms from disruption and violence.
• Escorts prisoners to and from courts and the Adult Detention Center.
• Provides on‑the‑job training for newer deputies.
• Processes inmates in and out of the Adult Detention Center.
• Oversees inmates in a specific area of the Adult Detention Center.
• Directs or escorts all inmates in an assigned area.
• Keeps a continual count of inmates in an assigned area.
• Oversees the handling and security of inmate property.
• Investigates complaints concerning missing, misplaced, or mishandled inmate property.
• Transports inmates and other individuals in custody by vehicle.
• Performs instructor duties at the Criminal Justice Academy.
• Prepares and conducts roll‑call training.
• Ensures accurate and current files are maintained for all supply transactions and office equipment repair.
• Performs routine law enforcement duties as required (e.g., traffic enforcement, accident response and investigation, criminal investigations).
• Maintains complete and accurate records and prepares clear and concise reports.

Skills

Firearms proficiency

Defensive tactics

Non-lethal weapons

Physical fitness

Clear communication

Shift work flexibility

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

$15,000 Sign-On Bonus*

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is looking for individuals who want to contribute to the outstanding quality of life that Fairfax County residents enjoy.

The opportunity to wear the star exists now!

About The Agency

The Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is committed to providing world‑class public safety with honor, courage, and dedication to service. It is one of the largest sheriff's offices in Virginia, with over 500 professional men and women serving one of the most diverse counties in the nation.

Available Opportunities

• Court Services
• Civil Process
• Corrections
• Emergency Response Team
• Law Enforcement Training
• Inmate Transport
• Community Programs
• Motor Unit
• Honor Guard
• Crisis Negotiation Team
• Bike Team
• Crisis Intervention Team
• Sheriff's Intelligence Unit
• Peer Support Team
• Crime Prevention Unit

Deputy Sheriff – Adult Detention Center

• Day Shift: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Night Shift: 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
• Workdays alternating weekly: 1st week Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday; 2nd week Wednesday, Thursday
• Approximately 15 days per month totaling 87.5 hours per two‑week pay period, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• May receive additional pay such as night/differential, foreign language stipend, field training instructor stipend, holiday pay, and/or annual step increases as allowed by the budget.
• Considered emergency essential services personnel; must report on scheduled day and may be called back for emergencies.

Academy Training

Hours are Monday–Friday 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Salary is determined within pay grade based on qualifications such as prior law enforcement experience, college degree, military experience, and foreign language proficiency.
• Includes a signing bonus for fully qualified new county employees in the amount of $15,000.

Illustrative Duties

• Supervises inmate activities, prevents escapes, and maintains order, discipline and security.
• Takes appropriate action in emergency situations following riot, hostage, fire, and disaster plans.
• Executes and returns civil and criminal process, DMV suspension orders, court orders, levies, and evictions.
• Serves warrants and makes arrests.
• Gives testimony in court on actions taken during arrests and investigations in criminal matters.
• Secures courtrooms from disruption and violence.
• Escorts prisoners to and from courts and the Adult Detention Center.
• Provides on‑the‑job training for newer deputies.
• Processes inmates in and out of the Adult Detention Center.
• Oversees inmates in a specific area of the Adult Detention Center.
• Directs or escorts all inmates in an assigned area.
• Keeps a continual count of inmates in an assigned area.
• Oversees the handling and security of inmate property.
• Investigates complaints concerning missing, misplaced, or mishandled inmate property.
• Transports inmates and other individuals in custody by vehicle.
• Performs instructor duties at the Criminal Justice Academy.
• Prepares and conducts roll‑call training.
• Ensures accurate and current files are maintained for all supply transactions and office equipment repair.
• Performs routine law enforcement duties as required (e.g., traffic enforcement, accident response and investigation, criminal investigations).
• Maintains complete and accurate records and prepares clear and concise reports.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of policies, procedures and practices of the assigned functional area.
• Knowledge of federal, state and county laws and ordinances affecting duties.
• Knowledge of standard operating procedures, guidelines and riot, hostage, fire and disaster plans.
• Knowledge of the agency's information technology system (e.g., PC).
• Demonstrated skill in the use of firearms, defensive tactics and non‑lethal weapons.
• Ability to operate vehicles, emergency equipment, radio and CAD.
• Ability to effect a physical arrest.
• Ability to maintain a level of physical fitness appropriate to assignment.
• Ability to work a shift schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to work effectively under stress.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with staff, inmates and other agencies.
• Ability to handle situations requiring tact, diplomacy, fairness and good judgment.
• Ability to observe accurately and remember names, faces and details.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Employment Standards

• Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to a high school diploma or a GED issued by a state department of education.

Certificates and Licenses Required

• Valid motor vehicle driver's license at appointment.
• Within one year of appointment: Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer; Certification as a Jailor; Certification in Court Security/Civil Process; Certification in firearms proficiency.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be twenty‑one years old or within 180 days of 21st birthday at application.
• Must successfully complete a criminal background investigation, polygraph examination and a psychological examination.
• Must have never committed, been involved in, or been convicted of a felony offense; must not have been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony in Virginia or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, a sex offense or domestic assault.
• Must be able to obtain a Class A medical rating in the assigned medical group before appointment.
• Must be a non‑smoker at appointment and willing to sign a Condition of Employment Agreement to refrain from smoking, both on and off duty.
• Must be able to work a shift schedule including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Physical Requirements

All duties—firearms, defensive tactics, non‑lethal weapons, vehicle operation, emergency equipment, radio, CAD, and physical fitness—are performed with or without reasonable accommodations. Must work effectively under stress and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Selection Procedure

Applicant must successfully complete a background investigation including a polygraph, psychological and medical exam, and serve an initial probationary period of twelve months starting upon graduation from the appropriate training academy.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with many residents speaking languages other than English at home. We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation or military status in the recruitment, selection and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail]. EEO/AA/TTY.