Sheriff Deputy I -Entry-Level

Frederick County Local Government; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking local government as a Deputy Sheriff I, where you can make a real impact in your community. This role offers fully paid training at a state-certified law enforcement academy, ensuring you have all the skills needed to succeed. You'll engage with the public, respond to emergencies, and enforce laws, all while having opportunities for career growth in specialty units and leadership roles. If you have a strong sense of integrity and a desire to help others, this is the perfect opportunity to serve and protect your community.

Benefits

Fully paid training

Opportunities for promotions

Specialty units (K9, SWAT, investigations)

Leadership roles

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
• Valid Driver’s License for at least 2 years required.

Responsibilities

• Respond to calls for service and ensure public safety.
• Investigate criminal activity and prepare detailed reports.
• Engage with the community through educational presentations.

Skills

Integrity

Calmness in challenging situations

Community engagement

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Frederick County Sheriff's Office Entry Level Deputy I Opportunity
(No experience and or law enforcement related certifications required)

Have you ever wanted a job where every day is different, where you can make a real impact, and where your community counts on you? Becoming a Sheriff’s Deputy I isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to serve, protect, and be a positive force in people’s lives. Whether you’ve worked in customer service, construction, healthcare, the military, or any other profession, your skills and experiences could make you a great fit.

You don’t need prior law enforcement experience—we’ll provide all the training and certifications you need to succeed. If you have a strong sense of integrity, a desire to help others, and the ability to stay calm in challenging situations, we encourage you to apply!

Why Join Us?

• No Experience? No Problem! We provide fully paid training at a state-certified law enforcement academy.
• Career Growth –Opportunities for promotions, specialty units (K9, SWAT, investigations), and leadership roles.
• Make a Difference –Protect and serve your community, help those in need, and build trust with the public.

What You’ll Do:

Key Responsibilities

As a Deputy I, you will:

• Respond to calls for service, emergencies, and complaints, ensuring public safety and resolving issues.
• Investigate criminal activity, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and prepare detailed reports.
• Enforce traffic laws, conduct accident investigations, and provide traffic control.
• Serve warrants, subpoenas, and legal documents, and make arrests as required.
• Engage with the community through public interactions, educational presentations, and proactive safety initiatives.

What We’re Looking For:

• A minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and possess High School diploma and/or GED.
• Possess a valid Driver’s License for a minimum of 2 years.

Deputy Sheriff Automatic Disqualifiers
Criminal History:

1. Any conviction or plea of guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
2. Conviction of any Class 1 or Class 2 misdemeanor, excluding traffic violations, or the Virginia State Law equivalent within the last 5 years.
3. Any conviction or plea of guilty or no contest to any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude including but not limited to petit larceny under Section 18.2-96 of the Code of Virginia or any offense involving moral turpitude that would be a misdemeanor if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
4. Any conviction or plea of guilty or no contest to any misdemeanor sex offense in the Commonwealth of Virginia, another state, or the United States.
5. Any conviction that requires registration in the Virginia Sex Offender Registry.
6. Adult commission of undetected crimes of a serious or repetitive nature.

Traffic Violations:

1. Three or more negative points on a Virginia Operator's License or the equivalent for out of state licenses.
2. A conviction of Driving Under the Influence of drugs or alcohol in the past three years, or more than one conviction of Driving Under the Influence in the applicant's lifetime.
3. Active revocation or suspension of driving privileges in any state.
4. A conviction in the previous three years of failure to stop after an accident (hit and run).
5. Involvement in two or more avoidable (at fault) motor vehicle accidents during the previous three years.

Drugs:

1. Sale or distribution of illegal drugs of any kind.
2. Any illegal use of cocaine or heroin, or any other controlled substance listed in Schedule I or Schedule II of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia in the past five (5) years.
3. Illegal use or possession of anabolic steroids within the last three (3) years.
4. Illegal use or possession of marijuana or a derivative thereof within the previous twelve (12) months at time of application.

Credit:
Demonstrated history of financial irresponsibility. Please call the academy staff to discuss your specific credit issues and concerns.

Others:

1. Past or current gang affiliation.
2. Dishonorable discharge from any military service.
3. Untruthfulness and/or the intentional withholding of information on any application, interview, or paperwork associated with the position.

Note:
This is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of background disqualifiers. Applicants who are successful in the initial testing will undergo a thorough background investigation, including polygraph examination.

To learn more about Frederick County Virginia employee benefits, please visit the following webpage: https://www.fcva.us/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits

All positions are subject to a criminal background check for any convictions that relate to the job duties and responsibilities. Frederick County Virginia Government is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The County’s EEO Utilization Report is available at www.fcva.us/jobs