How to become employed by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office:

1. Apply.  Once it is determined to begin a hiring process, the Department will send out messages on our social media pages (Facebook – @fredcovaso) as well as other media outlets announcing the hiring process, and the deadline for applying. Applications can be located at the Frederick County Human Resources Department application website.
2. Application Review.  Your application will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department for specific information and any disqualifying items that could prevent you from becoming a certified law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you meet the minimum qualifications, then you will continue in our process.
3. Pre-employment Evaluations.
   • Take the Written Examination.  You will be mailed a letter indicating the time and location of the written examination.The written examination is an exercise which assesses your observational, listening, and written communication skills by viewing a video-based simulation exercise.
   • Take the Physical Agility Test.  The physical agility test consists of four (4) components that evaluate the ability to perform essential job functions and tasks at incident scenes.All physical components are scored either pass or fail. Successful candidates will also be fingerprinted at this time for background investigations by the FCSO Investigations Division.
   • Video-Taped Interview.  The candidate will participate in an on-the-spot interview. The responses provided by the candidate will be recorded for review by a panel of industry professionals.
4. Background Investigator Interview.  Candidates will meet with an assigned background investigator and review their profile for errors and missing information. The investigator will ask a series of standardized questions regarding the candidate’s prior employment history, interest in law enforcement and other pertinent information to evaluate an individual’s eligibility for hire. The candidate’s profile will be good for one (1) year from the date of the opening of the hiring process.
5. Supplemental Application.  Candidates will receive a supplemental packet of documents to be completed by hand. All forms and required documents will need to be completed and returned within five business days from the interview date. The packet may be mailed via United States Postal Service to the address below or delivered in person, in a sealed envelope, to the front desk between the hours of 8a-4p Monday through Friday.
6. Contingent Offer.  Candidates will receive a contingent offer of employment should they be considered to have successfully completed the previous evaluations and be selected to continue through the hiring process.
7. Polygraph Examination.  Individuals will be evaluated by a certified polygraphist who will review the verified profile and ask a series of standardized questions pertinent to potential employment in Public Safety. Based upon submitted answers, an electronic printout and score will be compiled for each candidate. Candidates who successfully complete the evaluation will continue through the hiring process.
8. Medical Clearance.  Candidates must then obtain a medical clearance by way of a Physical Examination where they will undergo a drug and thorough medical screening, including laboratory and cardiovascular evaluation, to ensure they are healthy to hire.
9. Psychological Examination.  Candidates will be evaluated by a licensed Psychologist to determine the candidate’s mental reliability to perform the job of a Deputy Sheriff.

If you have been selected for hiring, you will be given a firm offer of employment confirming a start date and New Hire Orientation date. You will be enrolled in Skyline Regional Criminal Justice Academy which is a twenty-week (20) Recruit School. During this time, new recruits will receive training to become a certified Law Enforcement Officer through the Department of Criminal Justice Services.