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Deputy Sheriff-Qualifications & Benefits

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Qualifications

  • United States citizen
  • 21 years of age at time of appointment
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Valid driver's license
  • Extensive background investigation
  • Medical examination
  • Polygraph examination
  • Psychological examination
  • Non-smoker at time of appointment 

Benefits

 

25 year retirement
Deputy Sheriffs participate in the Fairfax County Uniformed Retirement System and are eligible to retire after 25 years of service. After 20 years of service, a Deputy Sheriff is eligible for early retirement. The retirement plan is employee and employer supported.
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Shift differential
Each employee who works a rotating schedule, including holidays, nights and weekends, will receive a shift differential of $.90 to $1.30 per hour worked each evening or overnight shift.
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12 paid holidays per year*
Every employee receives a day of pay for these 12 holidays (* number may vary by year). As a Deputy Sheriff, you may work on some of these holidays unless you work a daylight only schedule. If you are scheduled to work on a holiday, you will receive extra pay.
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13 days annual leave earned per year
Annual leave is accrued and granted for vacation and other personal reasons. Employees scheduled to work other than 80 hours per pay period will have leave credited on a pro-rated basis. Accumulation of annual leave is limited to 30 days.
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13 days sick leave earned per year
Sick leave is accrued and can be used when you are incapacitated by sickness or injury, for medical diagnosis or treatment, or for the necessary care and attendance, or death, of a member of your immediate family. Accumulation is unlimited.
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15 days military leave per year
An employee who is a member of the Reserves of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or the National Guard is eligible for paid military leave each year.
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Fairfax County Merit System job protection
Deputy Sheriffs become Merit System employees upon appointment. Deputy Sheriffs serve an initial probationary period of twelve months that starts on the date of graduation from the Criminal Justice Academy.
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Group health benefits
The county pays for a significant portion of health insurance coverage, regardless of the plan you choose. The remainder of the premium is deducted pre-tax from your paycheck. The county currently offers four health plans.
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Deferred compensation
The Deferred Compensation Program is a supplemental retirement savings program. The program allows employees to invest a portion of their pre-tax earnings in a variety of investment options. Deferrals reduce your taxable income.
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Optional disability, dental and life insurance

  • Long-term disability insurance provides a monthly benefit in the event of accident or extended illness. Employees pay the full cost of this benefit through bi-weekly payroll deductions.
  • Dental insurance is offered through Delta Dental PPO. Employees pay the full cost of this benefit through bi-weekly payroll deductions.
  • Each employee is provided with group term life insurance coverage equal to one time their annual salary rounded to the next higher $1,000 up to a maximum of $200,000. The county pays the premiums for this coverage. Coverage is effective on your 181st day of employment.

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College tuition assistance program
Funds are allocated each year by the Board of Supervisors to provide reimbursement to employees who work at least 20 hours per week and are eligible for other county benefits. Course work must be career-related and taken through an accredited institution.
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Free training
Each Deputy Sheriff must maintain 36 career development hours and 4 legal hours every two years to remain certified as a Deputy Sheriff.
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Free uniforms and equipment
Each Deputy Sheriff will receive from the agency, at no cost, the proper uniform and equipment needed to complete his or her job.
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Stipend for uniform care and shoe purchase
Each Deputy Sheriff will receive additional pay for uniform care and shoe purchase. The amount of the stipend may vary with duty assignment.
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Flexible spending accounts
The county offers two flexible spending accounts: Dependent Care Assistance Flexible Spending Account and Medical Spending Account. Flexible spending accounts are designed to let you set aside pre-tax earnings to pay for a variety of out-of-pocket medical and dependent care expenses.
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Annual pay increments (and cost of living allowances in most years)
Each Deputy Sheriff may receive a pay increment along with a cost of living increase in each calendar year. The decision regarding a pay increase is based on an employee's annual review and how much the county awards each agency for the cost of living allowance.
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