Deputy Sheriff

Arlington County VA

Arlington, VA

NEW SALARY EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026: $67,017.60-$113,152.00 Annually

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Arlington County Sheriff's Office is offering the following sign on bonuses!

$5,000.00 – New hires. Receive $2,500.00 at hire, and $2,500.00 at completion of Field Officer Training. No contract required.
$10,000.00 – Former sworn staff gone for 12 months and still DCJS certified upon return. 3-year contract required. Bonus can be split into two payments.
$15,000.00 – Lateral transfer, from another certified agency. No academy required. 3-year contract required. Bonus can be split into two payments.

Arlington County Sheriff's Office, nationally recognized for Excellence and awarded re-accreditation by the American Correctional Association Commission (ACA), is now accepting applications for testing for Deputy Sheriff positions. In order to participate in testing, candidates will need to apply through this system (click on the word APPLY at the right margin of this job announcement to enter the application system). Applications will be reviewed daily and those who meet the selection criteria will receive email notifications inviting them to one of the testing sessions. A valid email address is required in order to receive correspondence regarding testing and the hiring process.

Employees in these positions work in all areas of the Sheriff's Office and may be assigned to any unit with daily interaction with inmates. New employees are initially assigned to our state of the art direct supervision Detention Facility. Deputies may rotate to other areas based on the needs of the Sheriff's Office. The majority of positions are assigned to the detention facility so the ability to transfer to other areas is minimal. Most employees work 12-hour fixed shifts (including days, nights, weekends and holidays) and 15 days per month. Deputies earn full salary and benefits while training at the Academy. The Detention Facility is accredited by the American Correctional Association (achieved by less than 4% of jails nationwide).

Specific duties include:

Supervising and monitoring the daily activities of inmates to include security within housing units, inmate visits, booking/processing, program activities, food service, recreation and general work assignments;
Managing inmate behavior and using appropriate force as necessary;
Supervising inmates assigned to Inmate Work Programs;
Receiving and screening the public seeking admittance to the facility; and
Processing inmates' personal property and money.

Other duties and assignments may include:

Court Security - secure courtrooms; monitor courts in session; escort prisoners to and from courts and the Detention Facility; perform security checks within the Courthouse; respond to security check problems and Courthouse incidents.

Warrant Process - serve legal papers; execute criminal warrants issued by the Court; take individuals into custody; and schedule and execute Court ordered evictions.

Transportation - transport inmates and other individuals in custody to/from other correctional facilities, hearings, medical facilities, doctor's appointments.

All assignments include writing reports and documenting incidents. The nature of the work necessitates an element of danger and requires physical exertion and the ability to make decisions under stress. Work is performed according to departmental policies and procedures and involves the potential for personal danger. The employee must be able to communicate effectively, solve problems, write concise reports, maintain good physical conditioning, and be able to act quickly and calmly as part of a team under potentially stressful conditions.