Richmond County Sheriff's Office

Phone: 706-821-1000 911 for Emergencies

The Hiring Process

It is the policy of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to recruit, hire and retain the most qualified personnel in accordance with established Richmond County Sheriff’s Office policy, in accordance with applicable Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.

All elements of the selection process for sworn personnel shall be based upon criteria and minimum qualifications that are strictly job-related. All elements shall be administered, scored, evaluated and interpreted in a uniform manner.

Requirements

Any person employed as a Deputy Sheriff/Deputy Jailer with this Agency shall:

  • Be at least 21 years of age;
  • Be a citizen of the United States;
  • Possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
  • Complete the COMPASS or ASSET exam for those applying with Jailer Certification, Corrections Certification, Juvenile Corrections certification, or no Certification whatsoever;
  • Not have been convicted by any state or by the Federal Government of any crime, for which the punishment could have been imprisonment in the Federal or State prison or institution; nor have been convicted of sufficient misdemeanors to establish a pattern of disregard for the law; nor have been convicted of a domestic violence offense;
  • Be fingerprinted and a search made of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record;
  • Possess good moral character as determined by the Applicant Screening Board and background investigation;
  • Have an oral interview to determine the applicant’s appearance, background, and ability to communicate;
  • Complete a psychological screening to determine the applicant’s emotional stability and psychological fitness;
  • Be found, after examination by a licensed physician or surgeon, to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental conditions which might adversely affect their exercising the powers or duties as set for in the job description; and
  • Successfully complete the job related academy as provided for by this agency.

Application

All applications must be submitted in person, as the criminaland  driver’s history waiver must be signed, and accompanied by LEGIBLE COPIES (NO ORIGINALS) of the following documents:

  • DD214 Member-4 (for those with military service);
  • High School Diploma; Official transcript bearing the graduation date; or G.E.D. Certificate;
  • Official Certificate of satisfactory completion of the COMPASS or ASSET exam;
  • Birth Certificate;
  • Social Security Card ;
  • Valid Georgia or South Carolina driver’s license (depending upon residency); and
  • Copies of any other job related documents you desire.

Applicants will be screened out at this point if they fail to meet any of the above criteria. Applicants who are screened out will receive an email or letter stating they are no longer being considered for the requested position.

Process

When vacancies occur:

  • Applications are reviewed for detail and experience. Complete applications are reviewed by Management Services as received, and then forwarded to Personnel.
  • A criminal history and driver’s record check is completed.
  • Interviews are scheduled with the Applicant Screening Board. When vacancies exist, interviews are scheduled from the current pool of completed applications.
  • Applicants will be administered a psychological screening exam to determine emotional and psychological fitness. Psychological screening will be scheduled immediately following successful completion of the oral interview. (Pending)
  • Applicants will be administered a pre-employment polygraph examination. All applicants successfully completing the psychological screening will be scheduled a polygraph exam within 5 business days.
  • Applicant’s pre-employment files will be forwarded to Internal Affairs for a background investigation. Files of all applicants passing the polygraph exam will immediately be forwarded to Internal Affairs so that a background check can be completed. This check will include the verification of all qualifying credentials, a review of the applicant’s criminal history, a review of the applicant’s employment history, and the verification of at least 3 references.
  • Applicants approved by the Board, and successfully passing all other phases listed above will then meet with the Sheriff and/or his Senior Leadership Team.
  • Applicants successfully completing all phases of the hiring process will at this point be given a contingent offer of employment with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office dependent upon the successful completion of a physical examination and drug screening administered by licensed medical personnel. This examination will be scheduled as soon as possible, and in conjunction with the physician’s appointment schedule.
  • The hiring process, barring any unforeseen obstacles, should take no longer than six weeks. There are however, circumstances that could extend the process. These include, but are not limited to the responsiveness of former employers and references, the unavailability of appointments for the physical exam, or the fact that new employees can only be hired at the start of a new pay period.

Notification and Retention of Records

Any applicants that are determined ineligible for employment shall be notified in writing within 30 days of the determination of ineligibility. The notification will inform the applicant if they are allowed to re-apply in the future.

Files of all applicants that hired will become part of the Personnel filing system which is maintained for the duration of the employee’s employment. These files will remain in the filing system, and will not be permitted outside the Personnel Office except by order of the Sheriff. All medical and HIPPA related documents will be maintained within a separate sealed envelope within the personnel file.

Files of those applicants not hired will be destroyed after a period of two years.

Re-employment

Sworn employees who resign their position voluntarily may be considered for re-employment based on the needs of the Sheriff’s Office and their past employment record. Sworn employees who are terminated for cause are not eligible for re-employment.

Probationary Status

All sworn personnel are required to complete a minimum 12 month new-hire probationary period.

Richmond County is an equal opportunity employer.