MAY I APPLY FOR MORE THAN POSITION?

Answer: Yes, an applicant can apply for more than one position. You may refer to the Department Brochure for the qualifications and minimum requirements for employment with the Sheriff's Department. In this employment packet, you will see the qualifications for the positions of Deputy, Corrections Officer, and Clerical staff. Also available are specific job descriptions of the particular position for which you are applying for.

WHEN WILL I HEAR FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REGARDING THE STATUS OF MY APPLICATION?

Answer: Your application will be placed on file with our department for a period of 1 year pending a testing session, in which you may or may not receive a test date. You will not be contacted by the Personnel Office until a test session date is determined (testing sessions are scheduled as deemed necessary by the department); therefore, we ask that you do not call inquiring about the "status" of your application, since it will be considered "pending." If you are selected to proceed in the process, you will be sent a "continued process letter" and if you are not selected to continue, you will be sent a letter stated you were not selected during this processing period. Contact with you is made through a Personnel Officer to the address and or phone number you provided. If you have moved since completing your application, call the office with those change(s).

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY APPLICATION IS BEING CONSIDERED?

Answer: Once the Personnel Office receives your application, it is placed in our computer system according to the date received and position sought. Subsequently, a preliminary criminal history check is generated to determine if you qualify under the "Criminal History" criteria only,(e.g., outstanding warrants(s), unfavorable criminal history, etc.). when this has been established, you may or may not be contacted for a testing date.

Once again due to the many applications received each day or due to one or more of the circumstances listed in this packet.

As posted employment positions become available, applicants will be contacted in order their application was submitted to this department. There is a large volume of applications received daily. Unfortunately, applications far outnumber the employment positions and only a small portion of the applicants will be contacted for a testing session. (NOTE: Applications remain on file for a 1 year period only.) You will be contacted concerning our next testing date, with the location and at what time the test will be administered.

If you have submitted your application to this Department in the past and have not heard from us, it may have been due to one or more of the following reasons:

(a) You did not meet one or more of the Department minimum requirements,

(b) The position you are seeking was not available during that 1 year period, and/or

(c) The Department was unable to contact you due to an incorrect address.

HOW LONG DOES THE ENTIRE PROCESS TAKE?

Answer: This question is very difficult to answer since everyone's background varies. Furthermore, not all applicants are required to undergo all phases (e.g., a clerical applicant is not required to undergo the Agility Test.

All applicants will be required to successfully pass all required phase(s) of the employment process for the particular position sought and will do so at the direction of the Deputy Chief or designated Personnel officer.

Ultimately, your completed file will be forwarded to the Sheriff, Deputy Chiefs and others on the Review Board for their consideration for employment. Upon their review, you may or may not be contacted for an interview with the Review Board and the Sheriff.

IF I AM ACCEPTED FOR EMPLOYMENT, WHERE WILL I BE ASSIGNED AND ON WHAT SHIFT?

Answer: That information will be provided to you during your orientation period. During this period you will receive a tour of the Department and the mission of each division. Assignment will depend on whether you applied for Corrections division, Law Enforcement division or Clerical. If you read the brochure you will see their are many different areas of each division to pursue. All Corrections and Law Enforcement applicants may be required to work shift work (including holidays and weekends). As a new employee, you are required to work a forty-hour work week, and you will have two consecutive days off.

For example, you may be assigned to night shift with Monday/Tuesday off until you build the seniority to be eligible for a more favorable assignment. The same applies whether you apply for Corrections division or Law Enforcement division.

However, there are different functions of each division, you may refer to the department brochure for more information regarding different job functions within each division. In another words it depends on what position, and division you apply for in regard to what shift or assignment you receive.

WILL THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT STOP ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS?

Answer: The Sheriff's Department will accept applications for as long as deemed necessary. At any given time, we may find it appropriate to discontinue accepting applications. We suggest that you contact our Personnel office (409) 835-8411 or 726-2500 to verify which positions are posted.

CAN I BE HIRED AS A CORRECTIONS OFFICER IF I'M NOT TCLEOSE CERTIFIED?

Answer: Yes, you can be hired, You have 1 year to complete the TCLEOSE Corrections Officer Academy from hire date. If you do not have 60 hrs. of college you may sign a educational waiver stating that you will have 60 hrs. college within 5 years of hire date.

What is TCLEOSE?

Answer:TCLEOSE is the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. This state agency sets the standards, regulations and guidelines for all Law Enforcement training within the state of Texas. For example, this agency administers the state licensing exam for certification

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY APPLICANTS.

Question: Isn't Law Enforcement and Corrections work dangerous?

Answer: Surprisingly, this type of work is less dangerous than many other occupations. After extensive training and much exposure you are prepared to do the job.

Question: Am I too small or not strong enough to be a Deputy Sheriff or Corrections Officer?

Answer: You find yourself using your mind more than your physical abilities. Once again the extensive training you receive in the Corrections or Peace Officer academy will make you proficient in defensive tactics and verbal commands.

Question: I'm afraid of guns, will I have to use one?

Answer: Unfortunately, firearms are a needed tool of the Law Enforcement and Corrections profession. However depending on what division you apply for will depend on whether or not you will use a firearm in the course of your duties. For example, if you apply for Corrections you will be trained to use firearms however, you may or may not use them in the course of your duties. If you apply for Law Enforcement division, you will be trained to use a firearm and be required to carry one while on duty. The good thing is the majority of Peace officers go their entire career with out having to discharge their weapon. The fear will eliminate itself as you become trained and proficient in firearms training.

Question: What if my family doesn't agree with me choosing this profession?

Answer: Your family will overcome their reservations once they realize the important and vital role you play in our community. You are serving and protecting the citizens whether you work in the Correctional facility or patrolling the streets.

Question: Do male officers treat female officers as equal?

Answer: Yes. Correction Officers and Deputies understand the need to work as a team and for that reason they assist each other regardless of gender.

Question: As a Corrections officer will I have to work in a dormitory within the Correctional facility?

Answer: Yes, for the first few years you will be required to work in the correctional facility. However, once you gain seniority and after you complete your probationary period of 1 year you may bid for other jobs within the facility and test for promotions such as: Sergeant, ect.. when their is an opening in the Law Enforcement Division you may test for that position, If you are a TCLEOSE Certified Peace Officer.

Question: Is the Correctional and Peace Officer training very hard and intense?

Answer: Yes. The physical training is very intense and strenuous. If an individual has not exercised in sometime, the physical training could be difficult. The training staff in the Correctional and Peace officer academy will provide assistance to any cadet that needs additional training.

Question: Will I be required to have a partner when I begin working in Patrol or the Correctional Facility?

Answer: Yes. While working in the Correctional Facility or in Patrol you will be working with a partner while you are a probationary officer while completing the field training program in the Correctional Facility or in Patrol.

Question: What are the duties of a Correctional Officer, Communications Officer, Clerk, and Peace Officer?

Answer: The Duties: include the following, but not limited to:

Corrections Officer:

1) MAKE SECURITY ROUNDS INSIDE DORMS AND OTHER AREAS OF THE FACILITY.

2) INSPECT DORMS FOR CLEANLINESS

3) ENFORCE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE FACILITY AND DORM 4) WRITE DISCIPLINARY AND INCIDENT REPORTS

5) OPERATE RADIO, TO COMMUNICATE WITHIN THE FACILITY

6) CONDUCT SEARCHES WITHIN THE FACILITY AND DORM AREA

***** AND MANY OTHER DUTIES NOT MENTIONED ******

Communications Officer:

1) OPERATES ASSIGNED RADIO FREQUENCIES, RECEIVING FROM AND TRANSMITTING TO AUTHORIZED UNITS.

2) PERFORMS 911 DUTIES. ANSWERS TELEPHONES..ETC

3) PERFORMS EMERGENCY DISPATCH DUTIES, ANSWERS TELEPHONES, TRANSFERS CALLERS TO APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS, ENTERS DATA INTO COMPUTER AND PROVIDES INFORMATION.

4) PERFORMS TLETS SYSTEM DUTIES.

5) MAINTAINS RECORDS AND FILES PERTAINING TO DISPATCH CENTER OPERATIONS.

***** AND MANY OTHER DUTIES NOT MENTIONED *****

Clerk:

1) FILES MEMORANDA, LETTERS, DOCUMENTS AND OTHER RELATED DUTIES.

2) ANSWERS TELEPHONES AND TAKE MESSAGES.

3) TYPES REPORTS AND DOCUMENTS FOR APPROVAL, ENTER COMPUTER DATA.

***** AND MANY OTHER DUTIES NOT MENTIONED *****

Deputy:

1) ENFORCE LAWS. APPREHENDS VIOLATORS, INVESTIGATES VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW. PREPARES REPORT AND DOCUMENTS RELATED TO OFFENSES WHICH ARE SUBMITTED TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES.

2) MAINTAINS ORDER. DETERS VIOLATIONS, INTERVENES IN ADVERSE SITUATIONS. PROTECTS PEOPLE AND PROPERTY FROM INJURY AND DAMAGE.

***** AND MANY OTHER DUTIES NOT MENTIONED *****