Employment 

The Sheriff's Office seeks qualified and highly motivated individuals who are interested in a challenging and rewarding career opportunity.

Minimum requirements for sworn positions:

• Must meet all of the requirements stated in the VA Code 15.2-1705.
• Citizen of the United States
• Undergo a background investigation, including fingerprinting-based criminal history records inquiries to both the Central Criminal Records Exchange and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
• High school education or passed the General Educational Development Exam
• Possess a valid Virginia operator's license or be able to obtain a valid Virginia operator's license within 30 days of employment
• Good health and physical condition. Must pass a physical examination subsequent to offer of employment, conducted under the supervision of a licensed physician.
• Older than 18 years of age, generally, not less than 21 years of age for law enforcement assignments
• Good moral character and reputation
• Have eyesight corrected to 20/20 and normal hearing
• Good credit rating

Prior to employment, an extensive background investigation will be conducted. All applicants may be requested to pass a written practical aptitude test and psychological examination by a licensed psychiatrist. Applicants for all sworn positions will be required to successfully complete a physical fitness test consisting of a one-and-a-half-mile timed run not to exceed 20 minutes.  Appointments of the best-qualified applicants will be made solely at the discretion of the Sheriff.

Individuals meeting the minimum requirements are invited to complete and submit the employment application. For more information on employment at the Sheriff's Office, please call 540-382-6915 ext. 44407.

Internships

The Sheriff’s Office offers an unpaid intern program designed to provide college students with insight into the Virginia Criminal Justice System through observation and limited practical application. Interns observe and participate in every facet of police work including patrol, investigation, records, communications, corrections, court security, civil process, administration, and support functions. In addition, the students will be exposed to other elements of the criminal justice system such as probation and parole, court proceedings, and juvenile and domestic relations activities.

The law enforcement student internship program is designed to provide students at least 18 years old with first-hand experience in the law enforcement field, and exposure to the criminal justice system.

• Students from colleges or universities can request participation at any time.
• Student internships are designed to satisfy the needs and requirements of the college/university and the student.
• Only one intern is accepted per semester. 

Conditions

• Participation is based upon mutual agreement between the participant and the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff has full discretion and authority to accept or reject any application for participation in the program.
• A check of local, state, and national criminal histories and background investigations will be conducted on each program applicant prior to acceptance into the program. Negative information contained in these records may be grounds for denial of the application. Grounds for application denial include, but are not limited to:
  • Criminal conviction
  • Association with known criminals
  • Gang membership, participation, or association
  • Participation in other criminal misconduct known to this agency
  • Any criminal or other act that would tend to discredit, bring disrepute upon, or otherwise reflect unfavorably upon the Sheriff’s Office will constitute grounds for dismissal from the program. This includes any acts committed prior to admission into the program or acts committed during participation in the program.

Please submit completed applications to Lt. Mark Hollandsworth at hollandsworthme@vamcso.org

Deadlines

• June 1 for fall semester
• October 1 for spring semester
• April 1 for summer semester applicants

Transcripts
Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended must be submitted by the application deadline. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application, but official copies will be required for selected applicants.

Resumes may be submitted in addition to the application and are encouraged but will not take the place of the application.