Deputy Sheriff
Mission Statement: To serve our community by helping to provide a safe environment for citizens to live, work, raise families, and enhance their quality of life by providing excellent law enforcement services and always seeking to promote mutual trust and respect.
Charleston County Sheriff's Office is one of the premier Law Enforcement Agencies in South Carolina. We strive to serve the Charleston County Community by building trust and confidence, and being responsive to community needs utilizing integrity, commitment, vision and cooperation. If you have these qualities and want to make a real difference in your community, we welcome you to join one of the most progressive and well-equipped agencies in the Southeast.
Apply Online Now!
Job Description
As a Charleston County Deputy Sheriff, you will join a premier law enforcement agency with an outstanding team of law enforcement professionals striving to serve our community by helping to provide a safe environment for citizens to live, work and raise families, and enhance their quality of life by providing excellent law enforcement services.
The duties of this position include all general law enforcement functions including:
- patrolling all areas of Charleston County (as assigned)
- responding to all calls for assistance
- traffic enforcement
- investigation of criminal activity including the arrest of violators
- preparation of applicable documents
- issuance of citations
- service of warrants
- and all other duties pertaining to the enforcement of laws and ordinances as prescribed by SC law.
As a Deputy Sheriff with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of specialized units such as: Criminal Investigation, Narcotics/Vice, K-9, Marine Patrol, Traffic, Animal Control, Forensic Services, Warrants, General Sessions and Family Courts, Transport, and Civil Process.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School diploma from an accredited school or GED
- U.S. Citizen 21 years of age or older
- Valid SC driver's license. For out-of-state applicants, must obtain a SC driver's license upon acceptance of the position
- No criminal convictions carrying a sentence of more than 1 year
- Must be able to pass certification class at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy within 1 year of hire
Immediate Disqualifiers
- Felony convictions
- Certain past drug use will result in disqualification
- Marijuana use in the last 365 days
- DUIs in the last 5 years
- Less than Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Military
- Judgements or Liens
- Default on student loans
- Pending criminal or civil cases
- Arrears in child support payments
- Poor driving history
If you have questions, please contact the Recruiter or Human Resources.
Sheriff's Human Resources Office
Phone: (843) 554-2499
Benefits
- Pay commensurate with education and experience
- Health, Life, Vision, Dental and Disability Insurance
- Vacation and Sick Leave
- 10 County Holidays Observed
- Uniforms and Equipment Provided
- Police Retirement Plan
- Training Opportunities
- Take-Home Car
- Merit and Longevity Pay Increases
- Deferred Compensation Plan (optional)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee Wellness Program
- Approved for the GI Bill®
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
Application Instructions
Submit your application online
- Submit your application online.
- Our dedicated recruiter will review your application upon receipt. Should you meet minimum qualifications based on your application, the recruiter will reach out for initial prescreening.
- Please see the Selection Process for a full list of application steps.
Selection Process
Charleston County Sheriff's Office is one of the most premier Law Enforcement Agencies in South Carolina, we strive to serve the Charleston County Community by building trust and confidence, and being responsive to community needs utilizing integrity, commitment, vision and cooperation. If you have these qualities and want to make a real difference in your community, we welcome you to join one of the most progressive and well equipped agencies in the Southeast.
We are looking for honest, hard working and creative individuals who have a passion for protecting their community and serving others.
- HR Application Review/Phone Screen
- Invitation to Vetted: Background Check Platform
- Must complete waivers, personal history statement, and applicant questionnaire
- Ability to upload required documents:
- Birth Certificate - Social Security Card - Driver's License
- Certified Driver's History from each state licensed in the past 10 years; EXCLUDING South Carolina. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office will obtain your SC driving history directly.
- High School Diploma or GED
- DD214-Member 4 Copy (Military Applicants Only)
- Official College Transcripts (College graduates only.) May be obtained from parchment.com and emailed directly to your recruiter.
- Police Officer Selection Test
- PAT Test (Physical Ability Test) must be completed in at least 2 minutes and 6 seconds (2:06)
- Panel Interview
- Background Investigation
- NCIC Check (National Crime Information Center)
- No felonies
- No DUIs within past 5 years
- Certain past drug use will result in disqualification
- No Marijuana use in the last 365 days
- Credit Check
- No liens or court judgements
- No defaulted student loans
- Polygraph
- Psychological Examination
- Pre-Employment Medical Evaluation
Preparing for the Interview Tips
Research the organization
- This will help you answer questions — and stand out from less-prepared candidates.
- Seek background information.
- Visit the organization's website to ensure that you understand the breadth of what they do.
- Review the organization's background and mission statement.
Compare your skills and qualifications to the job requirements
- Analyze the job description. Outline the knowledge, skills and abilities required.
- Look side-by-side. Compare what the employer is seeking to your qualifications.
Prepare responses
- Know what to say if you anticipate specific questions.
Pay attention to non-verbal communication
- Be mindful. Nonverbal communication speaks volumes.
- Project confidence. Smile, establish eye contact and use a firm handshake.
- Posture counts. Sit up straight yet comfortably. Be aware of nervous gestures such as foot-tapping.
- Be attentive. Don't stare, but maintain good eye contact, while addressing all aspects of an interviewer's questions.
- Manage reactions. Facial expressions provide clues to your feelings. Manage how you react, and project a positive image.
Follow up
- Many interviews end with
Do you have any questions?
- Be strategic. Cover information not discussed or clarify a previous topic — do not ask for information that can be found on the organization's website.
- In your opinion, what makes this organization a great place to work?
- Tell me about the organization's culture?
- What are the opportunities for advancement?
- What are the next steps in the hiring process?
What to wear?
- Professional Business Attire
- Go Neutral
- Plug in the iron
- Dress to Impress
Men's Attire
- Suit (Navy blue, grey, black)
- Collared Button up Shirt
- Tie/ Bowtie
- Polished Shoes
Women's Attire
- Suit (Navy Blue, Brown, Grey, Black)
- Collared Shirt
- Pants or knee length skirt
- Pantyhose
- Proper Shoes
Recruit Training
All Deputy Sheriffs will be certified upon completion of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy where they will study criminal law, self–defense, firearms, driving and physical fitness with a variety of other topics. After basic certification, deputies will return to Charleston County where they will attend field training. After they are released from field training, the deputy is assigned to a Patrol Team.
Field training will be at least 4 weeks for in-state certified officers, at least 6 weeks for out-of-state certified officers, and at least 12 weeks for recently certified officers.
After the one-year probation period, you may consider applying for one of the specialized units: K9, Aviation, Marine Patrol, Criminal Investigations Unit, Forensic Services Unit, Selective Traffic Enforcement, Warrants, Court Security, Bomb Team, Narcotics and Community Affairs.
In addition to specialized units, we also offer collateral duties: Marine Patrol, Aviation, Honor Guard, Underwater Recovery Team, Search and Rescue, SWAT, Crisis Negotiator, and Civil Disturbance.
Pay Scale
Base Pay $54,471 - $68,515 (Estimated Annual Salary)
- Associates Degree - $1,000 added to base salary
- Bachelor's Degree - $2,000 added to base salary
- Masters Degree - $3,000 added to base salary
Longevity raises are awarded at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and every 5 years after year 10.
Merit raises begin at 6 years of service and are awarded in non-longevity years.
Internship Program
The Charleston County Sheriff's Office offers internship opportunities to college students.
The Intern must be enrolled in an accredited program. The application process for the Program requires completing the application and participating in an Interview.
The Interview Committee will be made up of leadership from both the Training Division and The Community Service Unit that will determine final selections for applicants.
Our Internship Program will expose the participant to as many aspects of law enforcement as feasibly possible. A rough estimation is that 70% of the Interns required hours would be with the Patrol Division, actually riding with Patrol Deputies during their shift. The remaining 30% would be comprised of time spent with Specialized Units, and the Administrative side of the house.
Due to privacy laws and regulations, there are certain units that interns are prohibited from entering, but for those units a presentation will be provided to explain their function. In addition, Interns will attend Community Meetings with a member of the Community Services Unit, this will allow the Intern to observe the community interaction dynamic with The Charleston County Sheriff's Office.
For more information on the Internship Program, please contact
Sergeant Emily Hairfield
Phone: (843) 529-5319
Recruiter
For more information on the Internship Program, please contact:
Sergeant Emily Hairfield
Phone: (843) 529-5319
