Frequently Asked Questions

Applications received for Patrol and Corrections are reviewed for minimum qualifications, then referred to a member of the Command Staff in the area indicated by the applicant (Patrol or Corrections) for review of additional qualifications. --If you do not meet minimum qualifications, you will not likely receive notification from BCSO.

--If you meet minimum qualifications AND your application is selected for further consideration, you will receive an email inviting you to take the appropriate exam (Patrol or Corrections), submit required forms and documents, etc. THIS INVITATION MAY TAKE UP TO THREE MONTHS TO RECEIVE due to our exam schedule and screening & selection processes. --If your application is NOT selected for further consideration, you will not receive an invitation, or an email from BCSO unless you have made a separate inquiry, to which BCSO will respond.

BCSO's screening and selection process includes the following steps: --Email invitation to take the written exam, with instructions on what to bring to the exam --Delivery to BCSO by the applicant at the exam of the following forms and documents: >>Copies of valid driver license, SS card, HS diploma/GED certificate, birth certificate, and DD-214 (if former military), >>Signed authorization forms for a credit check, background investigation, Notice to Applicant & Agreement, PREA form (these forms are available for download at the following link: ) >>Completed and signed Personal History Statement (this form is available for download at the above forms link) --Written exam (which tests for math, reading comprehension, and basic reasoning skills), writing exercise (to evaluate your ability to communicate in writing), and a physical exercise (this exercise is NOT "pass-fail"). Exams are typically conducted 3x per year, on a Saturday morning. --Credit check and NCIC report --Review by Command Staff of each applicant's file, which contains application, exam score, writing exercise, physical exercise results, credit report, NCIC report, Personal History Statement, any referrals, all documents and forms provided before taking the exam, and any other information in the applicant's file at that time --Selection of applicants invited to continue in the screening process: >>Email to applicants NOT invited to continue in the screening process, advising that BCSO is focusing on other applicants at this time >>Email to applicants who are invited to continue, advising that a panel interview followed by a meeting with the Deputy Chief will be scheduled --Invitation to Panel Interview and meeting with Deputy Chief --Evaluation of Panel Interview results and meeting with Deputy Chief.....selection of applicants to be invited to continue in the screening process --Email to applicants advising they are proceeding to a background investigation (or not proceeding further in the screening process) --Referral of selected applicant's file to the background investigator --Background Investigation (this may take several weeks) --Review of background investigation results and review of departmental open positions, funding, and authorization to fill an open position --Selection of applicants invited to continue in the screening process: >>Email to applicants NOT invited to continue in the screening process advising that BCSO is focusing on other applicants at this time >>Email to applicants invited to continue: --Conditional Offer of Probationary Employment issued + instructions on the following: --Physical exam and drug screen --Psychological evaluation by a licensed psychologist --Polygraph exam by a licensed polygraph examiner --Review of the above exams/evaluations and selection of most qualified applicants for an employment offer --Offer of Probationary Employment to those applicants who successfully completed the above steps and were selected for employment

Typically 3-4 months...sometimes longer.

Typically three times a year for Patrol and Corrections.

YES: (a) Failure to meet minimum qualifications (minimum age, U.S. citizen, valid driver license, H.S. diploma/GED certificate), (b) Failure to pass the written exam, the physical exam, the drug screen, the psychological evaluation, or the polygraph exam, (c) Failure to provide required documents and forms, (d) Falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting required information or documents, (e) Illegal drug use or sale within certain time periods, (f) Having a current Order or Protection or Restraining Order against you, (g) Felony convictions that are not expunged may be disqualifying, (h) DUI conviction in the previous 10 years (for Patrol), (i) Less than Honorable discharge from the military, and (j) Other events you disclose or we discover may be disqualifying.

No: Our applicant screening and selection processes are designed to efficiently select the most qualified applicants for Patrol and Corrections positions. Testing in groups, 3x per year, has proven to be efficient and effective for BCSO.

Although you can call Blount County Sheriff's Office, please do so only once. --If selected to continue in our process, you will be notified by email (be sure to read your email regularly, as that's our customary method of communication). --If NOT selected to continue in our process, you will most likely NOT be notified.

Yes. BCSO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status in employment opportunities and benefits.

Yes

That determination is made on a case-by-case basis based on your training and experience. If selected to take the exam, please furnish a copy of all law enforcement training certificates, transcripts and course curricula along with the other forms and documents we require.