Sheriff Jewell Williams is looking for a few good deputies – 50, to be exact – including 35 new recruits for a total of 354 uniformed sworn officers to fulfill one of the office’s new functions: guarding and protecting Philadelphia City Hall.
Williams told Philadelphia City Council in recent budget hearings that the office has become more efficient in recent years, stating in May 2018, they collected $61.3 million in the year prior – three times their budget – and $250 million since 2013.
“City civil service controls the hiring process for deputies,” a Sheriff’s Office spokesman explained via email. “Because we contribute additional non-tax funds to support the hiring of more deputies, they agreed to give us our own list.”
Applicants must have no criminal record to apply for the job, which comes with a starting salary of $44,622.
Currently, deputy sheriffs serve a variety of law enforcement functions includiing but not limited to: court officers in Philly’s legal institutions, transporting approximately 400 prisoners a day between city jails and the courts for hearings and trials, arrest fugitives who are wanted on various warrants, whether those are standard arrest warrants or for issues like non-payment of child support, as well as collect back taxes, and administer sheriff’s sales of tax-delinquent properties.
A Philadelphia deputy sheriff participating in the 2018 Juneteenth parade. (Courtesy of Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office)
Philly Sheriff is Hiring
Sheriff Jewell Williams brought his office a long way from when he took office in 2013, at which time he testified before City Council that the office was at a “critical point” and in “desperate need” of more funding to get more manpower and equipment.
To apply for a deputy sheriff position, candidates must complete a “Job Interest” Card online to be notified of the exam required for hiring, which will be scheduled between Dec. 31, 2018 and Jan. 18, 2019.
No prior experience is required, but applicants must:
–Pass background, medical and psychological exams
–Have a valid driver’s license, a high school diploma or GED, and reside in Philadelphia within six months of beginning work
–Applicants must pass the civil service test, take a physical exam, and as new hires, pass a 19-week course.
“Regular exposure to unpredictable conditions and physical effort is frequently required,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Visit PhillySheriff.com for more information or call 215-686-3530.
