Entry Level Tcole Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $78,457.60 Annually
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 2024-01040-E
Department: Certified Recruitment
Opening Date: 11/11/2025
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Entry Level Deputy position is open to all external candidates who are currently enrolled and active in a Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) program at a licensed outside academy, have an active Texas Peace Officer License in good standing, or are eligible for commissioning upon completion of BPOC.
NOTE:
• It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure all their TCOLE Training Mandates are up to date and ready to be commissioned
Candidates who meet all requirements and successfully complete all steps of the pre-employment process will be placed on an eligible list. Selections for any upcoming classes will be based on current eligible lists and conducted by the chain of command.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
NEW REQUIREMENTS

• Must be currently enrolled and active in a Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) program at a licensed outside academy
• Must hold an active Texas Peace Officer License in good standing or be eligible for commissioning upon completion of BPOC
• Valid Texas Driver's License and auto liability insurance
• Must successfully complete pre-employment PAT and firearm testing
• Must successfully complete an entire law enforcement background investigation
• Must pass Physical and Psychological evaluation as required per TCOLE
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen
• Eyesight must be correctable to 20/20 vision, standard color, and peripheral vision, correctable normal audible range in both ears
• Employment is contingent on successfully passing the Entry Level Deputy training
• Training will include firearms proficiency evaluation and diagnostic, but additional training will be offered if required

Candidates who previously applied for the Entry Level Deputy position and failed the psychological evaluation must wait 1 year from the evaluation date to reapply.
Application Process
Step 1
Submit a complete job application. The job application must thoroughly document education, experience, and veteran status. An incomplete application will not be considered.
Step 2
Qualified applicants who submit applications will be contacted to schedule testing:

• Candidates must complete a physical agility test that consists of a mile run in 11:30 minutes or less, 10 sit-ups in a minute, and 5 push-ups in a minute
• Firearm qualification.

Step 3
TCOLE requires that all Peace Officer candidates undergo a thorough background investigation, which may include a polygraph examination
Selected candidates will receive instructions to complete the online Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) and upload the required documents
The assigned Investigator will contact candidates for an interview
Candidates who do not complete this phase promptly may be removed from the pre-selection list.
Step 4
Based on the number of available positions, candidates will be sent for Physical and Psychological evaluations per TCOLE (Texas Commission of Law Enforcement) licensing requirements.
Step 5
Selected candidates will be contacted at least two weeks before the Academy start date.
PREFERENCES
Bachelor's Degree or higher formal education
Military Experience
GENERAL INFORMATION
TO APPLY:
COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

• Social Security Card
• Driver's License (front and back)
• Proof of Education: High School Diploma or Transcript, GED Certificate, or College Transcript (If transcripts, a sealed original will be required at the background investigation stage)
• DD-214 Military Discharge form (if applicable) (copy of original Member -4 Form)
• TCOLE Peace Officer license

Documents must be uploaded (attached) to the application before submitting.
Original documents will be required at the background investigation interview, along with three (3) letters of recommendation (must have a recent date, original signature, and undersigned Phone number). *The Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) provides its employees the ability to obtain the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Peace Officer Certification advancements at no cost through the HCSO Academy."
Citizenship Exceptions
Per SB 252, you may be eligible for TCOLE licensure if you have fulfilled all of the following requirements:

1. Must be a permanent legal resident
2. Must be an honorably discharged veteran from the United States armed forces with at least two years of active service (Must have a DD-214 that reflects service time and discharge status)
3. Must provide evidence that they have applied for United States Citizenship

BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as a defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
• 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement pension (TCDRS)
  • Flexible schedules (varies by department)
    • Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
01
Employees of the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) are exposed to confidential and law enforcement sensitive information. A thorough background investigation is required to properly evaluate the suitability of applicants for employment. For this reason, it is essential that you provide accurate information in all aspects of the process. The process will end for applicants who fail to provide truthful information. The following questions address information required to start the pre-qualifying requirements of the recruitment process. All information obtained herein will be used for purposes of initiating a background investigation only. Additional questionnaires will be required at later stages of the application process. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability.

• I have read the above statement and understand that by submitting this application I agree to be subject to a background investigation including but not limited to education, employment, driving record, criminal history, financial responsibility, or any such areas of investigation deemed reasonable and justifiable for purpose of employment with the HCSO.

02
Please provide your full name (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name (no initials)
03
Please provide your date of birth.
04
Please provide your place of birth (city, county, state, and country)
05
Please Provide your Social Security Number (SSN)
06
Please provide your current driver's license number, state, and expiration date. If you do not have a driver's license please enter N/A.
07
Are you currently a Certified Peace Officer in the State of Texas?

• Yes
• No

08
Please enter your TCOLE PID Number below. Type "N/A" if not applicable.
09
Which BPOC academy did you graduate from or are you currently enrolled in?
10
What is your projected graduation date from the BPOC?
11
What is the highest level of education you have completed? Please select from below. (Copy of official certificate, diploma and/or transcript must be attached to the application)

• High School Diploma (US)
• Certificate of High School Equivalency (GED)
• At least 30 college credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 grade point average
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

12
Which of the following best describes the longest work experience as a TCOLE Certified Peace Officer first responder within the same agency?

• Less than 12 months
• 12 to 59 months
• 60 to 72 months
• More than 73 months
• No experience

13
How many months of experience as a First Responder Peace Officer do you have at your current agency?

• Less than 6 months
• 6 to 11 months
• 12 to 18 months
• 19 to 24 months
• 25 to 47 months
• 48 months or more
• I don't have this experience

14
Did you ever serve in the United States military? How many months did you serve?

• Less than 12 months
• 12 to 23 months
• 24 to 35 months
• More than 36 months
• Not applicable - No military experience

15
Which branch of the military? Type "N/A" if not applicable
16
Did you receive an honorable discharge? (Copy of DD-214 is required with the application)

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

17
Are you currently commissioned and assigned as a HCSO Reserve Deputy?

• Yes
• No

18
If you are a Reserve Deputy with HCSO Reserve Command, which of the following best describes your completed number of hours as a First Responder?

• Less than 1040 hours
• 1040 to less than 2080 hours
• 2080 hours or more
• Not applicable, not a HCSO Reserve Deputy

19
Have you ever.... Please select all that apply.

• Been Convicted of a felony?
• Been accused/charged with a felony that was dismissed, received deferred adjudication and/or probation?
• Been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor, or the equivalent?
• Been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, or the equivalent within the last 10 years?
• Been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, or the equivalent over 10 years ago from today's date?
• Been accused/charged with a Class B misdemeanor or equivalent that was dismissed, received deferred adjudication and/or probation?
• Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces?
• None of the above

20
Please explain your answer below. Include type of offense, date charged and date of discharge.
21
The Harris County Sheriff's Office has a strict policy on drug usage. If selected you will be required to take a pre-employment drug screening. All HCSO employees are also subject to random drug testing during the course of their employment. Please answer the following drug use related questions truthfully, the admittance of past drug use will not necessarily prevent you from future employment with the HCSO.

• I acknowledge the HCSO has a strict drug use policy and that I will be subjected to a drug screening at some point in the recruitment process.

22
Have you ever sold/distributed illegal substances? (e.g. marijuana, prescription drugs, crack, meth, etc.)

• Yes
• No

23
If you answered yes, please provide the date(s) you sold/distributed an illegal substance and explain what kind of illegal substance you sold/distributed. If you answered "never", please type N/A.
24
Have you ever used any form of marijuana?

• Yes
• No

25
If yes, please select from below the answer that best describes the last time you used marijuana.

• Less than six months ago
• Longer than six months, but less than one year ago
• At least 18 months ago
• Two years ago or more
• Not applicable, never used marijuana

26
How many times have you used a prescription drug not prescribed to you?

• Click on arrow to select
• Once
• 2 or 3 times
• 4 or 5 times
• 6 or 7 times
• 8 or 9 times
• 10 or more times
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Never

27
When was the last possible date that you used a prescription drug not prescribed to you? Provide a specific date or at least month and year Type "N/A" if not applicable
28
Have you ever used any of the following drugs? (Select all that apply)

• Speed (Crystal meth, meth, crank, etc.)
• Cocaine
• LSD
• X.T.C. (Ecstasy)
• Heroine
• Steroids
• Opium
• Other illegal substances
• None of the above

29
If yes, please list the substance used and last possible date (day, month, year) you used any form of illegal drugs. Type "N/A" if not applicable
30
An Applicant must be willing to accept any assignment or shift within the Sheriff's Office, to include working on weekends and holidays, as well as additional shifts as needed. Are you willing to work any shift or hours assigned to you?

• Yes
• No

31
Submitting a complete application is the key to successful recruitment. Ple