Frequently
Asked Questions by Female Applicants
for Corrections/ Law Enforcement Sworn Positions
1) Is there a physical agility test?
2) What is the schedule like? I have children.
3) Are there promotional opportunities for women?
4) What happens if I fail the Job Specific Test?
5) Is there training available on how to handle the inmates?
6) Do female officers work with male inmates?
A: Yes, all applicants for the sworn positions are required to pass the job specific test. Each obstacle is designed to simulate duties that an officer may encounter while on duty. All applicants for these positions are required to meet the same standards regardless of gender or age.
2) What is the schedule like? I have children.
A: There are several schedules available in Corrections. There are 12 hour shifts: 6a-6p and 6p-6a. There are also 8 hour shifts: 6am-2pm, 2pm-10pm, 10pm-6am and 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, and 11pm-7am. The 12-hour shifts are designed so that you will have every other weekend off. The 8 hour shifts have fixed days off.
Law Enforcement is on a 10 hour shift schedule. The hours are: 6:30am-4pm, 3:30pm-1:30am, and 9pm-7am. Days off rotate every 28 days.
Assignments are determined as needed by command staff.
3) Are there promotional opportunities for women?
A: Yes, Travis County Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against race or gender. Our Civil Service Commission regulates procedures for promotion and ensures that all staff is treated fairly and equally.
4) What happens if I fail the Job Specific Test?
A: You will need to write to our HR Senior Analyst requesting to retest.
5) Is there training available on how to handle the inmates?
A: Yes, all of our cadets attend our Corrections Officer Basic Recruit Academy (COBRA). The academy is 280 hours. You will learn about inmate con games, unarmed self defense techniques, radio procedures, smoke house safety, handcuffing procedures, code of ethics, CPR, management of direct supervision jails and firearms training. Once you have completed COBRA, you will be assigned to work in the jail with a Field Training Officer for approximately 4 weeks. If you have not attended COBRA, you will be assigned with a Field Training Officer for 6 weeks.
6) Do female officers work with male inmates?
A: Yes, our female officers do work with male inmates.