Civil service commission reports 37 deputy applications; 7 advanced to candidate status

Berkeley County’s civil service staff told commissioners on July 16 that 37 applications had been received for the open deputy sheriff hiring process and that seven applicants had reached “candidate” status by returning required documentation.

Staff described the application workflow: an applicant’s online submission is first reviewed; if initial screening identifies no automatic disqualifiers, the applicant is emailed a packet and must return three documents — medical certification, a notarized applicant statement, and an applicant statement — to reach candidate status.

As of the meeting staff reported 37 total applications, seven candidates, three rejections and one withdrawal. Examples cited by staff of automatic disqualifiers included: four moving violations within the disqualifying period (one applicant was rejected for this reason), recent marijuana use within the commission’s specified period (one applicant who reported use in September 2024 was rejected), and prior termination after positive tests for prohibited supplements (another applicant was rejected). One applicant withdrew after reporting asthma.

Recruitment outreach included print ads in three regional newspapers — Chambersburg, Waynesboro and the Herald-Mail of Hagerstown — and online job-board placements. Staff reported LocalIQ produced newspaper ad designs and that a county graphic artist, Matt Umstead, created a social-media ad the county circulated. As of one progress report, a job-board posting had recorded 344 views and 31 clicks.

Staff also told commissioners that county commission office employee Aliyah Tucker will assist while civil service staff are on vacation; templates and procedures were provided so the hiring process can continue.

Discussion vs. decision: the meeting recorded staff’s operational report and examples of rejections; commissioners asked staff to route potential automatic disqualifiers to at least one commissioner for review before final rejection in borderline cases.

Background: the commission recently revised rules and regulations that changed the time window and standards for disqualification for drug use and other conduct; staff said the changes were reflected in the screening process and the application form now available online.