FAQs and Definitions

Per CSC policy Ch1, Part I, Section 1.13, The Commission's Rules apply to all non-temporary employees of TCSO, both civilian and sworn employees, who have completed their period of probationary status and whom the Sheriff has not specifically designated as exempt from the Commission's Rules.

Per CSC policy Ch. 1, Part II, Section 1.24.2, Upon determining just cause, the Sheriff or his or her Designee has the authority to return an employee to his or her prior position or rank at any time while an employee is on Provisional Status or they may impose an extended Provisional Status for up to six (6) more months if the employee's documented work performance is inadequate and would benefit from an additional six (6) months of probationary status.

Per CSC policy Ch.1, Part II, Section 1.25, Employees on Provisional Status who receive a notice to return to their prior position may appeal to the Sheriff within fourteen (14) calendar days. After an Appeal, the Sheriff has fourteen (14) calendar days to review and respond to the Appeal. If the Sheriff does not respond, the Appeal is considered denied.

Per CSC policy Sections 3.4.2.1 / 3.5.2.1 / 3.6.2.1, You may begin taking the examination up to six (6) months before the second (2nd) anniversary of your hire date.   If you are newly hired with a minimum of Five (5) years of prior experience and at least an Intermediate TCOLE License, you may take the senior examination at any time before the Time Limit.  If you are unsure of your anniversary date, please contact TCSO-HR.

To schedule an appointment, you can call or email the Civil Service Commission Office at: (512) 854-8708 [email protected]

As many times as needed to pass.

A passing score is 70.

Study materials will be emailed upon request, or when you schedule your testing appointment. 

Employees who fail to take and/or pass the Corrections Officer Senior/ Law Enforcement Sheriff Deputy Senior/ 911 Telecomm Specialist Senior examination within the specified “Time Limit” (defined in CSC policy Section 3.3), are reviewed for corrective/developmental measures.

Per CSC policy Section 3.9.1, Applicants who have received disciplinary action of a written reprimand or greater in the previous twelve (12) months or have been subject to a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) within the previous six (6) months of application for promotion are not eligible to participate or continue in the promotional process.

Per CSC policy section 3.13.4.4.2, After completing the examination, the applicant may submit the Appeal to the Commission Staff in writing no later than 5 p.m. on the second (2nd) Working Day after the examination.

Per CSC policy Section 3.15.3, An employee desiring to serve as a member of a Review Panel for Oral Interviews may notify the Commission Staff of that when they post the request for Review Panel members for Oral Interviews.

Per CSC policy Section 3.17.4, After the results are posted, applicants may submit a written request for their Oral Interview score sheets by using the email [email protected]

The employee must submit a Notice of Appeal (Appeal Form as published by the Commission) in writing stating the reason for the appeal to the Commission within
fourteen (14) calendar days after the employee receives a Final Written Statement of the Disciplinary Action, or written notice of an adverse decision by the Sheriff about the employee's grievance.

The supervisor has ten (10) working days in which to respond to a grievance. For further information review Chapter 6: Appeal of Grievance of the CSC policy and TCSO Employee Grievances Policy (current TCSO Policy Number 01-03-22).

Per CSC policy Section 6.2.1, The TCSO Employee Grievances Policy shall be initiated by a TCSO employee within ten (10) working days of the action or inaction giving rise to the grievance by the employee presenting the grievance in writing to the employee’s supervisor.  The ten (10) working days’ deadline may, by written agreement of the employee and TCSO, be waived.  Alternatively, an employee may show good cause to the Commission for failure to meet the deadline.

Per CSC policy Section 6.3.1, The employee must submit a Notice of Appeal (Appeal Form as published by the Commission) in writing stating the reason for the appeal to the Commission within fourteen (14) calendar days after the employee receives a Final Written Statement of the Disciplinary Action, or Written notice of an adverse decision by the Sheriff about the employee's grievance.

• Per CSC policy Section 6.3.2, The Notice of Appeal shall include the following information:
  • Appellant's name, address and phone number,
  • Cause for appeal,
  • Desired relief requested from the Sheriff,
  • Desired relief requested from the Commission, and
  • Copies of the grievance, including all documents submitted with the grievance through the chain of command and responses received from Appellant's chain of command.

Per CSC policy Section  6.3.4, Within fourteen (14) calendar days after the Commission Staff receive the written Notice of Appeal, the Commission Staff, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Commission, must conduct any further investigation needed to determine if the administrative procedures and timelines have been followed, and the Appellant has exhausted the Appellant's remedies in the TCSO grievance process. The Commission's Staff shall notify the Appellant and Sheriff of the determination.

You must send an email to [email protected] with your request.

A request, in writing, by any employee, addressed to and filed with the appropriate authority in the manner and within the time provided by the Rules of the Civil Service Commission for Sheriff’s Office Employee’s seeking an investigation, review, consideration or determination of the facts.

A requirement officially adopted by the Commission for TCSO employees.

The termination of the employment of an employee for actions or behavior that is not acceptable.

A written request seeking an investigation, review, consideration or determination of facts and resolution of an issue by a TCSO employee addressed to and filed with the appropriate TCSO authority in the manner and within the time provided by these Rules and TCSO Policy.

A session held for the purpose of receiving evidence and reaching a decision about matters or issues appropriately submitted to the Commission.

A set period of time during which a newly hired Employee is trained in the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the duties assigned to the new position and during which the employee may be dismissed without cause at any time.

The means and procedures used each year to determine advancement through the ranks beginning with the announcement to commence such process as it applies to the positions of Detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant collectively, and ending with the posting of those eligibility lists.

A set period of time during which a newly assigned, transferred or promoted employee is trained in the skills and knowledge necessary to perform newly assigned duties and during which the employee may be returned to his or her prior position if the employee does not successfully demonstrate the skills, knowledge and suitability for the new position.

The designation of a living person or entity to act on behalf of, speak for, and in all respects defend the position of an employee before the Commission.

Years, months and calendar days gained by an employee through  uninterrupted employment within a given rank or position or total service and is calculated from the date the employee was sworn into the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.  Military Leave, whether paid or unpaid, is included in the calculation of this length of service.