Deputy Sheriff Cadet (Entry Level) - Registry

Pinal-County; Florence (AZ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is seeking an entry/trainee Deputy Cadet in Arizona. This registry position provides formal and informal training to learn duties of a peace officer, including investigations, traffic enforcement and public interaction.

Candidates must attend testing, provide required documents, and be prepared for a multi-step process. Testing is scheduled, with academy dates in February 2027 and future dates TBD.

Qualifications

• Minimum high school diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• U.S. citizen.
• Ability to pass background checks and testing.
• Must be able to obtain AZPOST certification within one year.

Responsibilities

• Attend AZPOST academy and complete training.
• Participate in physical agility and assessments.
• Submit required documents on testing day.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with county policies.

Skills

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Decision making under pressure

Ability to learn through training

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

This is a training position that is under close supervision. Incumbents performs tasks through formal and informal training programs to learn and perform responsibilities of an Arizona peace officer which include interacting with a diverse population, exercising problem solving skills, maintaining public order, preventing crime, enforcing laws and ordinances, conducting investigations, making arrests, issuing summonses/citations and warnings, and assisting the public. This is an Entry/Trainee position, which works under close supervision.

The application and any supplemental questions are an integral part of the selection process and must be completed in full in order for you to be considered as a candidate.

DO NOT state "See resume" in lieu of answering. If the question does not apply, mark N/A. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process and your application will be marked as INCOMPLETE.

Tentative testing dates*:

Sep 22nd 2026* (must submit application by Aug 31st 2026)

TBD January 2027* (must submit application by Jan 1st 2027)

If qualified, eligible applicants will be notified via email regarding next steps.

Tentative Academy Dates:*

February 2027 - August 2027*

Future academy dates: TBD

Eligible applicants will begin employment prior to Academy start date.

*ALL TESTING DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND A SUBJECT TO CHANGE. EVERY APPLICANT MUST APPEAR IN PERSON TO TEST.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

• This is a registry intended to collect applications for future vacancies containing one or more positions. Eligible applicants might be placed into a registry until a vacant position becomes available.
• This announcement may be closed as soon as a sufficient number of qualified applicants have applied.
• Per PCSO Policy 703 – After FTO, employees may take home county-owned vehicles only with prior approval from their Bureau Chief. The employee must live within a 10-mile limit from the Pinal County Border.
• This position is a non-exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not a covered position under the Pinal County Merit System Rules. Incumbents in this position serve at the pleasure of their respective Appointing Authority. The employment relationship is "at-will" and employment may be terminated at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.

Deputy Cadet Hiring Process

Deputy Cadet testing typically occurs every other month.

1. AZPOST Personal History Form -

If all minimum requirements are met, you may be contacted via email to complete an AZPOST Personal History Form. You will need to provide Human Resources with your confirmation number.

2. Schedule Testing Date -

If all criteria is met, you may be contacted by PCSO Human Resources via email to schedule a testing date.

3. Testing Day -

The testing day consists of a physical agility test, a written test, oral board, and a preliminary background review.

You will need to have the following documents with you on testing day:

• Birth Certificate, Naturalization Papers (Original Document) or Current Passport
• High School Diploma, GED, or transcript with graduation date (Original Document) or higher education certificates/diplomas
• Arizona Driver’s License (Original Document)
• Social Security Card (Original Document)
• Credit Report (Original Document) A Complete report is required on a thumb drive (only your score will not be accepted)
• DD 214 Copy Member 4 if discharged from Military or Selective Service Registration (Original Document)
• Vehicle Insurance Card
• 3 years Certified Driving History Record (Original Document)

Failure to bring all documents with you on the testing day may delay in the testing process.

If all criteria are met, the Background Investigator will notify Human Resources to submit your personal information into ESOPH.

4. Physical Agility Assessment

All applicants must participate and pass a Physical Agility Test which consists of:

• Maximum Push Up - 25 or more (no time limit)
• One minute Sit Up - 29 or more (one minute time limit)
• 300 Meter Run - 68 seconds or better
• 1.5 Mile Run - 15:20 minutes or better

https://www.pinal.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7482/Cooper-Agility-Consent-Form-PDF

5. Written Test (and Oral Board) -

An essay-style test is used to measure comprehension, grammar, and handwriting skills. You must complete this test with a passing grade to advance further in the testing process (there will be no study guides available for release).

• 30 to 60 minutes duration (depending on test type)
• Consists of 3 questions – 70% passing

*Each test in the battery must be passed to advance further in the testing process.

6. Preliminary Background Review

You will meet with a Background Investigator and answer a short questionnaire. You will need to have all documents required with you on testing day. If all criteria are met, the Background Investigator will notify Human Resources to submit your personal information into ESOPH.

7. ESOPH Background

You will be sent a link to sign in, answer questions and upload any documents required. You have seven (7) days to complete.

8. Background Review

Once your background information has been reviewed and all required criteria have been met, you may be scheduled for a final background review.

9. Command Review

Once your background check is complete, our command staff will review it. Upon approval, you may be invited to a Command Interview.

10. Command Interview

You will meet and talk with the Command Staff. Upon approval, you will be extended a conditional offer of employment. At this time, you will also be scheduled for a psych evaluation and medical review.

11. Conditional Offer

Once you have passed all steps, you may be extended a conditional offer of employment. At this time, you will also be scheduled for a polygraph and medical review.

12. Medical, Psychological, and Polygraph Appointments

In order to proceed in the hiring process, you will need to successfully complete a psychological evaluation, polygraph test and a medical exam.

13. AZPOST Audit

AZPOST Audit - Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) will conduct an audit on all candidates' background files to ensure minimum qualifications and standards for sworn peace officers are met.

14. Official Offer

Once you have passed all steps successfully, you may be extended an official offer and be scheduled a date to attend New Hire Orientation.

*All dates are tentative and a subject to change.

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

• Attends and obtains Certification by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) academy to learn the principles, methods and techniques employed by the Deputy Sheriff class.
• Attends in and out door training sessions for preparation as a Deputy Sheriff.
• Learn federal, state, and local traffic and criminal laws.
• Learn proper work habits, appearance, and interpersonal skills.
• Learns to drive a motor vehicle under normal and emergency conditions safely.
• Learns to demonstrate command presence in conflict situations.
• Learns use of various firearms and first aide methods.
• Participate in a physical fitness program to develop the physical skills for the job.
• Learns to write clear, comprehensive and accurate reports, legibly and with correct grammar and spelling.
• Performs tasks employing patrol methods, community relations, courtroom procedures, finger-printing, report preparation, physical agility and strength formation, and other law enforcement related duties commensurate with attained skills.
• Performs other duties, including housekeeping duties as requested or assigned.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.

• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must be a minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age, a United States Citizen, and demonstrate the ability to successfully complete written, psychological, polygraph, physical or stress test, pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and background examinations.
• One (1) year of satisfactory work experience.
• Valid Arizona State Driver's License.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.
• Within one (1) year of hire, must complete the peace officer's basic course and be certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board.

*MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS include: AZPOST Rules - Chapter 13 - Arizona Administrative Code - Public Safety Rules: https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/title_13/13-04.pdf

Additional Information

• Must be able to successfully complete written, psychological, polygraph, physical or stress test, pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and background examinations.
• Must complete and pass a Deputy Sheriff Entry Examination with a score of 70% or higher.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications as applicable.

Abilities:

• Ability to acquire knowledge of police methods, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to apply knowledge gained to specific situations
• Ability to acquire knowledge of County geography and related landmarks.
• Ability to work effectively with all segments of the public.
• Ability to use good judgment and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Ability to evaluate situations and adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action.
• Ability to work alternating work schedules, weekends, holidays and be subject to call-out.
• Ability to work various (12) hour shifts and be subject to mandatory overtime.
• Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.

ADA COMPLIANCE –

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Essential and other important responsibilities and duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for adequate physical performance abilities including the ability to balance, climb, crawl, crouch, finger, feel, grasp, handle, reach, kneel, stoop, stand, ascend/descend stairs, perform repetitive motions and walk for prolonged periods.
• Must have adequate speech, hearing and eyesight, ability to perceive and distinguish colors or shades of colors, sounds, taste, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals demonstrate mental and physical acuity.
• Frequently sit for long periods of time to active engagement of a suspect.
• Occasionally exert substantial physical effort by pushing and pulling objects in excess of 100 pounds and the ability to lift, push or pull objects in excess of 50 pounds frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information.
  • Work involves crisis situations that require making major decisions involving people, resources, and property with possible exposure to physical and verbal abuse.
  • Requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle daily.
  • Must be able to wear protective gear daily.
  • Must be able to see and respond to dangerous situations and take offensive and/or defensive action during physical confrontations.
  • Must be available to work long, irregular schedules and on-call, including nights, overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays, as required by the needs of the agency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed within a field environment out of a vehicle patrolling the that may require exposure to all weather conditions, in or near vehicle traffic, emergency situations with exposure to a variety of safety hazards, strong odors or fumes, disease/blood/bodily fluids, pathogenic substances, toxic agents, hazardous materials, noise, explosives, vibrations and slippery or uneven surfaces When not engaged in emergency operations, may work under station or office conditions.
• Work involves crisis situations that require making major decisions involving people, resources, and property with possible exposure to physical and verbal abuse.
• May be required to use a respirator when performing duties requiring exposure to hazardous chemicals that may be biohazardous and carcinogenic.
• May have to lift and/or carry various objects or people in excess of 100 pounds.
• Must be able to wear personal protective gear most of the day.
• Must be available to work long, irregular schedules and on-call, including nights, overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays, as required by the needs of the agency.

THIS IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION.

This position may reasonably be expected to come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials in the performance of the work duties and is therefore subject to the vaccination and training provisions presented in the County Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Control plan.