Deputy Sheriff Cadet - Unclassified

The County of Santa Clara; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Santa Clara is seeking a Deputy Sheriff Cadet to undergo a comprehensive Academy training program, preparing for active law enforcement duties including protective service, crime investigation, and civil process service. The role requires passing agility and background checks, submitting exam scores, and completing a full background investigation.

Candidates must meet the stated education and physical requirements, and be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Qualifications

• Must meet employment standards listed in recruitment materials (see duties and requirements).
• Ability to attend academy training with coursework, hands-on training, and physical conditioning.

Responsibilities

• Attend Academy training classes for law enforcement.
• Participate in basic training with academic and practical components.
• Perform duties as part of the academy and related law enforcement tasks.

Skills

English proficiency

Communication skills

Physical fitness

Education

High school diploma or GED plus 38–57 college units

Job description

Under immediate supervision, attends a Law Enforcement Academy to obtain the required academic, technical, and physical skills necessary to perform as a Deputy Sheriff.

Deputy Sheriff Cadet enters training to join the ranks of Deputy Sheriffs who, under supervision, perform active law enforcement duties in the protection of life and property, the investigation of crimes and apprehension of law violators, the service of civil process issued by court, and perform a variety of technical law enforcement tasks.

Our Cadet recruitment requires:

• (1) candidates meet the employment standards listed below
• (2) submit their application and written examination score
• (3) pass the physical agility test and complete pre-background paperwork
• (4) interview with a backgrounds deputy
• (5) finish a full background check
• (6) accept an offer to join our academy. Completion of the physical agility test and pre-background paperwork is required to advance your application to interviews and an academy.

The agility test for this recruitment is scheduled for October 10, 2026 at 8 a.m., please mark this date on your calendar.

We accept California PELLET B written exam T-score, or NTN law enforcement exam score. Your score should be submitted with your application. If it is not attached or sent through NTN, the score is due to the recruiter before October 5th, 2026. Your application will not move forward without a passing written exam score.

PELLTB exam information https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/

NTN exam information https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/

Pursuant to California Senate Bill 960, effective January 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Attends Academy training classes for law enforcement;
• Take part of basic training program that includes academic classes, hands-on training, and physical conditioning;
• Participates in basic training that complies with the standards set by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T);
• Participates in hands-on training that includes, but not limited to: weapons training, defensive tactics, role playing scenarios, patrol procedures, emergency vehicle operations, and arrest and control techniques;
• Partakes and completes defensive tactics training that includes ground control, baton training, control holds, and take downs;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities.

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of high school or GED and thirty-eight (38) semester units or fifty-seven (57) quarter units of college.

Two (2) years of full-time active-duty military service with honorable discharge or two (2) years of full-time experience working as a peace officer within a correctional facility can substitute for the required college units.

Special Requirements

• Applicants who have passed their 20th birthday may apply but cannot be appointed until they have reached their 21st birthday.
• Have never been convicted of a felony. Any felony conviction and/or a conviction outside of California that would be considered a felony in California is disqualifying.
• Must be able to take and pass a thorough medical examination. May be disqualified on the basis of established medical standards (current P.O.S.T. or Departmental orders). Vision must not be less than 20/100, correctable to 20/20 with normal depth and color perception.
• Must successfully demonstrate and maintain physical fitness to perform the full scope and functions of the job.
• Must pass a complete background investigation, including fingerprints and a search of local, state, and national files for criminal history.
• Must possess the legal right to work in the United States.
• Candidates must meet all required employment standards prescribed in Government Code Section 1031, which include passing a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, fingerprinting, background investigation, and medical examination.
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Common computer systems and applications;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Ability to:

• Learn, understand, retain, and interpret police knowledge, procedures, and departmental policies;
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions;
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
• Use computer systems and applications.
• Perform a wide variety of physical tasks requiring strength, coordination, endurance, and agility;
• Conform to uniform standards.