Deputy Sheriff Trainee

County of Orange; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange, OC Sheriff's Department, seeks a Deputy Sheriff Trainee to begin a 28-week POST-certified academy and advance to Deputy Sheriff I upon completion.

The program includes an optional mentoring component for academy preparation, background processing, and rotation through diverse assignments with varying shifts. Candidates must be legally eligible to work and meet age requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, or 2- or 4-year college degree.
• Ability to read, understand, and apply policies, rules and laws.
• Strong report writing and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships.
• Willingness to learn and carry out directions and firearms safety.

Responsibilities

• Attend and complete the 28-week POST-certified academy.
• Rotate through assignments and shifts, including nights and weekends.
• Participate in mentoring program and background process.
• Maintain physical fitness as required during training.

Skills

Read & interpret policies

Report writing

Relationship building

Follow directions

Firearms safety

Education

High school diploma / GED or college degree

Job description

DEPUTY SHERIFF TRAINEE

EXAM DATE: Saturday, November 7, 2026

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Deputy Sheriff Trainee positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

Incumbents will be periodically rotated through assignments and shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and correctional/court facilities.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 P.M. (PST) on the day the Department's needs are met.

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

The Sheriff's Department is the fifth largest sheriff's department in the nation, offering a rewarding career with the opportunity to serve Orange County in diverse assignments including land, air, and sea-based patrol, specialty investigative units, community engagement assignments, and unique collateral duty options. The Sheriff's Department prides itself on embracing a policing model that employs intelligence-led policing strategies and a community-focused approach to providing law enforcement services. We believe engaged communities make for safe communities. Accordingly, the Department also offers extensive training and outreach opportunities for personnel to build and strengthen relationships in the communities they serve through community-based policing, familiarization between law enforcement and community residents, and collaborative problem solving. This is more than a job; it is an opportunity to build a career of which you can be proud.

THE OPPORTUNITY

A Deputy Sheriff Trainee will be required to attend and satisfactorily complete the 28-week P.O.S.T. Certified Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy. Upon successful completion of the academy, the Deputy Sheriff Trainee will be promoted to the position of Deputy Sheriff I.

OCSD Deputy Sheriff Trainee Mentoring Program
The Mentoring Program is a voluntary, but highly recommended academy preparation program. This program is open to candidates who are currently in the background process with the Orange County Sheriff's Department and receive a referral from their background investigator. Any County of Orange employee who voluntarily participates shall do so off duty; no County employee may participate during their scheduled working hours. The Mentoring Program is designed to introduce candidates to academy protocol, memory work and physical training. Mentoring staff may evaluate and record participant performance and this information may be used for individual assessments and selection by the Professional Standards Division; meaning, an individual's performance / behavior at mentoring sessions may be evaluated prior to being selected for hire as a Deputy Sheriff Trainee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to:

• Read, understand, interpret and apply departmental policies, rules, laws and ordinances pertaining to law enforcement work.


• Write clear and comprehensive reports.


• Establish and maintain effective relationships with others.


• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.


• Learn to use and maintain firearms in a safe and proficient manner.

Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a General Education Development G.E.D. test or passage of the California High School Proficiency Test or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

License/Certification:
Possession of a valid California Driver License by date of appointment.

Special Requirements:

• Be legally authorized to work in United States under federal law.


• At least 20 ½ years at time of application and at least 21 years of age by date of appointment to Deputy Sheriff Trainee.


• Not have been convicted of a felony and not to be otherwise subject to disqualification under California Government Code Section 1029.


• Found to be free from any physical, emotional or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect exercise of peace officer powers, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with California Government Code Section 1031.


• Pass a background investigation conducted in compliance with California Government Code 1031, to the satisfaction of the Sheriff-Coroner Department.

TESTING PROCESS

Written Exam (Pass/Fail):
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the written exam via email. The written exam consists of job-related, multiple-choice questions. Applicants who pass the written exam will be referred to the pre-investigative interview the same day.

Study Guides are available online:

• Learning Express Police Officer Exam (California Edition)


• Norman Hall's Police Exam (California Edition)

Pre-Investigative Interview Questionnaire (Refer/Non-Refer):
Candidates must print out and complete the Pre-Investigative Interview Questionnaire prior to exam date. The questionnaire will be collected and reviewed by Backgrounds Unit staff members upon arrival to the exam. You may be referred to a follow-up pre-investigative interview with a Background Investigator immediately following the written exam.

Physical Agility Test (Pass/Fail):
Applicants must be dressed in physical training attire to participate. The physical agility test consists of three components.

• 30 Push-Ups: Complete 30 push-ups within 2 minutes.


• 30 Sit-Ups: Complete 30 sit-ups within 2 minutes.


• 1.5 Mile Run: Complete one and a half (1.5) miles on a flat surface within 14 minutes.

Applicants who pass the physical agility test will be referred to the structured oral interview, commencing the following weeks.
Structured Oral Interview (Refer/Non-Refer):
Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel comprised of subject matter experts and civilian personnel. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the position. Those who score high enough on the structured oral interview will be scheduled for a background interview with a Background Investigator.

APPLICANTS THAT DO NOT SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE STRUCTURED ORAL INTERVIEW MUST REAPPLY TO THE RECRUITMENT AND UNDERGO ALL TESTING COMPONENTS TO BE CONSIDERED.

Background Investigation:
Includes employment history, personal references, criminal history, credit history, a polygraph examination, medical examination, drug urinalysis test, and a written and oral psychological examination.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Sheriff Human Resources will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI
The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions. Only the most qualified candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, Sheriff Human Resources will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with \"governmentjobs.com\" and \"ocgov.com\". If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Mary Felix at [e-mail] or call our Recruiting line at 714 834-5811.

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.