Deputy Sheriff Trainee (Open)

County of San Mateo; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Mateo seeks motivated individuals to begin a rewarding career in law enforcement as Deputy Sheriff Trainees. You will enter a POST-certified academy, gain hands-on training, and work under supervision toward a sworn peace officer role.

Following academy completion, you will participate in field and jail training and perform a variety of duties such as patrolling, responding to calls, investigations, and court/civil duties while serving the community with integrity.

Qualifications

• Written examination options: PELLETB with specific scoring and timing requirements.
• WSTB Physical Agility Exam with a 384 minimum score within 12 months.
• Education requirement: high school graduation or GED or 60 college units.
• Licensure: Class C California driver’s license or equivalent.
• Must be at least 21 years old; comply with POST medical, psychological, and background standards.
• Pre-employment polygraph test; open continuous recruitment.

Responsibilities

• Patrolling assigned areas to enforce laws and protect public safety.
• Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Conducting criminal investigations.
• Transporting incarcerated persons and providing court/bailiff duties.
• Engaging with community and crime prevention activities.
• Collaborating with multiple agencies and staff.

Skills

Integrity

Public service

Communication

Emotional intelligence

Teamwork

Adaptability

Accountability

Cultural awareness

Physical fitness

Education

Associate’s degree or higher

High school diploma or GED or 60 college units

Job description

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to protecting our community and providing exceptional service to all residents and visitors. We strive to build strong partnerships with the communities we serve while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

We are seeking motivated individuals who are committed to public service and ready to begin a rewarding career in law enforcement.

Position Overview

As a Deputy Sheriff Trainee, you will begin your journey toward becoming a sworn peace officer with the support, mentorship, and training provided by the Sheriff’s Office. Under close supervision, trainees attend a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified police academy, where they develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to serve as a deputy sheriff while working toward earning the POST Basic Certificate.

Following successful completion of the academy, field training program, and jail training program you will perform a variety of law enforcement duties under the guidance of Sheriff’s Office staff.

Assignments may include:

• Patrolling assigned areas to enforce laws and maintain public safety.
• Responding to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Conducting criminal investigations.
• Ensuring the care of and transportation of incarcerated persons.
• Serving as a court bailiff or civil deputy.
• Performing crime prevention and community engagement activities.

Ideal Candidate

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is seeking individuals who demonstrate strong character, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to public service. The ideal candidate possesses the integrity, judgment, and work ethic necessary to succeed in a challenging and rewarding law enforcement career.

Ideal candidates will possess the following characteristics:

• Integrity and Ethical Judgment – Demonstrates honesty, accountability, and sound decision-making while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
• Commitment to Public Service – Shows a genuine desire to serve others and improve the safety and well‑being of the community.
• Strong Communication Skills – Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing and interacts professionally with community members, coworkers, and partner agencies.
• Emotional Intelligence and Sound Judgment – Remains calm and composed in stressful or rapidly evolving situations.
• Teamwork and Collaboration – Works effectively with others and contributes positively to a professional team environment.
• Adaptability and Resilience – Able to adjust to changing circumstances and overcome challenges while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Accountability and Initiative – Demonstrates responsibility, reliability, and self‑motivation while pursuing professional development.
• Cultural Awareness and Community Engagement – Values and respects the diverse communities served by San Mateo County.
• Physical Fitness and Readiness – Maintains the physical fitness necessary to successfully complete POST academy training and perform the physical demands of law enforcement duties.
• Possession of an associate’s degree or higher.

TO AVOID DELAYS IN PROCESSING YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS JOB POSTING IN ITS ENTIRETY PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.

Eligibility and Requirements

Applicants must complete one of the following written examination options before submitting an online application:

• POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB): The exam must be completed in less than 2.5 hours, passed with a minimum T‑Score of 48, and dated within twelve months of the date of application. The areas covered include spelling, vocabulary, clarity, reading and CLOZE (use contextual clues to complete a passage that contains missing words). The exam is scheduled via the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium’s website at “The Academy – Pre-Employment Testing and Training.”
• Possession of a Basic Police Academy certification meeting POST requirements dated within one year of application.
• Possession of an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university.

Applicants must also complete a Physical Agility Examination – Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) with a minimum score of 384, dated within twelve months of the date of application.

Events for the WSTB typically include: 99‑yard obstacle course, 32‑foot body drag (165 lbs.), 6‑foot chain link fence climb, 6‑foot solid wall climb, 500‑yard sprint, 1.5‑mile run—a pass/fail test independent of WSTB scoring, completed in 14 minutes or less.

Education: A high school graduate or passing the General Education Development (GED) test or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or completion of at least 60 college units from an accredited or approved institution.

Skill/Ability to: Work collaboratively with others to solve problems; read and comprehend legal documents, law enforcement manuals, and court decisions; read standard street and highway maps; follow instructions; function effectively under stress; demonstrate leadership and control in volatile, rapidly changing environments; maintain impartiality, transparency, and make accurate observations; perform repeated strenuous physical exertion; write complete and accurate reports and correspondence; communicate clearly and respectfully with all types of people, both orally and in writing; lead by personal example; interact professionally and compassionately with community members; meet State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) medical, physical, and psychological standards for law enforcement.

• Licensure/Certification: Possession of a Class C California driver’s license or equivalent (both classifications).

Other Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years of age per P.O.S.T and AB‑89 Peace Officer minimum qualifications.
• Refrain from using tobacco products at any time for employees hired by the County after October 1, 2004.
• Must meet California POST medical, psychological, and background standards.
• Pass a pre‑employment polygraph test.

Open. Anyone may apply. Responses to the supplemental questions and copies of required test scores must be submitted in addition to the regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination/selection process will consist of the following stages: Oral Interview—after placement on the eligible list, qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an in‑person panel interview with the Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Bureau.

This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time. Selections may be made at any time within the process and the final filing date will be posted five days in advance on this job announcement.

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.