Sheriff's Correctional Officer

County of San Mateo; California (MO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A county sheriff's department in California is seeking dedicated professionals as Correctional Officers to supervise incarcerated individuals. Responsibilities include maintaining records, preparing inmates for court, and ensuring safety within the correctional facility. Applicants should possess an associate's degree and demonstrate effective communication, conflict resolution, and observation skills. A physical agility test is required as part of the selection process. This is an opportunity for a rewarding career in law enforcement.

Qualifications

• Possession of an associate's degree or higher.
• Effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated skill in conflict resolution.
• Being physically fit and having knowledge of self‑defense tactics.
• Strong observation skills to detect security threats.

Responsibilities

• Supervise incarcerated individuals in correctional facilities.
• Maintain records of bookings, releases, and transfers.
• Prepare inmates for court and release.
• Transport and provide security for inmates when required.

Skills

Effective communication

Conflict resolution

Physical fitness

Observation skills

Emotional resilience

Team collaboration

Education

Associate's degree or higher

Job description

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to improving the quality of life within the community. We are currently seeking dedicated professionals to serve as Correctional Officers responsible for the supervision of incarcerated individuals in County detention facilities.

Here is your opportunity to make a difference by beginning a career in law enforcement!

Ideal Candidate Characteristics

• Possession of an associate's degree or higher.
• Effective communication, both verbally and in writing, and interpersonal skills to interact successfully with incarcerated persons, fellow officers, and other staff members.
• Demonstrated skill in conflict resolution with the ability to defuse conflicts, negotiate disputes, and employ de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Being physically fit and having knowledge of self‑defense tactics.
• Possessing strong observation skills to detect signs of potential security threats, identify behavioral changes in incarcerated persons, and monitor the overall environment for any safety concerns.
• Being emotionally resilient and having the ability to manage stress and cope with challenging situations, remaining calm and composed in stressful or confrontational situations.
• Ability to work well in a team, follow instructions, support colleagues, and promote a cohesive and safe working environment.
• Demonstrated track record of professionalism and ethical conduct, treating all individuals with dignity and respect, upholding confidentiality, and adhering to the code of ethics.
• Having the ability to handle crises and emergency situations.

About Maple Street Correctional Center

Designed to create a better environment for incarcerated individuals and staff and to help reduce recidivism, the facility was the first correctional center built as part of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s initiative to shift nonviolent, nonsexual offenders from overcrowded state prisons to county‑run facilities. The center accommodates female and lower‑risk male incarcerated individuals and is composed of two separate but interconnected buildings with a central administration area.

The facility’s architecture emphasizes safety, rehabilitation, and natural light. Instead of placing cells along the exterior walls as in most jails, the design features a curved glass façade with dayrooms located along windowed areas that open to individual living units. This layout improves supervision while allowing daylight to enter the building, helping the white‑painted cells feel more open and spacious.

Each floor has a central core station supporting four housing units. These areas include classrooms, a computer lab, and multipurpose rooms to support educational and rehabilitative programming. Additional design elements include natural ventilation, a large rooftop recreation yard, artwork depicting scenes from nature, and a calming natural color palette.

An attached 88‑bed transitional housing facility supports alternative sentencing programs such as day reporting, weekend programs, and other supervised custody arrangements, helping prepare individuals for reentry into the community.

Important Pre‑Application Exam Information

Step 1: Application Submission

All applicants are required to submit an online application. Responses to supplemental questions and copies of required test scores must be submitted in addition to the regular employment application form. Applications submitted without the required attachments will be rejected.

Step 2: Written Examination

Applicants for the Sheriff’s Correctional Officer have three options for meeting the written examination requirement:

• Post Entry‑Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB): This exam must be completed in less than 2.5 hours, be passed with a minimum T‑Score of 46, and be dated within twelve (12) months of the date of application.
• Possession of a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Certificate or possession of an Adult Corrections Officer Core completion certificate from a certified Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) academy from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).
• Possession of an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university.

Step 3: Physical Agility Test – Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB)

This exam must be passed with a minimum score of 320 and be dated within twelve (12) months of the date of application. Applicants can submit scores from either the WSTB or the Correctional Officer test through The Academy. The Academy offers optional practice sessions. To schedule for the exam, visit the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium’s website.

The events for the Correctional Officer test include:

• 99‑yard obstacle course in under 23 seconds
• 165‑pound body drag for 32‑feet in under 7 seconds
• 165‑pound body lift for 60 seconds
• 500‑yard run in under 2 minutes
• 1.5‑mile run in 15 minutes or less

IMPORTANT: When you report for the test, inform The Academy that you are applying to be a Correctional Officer with San Mateo County. Correctional Officer applicants will not be required to participate in climbing the 6‑foot chain link fence or 6‑foot solid wall portion of the WSTB test.

NOTE: PELLETB test and WSTB results from other training organizations or law enforcement agencies will be accepted so long as they meet California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements.

Examples of Duties

• Receive, search, book, fingerprint, and guard inmates in the correctional facilities.
• Take custody of inmates’ property.
• Maintain records of bookings, releases, transfers, money and other functions of the correctional facilities.
• Prepare inmates for court and for release.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

If designated as Correctional Deputy, also perform the following:

• Transport and provide security for inmates at the hospital.
• Transport inmates between custodial facilities.
• Provide security for inmates at court.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

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 30 college units from an accredited or approved institution.

Skill/Ability to

• Exercise sound judgment and discretion in stressful and highly emotional situations.
• Work collaboratively with others to solve problems.
• Read and comprehend legal documents, law enforcement manuals, and court decisions.
• 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 by interacting professionally and compassionately with community members.
• Meet State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) medical, physical and emotional standards for law enforcement personnel.

Licensure/Certification

• Possession of a Class C California driver license or equivalent.

Other Requirements

• Refrain from using tobacco products at any time, for employees hired by the County after October 1, 2004.

Application/Examination

Open. Anyone may apply. Responses to 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 steps:

• Step 1: Application Submission – All applicants are required to submit an online application. Applications submitted without the required attachments will be rejected.
• Step 2: Written/Physical Agility Examination – Applicants meet the written examination requirement via a valid PELLETB score, or possession of a CDCR or BSCC certification, or an associate’s degree plus a valid WSTB score.
• Step 3: Application Appraisal (weighted: 100%) – Qualified candidates are placed on an eligible list for six months, then invited to a panel interview.
• Candidates may be selected at any time; the final filing date will be posted five days in advance on this job announcement.

Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time.

About The County

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