Sheriff's Correctional Officer (Open)

County of San Mateo; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Mateo is seeking dedicated professionals for the role of Correctional Officer responsible for supervising incarcerated individuals in county detention facilities. This is a full-time position based in San Mateo County, CA.

The ideal candidate will have an associate degree or higher, strong communication, and proven de-escalation and crisis-management abilities. The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes safety, ethics, and professionalism, with expectations to work as part of a cohesive team

Qualifications

• Possession of an associate's degree or higher.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Conflict resolution and de-escalation abilities.
• Physically fit with knowledge of self-defense.
• Strong observation skills to detect threats.
• Emotional resilience to manage stress.
• Team player and able to follow instructions.
• Professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Ability to handle crises and emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Receive, search, book, fingerprint, and guard inmates.
• Maintain records of bookings, releases, transfers, and money.
• Prepare inmates for court and release.
• Transport and provide security for inmates as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Conflict resolution

De-escalation techniques

Self-defense knowledge

Observation skills

Emotional resilience

Teamwork

Ethics and professionalism

Education

Associate degree or higher

Job description

NOTE:

This recruitment was amended on Thursday, July 30, 2026 to update the Physical Agility Exam - Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) minimum passing score from 320 to 260.

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!

The ideal candidate will possess the following 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.
• Be physically fit and have knowledge of self-defense tactics.
• Possess 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.
• Be emotionally resilient and have the ability to manage stress as well as cope with challenging situations. Has the ability to remain calm and composed in stressful or confrontational situations.
• Ability to work well in a team, follow instructions, is supportive of colleagues and promotes a cohesive and safe working environment.
• Demonstrated track record of professionalism and ethical conduct. Has the ability to treat all individuals with dignity and respect, upholding confidentiality, and adhering to the code of ethics.
• Has 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.

Sheriff's Correctional Officer duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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.

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 to apply.

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 and physical 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.

Oral Interview:

After placement on the eligible list, qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview with the Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Bureau.

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.