Sheriff's Deputy Trainee

County of Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Barbara is seeking candidates for a trainee Sheriff's Deputy position. Under supervision, you will attend the POST Academy to qualify as a Sheriff’s Deputy; in a non-sworn capacity you may perform other duties as required.

The ideal candidate will possess honesty, integrity, initiative, teamwork, dependability, good judgment, and effective communication, and must meet education, licensing, and physical fitness requirements for peace officer eligibility.

Qualifications

• A reputation for honesty and trustworthiness.
• Integrity and good moral character.
• Initiative, drive, and self-motivation.
• Strong team approach.
• Dependability.
• Good judgment under pressure.
• Effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Attend the Basic Peace Officers Academy for instruction to qualify as a Sheriff’s Deputy.
• Study topics such as firearms care and use, self-defense, first aid, laws, and procedures.
• Maintain minimum proficiency in all training areas.

Skills

Honesty

Integrity

Initiative

Teamwork

Dependability

Judgment under pressure

Effective communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

POSITION

Under immediate supervision, to attend a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy to receive instruction designed to qualify trainees for the class of Sheriff's Deputy; and in a non-sworn capacity to perform other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a trainee-level class, and incumbents are expected to successfully complete the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy and receive the recommendation of the Sheriff and promote to Sheriff’s Deputy or be terminated from the position.

HIGHLIGHTED COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

Benefits and Wellness Plans

• For more information on our retirement plans, Retirement reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, 1937 Act plans, and more.

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave: 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays: 13 days per year
• Education Incentive Allowance and Tuition Reimbursement may be available
• Uniform Allowance for $825 per year (see MOU)

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS

• A reputation for honesty and trustworthiness
• Integrity, good moral character
• Initiative, drive, and self-motivation
• Strong teamapproach
• Dependability
• Good judgment under pressure
• Effective communication skills

BACKGROUND DISQUALIFIERS

• An admission of having committed any act amounting to a felony within five years in California, or in another state which would be classified as a felony in California
• An adultfelony conviction in California, or with a conviction for an offense in another state which would be classified as a felony in California
• Currently on Probation or Parole
• Adult felony and/or misdemeanor conviction(s) may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and how recent
• Conviction of/or sustained petitions for any sex crime
• Recent use and/or possession of illegal drugs; Failure to reveal prior use will be disqualifying
• Unfavorable work history
• Poor credit history
• History of committing domestic violence
• Dishonesty or failure to reveal pertinent information

• Attends the Basic Peace Officers Academy for instruction on law enforcement procedures combined with rigorous physical fitness training;
• Studies topics such as the care and use of firearms, weaponless defense, first aid, laws of arrest and evidence, law enforcement techniques and procedures;
• Maintains at least the minimum level of proficiency in all areas of training.

Education

Graduation from high school or passing of the G.E.D. test indicating high school graduation level.

License

Possession of a valid California Driver License at time of appointment.

Age

At least 20 years old at the time of application and 21 years old at the time of appointment.

Physical Fitness

Excellent physical condition with the ability to pass a comprehensive medical examination based on County of Santa Barbara medical standards, and the ability to pass a job-related comprehensive P.O.S.T. endorsed physical agility examination.

General

Must meet minimum peace officer standards as specified in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031 including but not limited to: no prior felony convictions (unless fully pardoned), good moral character as determined by thorough background check, submission of fingerprints for purpose of a criminal record check, and found to be free from any physical, emotional or mental condition including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, gender identity and gender expression, ancestry, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

Ability to

observe, learn, read and understand various laws, policies, rules, police procedures, law enforcement techniques and first aid; analyze situations, and or problems and have the potential to rationally and calmly take quick, effective action in emergency and stress situations; undergo strenuous physical conditioning as required to successfully complete a Law Enforcement Recruit Academy.

Additional Requirement

Appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period; legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Please read the SELECTION PROCESS

Be sure to frequently check email throughout this entire process, this is the only way we will be notifying applicants regarding their status and providing all the important information throughout the recruitment process.

1. APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals who meet the stated requirements will be invited to continue in the next step in the selection process.
2. PERSONAL HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE (PHQ): Qualified candidates will be emailed a notice to complete and submit a Personal History Questionnaire by a deadline. Failure to submit a PHQ will result in disqualification from the selection process. Candidates who successfully pass the PHQ will advance to the next step in the selection process.
3. WRITTEN EXAMINATION: Candidates are invited to complete and must successfully pass a written exam through the National Test Network (NTN). To register with NTN and schedule your online exam, go to https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/ select "Choose Jobs", then select "Law Enforcement" Jobs and State; select Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office. Applicants are encouraged to take the virtual exam as soon as possible.

Option 1: Candidates who have already completed the National Test Network (NTN) examination may submit their results through NTN to our agency. The test must have been administered within one year of your submitted application. Candidates must meet the minimum scores of: Video (65), Reading Test (70), and Writing Test (70); acceptance of NTN test scores are subject to verification with National Testing Network.

Option 2: Register yourself to participate in the National Testing Network "Law Enforcement" examination as soon as possible. There are three components to the written examination: Video Judgment, Reading, and Writing. The examination takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Upon completion of your examination, NTN will provide applicant scores to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office (Human Resources Bureau).

NOTE: We offer an alternative to taking the test with National Test Network. Applicants may submit their Peace Officer Standards and Training POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) at the time of application. The results must state a minimum T-score of 45.0 to be accepted. The PELLETB test results are valid from one year the date the test was taken. Applicants who wish to use PELLETB exam results from another agency will have the opportunity to submit these results at a future date.

The PELLETB written exam will be administered on Friday, October 16. 2026, in Lompoc.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST (PAT) Pass/Fail

Upon passing the written exam, candidates will be invited to attend the Physical Agility Test. Candidates will be notified by email with instructions on the process and how to self-schedule. Candidates who successfully pass the PAT will be placed on the employment list. The PAT exam date is Friday, October 16, 2026, in Lompoc.

Physical Agility Test consistsas follows

1. 1.0 mile run in under 9:00 minutes
2. 99-yard obstacle course in 25 seconds or less
3. Maximum push-ups
4. Maximum sit-ups in two (2) minutes
5. Maximum pull-ups

ELIGIBLE LIST

Candidates must receive a passing score on the Written Examination to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their name placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list. The Human Resources Department will notify you by mail if your name is removed.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS

Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability. To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 and supporting documentation with your online application or before the examination date, and (3) pass all phases of the Civil Service examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

Those candidates placed on the employment list will be certified to the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office for further consideration. The Sheriff's Office will administer the remaining selection process outlined below:

A recruiter will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment and Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Government Code Section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We do require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE

OPEN UNTIL FILLED; an online application and job bulletin can be obtained 24 hours a day at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty.

For questions, contact Sheriff's Human Resources at [phone].