Sheriff's Detentions Deputy - Shift - Lateral

Kern County; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment Bonus

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Kern County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Detentions Deputy to join our detention facilities. This position requires a high school diploma or GED, valid California driver’s license, and security certifications as described in the minimum qualifications, including STC CORE and PC 832 arrests/firearms certificates.

Applicants will undergo a multi-phase examination, background check, and post-offer medical and drug screening.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• STC CORE certificate issued within the past three years.
• PC 832 Arrest and PC 832 Firearms certificates issued within the past three years (or continuous CA employment).
• Valid California Class C driver’s license required at time of employment.

Education

STC CORE certificate (California)

PC 832 Arrest certificate

PC 832 Firearms certificate

California Driver's License

Job description

Revised 7/25/25

This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time without notice.

*$15,000 Recruitment Bonus - More information below*

Examinations: Appraisal (Weight 100%): Will be conducted for the purpose of evaluating the applicant's training, education, experience, interest and personal fitness for the position. Appraisal can be based on any combination of the following: Investigation, oral exam and rating of the application.

Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.

Minimum Qualifications / Employment Standards:

• High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent.
• Possession of a California Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) certified Corrections Officer CORE course certificate issued within the past three years.
• *OR*
• Possession of a STC certified CORE course certificate with continuous employment under either PC Section 831.5 or PC Section 830.1(c) in the State of California since completion of the training.
• *AND*
• Possession of both PC 832 Arrest and PC 832 Firearms course certificates issued within the past three years; OR possession of both certificates with continuous employment under PC Section 831.5 or 830.1(c) in the State of California since course completion.
• Acceptable certificates must have been issued within three years of the application date or within three years of the last date of qualifying employment.
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license is required at the time of employment. Specialized licenses required for some assignments.

In accordance with Government Code Section 1031 to be appointed as a peace officer in California, incumbents must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

Physical and Psychological Requirements:

Applicants must be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of powers of a peace officer.

Medical Examination:

Candidates must pass a rigid post-employment offer, pre-placement examination given by the County Physician. It may include, but not be limited to spine and chest x-rays, blood chemistry and electrocardiograph test, hearing and vision test, and functional capacity examination.

Character:

A thorough background investigation, including fingerprinting, is required. Applicants must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Felony law convictions will be disqualifying and except for a limited number of minor traffic offenses, misdemeanor convictions may be disqualifying. Candidates must pass a thorough background investigation.

Minimum Age:

18 years of age by the final filing date.

Psychological Examination:

Emotional and mental condition shall be evaluated by a psychologist that meets the applicable education and training requirements as set forth by the Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training. The evaluation is designed for the pre-employment psychological screening of applicants to determine suitability as a peace officer.

Full Job Description for Sheriff's Detentions Deputy

This position works within the Kern County Sheriff's Office. For more information about the department, please view their website.

Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county.

To learn more about Kern County, follow us:

Growth Mindset

We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.

Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.

A background check may be conducted for this classification.

Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.

This examination will establish an eligible list from which immediate appointment(s) will be made at the Sheriff's Office. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed.

Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission.

For more information regarding Kern County's recruitment process, please see our FAQ page.

To learn more about the 7 pillars of the ideal candidate please here.

Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Summary of Benefits for Detentions Deputy

• Recruitment Bonus: The County will provide all employees hired on or after November 9, 2021, in a permanent capacity with the Sheriff's Office a $15,000 bonus. The bonus shall be payable in full upon appointment by the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator subject to completion of a 5-yer term of service as a Detentions Deputy rank or higher, including in any continuous capacity as a sworn peace officer with the County of Kern. Appointees who do not complete the agreed upon term of service shall be subject to repayment of the bonus with the following amortization schedule: 1. Less than one year of services - $15,000 2. Less than two years of services - $12,000 3. Less than three years of services - $9,000 4. Less than four years of services - $6,000 5. Less than five years of services - $3,000
• Vacation, Holidays & Sick Leave
  • Vacation: 13 days and accrual rate increases yearly
  • Holidays: 12 paid holidays a year & 3 days of Paid Winter Recess Leave
  • Sick Leave: Up to 12 Paid Sick Days Per Year
• Shift Differential: The County will pay shift differential pay of 7.5% of base pay for any time worked between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
• Uniform Allowance: $1,300 annually. Paid bi-weekly at approximately $50 per paycheck. Safety equipment provided
• Sheriff's Emergency Response Team (SERT) Special Assignment Pay: Employees assigned to SERT shall receive a biweekly "special assignment pay" of five percent (5%) of their biweekly base salary.
• Detention Training Officer Pay: While assigned as a Detention Training Officer, employees shall receive assignment pay equal to 5% of their base salary.
• Life Insurance: The County will provide life insurance coverage for covered employees in the amount of $20,000 per employee.
• Bilingual Pay: $25 bi-weekly for qualified employees & The Bilingual Pay Program will include the payment of $50 per pay period for those positions, which require written bilingual skills to perform a critical part of the employee's job.
• Health Benefits
  • County contributes 80% of cost for all health plans.
  • EAP – No Cost
• Retirement Benefits
  • *Tier 2B:* 2% @ age 50 PEPRA Member
  • Safety Tier 2 – PEPRA. Under Government Code Section 31664, this tier is known as “2% at 50,” which means that a safety member retiring at age 50 will receive 2% of his final average compensation for every year of retirement service credit accrued. However, a safety member who retires at age 55 will receive 2.62% of his final average compensation for every year of retirement service credit accrued. Generally, this tier applies to “new members” who joined KCERA on or after January 1, 2013.

All above provisions are based on the Kern County Detention Officers Association (KCDOA). This is a summary of benefits. It does not confer any rights upon any employee. Please refer to the unit MOU for more information.