Sheriff's Protective Services Officer

County of Santa Clara; California; On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Santa Clara is seeking security personnel to patrol and safeguard County facilities, deter criminal activity, and assist with access control. You will document events, issue badges, and cooperate with law enforcement as required.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, two years of security experience, and successful completion of POST-related training within nine months of hire. A background check, including a polygraph, is required.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time security/peace officer experience or equivalent training.
• Criminal history/background check including polygraph.
• POST/related certifications within nine months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned areas and reports observations to authorities.
• Logs security events and prepares concise reports.
• Controls access to secured areas and issues badges.
• Maintains building and property security including doors, lighting, and alarms.
• Responds to security-related calls and emergencies.
• Directs traffic and enforces parking regulations.

Skills

Security awareness

Report writing

Communication

Customer service

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

POST Basic Academy

Tools

PC systems

Security software

Job description

Description

Under supervision, to secure and protect property owned, operated, or administered by the County, and to direct and assist persons conducting business at County facilities.

Description

Under supervision, to secure and protect property owned, operated, or administered by the County, and to direct and assist persons conducting business at County facilities. NOTE: Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take an online examination tentatively scheduled to open November 12, 2026 . Qualifying candidates will be notified via email with instructions for taking the examination. Candidates who pass the online examination will be invited to take the physical agility test scheduled for the morning of December 12, 2026.

Typical Tasks

• Patrols assigned areas, remaining alert for security breaches and criminal and/or suspicious activity; documents and reports relevant observations to appropriate authorities; uses presence to deter criminal activity;
• Logs security events and other relevant information; obtains additional information, as necessary; prepares accurate and concise reports consistent with departmental policy;
• Warns violators or notifies proper authorities in connection with violations of County rules and regulations and suspected criminal violations;
• Makes rounds of designated areas and reports relevant observations;
• Maintains physical security of County buildings and property by checking and securing doors and windows, checking interior/exterior lighting and alarm systems and monitoring surveillance devices and multiple alarm systems;
• Provides information to persons conducting business at County facilities;
• Controls access to secured areas by confirming legitimacy of requested access and identity of requestor; issues badges and passes at access level authorized by management;
• Maintains vigilance for and reports fire threats, water leaks, electrical hazards, equipment failures, etc.;
• Assists Deputies and other peace officers, as directed, in the event of an emergency;
• Regulates the use of facilities and grounds by ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations;
• Responds to both routine and emergency security-related calls for service, complaints, or unusual conditions on County property; takes appropriate action within scope of authority;
• Directs traffic, enforces parking regulations, and issues County parking citations or warnings, as necessary;
• May create and maintain computer databases for tracking, retrieval of information, and maintenance of computer files;
• Maintains communication with dispatch center and other Officers via two-way radio;
• Testifies in legal proceedings;
• May conduct metal detector searches with a handheld wand or oversee metal detector operations at entry points;
• May provide first aid or emergency medical services, within scope of the provided training, to County employees or guests;
• Inventories, safeguards and returns patient valuables;
• Assists medical personnel in transporting and/or escorting psychiatric patients;
• Conducts property searches of 5150 patients pursuant to law;
• Applies behavioral restraints to patients as provided by departmental policies and procedures;
• Reports criminal activity and participates in a Private Person’s Arrest in accordance with California laws and departmental policy, if necessary, pending other law enforcement assistance or actions;
• Uses reasonable force to protect self, staff, and general public, as allowed by departmental policies and procedures;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

Education

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to completion of high school or equivalent
and
Two (2) years of full-time experience as a security guard and/or peace officer.
Completion of sixty (60) semester units (ninety (90) quarter units) of college may be substituted for the security or peace officer experience.
OR
Attended a Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office POST Basic Academy or Adult Corrections Academy within the last six months.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.
• Must pass a comprehensive criminal history and background check, which includes a polygraph examination and contact of prior employers and personal references. Applicants will be fingerprinted for local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record. In addition, a classifiable set of fingerprints shall be furnished to the Department of Justice and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

• Successfully complete and receive the following required certifications and courses within nine (9) months of employment or vacate the position:
  • Introductory course of training prescribed by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) as described in Penal Code Section 832 (excluding the firearm portion).
  • Course approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) in the carrying and use of an impact weapon, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray and handcuffs.
  • In-house Field Training Program.

Knowledge Of

• Property, personnel and facility security measures;
• Fire and safety regulations;
• Basic security principles and techniques;
• Common computer systems and software applications;
• Report writing principles and techniques;
• Basic law enforcement principles and techniques;
• Rules, regulations, codes, and laws related to the work (part of the PC 832 training and enforcement of some legal detentions, arrests);
• Basic first aid and CPR;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation and spelling.

Ability To

• Implement property, personnel and facility security measures;
• Understand fire and safety regulations;
• Apply basic security principles and techniques;
• Use common computer systems and software applications;
• Utilize report writing principles and techniques;
• Understand basic law enforcement principles and techniques;
• Follow rules, regulations, codes, and laws related to the work;
• Administer basic first aid and perform CPR;
• Read and understand material safety data sheets and other safety communications;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public and representatives of other agencies.

Physical Requirements

• Wear personal protective equipment, including gas mask, ballistic vest, and hazardous materials decontamination suit, as appropriate;
• Perform physical tasks requiring strength and endurance.