Job Description

Posting number: 26-U64-I

Department: Sheriff Services

Job classification: Deputy Sheriff

Posting type: Open

Categories: Law Enforcement

Under supervision, to perform active law enforcement duties in the protection of life and property, the investigation of crimes, and the apprehension of law violators; to provide security to the Superior Court and the service of civil process issued by the Court; and to perform a variety of technical law enforcement tasks.

The Deputy Sheriff – Lateral recruitment is for applicants who currently work or have worked at a California POST-approved law enforcement agency performing duties of a Peace Officer with a separation date within three years of application date
OR
who have successfully completed a California POST-certified Regular Basic Course (standard or modular format) within three years of the application date and possess a California Basic Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) certificate, or possess a valid re-qualification certificate if the original certification has expired.

The agility test date for this recruitment is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026; attendance is required to advance your application.

Those seeking to start a career in law enforcement, who do not meet the above criteria, should refer to the Cadet job posting for employment opportunities, Cadets are entry level positions with paid training to become a Deputy.

Pursuant to California Senate Bill 960, effective January 1, 2023, it is no longer required for peace officers to either be a citizen of the United States or be a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship; instead, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Examples of duties

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

Patrols county areas and contract cities in a radio equipped patrol car to preserve law and order and to prevent and discover the commission of crimes;

Responds to a variety of calls, including felony and misdemeanor complaints and vehicular accidents;

Conducts initial criminal investigation by interviewing witnesses, protecting the crime scene, and gathering and preserving physical evidence;

Appears in court to testify;

Prepares accurate reports based on facts obtained and investigative steps taken;

Makes on-view and warrant arrests;

Transports prisoners to jail;

Serves as a detective or as a member of a detective division team;

Serves legal processes, such as summons, garnishments, writs of execution, and attachments;

Signs affidavit that service has been made or notifies attorney that service cannot be made;

Prepares notice of sale, conducts sales, and prepares transfer of title documents;

Attends sessions of the court to which assigned, representing the Sheriff and supervising the security of the court;

Keeps order in the courtroom and serves any processes or makes any arrests necessary;

May provide training in various areas within the Sheriff’s Office Divisions, including providing Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and/or Standard and Training for Correction (STC) to in-service personnel;

May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

Performs other related duties, as required or assigned.

Qualifications

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 possession of sixty (60) semester units (ninety (90) quarter units) of college;

Two (2) years of full-time active-duty military service with honorable discharge

Two (2) years of full-time experience working as a peace officer within a correctional facility.

Special Requirements

Applicants who have passed their 20th birthday may apply but cannot be appointed until they have reached their 21st birthday.

Successfully completed a California POST Basic Course (Academy) within the last three (3) years.

Maintain current First Aid and CPR certification after appointment and for the duration of employment in the classification.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

Have never been convicted of a felony. Any felony conviction and/or a conviction outside of California that would be considered a felony in California is disqualifying.

Must be able to take and pass a thorough medical examination. May be disqualified based on established medical standards or current POST or Departmental orders.

Must successfully pass a psychological evaluation.

Must successfully demonstrate and maintain physical fitness to perform the full scope and functions of the job.

Must pass a complete background investigation, including fingerprints and a search of local, state, and national files for criminal history.

Must possess the legal right to work in the United States.

Candidates must meet all required employment standards prescribed in Government Code Section 1031, which include a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, fingerprinting, background investigation, and medical examination.

*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.

Knowledge of

State and local laws and ordinances;

Modern police practices and procedures;

Investigation and interrogation techniques and the identification and preservation of evidence;

Modern sociological concepts and communication skills in dealing with a diverse and ethnic population;

Self-defense tactics;

First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);

Geography of local area;

Common computer systems and applications;

Course training and instruction techniques;

English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Ability to

Acquire, retain, and apply police knowledge, procedures, and departmental policies;

Express oneself clearly and concisely in English, both in writing and orally, and be able to prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports;

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with private citizens, fellow officers, and supervisors;

Communicate and effectively interact with a diverse community;

Make decisions and act calmly during emergencies;

Exercise sound judgment, especially under stressful conditions;

Project authority;

De-escalate hostile and aggressive behaviors;

Observe accurately;

Perform a wide variety of physical tasks requiring strength, coordination, endurance, and agility;

Use and care for specialized equipment, including firearms, radar equipment, and hand-held radios;

Provide training and instruction in a variety of subjects within the Sheriff’s Office;

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;

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;

Use computer systems and applications.

Supplemental information

Work varying shifts (e.g., day, swing, and graveyard), including weekends and holidays.

About County of Santa Clara

The County of Santa Clara is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and encompasses 1,312 square miles.

It has one of the highest median family incomes in the country, and a wide diversity of cultures, backgrounds and talents. The County of Santa Clara continues to attract people from all over the world. With more than 70 agencies/departments and 22,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, provides quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health protection, environmental protection, medical services through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, park services, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.

The County's population of nearly 1.9 million is one of the largest in the state, and the largest of the nine Bay Area counties. Its population constitutes about one fourth of the Bay Area's total population. There are 15 cities including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale ranging from Palo Alto to the north, to Gilroy in the south. San Jose is the largest city in the County, with a population of 1.035 million, and is the administrative site of County Government. A significant portion of the county's land area is unincorporated ranch and farmland. Nearly 92% of the population lives in cities.

The County of Santa Clara operates 27 parks covering more than 50,000 acres including scenic lakes, streams, and miles of hiking and biking trails.

santaclaracounty.gov/social-media-disclaimer

Industry

Government & Public Safety

Company Size

10,000+ employees

Headquarters

San Jose, CA

Year Founded

Unknown

Website

santaclaracounty.gov

Social Media

Deputy Sheriff - Lateral

Job Description

Examples of duties

Qualifications

Supplemental information

About County of Santa Clara