Sheriff's Deputy Trainee

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.

• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: http://cosb.countyofsb.org/sbcers/; Retirement reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, 1937 Act plans, and more.

• Vacation Leave: 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 based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link above)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Education Incentive Allowance
• Uniform Allowance for $825 per year (see MOU)

• A reputation for honesty and trustworthiness
• Integrity/good moral character
• Initiative/drive & energy
• Credibility/honesty
• Strong team approach
• Dependability
• Good judgment under pressure
• Effective communication skills

• 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 adult felony 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.

U.S. Citizenship legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal Law.

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.

Please read the SELECTION PROCESS: Be sure to frequently check your email throughout this entire process, this is the only way we will be notifying applicants regarding their status and to provide all the important information throughout the recruitment process.

APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY 12/16/25 FOR TESTING IN JANUARY.

1. APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE REVIEW: All applicants are required to submit an online application CLICK HERE to be considered. Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals that 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 by the deadline 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: Qualified candidates will be invited to complete and 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. You may register and take the exam prior to hearing back from the Sheriff's Office regarding your application status. Applicants are encouraged to take the virtual exam as soon as possible.

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

_OR_

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 Judgement, 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 scores from a PELLETB exam administered at another agency must submit a letter from the testing agency on agency letterhead at the time of application. In addition, if you prefer to take an in-person, pencil and paper examination. The next date that the PELLETB exam will be administered is Friday, January 24, 2025 in Lompoc.

The PAT is an important part of the Sheriff's Deputy Trainee exam and is physically demanding. Even if you are physically fit, we strongly advise that you begin pre-conditioning exercises now in order to increase the probability of success on the day of the exam. For the PAT exam, you must wear appropriate athletic footwear and clothing. You must pass all physical agility modules to continue in the selection process and be placement on the employment list.

Physical Agility Test consists as 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 physical agility 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 with your online application or before the closing 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:

~DEPARTMENT SELECTION INTERVIEW: Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview with the Human Resources detectives.

~BACKGROUND HIRING COMPONENTS: Include polygraph, background investigation, Livescan, post-offer psychological and medical examination.

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: 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.

Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.