Deputy Sheriff Cadet - Unclassified

Deputy Sheriff Cadet - Unclassified

Salary

$112,184.80 Annually

Location

San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-U66-J

Department

Sheriff Services

Opening Date

08/20/2026

Bargaining Unit

31

• Description
• Questions

Description

Under immediate supervision, attends a Law Enforcement Academy to obtain the required academic, technical, and physical skills necessary to perform as a Deputy Sheriff.

Deputy Sheriff Cadet enters training to join the ranks of Deputy Sheriffs who, under supervision, perform active law enforcement duties in the protection of life and property, the investigation of crimes and apprehension of law violators, the service of civil process issued by court, and perform a variety of technical law enforcement tasks.

Our Cadet recruitment requires:

(1) candidates meet the employment standards listed below (2) submit their application and written examination score (3) pass the physical agility test and complete pre-background paperwork (4) interview with a backgrounds deputy (5) finish a full background check (6) accept an offer to join our academy. Completion of the physical agility test and pre-background paperwork is required to advance your application to interviews and an academy. The agility test for this recruitment is scheduled for September 26, 2026 at 8 a.m., please mark this date on your calendar.

We accept California PELLET B written exam T-score, or NTN law enforcement exam score. Your score should be submitted with your application. If it is not attached or sent through NTN, the score is due to the recruiter before September 21st, 2026. Your application will not move forward without a passing written exam score.

PELLETB exam information https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/.

NTN exam information https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/

Pursuant to California Senate Bill 960, effective January 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Typical Tasks

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.

• Attends Academy training classes for law enforcement;
• Take part of basic training program that includes academic classes, hands-on training, and physical conditioning;
• Participates in basic training that complies with the standards set by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T);
• Participates in hands-on training that includes, but not limited to: weapons training, defensive tactics, role playing scenarios, patrol procedures, emergency vehicle operations, and arrest and control techniques;
• Partakes and completes defensive tactics training that includes ground control, baton training, control holds, and take downs;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards

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 high school or GED

and

Thirty-eight (38) semester units or fifty-seven (57) quarter units of college.

Two (2) years of full-time active-duty military service with honorable discharge or two (2) years of full-time experience working as a peace officer within a correctional facility can substitute for the required college units.

Special Requirements

• Applicants who have passed their 20th birthday may apply but cannot be appointed until they have reached their 21st birthday.
• 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 on the basis of established medical standards (current P.O.S.T. or Departmental orders). Vision must not be less than 20/100, correctable to 20/20 with normal depth and color perception.
• 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 passing a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, fingerprinting, background investigation, and medical examination.
• 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.

Knowledge of:

• Common computer systems and applications;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Ability to:

• Learn, understand, retain, and interpret police knowledge, procedures, and departmental policies;
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions;
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, 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;
• Use computer systems and applications.

Physical Requirements

• Perform a wide variety of physical tasks requiring strength, coordination, endurance, and agility;
• Conform to uniform standards.

01

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than High School or GED
• High School or GED equivalent
• College coursework (1 to 37 semester units / 1 to 56 quarter units)
• College coursework (38 to 119 semester units / 57 to 179 quarter units)
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctoral Degree

02

Did you obtain your High School and/or College education in the United States?

• Yes
• No

03

If you answered "No" to the previous question, where did you obtain your high school and/or college education?

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, type "N/A".

04

Do you possess two (2) years of full-time active-duty military service with honorable discharge? If yes, please attach your DD214.

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess two (2) years of full-time experience working as a peace officer within a correctional facility?

• Yes
• No

06

As an adult, have you ever been convicted for an offense other than a minor traffic violation?

• Felony
• Misdemeanor
• Infraction
• No Convictions

07

Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered "No" to the previous question, in how many months will you reach age 21? If you answered "Yes" to previous question, indicate "N/A".

09

Have you taken the P.O.S.T. PELLETB written exam within the last year, and obtained a T-score of 48 or higher?

If yes, please attach the test results to your application material. The T-score results must be on an agency letterhead where the test was administered and list the type of test, test date and the results.

• Yes
• No

10

Have you taken the National Testing Network (NTN) examination for Law Enforcement?

If yes, please send your scores to Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff Cadet.

If have not taken the NTN examination, you can take the examination at https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/. Please take the test under Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff Cadet. If you do not submit a PELLETB or NTN score you will not be invited to the agility test.

• Yes
• No

11

Have you worked as a peace officer for a law enforcement agency, completed the Probationary Period, and obtained a CA Basic POST Certificate?

• Yes
• No

12

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

13

How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Clara

Address 70 W. Hedding Street

8th Floor, East Wing

San Jose, California, 95110

Phone (408) 299-6816

Website http://www.sccjobs.org/