Job Details

Sheriff's Deputy Trainee

We are accepting applications to fill vacancies in all locations throughout the County of Santa Barbara for the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office. Candidates must be willing to accept an assignment at any location throughout Santa Barbara County.

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.

Highlighted County of Santa Barbara Employee Benefits and Compensation

Benefits and Wellness Plans - Medical/Dental/Vision

Compensation Summary

Retirement Plan:

For more information on our retirement plans, retirement reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, 1937 Act plans, and more.

Vacation: 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: 13 days per year

Education Incentive Allowance and Tuition Reimbursement may be available

Uniform Allowance for $825 per year (see MOU)

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A reputation for honesty and trustworthiness
• Integrity, good moral character
• Initiative, drive, and self-motivation
• Strong team approach
• Dependability
• Good judgment under pressure
• Effective communication skills

Background disqualifyers:

• 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.

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; legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

For first consideration application must be received by July 17 at 5:00 PM PST.

Selection process:

1. Application and Supplemental Questionnaire will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals who 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 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: Candidates are invited to complete and must successfully pass a written exam through the National Test Network (NTN). To register with NTN and schedule your online exam, go to 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.

Option 1: 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

Option 2: 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 PELLETB exam results from another agency will have the opportunity to submit these results at a future date. In addition, if you prefer to take an in-person, pencil and paper examination. The PELLETB written exam will be administered on Friday, August 14. 2026, in Lompoc.

4. Physical Agility Test (PAT) Pass/Fail: Upon passing the written exam, candidates will be invited to attend the Physical Agility Test. Candidates will be notified by email with instructions on the process and how to self-schedule. Candidates who successfully pass the PAT will be placed on the employment list. The PAT exam date is Friday, August 14, 2026, 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