DEPUTY SHERIFF TRAINEE
THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AND REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS UNTIL THE NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE MET. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE ON ANY DAY AT 11:59 P.M.
EXAM DATE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2026
RECRUITMENT/POSITION INFORMATION
This recruitment is being held to establish an Open Eligible List to fill future vacancies in this class until the next recruitment. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications through the County of Orange.
Incumbents will be periodically rotated through assignments and shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and correctional/court facilities.
A Deputy Sheriff Trainee will be required to attend and satisfactorily complete the 28-week P.O.S.T. Certified Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy. Upon successful completion of the academy, the Deputy Sheriff Trainee will be promoted to the position of Deputy Sheriff I.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Sheriff's Department is the fifth largest sheriff's department in the nation, offering a rewarding career with the opportunity to serve Orange County in diverse assignments including land, air, and sea-based patrol, specialty investigative units, community engagement assignments, and unique collateral duty options. The Sheriff's Department prides itself on embracing a policing model that employs intelligence-led policing strategies and a community-focused approach to providing law enforcement services. We believe engaged communities make for safe communities. Accordingly, the Department also offers extensive training and outreach opportunities for personnel to build and strengthen relationships in the communities they serve through community-based policing, familiarization between law enforcement and community residents, and collaborative problem solving. This is more than a job; it is an opportunity to build a career of which you can be proud.
OCSD Deputy Sheriff Trainee Mentoring Program
The Mentoring Program is a voluntary, but highly recommended academy preparation program. This program is open to candidates who are currently in the background process with the Orange County Sheriff's Department and receive a referral from their background investigator. Any County of Orange employee who voluntarily participates shall do so off duty; no County employee may participate during their scheduled working hours. The Mentoring Program is designed to introduce candidates to academy protocol, memory work and physical training. Mentoring staff may evaluate and record participant performance and this information may be used for individual assessments and selection by the Professional Standards Division; meaning, an individual's performance / behavior at mentoring sessions may be evaluated prior to being selected for hire as a Deputy Sheriff Trainee.
Please click here to view the OC Sheriff's Department website.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to:-
Read, understand, interpret and apply departmental policies, rules, laws and ordinances pertaining to law enforcement work.
- Write clear and comprehensive reports.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
- Learn to use and maintain firearms in a safe and proficient manner.
Education and Experience:
Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a General Education Development G.E.D. test or passage of the California High School Proficiency Test or have attained a two-year or four-year degree from an accredited college or university.
License/Certification:
Possession of a valid California Driver License by date of appointment.
Special Requirements:
- Be legally authorized to work in United States under federal law.
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At least 20 ½ years at time of application and at least 21 years of age by date of appointment to Deputy Sheriff Trainee.
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Not have been convicted of a felony and not to be otherwise subject to disqualification under California Government Code Section 1029.
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Found to be free from any physical, emotional or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect exercise of peace officer powers, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with California Government Code Section 1031.
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Pass a background investigation conducted in compliance with California Government Code 1031, to the satisfaction of the Sheriff-Coroner Department.
Please click here to view the class spec/job description.
TESTING PROCESS/SELECTION PROCEDURE
Sheriff Human Resources screens all applications and supplemental information to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process.
Written Exam (Pass/Fail): Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the written exam via email. The written exam consists of job-related, multiple-choice questions. Applicants who pass the written exam will be referred to the pre-investigative interview the same day.
Study Guides are available online:
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Learning Express Police Officer Exam (California Edition)
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Norman Hall's Police Exam (California Edition)
Pre-Investigative Interview Questionnaire (Refer/Non-Refer): Candidates must print out and complete the Pre-Investigative Interview Questionnaire prior to exam date. The questionnaire will be collected and reviewed by Backgrounds Unit staff members upon arrival to the exam. You may be referred to a follow-up pre-investigative interview with a Background Investigator immediately following the written exam.
Physical Agility Test (Pass/Fail): Applicants must be dressed in physical training attire to participate. The physical agility test consists of three components.
- 30 Push-Ups: Complete 30 push-ups within 2 minutes.
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30 Sit-Ups: Complete 30 sit-ups within 2 minutes.
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1.5 Mile Run: Complete one and a half (1.5) miles on a flat surface within 14 minutes.
Applicants who pass the physical agility test will be referred to the structured oral interview, commencing the following weeks.
Structured Oral Interview (Refer/Non-Refer): Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel comprised of subject matter experts and civilian personnel. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the position. Those who score high enough on the structured oral interview will be scheduled for a background interview with a Background Investigator.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
APPLICANTS THAT DO NOT SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE STRUCTURED ORAL INTERVIEW MUST REAPPLY TO THE RECRUITMENT AND UNDERGO ALL TESTING COMPONENTS TO BE CONSIDERED.
Background Investigation: Includes employment history, personal references, criminal history, credit history, a polygraph examination, medical examination, drug urinalysis test, and a written and oral psychological examination.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
The County of Orange is committed to providing a means for applicants who may have a disability to identify areas in which they may request a reasonable accommodation. The following is a description of the physical and mental abilities, which are customarily required to perform the essential job functions of this position. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Recruiter for any questions or to request an accommodation during the testing/selection process.
Environmental Conditions: Incumbents will be working inside a jail facility and will have contact with inmates that may become violent or abusive. Incumbents will be required to drive in inclement weather conditions, and work shift work, holidays, weekends and rotating schedules.
Physical Requirements: Incumbents must have independent body mobility to stand, stoop, twist, bend, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., and to drag a 165 lb. mannequin; climb a ladder, scaffolds, 6 foot wall, etc., sit and stand for prolonged periods of time; speak and hear well enough to converse in person; communicate clearly and understandably over the phone and to address large groups of people; and vision sufficient to read standard text, a computer screen and oversee large groups of inmates.
ELIGIBLE LIST
After all selection procedures have been completed, Sheriff Human Resources will establish an open eligible list of qualified candidates.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.
Please click
here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications and supplemental information will be accepted on-line only at www.ocgov.com. Your application and supplemental information should demonstrate your professional experience and education related to the specific qualifications/duties listed in this bulletin, including the areas in which you have developed expertise. Please be sure to print a copy of this job bulletin for your records. Please note that email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process.
Please click here for tips to complete your application.
