Applicants currently enrolled to attend an academy or are currently attending an academy are encouraged to apply.
The physical agility and written exam will be held on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026.
Qualified applicants can expect to receive an email notification no later than AUGUST 31, 2026 inviting them to the SEPTEMBER 8th exams.
Physical Agility Exam Information:
This examination will be held at the Butte County Public Safety Training Center located at 1222 Openshaw Road, Oroville, CA 95965 at 8:00 a.m. This examination consists of the following tasks that MUST be completed within the amount of time specified. Failing any one of the 5 tasks will result in failure for the entire physical agility exam. Each task will be performed separately one person at a time except for the 500 yard run which will be performed in a group. Listed below is a description of the physical agility tasks.
-
Solid Wall Obstacle – Five (5) yard run to a six (6) foot high obstacle, and over the obstacle to a twenty-five (25) yard run to the finish. Must finish within 16.6 seconds.
-
Chain Link Fence Obstacle – Five (5) yard run to six (6) foot high obstacle, and over the obstacle to a twenty-five (25) yard run to the finish. Must finish within 14.6 seconds.
-
Ninety-nine (99) Yard Obstacle Run – Run around a marked course with several angles and then lift yourself over the three (3) foot high hurdle at the end of the run. Must finish within 33.8 seconds.
-
Dummy Drag – Drag a dummy weighing approximately 175 pounds across cement for a distance of thirty (30) feet. Must finish within 9.6 seconds.
-
Five hundred (500) yard Run – Run around the track five hundred (500) yards. Must finish within 178 seconds.
PelletB Written Exam Information:
The written exam will be held just after the physical agility exam. This exam will be held at Butte County Public Safety Training Center located at 1222 Openshaw Road, Oroville, CA 95965. To prepare for the examination, applicants may visit the POST website for a practice exam. (https://post.ca.gov/).
Applicants who have previously taken the PelletB exam may submit a passing T-Score for consideration, provided the score is valid at the time of application (taken within the last twelve months) AND remains valid through the start date of the next academy. All submitted T-Scores will be reviewed and verified for eligibility. Applicants whose T-Scores expire prior to the start of the next academy will be required to retake the PelletB exam during the hiring event.
DEFINITION
Under close supervision, incumbent attends a basic academy course of study necessary to gain Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) approved peace officer status; and to perform related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel or designee. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Deputy Sheriff Trainee is an entry-level class into the County law enforcement series. Incumbents must complete the basic POST Academy to successfully complete probation as a Deputy Sheriff Trainee and qualify for status as a Deputy Sheriff. Positions in this class are distinguished from Deputy Sheriff in that the Deputy Sheriff Trainee is a non-sworn class that shall exercise no peace officer powers. This class is limited to incumbents who have not yet completed the Basic POST Academy. Normal incumbency should not exceed six (6) months. Failure to successfully complete the Basic POST Academy is grounds for automatic termination from this class.
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.
-
Attends a basic academy course of study to gain POST approved peace officer status.
-
May attend orientations on Sheriff’s Office operations.
-
Assists in routine Sheriff’s Office functions as directed.
-
Assists and interacts with other Sheriff’s Office personnel, County departments, outside organizations and businesses, and federal, state and local law enforcement organizations in order to accomplish tasks.
-
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
-
Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures.
-
County, state and federal laws, regulations and ordinances.
-
Basic principles of law enforcement, public safety, and personal security.
Ability To:
-
Understand Sheriff’s Office policies, rules, and instructions pertaining to law enforcement.
-
Demonstrate the ability to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action with due regard for the hazards and circumstances of a given situation.
-
Understand and follow written and oral directions.
-
Remember names, faces, numbers, and other details of incidents.
-
Learn the proper use and care of firearms.
-
Learn to write clear and comprehensive reports.
-
Learn the techniques of supervising and maintaining surveillance over a group of people.
-
Demonstrate an interest in and an aptitude for law enforcement work.
-
Learn to establish and maintain effective relations with officers and the public in a law enforcement capacity.
-
Cooperate with those contacted in the course of work.
-
Interact with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
-
Work independently or as a team member.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
High school diploma or equivalent GED certificate
Applicant must be 20 1/2 years of age at the time of application and 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
Applicants must be of good moral character and successfully pass a thorough background investigation; including polygraph, psychological examination, fingerprinting, and records check. Employment in this classification is contingent upon taking and passing a medical examination. The examination assesses a candidate’s ability to meet the physical demands of the position with or without accommodation in accordance with applicable statutes for applicants with disabilities. In accordance with Government Code Section 1031, a candidate’s physical, emotional, and mental health will be evaluated and must be free from any condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer, or the performance of the duties of this position. Any indication of active organic disease is disqualifying. Hearing aids are not acceptable. Must be able to pass a plate test of color vision.
No conviction by any state, the federal government, or a foreign government of a crime which could have been punishable by imprisonment in a Federal Penitentiary or a State Prison is allowed.
Certifications and Licenses:
-
Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.
-
Must obtain and maintain a valid First Aid and CPR certification by the end of the probationary period.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
-
Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, running, and lifting heavy objects such as gun belts, equipment, suspects, files, and evidence.
-
Subject to extended periods of driving patrol vehicles.
-
Must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Sheriff’s Office standards.
WORKING CONDITIONS
-
Work is performed in internal and external environments with exposure to inclement weather, and varying temperatures. May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, drugs, infectious and communicable diseases.
-
Subject to extended periods of intense concentration in review of crime scenes, investigations and preparing law enforcement reports.
EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED
-
Automotive, aircraft, boat, and snowmobile patrol vehicles; firearms; impact baton; two-way radios; cameras; radar units; pepper spray; blood, drug and chemical analysis kits; and computerized and conventional office equipment.
Disaster Service Worker
All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
