The San Joaquin Sheriff’s Office is seeking highly motivated individuals who are interested in a career as a law enforcement officer. The Deputy Sheriff Trainee will receive intensive academic instruction and rigorous physical training in law enforcement at a California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Certified Academy and will receive other assignments on a training basis to learn departmental policies and procedures.
Pre-Employment Physical, Drug Screen and Background: Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination, a pre-employment drug screen and a background investigation as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible candidate has passed the drug screen, physical and successfully completed the background process. The County pays for the initial drug screen and physical.
Candidates must pass the physical agility test and written exam to move forward in the recruitment process for this position. Click the link to view a video demonstration of the physical agility test:
PAT Video.
Candidates may provide POST PELLETB T-scores from other agencies in lieu of taking the written examination. A T-Score of 42 or higher is qualifying with San Joaquin County.
T-Scores must be on official agency letterhead in PDF format and have been within the last 12 months. You may attach your T-score letters to your application or e-mail them to
[email protected]. Please note, San Joaquin County WILL NOT waive the physical agility exam in lieu of another physical agility exam from another law enforcement agencies and/or basic training academies.
If you retest within 30 days either with the same or a different department/agency, your test results will be invalidated. you must wait at least 30 calendar days prior to retaking the test (e.g., you will be eligible to retest on the 31st day after you have taken your last PELLETB exam.)
For more information regarding the Entry-Level Test Battery exam please visit LE Entry-Level Test Battery Applicant FAQs.
Study guide/material may be found at the CA POST website: PELLETB Preparation Guide
If you have failed either the Physical Agility Test or the Written Exam and are still interested in participating in the process, please reach out to Melissa Lopez at
[email protected] so you can continue to receive notices for upcoming exam dates.
UPCOMING TESTING SCHEDULE (future dates to be added)
Apply by: Thursday, November 6, 2025, by 11:59 p.m.
PAT/Written Exam: Friday, November 14, 2025
(Please note, only candidates that successfully complete the agility test will be invited to the written exam)
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Apply by: Thursday, January 8, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.
PAT/Written Exam: Friday, January 16, 2026
(Please note, only candidates that successfully complete the agility test will be invited to the written exam)
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Apply by: Thursday, March 5, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.
PAT/Written Exam: Rescheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2026
(Please note, only candidates that successfully complete the agility test will be invited to the written exam)
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Apply by: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.
PAT/Written Exam: Thursday, May 14, 2026
(Please note, only candidates that successfully complete the agility test will be invited to the written exam)
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Apply by: Thursday, July 2, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.
PAT/Written Exam: Friday, July 10, 2026
(Please note, only candidates that successfully complete the agility test will be invited to the written exam)
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Apply by: Thursday, September 3, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.
PAT/Written Exam: Friday, September 11, 2026
(Please note, only candidates that successfully complete the agility test will be invited to the written exam)
Hiring Incentive Program:
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is offering a hiring incentive in the amount of $10,000. The department will award the cash incentive to any person who is hired for any of the following job classifications; within the timeframes this program is active and so approved by the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors:
- Deputy Sheriff Trainee/AC/I/II
- Correctional Officer Trainee/Correctional Officer
- Communications Dispatcher I/II/III
Additionally, a moving stipend reimbursement is available for those new hires within the qualified classifications. A qualified hire may receive up to $2,000 for any cost directly associated with relocating their primary residence as a result of gaining employment with this office.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.
NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.
San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.
Accomodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Apply Online:
www.sjgov.org/department/hr
By mail or in person:
San Joaquin County Human Resources
44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330
Stockton, CA 95202
Office hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.
Phone: (209) 468-3370
Job Line:
For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377.
When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).
San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.
Equal Opportunity Employer: San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.
