Deputy Sheriff jobs in the United States

The Placer County Sheriff's Office is currently accepting applications for Deputy Sheriff Trainee, Deputy Sheriff I, and Deputy Sheriff II. Please review individual job postings for the minimum qualifications required at each level. To participate at the Trainee level, I level, or II level, you must complete and submit separate applications for each recruitment:

Deputy Sheriff - Trainee #2024-16300-01

Deputy Sheriff - I #2024-16321-01

Deputy Sheriff - II #2024-16322-01

Qualified applicants will undergo an extensive background investigation to determine if they meet the high standards set by the Sheriff's Office in the areas including, but not limited to: high moral character, honesty, and exemplary work ethic. The Sheriff's Office also highly values those with a positive attitude toward fellow workers and the community they will be serving. Upon successful graduation from the POST Academy, Deputy Sheriff Trainee incumbents are automatically placed into the Deputy Sheriff I classification. Deputy Sheriff assignment locations may include Auburn, South Placer, or Tahoe.

This continuous recruitment will remain open for the calendar year, or until the final filing date, whichever occurs first. The eligible list established from this continuous recruitment will expire by the end of the calendar year. Applicants will be eligible to reapply and take an examination if a new recruitment opens the following calendar year.

Examinations will be scheduled throughout the year as applications are received. Qualified applicants will be notified of their testing date via email once the examination date has been scheduled.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Deputy Sheriff's Association (DSA) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To perform law enforcement, community-based policing, and crime prevention work within a variety of assignments, including to patrol assigned area and enforce state and local laws, to conduct investigations of misdemeanor and felony crimes, to supervise inmates in correctional facilities, to investigate and conduct coroner cases, and to ensure court security.

This is the full journey level class within the sworn Deputy Sheriff series. This class is distinguished from the Deputy Sheriff I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level. 

Receives general supervision from a Sergeant or other designated sworn personnel.
May exercise technical and/or functional supervision as a Field Training Officer, as an assigned Officer-in-Charge, and in other specialized assignments.

• Maintain law and order within the County by performing law enforcement activities in a variety of assignments.
• When assigned to Patrol, patrol an assigned area by motor vehicle, on foot, or by other designated means to answer calls for the protection of life and property and the enforcement of County and state laws; conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, deaths and other criminal incidents; direct traffic and detain drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; issue citations and make arrests as necessary; investigate coroner cases, coordinate decedent removals to the morgue, and make death notifications.
• When assigned to Investigations, investigate major crimes against property and persons, in addition to narcotics and vice-related crimes; conduct extensive follow-up investigation at the scene of crimes and accidents; gather evidence; conduct surveillance; locate and question witnesses; take statements from witnesses; present information to the District Attorney's office for filing charges; appear in court, as directed.
• When assigned to Court Security, maintain safety and security for all personnel in the courtroom; act as bailiff in courtroom; transfer inmates to and from the courts and correctional facilities; search individuals entering the court when necessary; at all times, monitor all courtroom activities to anticipate any safety concerns; assist other courtroom personnel in ensuring smooth operation of the courtroom.
• When assigned to Civil, serve civil and criminal subpoenas, summons, complaints, executions, attachments, and court orders; interview witnesses, neighbors, or other persons to gather information for investigations or the service of legal documents; determine daily geographical route and item schedule to maximize the service of legal documents.
• When assigned to Corrections, receive, search, book, fingerprint, and guard prisoners in the jail or other prisoner holding facilities; supervise prisoners at work, in transport, during visit conferences, and other activities; prepare prisoners for court, visits from attorneys, and for the prisoner's transfer and release; transport prisoners between the jail and the courts.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.
• Gather evidence using a variety of methods and techniques, including taking photographs, lifting fingerprints, tracing movements, and talking with informants.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas; file complaints; prepare, process, and maintain necessary files, documents, and reports; perform other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Prepare detailed reports on all activities; write reports on arrests, traffic violations, inmate conflicts, impounded property, and other situations; maintain Sheriff's Office records and files when necessary.
• Receive and investigate complaints of violations by or against juveniles; confer with juveniles and their parents; prepare citations for Juvenile Court.
• May be assigned to canine patrol duty.
• Check buildings for physical security; report street lamps or traffic signals that are not working; report or remove traffic hazards; report and take corrective action on other conditions detrimental to the general public.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Attend meetings with civic groups; participate in and conduct public awareness/education programs at schools.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems, work collaboratively with the community to solve problems, and preserve good relationships with the public.
• Substantiate findings in court; testify when necessary in court.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Provide adequate staffing and shift coverage, as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: One year of responsible law enforcement training and experience performing duties similar to a Deputy Sheriff I with Placer County.

Training: Completion of the twelfth grade or GED.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic certificate or equivalency certificate. 
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of law enforcement.
• Police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, corrections, investigation, and identification techniques.
• Criminal law and criminal procedure with particular reference to the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies.
• Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the preservation of evidence.
• Use and care for small firearms and other law enforcement equipment and tools.
• Rules and regulations of the Sheriff's Office.
• Laws applicable to the apprehension and treatment of juveniles.
• Offensive and defensive weapons nomenclature and theory; use and care of firearms, chemical agents, batons, and other related law enforcement paraphernalia.
• Principles and practices of self-defense.
• Interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Pertinent laws, codes, regulations, and statutes.
• Accepted procedures and methods of serving civil notices, especially those relating to the attachment and sale of property; nature and purposes of such documents as writs of attachment, subpoenas, citations, and other civil papers.       
• County geography, noting streets and building locations.

Ability to:

• Undertake and satisfactorily complete required and assigned in-service training programs as well as other mandated training requirements.
• Think logically and act quickly in emergencies and judge situations and people accurately; exercise good judgment and make sound, independent decisions while working in the field.
• Learn, understand, and interpret laws and regulations.
• Meet and maintain required peace officer employment standards.
• Meet and maintain the Sheriff's Office firearms qualifications standards.
• Prepare and make presentations related to law enforcement efforts in the community.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.