Deputy Sheriff Trainee
Salary
$91,353.60 Annually
Location
Orange County
Job Type
Full-Time Regular
Job Number
6124PO-0526-060(O)
Department
Sheriff-Coroner
Opening Date
05/09/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
CAREER DESCRIPTION
DEPUTY SHERIFF TRAINEE
THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFFS 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, JULY 11, 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 Sheriffs 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 Sheriffs Department is the fifth largest sheriffs 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 Sheriffs 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 Sheriffs 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 individuals 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 Sheriffs 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:
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:
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.
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 candidates rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidates 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 Departments 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 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EMAIL NOTIFICATION: Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in your application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Please click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Mary Felix via email at mfelix@ocsheriff.gov or call our Recruiting line at 714-834-5811.
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the Countys standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information
Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.
01
The minimum age requirement by date of appointment is 21 years of age. Are you 20 and a half years of age or older?
02
Do you have one of the following? (Please indicate which one you possess.)
03
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, or qualification under California government Code Section 1031.5?
04
As an adult, have you ever been convicted of a felony?
05
Have you ever been convicted of any crime involving domestic violence, or are you currently the subject of a domestic violence restraining order?
06
Are you currently on any form of probation (formal or informal)? If yes, your probation period must be completed before you can be hired as a peace officer or limited peace officer.
07
Prior to applying for Deputy Sheriff Trainee, how did you originally hear about the position?
Required Question
Employer County of Orange
Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
Santa Ana, California, 92701
Phone 714-834-2555
Website https://hrs.oc.gov