Salary: $82,700.80 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Job Number:Department: Sheriff
Division: Human Resource Services
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Job SummaryAre you seeking an exciting and challenging career in law enforcement? The County of San Diego has immediate vacancies for
Deputy Sheriff's Cadet.
Future Salary Increases** June 2027 - 4.47% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 1.47% Market Adjustment)
Cadets who successfully complete the 26-week Academy will be promoted to the classification.
The base pay for a Deputy Sheriff is $43.04/hour upon graduation. Additional pay incentives and premiums are available for those who are eligible:
- Intermediate POST - 5%
- Advanced POST - 13.5%
Visit www.joinsdsheriff.net or contact recruit@sdsheriff.org for additional information on wage incentives.
About The PositionNewly hired Cadets attend and successfully complete a comprehensive 26-week training academy, which includes classroom study and examinations in Jail Procedures, Classification of Incarcerated Persons, Progressive Physical Training (for more information regarding the Physical Agilities Test, please click here), Defensive Tactics, Security Maintenance, Supervision of Inmates, Assaultive Behavior, Emergency Procedures, Firearms Training, Courtroom Procedures, Criminal and Civil Proceedings, and related subjects. Upon graduation, Cadets will be promoted to Deputy Sheriff-Detentions/Court Services. Read the
job classification to learn more about the position
Minimum Requirements at Time of ApplicationEducation, training, and/or experience that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above. Required education and experience:
- Must be 20.5 years of age at time of application AND
- Obtain a U.S. High school diploma or G.E.D., or a degree from a two-year or four-year accredited U.S. college or university.
- Applicants must attach a copy of their conferred transcript or diploma to their application. Degrees must be accredited by a U.S. state or local government educational agency using local or state government-approved accreditation, or an organization holds membership in Cognia.
Positions in this classification must meet employment guidelines and standards established by The Commission for Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) in which Peace Officers as defined in Section 830 of the California Penal Code and the provisions of Sections 1029 and 1031 of the California Government Code. Additionally, candidates must have the ability to carry, possess, receive, and own a firearm throughout employment, pursuant to Penal Code section 832.15, subdivision (a).
Condition of EmploymentAs part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment in accordance with the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations will be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position.
Illegal drug use and possession is prohibited in any form by Sheriff's Office employees.
Time of Selection Requirements For Interview and Background Process
- Effective oral and written communication skills in English
- Vision: Correctable to at least 20/30. Applicants using eyeglasses or hard contact lenses must have uncorrected visual acuity of no worse than 20/100. There is no minimum uncorrected visual acuity requirement for individuals wearing soft contact lenses. All standards are subject to the requirements established by the State of California P.O.S.T.
Application Process: Complete the online application form and provide correct and complete responses to the Supplemental Questions. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
Hiring Process Assistance: If you have any questions or would like assistance during the hiring process, you may request contact from the Sheriff's Office by emailing
recruit@sdsheriff.org. Please include your last name, first name, and a contact phone number, and use the subject line "Sheriff's Sworn Applicant." Providing your contact information is completely voluntary and is not a condition of this application or any employment with the County of San Diego.
Written Examination Process: If you meet the minimum qualifications for Deputy Sheriff's Cadet, you will be invited to take a written examination. This exam will include the Sheriff's Aptitude Assessment and Basic Readiness Exam (SAABRE) The test assesses English comprehension consisting of questions pertaining to vocabulary, spelling, and reading comprehension. The specific exam administered will be at the sole discretion of the Sheriff's Office.
Note: If you have recently taken the California POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET-B) with any agency, you must wait at least thirty (30) days before you can take this test with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. If applicants fail to wait at least 30 days from their last examination date and proceed with taking two tests in a 30-day window period, California POST will invalidate the second test score administration. If your score is invalidated, you will not be placed on the eligible list for the Deputy Sheriff's Cadet with the San Diego County. For additional information on the State of California POST written examination and regulations, please go to www.post.ca.gov.
Exception for the Written Test1. If you possess POST PELLETB written exam results from another agency AND received a total T-Score of 42 or higher AND the letter is dated within 6 months prior to your application date; you must submit these results via email to Jobs@sdcounty.ca.gov
OR2. If you possess an associate's degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university.
A copy of the conferred transcript or diploma must be attached to the application. If you do not attach a copy of your transcript or diploma, you will be required to take the SAABRE exam.
Background Orientation and Investigation Process. If successful in the written exam process, candidates will be required to complete the following: a comprehensive background investigation, a Computer Voice Stress Analysis Exam, an employment interview with Sheriff's sworn management, a psychological examination, a physical abilities test, a physical assessment, and a full medical examination, including drug screening.
Note: All phases of evaluation for this recruitment, including exam, background orientation, and investigation process, will require candidates to appear in person. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis. The County of San Diego now participates in
Click here to see the Non-Management Cadet Benefits Summary01
Do you possess a United States high school diploma or GED certificate? 02
Are you at least 20.5 years of age as of the date of this online application for Deputy Sheriff Cadet? 03
WRITTEN TEST EXCEPTION: Applicants that possess a completed associate's degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university may waive the written exam. Note: A copy of your conferred transcript or diploma must be attached to your application for verification.
Do you understand this? - Yes. I have attached my diploma or transcripts.
- I am not using education to qualify.
04
Do you possess a two-year or a four-year degree from an accredited
United States college or university?
05
Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications and pass the performance exam for Deputy Sheriff Cadet, you will be subject to a thorough background investigation which includes psychological, truth verification or other examination or test. This background investigation includes job dimensions established by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) to determine a candidate's suitability as a peace officer.
Do you understand this information? 06
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?Note: The County of San Diego does not sponsor employment.
07
Are you willing to designate California as your principal residence throughout employment as a law enforcement officer? 08
Do you possess a valid California driver's license OR, if you currently reside in a state other than California, are you willing and able to obtain a valid California driver's license? 09
Do you possess the ability to read, write, and verbally communicate in English in a fluent, clear, and understandable manner? 10
The following are working conditions associated with this role.
Select which of the following working conditions you are willing to comply with throughout employment as a law enforcement officer? (Check all that apply)
- Will work shifts during irregular business hours including evenings, early morning hours, weekends, and holidays
- Will work on a full-time basis as a Sheriff sworn position
- Will work overtime hours (defined as an excess of eight hours per day)
- Will wear a uniform and comply with the grooming and appearance policies, procedures, and standards of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office (Examples: hair neat, clean and well-groomed; beards not allowed; mustaches trimmed and neat; and jewelry minimally observable
- I cannot adhere to one or more of the listed working conditions
11
The following are working conditions associated with this role.
Select which of the following working conditions you are willing to comply with throughout employment as a law enforcement officer? (Check all that apply)
- Will be responsible for own reliable transportation to and from work
- Will accept assignments to work at any location within the County of San Diego; and travel within and outside of the County region when on assignments
- Will enforce all laws without hesitation
- Will be willing and able, as a law enforcement officer, to use deadly force, via the use of a handgun or other weapon, to protect themselves and/or other persons, if justifiable by existing laws and departmental policies and procedures
- I cannot adhere to one or more of the listed working conditions
12
Please enter the last four digits of your social security number in the space below. This is used only for applicant identification purposes and will be kept confidential. 13
A valid Police Officer Standard Training (POST) certificate and ability to carry a firearm are required and must be maintained throughout your employment as a Deputy Sheriff with the San Diego Sheriff's Department.
Are you willing to accept these terms? 14
How did you FIRST become aware of this opportunity that led you to come to the governmentjobs.com/SD County we 
