POSITION: Under immediate supervision, to attend a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy to receive instruction designed to qualify trainees for the class of Sheriff's Deputy; and in a non-sworn capacity to perform other duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is a trainee-level class, and incumbents are expected to successfully complete the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy and receive the recommendation of the Sheriff and promote to Sheriff's Deputy or be terminated from the position.
Highlighted County of Santa Barbara Employee Benefits and CompensationAttends the Basic Peace Officers Academy for instruction on law enforcement procedures combined with rigorous physical fitness training;
Studies topics such as the care and use of firearms, weaponless defense, first aid, laws of arrest and evidence, law enforcement techniques and procedures;
Maintains at least the minimum level of proficiency in all areas of training.
Option 1: Candidates who have already completed the National Test Network (NTN) examination may submit their results through NTN to our agency. The test must have been administered within one year of your submitted application. Candidates must meet the minimum scores of: Video (65), Reading Test (70), and Writing Test (70); acceptance of NTN test scores are subject to verification with National Testing Network
_OR_
Option 2: Register yourself to participate in the National Testing Network "Law Enforcement" examination as soon as possible. There are three components to the written examination: Video Judgement, Reading, and Writing. The examination takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Upon completion of your examination, NTN will provide applicant scores to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office (Human Resources Bureau).
NOTE: We offer an alternative to taking the test with National Test Network. Applicants may submit their Peace Officer Standards and Training POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) at the time of application. The results must state a minimum T-score of 45.0 to be accepted. The PELLETB test results are valid from one year the date the test was taken. Applicants who wish to use PELLETB exam results from another agency will have the opportunity to submit these results at a future date. In addition, if you prefer to take an in-person, pencil and paper examination.ThePELLETB written exam will be administered on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Lompoc.
The PAT is an important part of the Sheriff's Deputy Trainee exam and is physically demanding. Even if you are physically fit, we strongly advise that you begin pre-conditioning exercises now in order to increase the probability of success on the day of the exam. For the PAT exam, you must wear appropriate athletic footwear and clothing. You must pass all physical agility modules to continue in the selection process and be placement on the employment list.
Physical Agility Test consistsas follows:
ELIGIBLE LIST:Candidates must receive a passing score on the Written Examination to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their name placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list. The Human Resources Department will notify you by mail if your name is removed.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.
To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 and supporting documentation with your online application or before the examination date, and (3) pass all phases of the Civil Service examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.
Those candidates placed on the employment list will be certified to the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office for further consideration. The Sheriff's Office will administer the remaining selection process outlined below:
~DEPARTMENT SELECTION INTERVIEW:Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an oral panel interview with the Human Resources detectives.
~BACKGROUND HIRING COMPONENTS: Include polygraph, background investigation, Livescan, post-offer psychological and medical examination.
A recruiter will communicate with applicants by e-mailduring each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment and Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Government Code Section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodationto applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We do require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.