Sheriff’s Deputies rotate among a variety of assignments including law enforcement, crime prevention and crime detection activities; serve civil papers; perform coroner functions; act as bailiff and perform other duties as required.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate awarded by the California Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training and current employment by a California County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy Sheriff or City Police Department as a Police Officer with at least one year of continuous service as a peace officer performing general law enforcement duties

A copy of your P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate must be submitted with your completed application.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Possession of a valid Class C California Driver License.  Ability to pass a full background investigation.  Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who has applied for citizenship at least one year prior to application for employment in accordance with Section 1031.5 of the Government Code; must be at least 21 years of age at completion of academy; must be available to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays on an emergency and as needed basis.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of laws pertaining to search and seizure, arrest and interrogation of suspects; rules of evidence and basic criminal law; use and care of firearms; law enforcement vehicular and foot patrol techniques. Some knowledge of techniques of criminal investigations; and court procedures in criminal and civil cases.

Ability to: Understand, interpret and apply State and local laws and departmental policies; react quickly and calmly in emergency situations and adopt an effective course of action; follow oral and written instructions; operate firearms safely and skillfully; obtain information through interview, interrogation and observation; write clear and accurate reports; establish and maintain effective relationships; perform a variety of active public safety duties involving strenuous physical activity, such as pursuing and restraining suspects and lifting injured persons. Normal color vision and unrestricted peripheral vision.  If no corrective lenses worn, vision of at least 20/20.  If glasses are worn, uncorrected vision of at least 20/100, correcting to 20/20.  If soft contact lenses are worn, vision of at least 20/200, correcting to 20/20, with one year minimum of successful contact lens use.  Candidates who have had corrective eye surgery must meet all applicable vision guidelines at all times of the day.  A minimum of one year must have elapsed between surgery and examination, and all post-operative records must be submitted for review.

Special Working Conditions:  Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions; confined work spaces; heights; two-way radio noise; strong, unpleasant odors; infections which might cause chronic disease or death; dust and pollens; chemical irritants; possibility of experiencing bodily injury and/or burns; contact with a diverse population. 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: 
VACATION – Employees on 5/8 schedule accrue at 112 hours per year, rising to 232 hours per year after 15 years service.  Employees on 4/10 schedule accrue at 94 hours per year, rising to 214 hours per year.  Vacation is available after 2080 hours of service.
HOLIDAYS – Employees on 5/8 schedule receive 12.5 paid Holidays per year.  Employees on 4/10 schedule shall receive one 10 hour day off per month in lieu of prescribed holidays.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out of state.
SICK LEAVE – 96 hours per year, after 6 months.
MEDICAL PLAN – Choice of PERS medical plan or Operating Engineers Health & Welfare Trust Fund medical plan.  For most plans County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and dependents.
VISION PLAN – The County pays for employee coverage if the employee enrolls in a PERS medical plan.  Employees may purchase dependent coverage.  If employees choose the Operating Engineers Health & Welfare Trust Fund medical plan, vision insurance is covered under that plan.
DENTAL PLAN – County paid employee and dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT – 3% at age 50 (graduate) plan ("CHP") with 1959 Survivor's Benefit.  County pays a portion of retirement contribution.
OASDI (FICA) – Employee and County both pay 1.45% Medicare contribution.
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $50,000 policy.  Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN – Employee paid. Plan pays up to 66 2/3% of the first $10,500 or $7,000 maximum benefit amount per month.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay for qualifying child or dependent care expenses may elect this pre-tax program.
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (FSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
EMPLOYEE/FAMILY CREDIT UNION – Offers systematic savings and low interest loans.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available.
OTHER BENEFITS – County pays premium for certain requirements and assignments, including: Night Shift Pay: 5% of base pay; POST Intermediate Certificate: 2.5% of base pay; POST Advanced Certificate: 4% of base pay; Detective Pay: equal to 5% of hourly salary step; Bilingual Pay: $.50/hour for LEVEL I, $.70/hour for LEVEL II and $.85 for LEVEL III.
ASSIGNMENTS – Opportunities for rotation to every bureau of the department.
UNIFORMS – Employees must provide uniforms upon appointment. Uniforms are replaced by department when no longer serviceable.
AUTOMATIC CHECK DEPOSIT – Required for all employees in this bargaining unit.

THE EXAMINATION:  The examination process will consist of the following: Review of application (pass/fail) and a physical ability examination (pass/fail). Physical Ability Test: Part 1: Run 220 yards in 1 minute or less; Part 2: Drag a 165 pound dummy 60 feet in 1 minute or less; Part 3: Climb a 6-foot wall in 1 minute or less. Applicants will be allowed two one-minute attempts to pass each part of the physical ability test. Applicants MUST PASS ALL components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060 or Personnel Department, 1430 Freedom Blvd, Suite 101, Watsonville, CA, 95076.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Background Investigation: An extensive background investigation including a polygraph examination, psychological examination, drug screen and Personal History Statement which includes but is not limited to work, legal, driving, financial and drug possession histories will be conducted.  Failure of the background investigation will include but is not limited to one of the following: