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1. What are the minimum requirements to be a Deputy Sheriff with Placer County?

Please visit the Placer County Human Resources page to view the Deputy Sheriff Job classification and current minimum requirements.

2. What are the selection standards for a Deputy Sheriff?

California State Minimum Selection Standards

The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4. Every California peace officer must be:

• Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions (GC 1029)
• Legally authorized to work in the United States by federal law.
• At least 21 years of age for specified peace officers (GC 1031.4)
• Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
• Of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.

• A high school graduate, pass the General Education Development test or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution.
• Found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

In addition, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office complies with the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (P.O.S.T.) and their minimum selection standards for all peace officer positions.  Penal Code Section 13510(a) gives POST the authority to establish minimum selection standards for peace officers employed by agencies that participate in the POST program. These peace officers must, at a minimum, meet the selection standards outlined in the Government Code, and pass the POST selection requirements contained in Commission Regulations 1950-1955 prior to hire. For additional information, please visit the POST website at https://post.ca.gov/

3. What are the typical duties of a Deputy Sheriff?

Our officers work a variety of assignments to uphold our Agency’s Mission Statement and Core Values [link to Placer county Sheriff’s Principles]. Various duties are performed in each position; the Deputy Sheriff Job Classification Specifications provides the main essential duties. 

 View the job specifications  and select the job title of Deputy Sheriff I/ II for classification specifications which include examples of essential duties. 

4. I currently work as a peace officer for another law enforcement agency and am interested in applying to Placer County Sheriff’s Office, what is the application process?

Our Agency values the knowledge and experience each lateral applicant has earned. Applications for employment under the Public Agency Eligibility List (PAEL) are continuously accepted. For information on lateral transfers from another agency, and to download forms, please visit our employment portal and look for the job title of “employees from other public agencies.” Here you will find the requirements for the lateral (PAEL - public agency eligibility list) process as well as required documents and application.

5. I am currently a peace officer outside of the State of California and want to apply with Placer County Sheriff’ Office, how do I apply?

If you have never worked as a peace officer in the state of California you will need to work with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) to determine what steps are necessary to apply for a POST basic academy equivalency certificate. You must possess either this equivalent Certificate for a Basic Academy Training Certificate to be qualified for a peace officer position within California, and our Agency. 

To apply for a Deputy Sheriff II, and you have never worked as a law enforcement officer in the state of California, you will need to work with POST to see what is necessary to have a POST basic academy equivalency certificate issued. The minimum qualifications for deputy sheriff II require possession of a California POST basic certificate. Please visit POST’s website to learn when POST issues this certificate.

6. I have a college degree; do I still need to attend a basic police academy to be a Deputy Sheriff?

Yes, in order to be a Deputy Sheriff you must have a valid California POST basic academy training certificate or basic academy equivalency certificate. Contact the Sheriff's Office for more information.

7. How can I become a Deputy Sheriff if I haven’t attended a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy?

You can put yourself through a Peace Officers Standards and Training(POST) academy. Visit the POST website and select the quick link for basic training academies. Once you have your basic academy certificate you can then apply for the position of Deputy Sheriff I once it is open. The second option is to submit an interest card  for the position of deputy sheriff trainee and you will be notified when we are accepting applications to potentially send someone to the academy.

8. What is the application process for Deputy Sheriff?

To begin your career as a Deputy Sheriff, please visit our employment portal for a list of current recruitment. The entry level Deputy Sheriff Trainee and Deputy Sheriff I positions must be listed as open recruitment to submit an application. Employees of other Public Employee Agencies may apply at any time. Placer County has an automated job-application service (JOBS) you will need to access to submit an application for position(s) you are interested in applying for.

9. What if applications are not currently being accepted for Deputy Sheriff?

If our Agency is not currently accepting applications, you can submit an interest card for the position(s) you are seeking and the County’s online job-application service (JOBS) will electronically email a notification when an application can be submitted. Interest cards stay on file for up to 12 months. To submit an interest card, visit our employment portal, navigate to “Notify me of New Job Openings.” Follow the instructions on submitting your interest. You can check any Job Group you are interested in. Please note Deputy Sheriff Positions are listed under “Public Safety/Law Enforcement.”

10. What is the testing process for Deputy Sheriff?

Each recruitment job bulletin will indicate the testing process for the open recruitment. Deputy Sheriff Positions must be able to satisfy the Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) selection standards by successfully completing a physical agility and written examination prior to appointment. If your application is accepted, you will be notified via the email address provided on your application of the confirmed date and location prior to the scheduled examinations. Notification for each phase of the recruitment process will be by email.

Please contact the Placer County Human Resources Department at 530-889-4060 with any email address changes for all applications submitted.

11. I’ve taken the Deputy Sheriff written test in the past, and have a T-score; can I apply it to Placer County’s written exam?

Within certain guidelines you can have your t-score transferred. Please contact Placer County Human Resources at 530-889-4060 prior to the application submittal deadline for each recruitment if you are interested in transferring your T-Score.

12. Is there a physical agility exam for Deputy Sheriff? What does it consist of?

Agility Course Description:          

The Agility Course has been established to demonstrating an applicant’s aerobic, strength, muscular, and flexibility conditioning. Each different stage of the course is outlined below.

Time Limit:

Applicants have 5 minutes and 05 seconds to run the agility course from start to finish; measured at 1,500 ft. Applicants that have taken more than 5 minutes and 5 seconds to complete the course will receive a ‘failed’ score. The solid wall obstacle will not be included in the 5 minutes and 05 seconds time limit for the agility course.

Sprint/Run: 

This obstacle simulates the quick sprint during a pursuit that could occur in any officer assignment. It demonstrates an applicant’s aerobic and endurance conditioning Sprint/Runs:   The initial sprint (or run) at the beginning of the agility course should not be walked. Applicants are to run this obstacle quickly, without injuring themselves.

Weight Carry

This test simulates an applicant’s capability to lift, carry, and drag heavy objects, push hard-to-move objects, physically subdue, or restrain a violent combatant, and physically separate two fighting individuals, among other duties. It demonstrates an applicant’s muscular, aerobic, strength, muscular, and flexibility conditioning. 

The course may consist of the following: 

• A sprint/run of approximately 380 feet.
• Dragging an approximately 100 Ib. rubber tire over a combined distance of 64 feet.
• Carrying two (2) 45-pound hand-held weights over a combined distance of 120 feet; and,
• Carrying one (1) 45-pound hand-held weight over a combined distance of 150 feet; and, 
• Carrying one (1) 30-pound hand-held weight over a combined distance of 150 feet; and,
• 20 complete ‘box steps’ consisting of 1-2 count = 1 step.

Negotiating obstacles within path 

Officers encounter a variety of obstacles while in pursuit of a suspect, or inmate, on a regular basis. Obstacles within the agility course have been placed throughout to simulate an individual’s ability to maneuver and negotiate around or over the obstacles. Within the course, these obstacles may consist of the following: 

• Sharp corners
• Parking lot curbs
• Hurdles

Box Steps/Stair Climb 

This obstacle simulates an applicant’s ability to negotiate stairs or a steep incline and be able to continue aerobic activity without harm.  

Applicants must place both feet on the top of the box step, one at a time, to equal one (1) rotation; applicants cannot use both feet to jump on box step. Applicant must use caution while stepping up and down the box steps.  

Box steps will be counted in the following manner:  First foot up, second foot up, first foot down, second foot down = 1 rotation; Total rotations for the box step obstacle = 20

 Solid Wall:            

This obstacle applies to only to applicants applying for one of the Deputy Sheriff classifications. Applicants will have a total of 20 seconds to get over the solid wall. Once over the wall, the applicant will not be required to ‘run out’ any additional length provided. The applicant will be given three (3) chances to get over the wall. Applicants cannot use the wall stabilizers for support or assistance in traversing the wall.