Hiring process
Like all law enforcement agencies, Correctional Deputy applicants who apply with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office complete an extensive background investigation process. This process typically takes 3-5 months and requires an ample amount of effort from both the applicant and agency.
Once an applicant has made the exciting decision to become a Correctional Deputy with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the first step is the application. Applicants will login and create a NEOGOV account. Applicants will then be able to log into the Santa Clara County job portal. Applicants will then search job opportunities and search for the Correctional Deputy Cadet position. If you are currently employed at a Correctional Facility in California, you can apply as a Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy - Lateral.
Once the application is submitted and received from the applicant, Employee Services Agency will verify all of the minimum requirements are met. The applicant will then be contacted by Human Recourses and scheduled for a written and physical agility test date.
Correctional Deputy applicants will receive and link to complete the written examination at home. Once a passing written examination score is received, Correctional Deputy cadets are invited to take the agility test which is held at the Justice Training Center academy campus located in Morgan Hill, CA. Upon successful completion of the written and physical agility examinations, with a passing score, the applicants will undergo an intense hiring process including but not limited to oral interviews, thorough background investigations, polygraph examinations, psychological evaluations, medical evaluations, and a hiring board interview.
If applicants are extended an offer of employment, they will attend a 16-week S.T.C. Adult Corrections Officer Core Academy for Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy Cadets hosted by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office at the Justice Training Center, in Morgan Hill.
Application
All applicants must complete and submit an online application. Once you have submitted your online application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to self-register for a Written and Agility Test.
Written and agility test
We administer the S.T.C. Adult Corrections Officer (STCACO) Examination on approximately a monthly basis to the applicants who have applied for the Sheriff's Correctional Deputy Cadet position. You will be contacted with the date and time of the examination after your application is screened for the minimum requirements.
There are many resources to help you prepare for the STCACO Examination. The BSCC S.T.C. website provides an Orientation Booklet for the STCACO Examination which can be found at the link below.
Only the entry-level cadet positions of Correctional Deputy Cadet require a written examination. Lateral positions do not require a written examination.
Pre-background interview
This is the first step in the background process where the applicant meets a background investigator to determine if the applicant will successfully move forward to the Personal History Statement. The background Investigator uses the POST dimensions to determine if the applicant will progress to the next step.
For oral interview preparation tips, please click here
Personal history statement and background investigation
Completion and submittal of a Personal History Statement (PHS) is the next step of the background investigation. The PHS requires compilation of extensive biographical information, fingerprinting, and an interview with a background investigator. The background investigation will also include checks of employment, police, financial, education, and military records, and interviews with family members, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, and friends. You will be evaluated on your past behavior and current disposition and the extent to which your behavior demonstrates positive traits that support your candidacy for a career in law enforcement. Please have all your required documents ready with copies, during this interview.
Polygraph
The polygraph is conducted to confirm information obtained on the Personal History Statement.
Psychological Evaluation
The psychological evaluation consists of an oral interview and evaluation by a psychologist on factors related to successful performance in the difficult and stressful law enforcement career. The information evaluated includes the written psychological tests along with information obtained in the background investigation process.
Medical Evaluation
The medical evaluation is your last step before your final interview. The medical evaluation is a POST mandated test that requires all law enforcement applicants, lateral, and new applicants to undergo in order to determine suitability for a career in law enforcement.
Final Interview
The final interview will be conducted by a panel to assess your personal accomplishment, job motivation, interpersonal skills, continuous learning orientation, and communication skills. Only those candidates who pass this part of the process will receive a final offer of employment.
For more questions call us at (408) 808-4605 or email us at [email protected].