Correctional Deputy I

Interested in starting a career in Corrections? Join our detention team as a Correctional Deputy with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. No experience required and multiple positions available.

About the role

The Sheriff's Office New Generation/Direct Supervision Detention Facility has evolved from linear incarceration to incorporating advanced technologies and officer skills development. The Sheriff's Office is eager to recruit and develop professional correctional staff who have exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to exercise a solid management-style approach to working with incarcerated persons.

The most successful and qualified Correctional Deputy I candidates demonstrate excellent communication skills and can maintain patience and professionalism in maintaining the custody of incarcerated persons. As a Correctional Deputy I, you will receive thorough training, close oversight, and the mentorship of experienced Correctional Deputies.

The supervision of incarcerated persons is a 24/7 responsibility. Work shifts are 12 hours, include weekends and holidays, and new Correctional Deputies must have the flexibility to work all shifts (days, swings, graves). Overtime is a requirement. With experience and seniority, opportunities to select different work shifts and/or specialty assignments become available. There are a variety of specialty assignments available, which are assigned on a "most qualified" basis and may be entitled to premium pay.

Responsibilities

• Booking of incarcerated persons
• General population security
• Protective custody
• Medical withdrawal and mental health

Requirements

• At least 18 years of age at time of appointment
• United States citizenship or status as a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship (if a permanent resident alien has not obtained citizenship within three years after application for employment or is denied citizenship, he/she will be disqualified for peace officer status)
• No prior felony conviction nor current formal probation supervision
• Achieved a passing score on the California Corrections Standards Authority Adult Corrections Officer written exam, or equivalent, prior to appointment
• Willing to undergo and successfully complete an in-depth background investigation, including a psychological evaluation, fingerprinting, criminal history check, polygraph, and a medical examination
• Willing to work in uniform
• Willing to work all shifts, including day, evenings, nights, weekdays, weekends, holidays, and overtime
• Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level (not required for the positions advertised on this announcement)

Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable General Education Development Certificate.

Skills

Some knowledge of:

• Modern methods and techniques of dealing with individuals in criminal confinement
• Criminal attitudes and behavior patterns, and the social factors underlying criminal behavior
• Behavior of people in a custody setting

Ability to:

• Effectively control, direct, and instruct inmates individually and in groups
• Interpret and enforce institutional rules, regulations, and other policies with firmness, tact, and impartiality
• Make simple arithmetic calculations
• Read, speak, and write English effectively, and interpret written material
• Accurately follow oral and written directions
• Read and speak Spanish may be required for certain assignments
• Use electronic information equipment and specific systems utilized within the department
• Enter data accurately
• Use word processing software to prepare clear and concise reports
• Promote acceptable attitudes and behavior of inmates while in confinement
• Work with and around a wide variety of people
• Make quick, effective, and reasonable decisions in emergencies, and take appropriate action to include physically restraining violent inmates

Benefits

• Salary Advancement: A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Career Advancement: With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Correctional Deputy II (salary up to $129,464 annually)
• Premium Pay: For specialty assignments, ranging from 2.5% to 10.0%
• Differential Pay: For evening and night shifts
• Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals and 12 paid holidays per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions: 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay: Annual benefit allowances of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement: County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement: A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave: May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

Pay

Starting salary up to $49.40/hour ($103,103/year). Salary is negotiable within the established range.

Schedule

• 12-hour shifts, including weekends and holidays
• Flexibility to work all shifts (days, swings, graves)
• Overtime is a requirement

About the Sheriff's Office

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office employs over 650 staff to protect and secure the half-million residents within the 1,768 square miles of Sonoma County. The Detention Division's staff of over 300 are committed to serving the County of Sonoma and the State of California by providing a secure, safe, and humane environment for both employees and incarcerated persons. With more than 15 different highly trained and specialized units, a career with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office will keep you learning and growing.

Selection Procedure

The selection process includes:

• An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities
• The POST Entry-level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) multiple-choice, written examination (weight 100%) to further evaluate each candidate's qualifications. The written examination will measure core knowledge, skills, and abilities such as:
  • Spelling
  • Vocabulary
  • Clarity
  • Reading Comprehension

Applicants must attain a minimum passing score of at least 70% on the written examination to be placed on the employment list. The minimum passing score may be adjusted based on factors such as exam difficulty, natural breaks in scores, number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, and past practice.

The date of the written examination is Thursday, September 3, 2026. Qualified candidates will be emailed an invitation to the exam session. If you took the CA POST PELLET B within the past 30 calendar days from the date of the exam, you may submit your T-score instead of retaking the test.