Deputy Sheriff Trainee - Continuous Opening - $15K Signing Bonus

About the Position

The Deputy Sheriff Trainee position is the beginning of the career ladder for law enforcement classes. This is a non-sworn, civilian training classification used while incumbents are attending a certified Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Police Academy. Upon satisfactory completion of academy training, incumbents will be sworn in as peace officers, placed in the Safety retirement category, and appointed to the Deputy Sheriff I classification to begin a one-year probationary period.

Example of Duties

• Attend the basic Police Academy to prepare and learn the duties and responsibilities for the position of Deputy Sheriff
• Complete intensive instruction on law enforcement procedures combined with rigorous physical fitness training
• Receive the same employee benefits as Deputy Sheriff, with the exceptions of being placed in the miscellaneous retirement category until successful completion of the police academy and not being covered by Government Code Sections 4850 and 3300 through 3311 as civilian employees

Qualifications

• Verifiable P.O.S.T Pellet-B T-Score of 42 or higher issued no earlier than one year before application submission
• Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law (per California Senate Bill 960, effective January 1, 2023)
• At least 20 1/2 years of age at the time of application submission
• Valid California driver's license (out-of-state applicants must possess a valid driver's license for their state of residence and be able to successfully obtain a California driver's license)
• High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Ability to work holidays, weekends, graveyard shifts and irregular hours
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation and polygraph
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical, drug test and psychiatric evaluation
• Not convicted of a felony (except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179 (b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1772 (b))

Additional Pay Incentives

• Hiring Bonus: Newly hired Deputy Sheriffs may receive a signing bonus of up to $30,000, with the amount determined by term of service. Proof of prior service must be submitted within 30 days of hire. Half paid within the first 3 pay periods; remaining half paid after successful completion of probation period or 12 months of employment, whichever comes first, for eligible at-will positions.
• Loan Forgiveness Program: Applicants who attended and received a degree (Associate's or Bachelor's) consisting of a minimum of 60 credits/units at a regionally accredited school are eligible to receive up to $20,000 (or $30,000 if certified bilingual by Napa County) towards student loans. Loans must be existing loans held as of hire date and borrowed while attending the accredited institution during the time the degree was earned. Payments made directly to lender after appropriate verifications. Employee must complete five years of satisfactory service with Napa County without a break in service to be eligible.
• Employee Referral Bonus: County employees who refer a candidate for Deputy Sheriff Trainee receive $1,000 upon successful completion of a one-year probationary period. Employee's names must be listed on the candidate's application prior to submission.
• Educational Reimbursement: County employees are eligible for reimbursement up to $1,500 per fiscal year for tuition and books upon successful completion of County approved college or university courses or other courses directly related to the candidate's job duties.
• Bilingual Pay: Bilingual speaking skills are eligible for pay upon recommendation of the hiring manager.

Recruitment Process

• Applications reviewed on a continuous basis, with next review scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2026
• Qualified candidates who meet minimum qualifications must attend mandatory, in-person Information Session and Physical Agility Test (PAT)
• Information Session includes detailed discussion about the position and completion of a pre-background questionnaire
• Physical Agility Test (PAT) takes place immediately after the information session and consists of: 32-foot dummy drag, 500-yard run, and 6-foot solid wall climb
• PAT scores from other agencies are not accepted
• Applicants who successfully complete the Information Session, pre-background questionnaire, and Physical Agility Test will be invited to participate in Oral Panel Interviews
• Human Resources reserves the right to make changes to the recruitment process or timeline at any time

Experience and Education

Any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A desirable combination is: Equivalent to completion of high school. Equivalent to completion of two years of college is highly desired. No experience required.

License or Certificate

Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required and must be maintained active and in good standing at all times during employment.

For additional information, contact the Sheriff's Administrative Lieutenant at 707-253-4501 or sheriff-recruitment@countyofnapa.org.