Custody Deputy

Full Job Description

We are accepting applications to fill vacancies in All Locations throughout the County of Santa Barbara for the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office.

The list established will be used to fill current and future vacancies at All Locations (separate lists for different locations will not be established). Candidates must be willing to accept an assignment at any location throughout Santa Barbara County. POSITION: Under general direction, maintains custody and supervises the work and conduct of inmates in detention facilities; and performs related duties as required.

This class is distinguished from Sheriff's Deputy in that incumbents have only limited peace officer power pursuant to Penal Code section 830.1 c, are not deputy coroners, not assigned to patrol or bailiff duties. Incumbents will be required to carry a firearm on certain assignments, and to regularly qualify with firearms pursuant to department policy.


Highlighted County of Santa Barbara Employee Benefits and Compensation

Benefits and Wellness Plans-Medical/Dental/Vision CLICK HERE
Compensation Summary CLICK HERE
Retirement Plan: CLICK HERE

• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/ Retirement reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, 1937 Act plans, and more.

*Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions.

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave: 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays: 13 days per year
• New Hire Incentive
• Education Incentive Allowance and Tuition Reimbursement
• Uniform Allowance for $825 per year (see MOU)

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS:

• A reputation for honesty and trustworthiness
• Integrity/good moral character
• Initiative, drive, and self-motivation
• Credibility and honesty
• Strong team approach
• Dependability
• Good judgment under pressure
• Effective communication skills

BACKGROUND DISQUALIFIERS:

• An admission of having committed any act amounting to a felony within five years in California, or in another state which would be classified as a felony in California
• An adult felony conviction in California, or with a conviction for an offense in another state which would be classified as a felony in California
• Currently on Probation or Parole
• Adult felony and/or misdemeanor conviction(s) may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and how recent
• Conviction of/or sustained petitions for any sex crime
• Recent use and/or possession of illegal drugs; Failure to reveal prior use will be disqualifying
• Unfavorable work history
• Poor credit history
• History of committing domestic violence
• Dishonesty or failure to reveal pertinent information

Requirements

Instructs and oversees the work of a group of inmates assigned to maintenance, operational, or other rehabilitative activities;Supervises the conduct of inmates during the booking process, in housing and at meals, during recreation and on work assignments; supervises family and professional visits to inmates;Inspects credentials and incoming and outgoing mail;Inspects living areas of inmates to insure cleanliness, orderliness and compliance to jail regulations;Exercises influence for the purpose of modifying anti-social behavior and attitudes of inmates;Prevents escapes, injuries and the destruction of property; searches for contraband; may receive and release prisoners;Submits reports and prepares correspondence; types reports and letters, and transports prisoners and guards prisoners at hospitals and other off-site locations as directed.

Qualifications Education: Graduation from high school or passing of the G.E.D. test indicating high school graduation level.

Age: 18 years or older.

Physical Fitness: Good physical condition with the ability to pass a comprehensive medical examination based on County of Santa Barbara medical standards, and the ability to pass a job-related physical agility examination.

Ability to: understand and follow laws, policies, rules and regulations; supervise and deal with inmates; work effectively under stress and adapt to changes; learn the use and care of firearms; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; maintain jail safety and security; make decisions with a minimum of supervision; write clear and comprehensive reports; oversee the work of others; type with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform duties as assigned.

Additional Requirements:

• Legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's license at time of appointment.
• Within the probationary period, incumbents must successfully complete training in a Correction Officer Academy and any other training deemed necessary by the Sheriff's Department.
• Appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period.
• Must meet minimum peace officer standards as specified in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031 including but not limited to the following: must have no prior felony convictions (unless fully pardoned), good moral character as determined by thorough background check; must submit fingerprints for purpose of a criminal record check and be found free from any physical, emotional or mental condition including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, gender identity and gender expression, ancestry, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

Supplemental Information:

Some positions in this classification may require possession of a valid California Class B Driver’s License.

Appointees to those positions requiring a Class B license will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs prior to beginning work; once on the job, incumbents will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs and/or alcohol on a random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up basis.

Additional Information

FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION, APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED BY FEBRUARY 26

Please read the SELECTION PROCESS: Be sure to frequently check your email throughout this entire process, this is the only way we will be notifying applicants regarding their status and to provide all the important information throughout the recruitment process.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE REVIEW: All applicants are required to submit an online application CLICK HERE to be considered.

Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met.

Those individuals who meet the stated requirements will be invited to continue in the next step in the selection process.

PERSONAL HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE (PHQ): Qualified candidates will be emailed a notice to complete and submit a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)..

Failure to submit a PHQ by the deadline will result in disqualification from the selection process. Candidates who successfully pass the PHQ, will advance to the next step in the selection process.

Option 1: Candidates who have already completed the National Test Network (NTN) examination may submit their results through NTN.

The test must have been administered within one year of your submitted application.

Candidates must meet the minimum scores of: Video (65), Reading (70), and Count (70); acceptance of NTN test scores are subject to verification with National Testing Network. _OR_

Option 2: Register yourself to participate in the National Testing Network "Law Enforcement" examination as soon as possible.

There are three components to the written examination: Video Judgement, Reading, and Writing. The examination takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Upon completion of your examination, NTN will provide applicant scores to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office (Human Resources Bureau).

NOTE: We offer an alternative to taking the test with National Test Network.

Applicants may submit their Peace Officer Standards and Training POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) T-score notice at the time of application.

The results must state a minimum T-score of 40.0 to be accepted. The PELLETB test results are valid from one year the date the test was taken.

Applicants who wish to use scores from a PELLETB exam administered by another agency will have the opportunity to submit these results at a future date.

In addition, if you prefer to take an in-person, pencil and paper examination, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office will administer a PELLETB exam.

The PELLET B written exam will be administered on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Lompoc.

4. PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST (PAT) Pass/Fail: Upon passing the written exam, candidates will be invited to attend the Physical Agility Test.

Candidates will be notified by email with instructions on the process and how to self-schedule. Candidates who successfully pass the PAT will be placed on the employment list.

PAT exam date is Friday, March 27, 2026, in Lompoc.

The PAT is an important part of the Custody Deputy exam and can be physically demanding.

Even if you are physically fit, we strongly advise that you begin pre-conditioning exercises in advance to increase the probability of success on the day of the exam.

For the actual exam, you must wear appropriate athletic footwear and clothing. You may want to wear rubber cleats for some parts, not all, of the PAT.

You must pass all of the physical agility tests in order to qualify for further consideration. Physical Agility Test consists as follows:

1. 1.0 mile run in under 11:00 minutes
2. 99-yard obstacle course in 25 seconds or less
3. Maximum sit-ups in two (2) minutes
4. Maximum push-ups in no time limit
5. Maximum pull-ups in no time limit

ELIGIBLE LIST: Candidates must receive a passing score on the on the Written Examination to be placed on an employment list (the minimum passing scores will be converted to a percentage score of 70 percent).

An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI.

Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their name placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months.

At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans).

To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.

No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 and any supporting documentation with your online application or before the examination date, and (3) pass all phases of the Civil Service examination process.

The preference points will be added to your final test score for placement on the employment list.

Those candidates placed on the employment list will be certified to the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office for further consideration.

The Sheriff's Office will administer the remaining selection process outlined below: ~DEPARTMENT SELECTION INTERVIEW: Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview with the Human Resources detectives.

~BACKGROUND HIRING COMPONENTS: Include polygraph, background investigation, Livescan, post-offer psychological and medical examinations.

A recruiter will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process.

Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment and Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Government Code Section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service.

Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting.

We do require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) StatementThe County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance.

The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates.

The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 2/27/26 at 5:00 PM PST; an online application and job bulletin can be obtained 24 hours a day at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty.

Candidate Contact: HR Recruiter Ms. Ryan, email cbr4686@sbsheriff.org