Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Sheriff's

Salary: $70,241.60 - $73,756.80 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Job Number: 26462604
Department: Sheriff
Division: Detention Oper Area 3
Opening Date: 04/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Job Summary

The County of San Diego is currently recruiting for the position of

Sheriff's Detentions Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)
The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate's qualifications at time of appointment.
Future Salary Increase

** June 2026 - 5.20% increase to base pay (3.50% Across-the-Board + 1.70% Market Adjustment)

** June 2027 - 4.70% increase to base pay (3.00% Across-the- Board + 1.70% Market Adjustment)
In addition to the base salary, Sheriff's Detentions Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN)
*Earn .80/hr for working evening shift
*Earn .80/hr for working graveyard shift
*10% institutional work location premium
*Receive free food in the detention facilities
*Receive an annual uniform allowance
The Sheriff's Office has numerous immediate vacancies and will be scheduling interviews for qualified applicants.

Qualified applicants will be invited to schedule an interview time and should expect to spend at least 40 minutes for the interview. Additional information will be provided prior to the interview. Interview times will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, so if you are contacted for an interview, please schedule as soon as possible. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical exam approximately 2-3 weeks after the interview date.


Sheriff's Detentions LVNs provide nursing care to patients in one of the San Diego County detention facilities . Duties include assisting in clinics, caring and treating individuals with medical or psychiatric conditions, and responding to emergencies. Tasks performed can include but not limited to the preparation and administration of medications, venipuncture, performing simple lab tests, and wound care.
This class differs from Licensed Vocational Nurse in that the latter is found in the Health and Human Services Agency and provides skilled nursing care to patients and clients at mental health facilities, a geriatric/long-term rehabilitation hospital, and public health clinics.

For more information on this job description, please visit the job classification page.

***This hard to recruit position qualifies for the Employee Referral Reward Program. If a current County of San Diego employee referred you to apply for this position, please indicate the employee's name on your job application in the space provided. ***
Hiring Process and Timeline

The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

• Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 weeks following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications

1. Completion of a recognized Vocational Nursing Program and continuing education; AND;
2. Possession of a current license to practice vocational nursing in the State of California is required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Failure to maintain such license will be cause for dismissal; AND;
3. Possession of a current American Heart Association (AHA) accredited CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) card is required at the time of appointment and, must be maintained throughout employment. Failure to maintain certification may be cause for dismissal.

Blind Applicant Screening
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.
Condition of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position.


Desirable Traits

• Nursing experience in correctional, psychiatric, geriatric, cardiac care, and emergency settings.
• Certification in CCHP and certification of completion of courses in Blood Withdrawal and/or IV Therapy.
• Communicates effectively, knowledge worker; customer focused; respectful of others; driven to excel; can demonstrate ethical behavior, is a team player and supportive of change.

Working Environment

• Work environment is in a locked detention facility.
• Incumbents may be exposed to infectious illnesses and to incarcerated persons whose behavior is unpredictable and occasionally violent and combative.
• Incumbents may be subject to work rotating shifts (Morning, Mid-day, and Night), holidays, and weekends.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 lbs. and occasionally 50 lbs.

Background

• Must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness.
• Felony convictions will be disqualifying.
• Misdemeanor convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency.
• Prior to appointment, candidates WILL be subject to a thorough background investigation which may include a psychological, polygraph or other examination or test.

Evaluation

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated system. If you are successful in the initial process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.

Accommodations
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
Veteran's Preference Policy

The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Please read thefor additional information.
Military Skills Translator

Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! Please read the to access the tool.
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our (Download PDF reader)
Disaster Service Workers

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers . The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county , city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
Click here to see the Non-Management Benefits Summary (NMG-NHS)
01


Do you possess a current and valid California Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license?

• Yes, I am currently licensed and have completed my required continuing education
• I have applied and am waiting to receive my license
• I have not applied for a CA LVN license, but I am currently enrolled in an eligible Vocational Nursing program
• None of the above

02


Please enter your current and valid CA LVN license # and expiration date in the space provided below. Your license will be verified by the analyst. If you have applied, but have not yet received your CA LVN license, please provide your application date. If not applicable, please indicate "N/A" in the field below.
03


If you are currently enrolled in an eligible Vocational Nursing program, please identify the program that you are currently enrolled in. If not applicable, please indicate "N/A" in the field below.
04


Do you have a current CPR/AED card or are you currently in the process of obtaining one? Note: A current CPR/AED card is required at time of appointment

• I have a current CPR/AED card
• I do not have a current CPR/AED card, but I am currently in the process of obtaining one
• I do not have a current CPR/AED card, and I am NOT in the process of obtaining one

05


Please provide the expiration date of your CPR/AED card in the space provided. If not applicable, please indicate "N/A" in the field below.
06


Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No

07


Are you willing to submit to a background investigation and truth verification interview prior to appointment?

• Yes
• No

08


Are you willing to work in a locked detention facility, providing nursing care to incarcerated person?

• Yes
• No

09


Are you willing to work rotating shifts, irregular business hours including evenings, holidays, and/or weekends?

• Yes
• No

10


Are you willing to be exposed to infectious illnesses and to incarcerated person whose behavior is unpredictable and occasionally violent and combative?

• Yes
• No

11


Are you currently LVN Board Certified to perform Blood Withdrawal? If Yes, please attach a copy of your certificate to your application.

• Yes
• No

12


Are you currently LVN Board Certified to perform IV Therapy? If Yes, please attach a copy of your certificate to your application.

• Yes
• No

13


If LVN Board Certified, please indicate the dates of completion in the space provided. If not, please enter "None".
14


Do you have at least one (1) year of nursing experience in any of the following areas? Select all that apply.

• Psychiatric
• Geriatric
• Cardiac Care
• Correctional Care
• Emergency Care
• I DO NOT have at least 1 year of experience in the above areas

15


How many total years of nursing experience do you have in the following areas: psychiatric, geriatric, cardiac care, correctional care, or emergency care?

• Less than one (1) year of experience
• More than one (1) year, but less than four (4) years
• More than four (4) years, but less than ten (10) years
• Ten (10) years or more
• No experience in any of the above areas

16


Please describe your Licensed Vocational Nursing experience.a) Specify the types of patients cared for;b) the area of clinical specialty (e.g., correctional, psychiatric, geriatric, intensive care, cardiac care, emergency, surgery, pediatrics, outpatient, private care, etc.); ANDc) the duration of the experience in years and months. If not applicable, please enter "None".
17


Are you a Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)?

• Yes
• No

18


If you are a Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) please provide your certification number and expiration date in the space below. If no, please enter "None".
19


Do you have experience administering Oral, Intramuscular, and Subcutaneous medications? Indicate how much experience you have performing this task.

• Less than four (4) years of experience
• More than four (4) years, but less than ten (10) years
• Ten (10) years or more
• No Experience

20


Please describe your experience administering Oral, Intramuscular and Subcutaneous medications as listed in relation to the previous question. a) Specify which types of medications;b) the types of patients cared for;c) and the area of clinical specialty (e.g., correctional, psychiatric, geriatric, intensive care, cardiac care, emergency, surgery, pediatrics, outpatient, private care, etc.). If not applicable, please enter "none" in the field below.
21


Do you have experience documenting medication, side effects, and patient responses? Indicate how many years (if applicable) experience you have performing this task.

• Less than four (4) years of experience
• More than four (4) years, but less than ten (10) years
• Ten (10) years or more
• No Experience

22


Were you referred by a County employee to apply for this position? County employees may be eligible to earn cash awards for any candidates they refer to hard to recruit positions that are then hired.

• Yes
• No

23


If you responded "Yes" to the above, in the space provided please list the name of the County employee that referred you.
24


Where did you first hear about this job opportunity?

• San Diego County website
• Governmentjobs.com
• Veteran Outreach / FFSC
• Mana de San Diego
• Family, Neighbors, Friends
• County Employee Resources Group
• College/University Career Site
• County Social Media
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Voice and Viewpoint
• Government Alliance on Race and Equity
• Job Fair/Career Event
• Other

25


If indicated "other" in previous question, please indicate where you first heard about this job opportunity in the field below. If not applicable, please indicate "N/A" in the field below.
Required Question