Detention Officer — Build Safe Communities

NOTE: This recruitment was amended on Thursday, July 30, 2026 to update the Physical Agility Exam - Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) minimum passing score from 320 to 260. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to improving the quality of life within the community. We are currently seeking dedicated professionals to serve as Correctional Officers responsible for the supervision of incarcerated individuals in County detention facilities. Here is your opportunity to make a difference by beginning a career in law enforcement! The ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics: Possession of an associate's degree or higher. Effective communication, both verbally and in writing, and interpersonal skills to interact successfully with incarcerated persons, fellow officers, and other staff members. Demonstrated skill in conflict resolution with the ability to defuse conflicts, negotiate disputes, and employ de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe and secure environment. Be physically fit and have knowledge of self-defense tactics. Possess strong observation skills to detect signs of potential security threats, identify behavioral changes in incarcerated persons, and monitor the overall environment for any safety concerns. Be emotionally resilient and have the ability to manage stress as well as cope with challenging situations. Has the ability to remain calm and composed in stressful or confrontational situations. Ability to work well in a team, follow instructions, is supportive of colleagues and promotes a cohesive and safe working environment. Demonstrated track record of professionalism and ethical conduct. Has the ability to treat all individuals with dignity and respect, upholding confidentiality, and adhering to the code of ethics. Has the ability to handle crises and emergency situations. About Maple Street Correctional Center Designed to create a better environment for incarcerated individuals and staff and to help reduce recidivism, the facility was the first correctional center built as part of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s initiative to shift nonviolent, nonsexual offenders from overcrowded state prisons to county-run facilities. The center accommodates female and lower-risk male incarcerated individuals and is composed of two separate but interconnected buildings with a central administration area. The facility’s architecture emphasizes safety, rehabilitation, and natural light. Instead of placing cells along the exterior walls as in most jails, the design features a curved glass façade with dayrooms located along windowed areas that open to individual living units. This layout improves supervision while allowing daylight to enter the building, helping the white-painted cells feel more open and spacious. Each floor has a central core station supporting four housing units. These areas include classrooms, a computer lab, and multipurpose rooms to support educational and rehabilitative programming. Additional design elements include natural ventilation, a large rooftop recreation yard, artwork depicting scenes from nature, and a calming natural color palette. An attached 88-bed transitional housing facility supports alternative sentencing programs such as day reporting, weekend programs, and other supervised custody arrangements, helping prepare individuals for reentry into the community. TO AVOID DELAYS IN PROCESSING YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS JOB POSTING IN ITS ENTIRETY PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.

IMPORTANT PRE-APPLICATION EXAM INFORMATION

The required tests for Sheriff’s Correctional Officer applicants must be completed before submitting an on-line application. The following describes the required application materials: Step 1: Application Submission: All applicants are required to submit an online application to be considered. Responses to the supplemental questions and copies of required test scores must be submitted in addition to the regular employment application form. Applications submitted without the required attachments will be rejected. Step 2: Written Examination: Applicants for the Sheriff’s Correctional Officer have three options for meeting the written examination requirement: POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB): This exam must be completed in less than 2.5 hours, be passed with a minimum T-Score of 46 and be dated within twelve (12) months of the date of application. The areas covered by the test include spelling, vocabulary, clarity, reading and CLOZE (using contextual clues to complete a passage that contains missing words). To schedule for the exam, visit the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium's website at: The Academy - Pre-Employment Testing and Training . OR Possession of a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Certificate or possession of an Adult Corrections Officer Core completion certificate from a certified Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) academy from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). OR Possession of an associate's degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university. AND Step 3: Physical Agility Examination – Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB): This exam must be passed with a minimum score of 260 and be dated within twelve (12) months of the date of application. This test mirrors the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) test and is advertised as such on The Academy's website. Applicants can submit scores from either the WSTB or the Correctional Officer test through The Academy. The Academy offers optional practice sessions. To schedule for the exam, visit the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium's website at: The Academy - Pre-Employment Testing and Training . The events for the Correctional Officer test include: 99-yard obstacle course Chain-link wall exercise 165-pound body drag 500-yard run 1.5-mile run in 15 minutes or less IMPORTANT: When you report for the test, inform The Academy that you are applying to be a Correctional Officer with San Mateo County. San Mateo County Correctional Officer applicants will not be required to participate in 6-foot solid wall exercise of the WSTB test. NOTE: PELLETB test and WSTB results from other training organizations or law enforcement agencies will be accepted so long as they meet California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requirements. Examples Of Duties Sheriff's Correctional Officer duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Receive, search, book, fingerprint, and guard inmates in the correctional facilities. Take custody of inmates’ property. Maintain records of bookings, releases, transfers, money and other functions of the correctional facilities. Prepare inmates for court and for release. Perform related duties as assigned. If designated as Correctional Deputy, also perform the following: Transport and provide security for inmates at the hospital. Transport inmates between custodial facilities. Provide security for inmates at court. Qualifications Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Education: A high school graduate or passing the General Education Development (GED) test or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or completion of at least 30 college units from an accredited or approved institution to apply. Skill/Ability to: Exercise sound judgment and discretion in stressful and highly emotional situations. Work collaboratively with others to solve problems. Read and comprehend legal documents, law enforcement manuals, and court decisions. Follow instructions. Function effectively under stress. Demonstrate leadership and control in volatile, rapidly changing environments. Maintain impartiality, transparency and make accurate observations. Perform repeated strenuous physical exertion. Write complete and accurate reports and correspondence. Communicate clearly and respectfully with all types of people both orally and in writing. Lead by personal example by interacting professionally and compassionately with community members. Meet State of California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) medical and physical standards for law enforcement personnel. Licensure/Certification: Possession of a Class C California driver license or equivalent. Other Requirements: Refrain from using tobacco products at any time, for employees hired by the County after October 1, 2004. Application/Examination Open. Anyone may apply. Responses to the supplemental questions and copies of required test scores must be submitted in addition to the regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire. The examination/selection process will consist of the steps detailed in order below. Step 1: Application Submission: All applicants are required to submit an online application to be considered. Responses to the supplemental questions and copies of required test scores (PELLETB and WSTB) must be submitted in addition to the regular employment application form. Applications submitted without the required attachments will be rejected. Step 2: Written/ Physical Agility Examination: Applicants for the Sheriff’s Correctional Officer have three options for meeting the written examination requirement – (1) submittal of a valid and passing T-Score on the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) exam dated within the last 12 months prior to the date of application OR (2)possession of a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation certification (CDCR) or possession of an Adult Corrections Officer Core completion certificate from a certified Standard and Training for Corrections (STC) academy from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) OR (3)possession of an associate’s degree or higher from an accredited U.S. college or university AND submittal of a valid and passing Physical Agility Test WSTB score dated within the last 12 months prior to the date of application. Step 3: Application Appraisal (weighted: 100%): Applicants who meet the qualifications for the position will be placed on the eligible list for a period of six months. Oral Interview: After placement on the eligible list, qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview with the Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Bureau. Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time. Selections may be made at any time within the process and the final filing date will be posted five days in advance on this job announcement. About The County #J-18808-Ljbffr County of San Mateo