Sheriff's Correctional Deputy Cadet - Unclassified

Salary : $99,794.24 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-U63-W
Department: Custody Bureau
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Bargaining Unit: 31


Description
Under immediate supervision, attends a California Correction Academy to obtain the required academic, technical, and physical skills necessary to perform as a Sheriff's Correctional Deputy. Peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. (Effective January 1, 2023, per Government Code Section 1031)

The County of Santa Clara has partnered with
Whalls Group to facilitate our Correctional Cadet recruitment efforts. ** PLEASE APPLY **
When you submit you will be matched with a recruiter from Whalls Group
to move with you through the recruitment process and employment pre-requisites.

Typical Tasks
The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Attends Academy training classes for corrections;

• Take part of basic training program that includes academic classes, hands-on training, and physical conditioning;

• Participates in basic training that complies with the standards set by the California Standards and Training for Corrections (S.T.C.);

• Participates in hands-on training that includes, but not limited to defensive tactics, role playing scenarios, and control techniques;

• Partakes and completes defensive tactics training that includes ground control, baton training, control holds, and take downs;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards
Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note :


The required knowledge and abilities are attained through training and experience equivalent to graduation from high school or equivalent.

Special Requirements

• Applicants who have passed their 20th birthday may apply but cannot be appointed until they have reached their 21st birthday.

• Have never been convicted of a felony. Any felony conviction and/or a conviction outside of California that would be considered a felony in California is disqualifying. Misdemeanor convictions may be disqualifying depending on the type, frequency, severity, and time of offense.

• Must be able to take and pass a thorough medical examination. May be disqualified on the basis of established medical standards (current departmental orders). Vision must not be less than 20/100, correctable to 20/20 with normal depth and color perception.

• Must successfully demonstrate and maintain physical fitness to perform the full scope and functions of the job.

• Must pass a complete background investigation, including fingerprints and a search of local, state, and national files for criminal history.

• Must possess the legal right to work in the United States.

• Candidates must meet all required employment standards prescribed in Government Code Section 1031, which include passing a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, fingerprinting, background investigation, and medical examination.

• County employees in the Department of Correction employed as of January 1, 2011 in a similar classification will undergo an abbreviated screening process per departmental order.

• Possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of :

• Common computer systems and applications;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Ability to :

• Learn, understand, retain, and interpret departmental policies, rules, laws, and ordinances pertaining to the detention of inmates;

• Understand and follow written and oral instructions;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;

• Use computer systems and applications.

Physical Requirements

• Perform a wide variety of physical tasks requiring strength, coordination, endurance, and agility;

• Conform to uniform standards.

01


What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than High School or GED
• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

02


Did you obtain your High School and/or College education in the United States?

• Yes
• No

03


If you answered "No" to the previous question, where did obtain your High School and/or College education? If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, type "N/A".
04


As an adult, have you ever been convicted for an offense other than a minor traffic violation?

• Felony
• Misdemeanor
• Infraction
• No convictions

05


Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

06


If you answered "No" to previous question, in how many months will you reach age 21? If you answered "Yes", type "N/A".
07


Have you taken the BSCC Adult Corrections Officer written exam within a year, and obtained a T-score of 46.6 or higher? This score can be substituted for the NTN score.If yes, please attach the test results to your application material. The T-score results must be on an agency letterhead where the test was administered and list the type of test, test date and the results.

• Yes
• No

08


Have you taken the National Testing Network (NTN) examination for Corrections?If yes, please send your scores to Santa Clara County Sheriff's Correctional Deputy Cadet.If you have not taken the NTN examination, you can take the examination at Please take the test under Santa Clara County Sheriff's Correctional Deputy Cadet. You will not be invited to the agility test if you have not submitted your NTN or ACO score.

• Yes
• No

09


How did you find out about this job?

• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Contacted by a Recruitment Firm
• County Employee Referral
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Virtual Job Fair
• In-Person Job Fair
• In-Person Networking Professional Event
• Virtual Networking Event
• Community Event
• Glassdoor
• Governmentjobs.com
• Professional Association
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Hospital Website: SCVMC, O'Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital Website
• Handshake
• Student Career Center
• County Text Message
• County Career Newsletter
• Other (Specify in the next question)

10


How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.
Required Question