Custody Support Assistant

Salary : $67,300.48 - $81,290.56 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-G74-A
Department: Custody Bureau
Opening Date: 06/12/2026
Closing Date: 6/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 03


Description


Under supervision, maintains security and order of assigned areas within a detention facility; receives, stores and issues a variety of materials, supplies, equipment, and commissary items; assists with the processing and assignment of inmates; supervises inmates involved in minor maintenance or recreational activities.

Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take the online written examination tentatively scheduled for the week of July 13th, 2026. A passing score on this written exam is required to be placed on the eligible list and referred for interview.

Typical Tasks

• Supervises inmates performing minor maintenance and during recreation periods;
• Inspects cells and equipment and evaluates condition;
• Escorts service and repair persons working in the facility to ensure the security of these workers and their tools;
• Completes identification packet involving assignment of barrack, bunk and work crew;
• Supervises inmates issuing clothing and bedding;
• Processes incoming and outgoing mail which includes searching the contents, logging, and delivery to the housing units;
• Moves the inmates within the facility as necessary;
• Handles commissary duties including ordering and delivering goods;
• Prepares requisitions for janitorial and office supplies and inmate clothing orders;
• Receives, sorts, and stores laundry and jail supplies;
• Loads and delivers laundry and other miscellaneous materials to and from the jail;
• Maintains the clothing room and supply lockers;
• Distributes inmates information booklets;
• Inventories, bags, labels and maintains a location file for all clothing;
• Uses computer terminals and printouts for locating inmates;
• Maintains visible files for housing and work crews;
• Handles property and clothing releases, returns clothes to inmates being released and investigates clothing and property claims;
• Prepares written reports of incidents or conditions within the facility;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards


Sufficient training, education and experience that demonstrate the ability to perform the above typical tasks and the possession of the knowledge and abilities listed below.

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are obtained by completion of high school or equivalent,
AND
One (1) year of public contact, computer usage and record keeping experience.
Completion of college level courses in Administration of Justice is desirable.

Special Requirements
Possession of a valid California Driver's license prior to appointment, and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County Driver's Permit. Some positions required possession of a Class B Driver's License.

Must pass an extensive background investigation prior to appointment.

Knowledge of:

• Storeroom methods and procedures used in the receipt, storage and issuance of goods;
• Methods, materials, and equipment used in routine facility maintenance;
• Effective communication techniques;
• Basic arithmetic;
• Basic computer applications and use.

Ability to:

• Remain calm, think quickly and use common sense in emergency situations;
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Supervise inmates on work assignments and in recreation;
• Interpret and enforce rules and regulations with firmness and tact;
• Use simple hand tools and equipment;
• Learn how to operate industrial machinery;
• Learn fire and safety regulations;
• Use a computer keyboard with moderate speed and a high level of accuracy;
• Prepare written reports;
• Keep simple records;
• Deal tactfully with persons from a variety of cultural, educational, and occupational backgrounds who may be experiencing stressful situations.

Physical Requirements

• Perform routine physical tasks such as bending, stooping, reaching, and walking up and down stairs, and lifting, carrying, and pushing materials weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Work varying shifts (i.e. day, swing and graveyard), including weekends and holidays.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more


The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE : Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01


Please answer the following questions. Your answers should be as complete as possible. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performed
Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02


What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School or GED equivalent
• College units (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College units (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College units (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College units (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College units (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• None of the above

03


All positions require employees to work in a locked, secure environment. The Sheriff's Office has a "No Hostage" policy which states: "All attempts will be made to ensure the release of any person held hostage; however, no inmate will be allowed to escape in exchange for the release of any hostage. Under no circumstances will demands by a hostage taker be accepted in exchange for his or her release or that of another inmate."Are you prepared and able to perform your daily duties within this environment?

• Yes
• No

04


How many years of experience have you had interacting with the public in a professional setting?

• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• More than two years
• No Experience

05


Please describe your experience eliciting/disseminating information to the public, providing customer service, or any form of public contact. Please also describe the type of information which you provided.

REQUIRED: Include a DETAILED description of job duties along with employer's names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week. If none, type N/A.


06


How many years of professional experience do you possess using a computer?

• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• More than two years
• No experience

07


Please describe your experience using computers. Please include the tasks you completed using a computer as well as the programs you used.

REQUIRED: Include a DETAILED description of job duties along with employer's names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week. If none, type N/A.


08


How many years of experience do you have keeping professional records?

• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• More than two years
• No experience

09


Please describe your experience in record keeping, including what you kept record of and what tools you used to keep records.
REQUIRED: Include a DETAILED description of job duties along with employer's names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week. If none, type N/A.


10


I understand that I must successfully pass a full background investigation prior to appointment.

• Yes
• No

11


How did you find out about this job?

• Contacted by County Recruiter
• 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.)
• Contacted by a Recruitment Firm
• Handshake
• Student Career Center
• County Text Message
• County Career Newsletter
• County Employee Referral
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Other

12


If you selected 'Other' in the previous question, please specify how you found out about this job.
Required Question