Sheriff's Detentions

Salary: $97,926.40 - $139,464.00 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Job Number: 26454804
Department: Sheriff
Division: Detention Oper Area 3
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Job Summary
The County of San Diego Invites Your Interest in an Excellent Career Opportunity!

SHERIFF'S DETENTION NURSE
Serving the Citizens of San Diego with Excellence The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate's qualifications at time of appointment.
Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis.

Future Salary Increase

** June 2026 - 5.67% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 2.17% Market Adjustment)

** June 2027 - 5.17% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 2.17% Market Adjustment)
The following additional premiums are available:

In addition to the base salary, Sheriff's Detentions Registered Nurse (RN)

*Earn $1.50/hr for working evening shift
*Earn $2.50/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 schedule interviews for qualified applicants.

Qualified applicants will be invited to schedule an interview time and should expect to spend at least two hours on the interview and background process. Additional information will be provided before the interview. Interview times will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you are contacted for an interview, please schedule it as soon as possible. Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment medical exam and background check as part of the public safety screening process.

For more detailed information on this position, please watch the video below.

Employee Referral Program: 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.

Sheriff's Detentions Nurse is an entry-level professional registered nurse allocated to the Sheriff's Office. This role independently performs the full scope of medical and mental health nursing functions within the department. Incumbents must operate under established procedures and protocols, Standardized Nursing Procedures, and within the legal scope of practice as described by applicable state laws, department rules, regulations and policies. This role provides routine and emergency nursing services to incarcerated individuals of detention facilities operated by the Sheriff's Office.

Please read the job classification for additional information.


Hiring Process and Timeline:

The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below. Public Safety candidates participate in a thorough background process due to the nature of the role. Candidates can partner to expedite parts of the process.

• 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: The pre-employment medical exam after completing the Computerized Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA).

• Anticipated Start Date: The start date will be based upon the 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.

Education/ or Experience:

1. A valid California Registered Nurse License is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Failure to maintain such license will be cause for dismissal; AND;
2. A current CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) card is required by 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 will remove personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide 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 will help 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 instead of the application, Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire. Conditions 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 before beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.


Candidates/employees who have received a conditional offer of employment may be required to undergo testing for controlled substances (including THC and CBD), per the County of San Diego's drug and alcohol policy and the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Desirable Traits:

• Nursing experience in correctional, psychiatric, geriatric, critical care, and emergency setting.
• Correctional Health Care Professional (CCHP) certification is highly desirable.
• Communicates effectively, is a knowledge worker, is customer-focused, can hold self-accountable, is a problem solver and is innovative, demonstrates ethical behavior, values and respects others, leverages resources, is driven to excel, and is supportive of change.

Working Conditions:

• Work environment is in a locked detention facility with all incarcerated persons encounters done in the presence of a deputy
• Incumbents may be exposed to communicable diseases
• Incumbents may be exposed to incarcerated persons with psychiatric illnesses and whose behaviors are unpredictable
• Incumbents may be subject to incarcerated patients withdrawing from illegal substances who may be verbally abusive
• Incumbents may be subject to work rotating shifts (Morning, Mid-day, and Night), holidays, and weekends.

Background Qualifications:

• 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:

Qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in the employment and supplemental applications.

All required documents must be submitted immediately with your application to determine your eligibility to compete. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.


Accommodation:

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with disabilities 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 the for 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
Disaster Service Worker:

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
01



Do you currently possess or, will have by the time of appointment (hire), a California RN License? Note: Pre-license nursing students may complete the application process; however, a CA-RN license will be required at time of appointment.

• Yes
• No

02



Provide your California RN license # and expiration date in the space provided. Enter "N/A" if you do not have a California RN license.
03



Do you currently possess or, can obtain before hire, a current CPR/Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) card? Note: A current CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) card is required by the time of appointment.

• Yes
• No

04



Provide the expiration date of your CPR/Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) card. Enter "N/A" if you do not have a CPR/AED card. Note: A copy of your CPR/AED card should be attached for faster processing.
05



As a working condition, are you willing to work in a locked detention facility, providing nursing care to incarcerated individuals?

• Yes
• No

06



As a working condition, are you willing to undergo a background investigation and a truth verification exam?

• Yes
• No

07


Indicate which clinical specialty experience you have work experience as a registered nurse. Check all that apply.

• Correctional
• Psychiatric
• Geriatric
• Intensive Care
• Cardiac Care
• Emergency
• Surgery
• Pediatrics
• Outpatient
• Private Care
• None

08


Describe your registered nursing experience. Specify the following: (a) types of patients assigned, (b) areas of clinical specialty, and (c) duration of experience in years or months.If not applicable, please enter "None".
09



Are you a Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP)? Note: Attach a copy of the certification to the application for full consideration.

• Yes
• No

10



How did you first hear about this job opportunity? Note: Please be sure to complete the question that follows, especially if you were referred by a County or Sheriff's employee.

• Print Advertising (Newspaper/Magazine)
• Indeed
• Search (Google/YouTube)
• Social Media
• LinkedIn
• Referral (County Employee/Sheriff Employee/Other)
• Recruiting Vehicle (Bus/Van)
• College/H.S. Presentation
• Career Fair
• Military/Veteran related
• Gym
• Radio/TV/DMV Ads
• Community Event
• Sporting Event
• Professional Industry-Specific Board/Publication
• Other

11



Tell us specifically what site/how you saw this job from the above list. County employee referrals should be listed here as well. Help us spend advertising dollars wisely.
12


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

13


If you responded "Yes" to the above, in the space provided please list the name of the County employee that referred you. If not applicable, please enter "N/A"
Required Question