Sheriff's Correctional Deputy (County Classification - Cadet)

The Sheriff's Office is seeking self-motivated, dedicated team players to fill the position of Correctional Deputy. In this role, you will be responsible for performing the full range of duties related to the custody, supervision, and counseling of incarcerated persons. Successful candidates will be hired as Sheriff's Cadet during an initial training period and to attend required courses in order to become a Correctional Deputy.  

Sheriff's Correctional Deputies work in the County Jail which houses all persons arrested in San Luis Obispo County who are either sentenced or awaiting trial.  Under general supervision incumbents are responsible for the intake, custody, welfare, healthcare, programs, services, transportation, and release of incarcerated persons in the custody of the Sheriff; investigate crimes that arise from custodial assignments; and perform other related work as required.  

The physical agility component of this recruitment is scheduled on Thursday, January 8, 2026. 

Click here, to learn more about the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office division and units. 
Click here, to view the full job description for Cadet.
Click here, to view the full job description for Sheriff's Correctional Deputy. 

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date.  Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.

The Recruitment Process:

• A mandatory physical agility test will be the first step in the recruitment process for all who meet minimum qualifications.
• Physical agility examination scheduled on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
• Candidates who pass the physical agility test will be invited to participate in a panel interview. 
• Finalists will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process.

The Physical Agility Test consists of four (4) events as follows:

• 550 Yard Run
• Push-Ups
• Sit-Ups
• Pull-Ups

All events are scored individually, however, points are cumulative for these exercises. If you are less successful in one event, you can make up points in other events by completing more repetitions. More information is listed below in regard to each event and scoring.

Event 1 - 550 Yard Run: 165 seconds or less target time.

Event 2 - Push-Ups: Two (2) minute max time limit for as many as you can do with proper form.  During the exercise you can only rest in "plank" position; plank must have proper form; knees cannot touch the ground.

Event 3 - Sit-Ups:  Two (2) minute max time limit for as many as you can do with proper form.  During the exercise, arms must be behind the head or crossed over the chest; candidate can rest in up position.

Event 4 - Pull-Ups:  Must attempt at least one (1) unassisted rep starting in "hang" position; candidate can rest in "hang" position.  Note:  If you attempt the pull-up and are not able to complete it, you do have that ability to make up those points with the push-ups and sit-ups.

Since one of the events involves running, you can prepare for the test by practicing both short sprints and longer runs.

The other three events involve upper body and core strength.  It is possible to condition yourself for these by doing similar total body exercises.  

As mentioned above, scores are cumulative for all events. The scoring system below can be used to determine different exercise combinations that will yield a passing score for the physical agility exam. Candidates must attain a cumulative score of 30 in order to pass. Please note that the scores reflected below will be used for this recruitment, however, are subject to change at any time.  Please do not refer to this chart for future recruitments.  Scores will be reposted with each recruitment to be sure candidates are receiving the most up to date information available.

** 30 Point Minimum Passing Score ** 

Push-Up	Sit-Up	Pull-Up
1-4 = 3	>10 = 0	1 = 6
5-7 = 4	11-17 = 1	2-4 = 7
8-10 = 5	18-22 = 2	5-7 = 8
11-13 = 6	23-27 = 3	7 = 9
14-16 = 7	28-32 = 4
17 = 9	33-38 = 6
	39-44= 8
	45 = 9

550-YARD RUN
Conversion of Time to Points
Time (Seconds)	Points	Time (Seconds)	Points
53	to	55.8	50	126.5	to	129.3	25
55.9	to	58.7	49	129.4	to	132.3	24
58.8	to	61.7	48	132.4	to	135.2	23
61.8	to	64.6	47	135.3	to	138.1	22
64.7	to	67.6	46	138.2	to	141.1	21
67.7	to	70.5	45	141.2	to	144	20
70.6	to	73.5	44	144.1	to	147	19
73.6	to	76.4	43	147.1	to	149.9	18
76.5	to	79.3	42	150	to	152.8	17
79.4	to	82.3	41	152.9	to	155.8	16
82.4	to	85.2	40	155.9	to	158.7	15
85.3	to	88.2	39	158.8	to	161.7	14
88.3	to	91.1	38	161.8	to	164.6	13
91.2	to	94	37	164.7	to	167.5	12
94.1	to	97	36	167.6	to	170.5	11
97.1	to	99.9	35	170.6	to	173.4	10
100	to	102.9	34	173.5	to	176.4	9
103	to	105.8	33	176.5	to	179.3	8
105.9	to	108.7	32	179.4	to	182.2	7
108.8	to	111.7	31	182.3	to	185.2	6
111.8	to	114.6	30	185.3	to	188.1	5
114.7	to	117.6	29	188.2	to	191.1	4
117.7	to	120.5	28	191.2	to	194	3
120.6	to	123.4	27	194.1	to	196.9	2
123.5	to	126.4	26	197	to	199.9	1

Supplemental Information:

Hours:

• This position is scheduled to work three 12-hour shifts in a week and one 8-hour shift every other week.  The shifts are scheduled as either 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. or 7 p.m. – 7 a.m.
• Limited 40 hour workweek assignments, Monday-Friday, 8 hour shifts.

Working Conditions:
Perhaps obvious, but this position does require you to work in the jail.  Working inside a jail can be considered a "difficult" or "challenging" environment for some. In many situations, inmates in which you have close contact with have poor personal hygiene, may be violent, mentally ill, and/or use vulgar language, among other things.  The work environment can be loud, overcrowded, have offensive odors, and be physically demanding.

Click here to watch a video tour of the jail.

Background Investigation:

To accept a position with the Sheriff's Office, you must successfully complete a Sheriff's Background Investigation.  Below is a partial list of offenses or issues that may disqualify you from successful completion.  Please review the below list: 

• Any felony conviction
• Recent misdemeanor conviction, or any two misdemeanor convictions as an adult
• Poor employment history
• Any sale, manufacture, or cultivation of illegal drugs
• Recent use of illegal substances such as opiates, hallucinogens, injectables, cocaine, methamphetamine, or similar substance
• Poor driving record such as numerous hazardous traffic violations or chargeable accidents
• Recent conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or any two convictions for this offense as an adult
• Any act of domestic violence, as defined by law
• Any crime committed against a child
• Behavior or derogatory remarks constituting discrimination or bias toward others based on their race, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other protected class 
• Any material misstatement of fact or intentional omission of information during the application or background process 

Other Conditions of Employment:

Age and Citizenship: All applicants must meet the age and citizenship requirements of California Government Code 1031. Written proof of the foregoing is required.
   
Character: Good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation. No convictions by any State, the Federal Government, or a foreign government of a crime, which could have been punishable by imprisonment in a Federal Penitentiary or a State prison.

Salary : $74,485 - $95,056