What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Sheriff Trainee - Shift position at Kern County?
You will be given the opportunity to meet the hiring team, have your application pre-screened on site and take the written exam on this date (limited seating available).
The written exam will be administered for applicants at 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2025. If you wish to test, seating is first come, and we encourage you to arrive prior to 8 a.m.
Group # | Application Submission End Date | Application Review Date | Written Exam (In-person) |
1 | November 30, 2025 | December 1, 2025 | December 9, 2025 |
Examinations:
Written Exam (PELLETB) (Pass/Fail): May include knowledge of questions regarding spelling, vocabulary, sentence clarity, reading comprehension and other English language comprehension exercises.
Physical Ability Test (Pass/Fail): The Kern County Human Resources Division will schedule, notify and administer a Physical Ability Test. See below for a full description of the Physical Ability Test.
NOTE: Participation in the written exam is not required if you possess a POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) Exam result that verifies a minimum T-score of 42 and is less than 2 (two) years old as of the date of this application. Attach to your application for review.
- An Applicant Preparation Guide may be accessed here.
- A link to the physical fitness pre-academy fitness guide may be accessed here.
- High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent.
- Possession of a valid California driver’s license at the time of appointment; may be required to obtain a Class II license.
In accordance with Government Code Section 1031 to be appointed as a peace officer in California, incumbents must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
Physical and Psychological Requirements: Applicants must be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
Physical Examination: A rigid medical examination by a county physician is required. Includes spine and chest x-rays, blood chemistry and electro cardiograph test. Weight must be proportionate to height and age.
Psychological Examination: Emotional and mental conditions shall be evaluated by a psychologist that meets the applicable education and training requirements as set forth by the Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training Evaluation is designed for the conduct of pre-employment psychological screening of peace officers.
Vision: 20/100 uncorrected in each eye (corrected to 20/20) - no color deficiency. No permanent or progressive abnormalities.
Hearing: No hearing deficiency.
Minimum Age: 20.5 years of age by the final filing date; must be 21 years of age upon appointment to Deputy Sheriff.
Character: A thorough background investigation, including fingerprinting is required. Applicants must have a reputation for honesty, trustworthiness and be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation. Felony law violations will be disqualifying and except for a limited number of minor traffic offenses, misdemeanor offenses may be disqualifying.
Ability to: understand and carry out oral and written instructions; ability to develop skill in use of firearms; ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies; ability to obtain and verify information through telephone contact and interview.
Monthly PelletB Workshop Webinars (FREE) with Stevie Daniels: Register here for Zoom seminar
Kern residents are able to receive free tutoring from Kern Literacy Council: 661-324-3213
Full Job Description For: Deputy Sheriff Trainee
To learn more about Kern County, click here or follow us:
Growth Mindset
We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.
Admittance to each phase of the examination will require a government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.
Upon completion of the trainee courses and promotion to Deputy Sheriff, incumbents will be REQUIRED to work shift work including weekends and holidays as assigned by the Sheriff's Office.
This examination will establish a 12-month eligible list from which appointments will be made at the Sheriff's Office.
Kern County Sheriff’s Office will seek and retain qualified individuals who maintain a high moral character, are ethical in all facets of life, and are trustworthy and professional when serving our community. To learn more about the 7 pillars of the ideal candidate please click here.
Kern County Human Resources Division
Deputy Sheriff Trainee Physical Ability Test
Purpose of test:
The Physical Ability Test has been established as a bona fide occupational qualification through research and testing. It will test the applicant's ability to demonstrate the minimum physical standards necessary for field service as a Deputy Sheriff.
Apparel:
Clothing should be worn which will allow you maximum freedom of movement, yet provide protection against abrasions, especially the legs. Barefoot candidates or those wearing other than standard tennis shoes will not be permitted to take the test. Dressing rooms will not be available. Participants must be dressed in exercise apparel prior to arriving at the test location. Do not bring valuables to the test locations. Spectators (friends, relatives, etc.) will not be allowed.
Physical Condition:
People who are not in good physical condition should not participate in the test. You will be requested to sign a Waiver of Civil Liability which releases the County of Kern and the Kern County Sheriff's Office from liability for any injury which may result from your participation in the Physical Ability Test.
Composition of Test:
The Physical Ability Test measures those physical attributes necessary in the field performance of police work. Successful completion of every component is required. If you fail on your first attempt, you will be afforded a second opportunity to satisfactorily complete the test. Failure to successfully complete any one of the required components on the second attempt will fail you for the entire test.
99 Yard Obstacle Course
Situation: You have discovered a burglary in process and must pursue a fleeing suspect.
Requirement: You must run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, a number of curb-height obstacles, and a 34-inch-high obstacle that must be vaulted by placing both hands on top of the barrier. Each candidate will be allowed 26 seconds to complete the event.
Body Drag
Situation: You have observed a person lying unconscious next to a storage tank. As you approach, you detect the odor of lethal gas. The victim (simulator) weighs 165 pounds.
Requirement: You will have 12 seconds to move yourself and the victim to a place of safety outside the danger zone. The distance is 30 feet. Time starts when the victim’s feet cross the starting line and ends when the feet cross the finish line.
Chain Link Fence
Situation: You are responding to a foot pursuit of a fleeing suspect through a residential neighborhood. The suspect leaps over a 6-foot chain link fence to escape. You must act quickly to maintain visual contact and continue the pursuit
Requirement: Run 5 yards to a 6-foot chain link fence, climb over fence, and continue running for 25 yards. Candidates cannot use the side support rails to get over the fence. Each candidate will be allowed 14 seconds to complete the event.
440 Yard Distance Run
Situation: Your partner has stopped two known felons, has been attacked, and is wrestling with the suspects. They are 220 yards away. You run to the scene and as you approach, the attackers flee. Upon arrival, your partner yells that these individuals are armed and to call immediately for assistance. You then run back to radio for help.
Requirement: Get to the scene as quickly as possible to assist your partner and then back to the start as quickly as possible to radio for assistance. Each candidate will be allowed 102 seconds to complete this event.
Summary of Benefits for Deputy Sheriff
Recruitment Bonus: The County will provide all employees hired on or after November 9, 2021, in a permanent capacity as a Deputy Sheriff with the Sheriff's Office a $15,000 non-pensionable recruitment and retention bonus. The bonus shall be payable in full upon appointment by the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator subject to completion of a 5-year term of service as a Detentions Deputy rank or higher, including in any continuing capacity as a sworn peace officer with the County of Kern. Appointees who do not complete the agreed upon term of service shall be subject to repayment of the bonus with the following amortization schedule: |
1. Less than one year of services - $15,000 |
2. Less than two years of services - $12,000 |
3. Less than three years of services - $9,000 |
4. Less than four years of services - $6,000 |
5. Less than five years of services - $3,000 |
Personal Patrol Vehicle (PPV) Program: |
Participation in PPV Program is voluntary. Deputies who meet the criteria for home retention of a personal patrol vehicle will be allowed to retain their vehicle at their place of residence. Further details may be accessed in the KCSO Policy Section E-800. |
Vacation, Holidays & Sick Leave |
Vacation: 13 days and accrual rate increases yearly |
Vacation Cash-In: Employees may sell back a combined maximum of forty (40) hours of accrued vacation or compensatory time off each November. The hours shall be paid out at the employee's regular hourly rate of pay at the time of the sell back. |
Holidays: 12 Paid Holidays a year & 3 days of Paid Winter Recess Leave between Christmas and New Years OR 3 alternate days off if unable to observe Winter Recess. |
Sick Leave: Up to 12 Paid Sick Days Per Year |
Sick Leave Bonus: Employees shall be eligible for 24 hours Sick Leave cash out or 24 hours of CTO banks subject to items noted in the specified, MOU agreement for Sick Leave Bonus. |
Compensatory Time Off (CTO): CTO is accumulated as hours at the rate of 1.5 times the number of overtime hours worked and is compensated at the employee’s regular hourly rate of pay. |
Additional Benefits |
Overtime Pay: Ample opportunities for Overtime pay. Employees compensated at the rate is 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked more than 80 hours (8-hour or 10-hour schedule) or 84 hours (12-hour schedule) per pay period. |
Standby Pay: Employees required by the department head to be on standby (e.g. court) shall receive one-quarter (1/4) of their regular straight time rate of pay, or the minimum wage, whichever is higher, for all hours they are required to be on standby. |
Shift Differential: The County will pay shift differential pay of 7.5% of base pay for any time worked between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM. |
Uniform Allowance: $1,300 annually. Paid bi-weekly at approximately $50 per paycheck. Safety equipment provided. Employees designated as SWAT receive an additional $11.50 per paycheck. |
Canine Handler: Employees assigned as canine handlers receive additional compensation equal to 5% of their base salary for possessing specialized training and skills pertaining to the handling and training of Department canines, and for home care of assigned canine |
Swat Team/Crisis Negotiations Team: Employees assigned to the SWAT Team or Crisis Negotiation Team receive additional compensation equal to 5% of their base salary while assigned to the SWAT Team or Crisis Negotiation Team. |
Field Training Officers: Employees assigned as an FTO will receive additional "special assignment pay" equal to 5% of their base salary. |
Bomb Detail: Employees assigned to the Bomb Detail receive additional compensation equal to 5% of their base salary for possessing specialized training and skills in the handling of explosive devices and for the hazardous duty. |
Education: An employee shall be entitled to P.O.S.T Certificate Pay (5% for POST Intermediate Certificate and additional 7% for POST Advanced Certificate) (Basic Certificate) 4493 Deputy Sheriff -Salary Range 67.1 ($37.32 - $44.61) (Intermediate Certificate) 4492 Deputy Sheriff – C — Salary Range 68.1 ($39.23 - $47.12) (Advanced Certificate) 4491 Deputy Sheriff – CA — Salary Range 69.5 ($42.07 - $50.28) |
Bilingual Pay: $25 bi-weekly for qualified employees & The Bilingual Pay Program will include the payment of $50 per pay period for those positions, which require written bilingual skills to perform a critical part of the employee's job. |
Health Benefits |
County contributes 80% of cost for all health plans. |
EAP – No Cost |
Retirement Benefits |
*Tier 2B: 2% @ age 50 PEPRA Member Safety Tier 2 – PEPRA. Under Government Code Section 31664, this tier is known as “2% at 50,” which means that a safety member retiring at age 50 will receive 2% of his final average compensation* for every year of retirement service credit accrued. However, a safety member who retires at age 55 will receive 2.62% of his final average compensation for every year of retirement service credit accrued. Generally, this tier applies to “new members” who joined KCERA on or after January 1, 2013 |
Deferred Compensation Program: Deferred Compensation: 457 plan which allows employees to contribute on a pre-tax basis to a supplemental retirement account which is then paid out to them when they retire. |
All above provisions are based on the Kern Law Enforcement Association (KLEA) and available upon completion of the academy and promotion to Deputy Sheriff classification. This is a summary of benefits. It does not confer any rights upon any employee. Please refer to the unit MOU for more
Salary : $4,130 - $4,936