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County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff

The County of Santa Clara, also referred to as "Silicon Valley", is unique because of its combination of physical attractiveness and economic diversity. With its numerous natural amenities and one of the highest standards of living in the country, the County has long been considered one of the best areas in the United States in which to live and work

The Mediterranean climate of the region remains temperate year round due to the area's geography and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The area is warm and dry much of the year. Rarely is the humidity uncomfortable, and the thermometer seldom drops below freezing. Rain generally confines itself to the winter and snow to the tops of the local mountains, the Mt. Hamilton Range lining the eastern border of the County and the Santa Cruz Mountains to the west.

The County of Santa Clara is located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and encompasses 1,312 square miles. The fertile Santa Clara Valley runs the entire length of the county from north to south, ringed by the rolling hills of the Diablo Range on the east, and the Santa Cruz Mountains on the west. Salt marshes and wetlands lie in the northwestern part of the county, adjacent to the waters of San Francisco Bay.

Today, the County is a major employment center for the region, providing more than a quarter of all jobs in the Bay Area. It has one of the highest median family incomes in the country, and a wide diversity of cultures, backgrounds and talents. The County of Santa Clara continues to attract people from all over the world.

The County's population of nearly 1.8 million is one of the largest in the state, following Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange Counties, and the largest of the nine Bay Area counties. Its population constitutes about one fourth of the Bay Area's total population. There are 15 cities (see list below) ranging from Palo Alto in the north, to Gilroy in the south. San Jose is the largest city in the County, with a population of nearly one million, and is the administrative site of County Government. A significant portion of the county's land area is unincorporated ranch and farmland. Nearly 92% of the population lives in cities.

The County of Santa Clara has a culture rich in its history, ethnic diversity (over 100 languages and dialects are spoken), artistic endeavors, sports venues and academic institutions.

In sports and recreation, San Jose is home to teams for professional soccer, minor league baseball, and the San Jose Sharks, the only professional ice hockey team in Northern California. Other local sports teams include the San Jose Earthquakes, the San Jose SaberCats and the San Jose Giants. Numerous public and private golf courses are located throughout the County. In addition to these recreational outlets, the County of Santa Clara operates 28 parks covering more than 50,000 acres including scenic lakes, streams, and miles of hiking and biking trails.

The County is home to three major universities - Stanford University, Santa Clara University and San Jose State University - as well as excellent community colleges.

The County of Santa Clara Sheriff's Office is dedicated to the preservation of public safety by providing innovative and progressive service in partnership with the community.

Core values

  • Our principal mission is the protection of life and property.

  • Our employees are our most valued asset.

  • We strive to maintain the highest level of public trust.

  • We demand the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

  • We value community partnerships.

  • We treat each other, and the community, with dignity and respect.

  • We recognize diversity as a strength.

  • We value personal and professional growth through education and training.

  • We recognize the importance of investing in the future of our community's children.

  • We recognize the importance of fiscal responsibility through performance-based management.

Aug 27, 2026
Full time
Sheriff's Correctional Deputy Cadet - Unclassified
$99,794 yearly
County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff San Jose, CA
This posting covers San Jose Metropolitan Area. The location shown is the agency's own address; the work may be assigned anywhere in that area. 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   HERE  ** When you submit you will be matched with a recruiter from Whalls Group  to move with you through the recruitment process and employment prerequisites.   &  Typical Tasks The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees...
Aug 27, 2026
Full time
Sheriff's Correctional Deputy - Lateral
$117,865 - $143,275 yearly
County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff San Jose, CA
This posting covers San Jose Metropolitan Area. The location shown is the agency's own address; the work may be assigned anywhere in that area. Description Under supervision, to maintain order and security of inmates within the Sheriff’s Office Correctional facility, and to transport inmates from the Sheriff’s Office Correctional facilities to and from court, medical facilities, and other locations within and outside the County; to supervise a crew of inmates in work projects throughout the County.   Under the appointing authority of the Sheriff, the Sheriff's Correctional Deputy has peace officer status while assigned to a detention facility, which extends throughout California when engaged in duties described in Penal Code Section 830.1(c). **  The Sheriff’s Correctional Deputy Lateral recruitment is for applicants who have experience working in another custody facility in California and would like to work for Santa Clara County's...
Aug 27, 2026
Full time
Deputy Sheriff Cadet - Unclassified
$112,185 yearly
County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff San Jose, CA
This posting covers San Jose Metropolitan Area. The location shown is the agency's own address; the work may be assigned anywhere in that area. Description Under immediate supervision, attends a Law Enforcement Academy to obtain the required academic, technical, and physical skills necessary to perform as a Deputy Sheriff. Deputy Sheriff Cadet enters training to join the ranks of Deputy Sheriffs who, under supervision, perform active law enforcement duties in the protection of life and property, the investigation of crimes and apprehension of law violators, the service of civil process issued by court, and perform a variety of technical law enforcement tasks. Our Cadet recruitment requires: (1) candidates meet the employment standards listed below (2) submit their application and written examination score (3) pass the physical agility test and complete pre-background paperwork (4) interview with a backgrounds deputy (5) finish a full background check (6) accept an...
Aug 27, 2026
Full time
Deputy Sheriff - Lateral
$132,263 - $160,784 yearly
County of Santa Clara Office of the Sheriff San Jose, CA
This posting covers the County of Santa Clara. The location shown is the agency's own address; the work may be assigned anywhere in that area. Description   Under supervision, to perform active law enforcement duties in the protection of life and property, the investigation of crimes, and the apprehension of law violators; to provide security to the Superior Court and the service of civil process issued by the Court; and to perform a variety of technical law enforcement tasks. The Deputy Sheriff – Lateral recruitment is for applicants who currently work or have worked at a California POST-approved law enforcement agency performing duties of a Peace Officer with a separation date within three years of application date OR who have successfully completed a California POST-certified Regular Basic Course (standard or modular format) within three years of the application date and possess a California Basic Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST)...