To perform law enforcement, community-based policing, and crime prevention work within a variety of assignments, including to patrol assigned area and enforce state and local laws, to conduct investigations of misdemeanor and felony crimes, to supervise inmates in correctional facilities, to investigate and conduct coroner cases, and to ensure court security.

This is the entry level class in the sworn Deputy Sheriff series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Progression from this class is dependent upon continuing acquisition and development of knowledge, techniques, and skills in law enforcement work. This class is distinguished from Deputy Sheriff Trainee in that the Trainee is a training class for incumbents who have not completed the California Peace  Officer Standards and Training (POST) Regular Basic Course/ Academy.

Receives immediate supervision from a Sergeant and technical and functional supervision from a Field Training Officer or other designated sworn personnel.

• Maintain law and order within the County by performing law enforcement activities in a variety of assignments.
• When assigned to Patrol, patrol an assigned area by motor vehicle, on foot, or by other designated means to answer calls for the protection of life and property and the enforcement of County and state laws; conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, prowlers, burglaries, thefts, robberies, deaths and other criminal incidents; direct traffic and detain drivers who are operating vehicles in violation of laws; issue citations and make arrests as necessary; investigate coroner cases, coordinate decedent removals to the morgue, and make death notifications.
• When assigned to Investigations, investigate major crimes against property and persons, in addition to narcotics and vice-related crimes; conduct extensive follow-up investigation at the scene of crimes and accidents; gather evidence; conduct surveillance; locate and question witnesses; take statements from witnesses; present information to the District Attorney's office for filing charges; appear in court, as directed.
• When assigned to Court Security, maintain safety and security for all personnel in the courtroom; act as bailiff in courtroom; transfer inmates to and from the courts and correctional facilities; search individuals entering the court when necessary; at all times, monitor all courtroom activities to anticipate any safety concerns; assist other courtroom personnel in ensuring smooth operation of the courtroom.
• When assigned to Civil, serve civil and criminal subpoenas, summons, complaints, executions, attachments, and court orders; interview witnesses, neighbors, or other persons to gather information for investigations or the service of legal documents; determine daily geographical route and item schedule to maximize the service of legal documents.
• When assigned to Corrections, receive, search, book, fingerprint, and guard prisoners in the jail or other prisoner holding facilities; supervise prisoners at work, in transport, during visit conferences, and other activities; prepare prisoners for court, visits from attorneys, and for the prisoner's transfer and release; transport prisoners between the jail and the courts.
• Make arrests as necessary; interview victims, complainants, and witnesses; interrogate suspects; gather and preserve evidence; testify and present evidence in court.
• Gather evidence using a variety of methods and techniques, including taking photographs, lifting fingerprints, tracing movements, and talking with informants.
• Serve warrants and subpoenas; file complaints; prepare, process, and maintain necessary files, documents, and reports; perform other work related to the processing of misdemeanor and felony complaints.
• Prepare detailed reports on all activities; write reports on arrests, traffic violations, inmate conflicts, impounded property, and other situations; maintain Sheriff's Office records and files when necessary.
• Receive and investigate complaints of violations by or against juveniles; confer with juveniles and their parents; prepare citations for Juvenile Court.
• May be assigned to canine patrol duty.
• Check buildings for physical security; report street lamps or traffic signals that are not working; report or remove traffic hazards; report and take corrective action on other conditions detrimental to the general public.
• Contact and cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to the apprehension of offenders and the investigation of offenses.
• Attend meetings with civic groups; participate in and conduct public awareness/education programs at schools.
• Maintain contact with citizens regarding potential law enforcement problems, work collaboratively with the community to solve problems, and preserve good relationships with the public.
• Substantiate findings in court; testify when necessary in court.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Provide adequate staffing and shift coverage, as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No experience required.

Training: Completion of the twelfth grade or GED.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Certified Regular Basic course completion certificate or equivalency certificate. 
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required. 

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of law enforcement.

Ability to:

• Read and understand Sheriff's Office policies, rules, instructions, laws, ordinances, and general literature pertaining to law enforcement activities.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; remember accounts given by witnesses; identify crime suspects; interpret and apply the law to field situations; observe individuals, behaviors, situations, and activities relevant to area of assignment; problem solve crime situations; focus on a single task for long periods of time; work with frequent interruptions; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks; explain law to public.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk or in a vehicle; walk and stand for long periods of time; bend, twist, squat, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl to access office and field work equipment and to perform field duties; climb stairs and/or ladders; twist while making arrests; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; see with sufficient visual acuity to perform essential job functions; hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; use telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate through written means; continuously wear utility belt and other law enforcement equipment of approximately 30 pounds; intermittently lift very heavy weight.
• Successfully complete required Field and Jail Training Programs, including meeting all Sheriff's Office minimum standards and requirements for deputies.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Write accurately and legibly with correct English grammatical construction and spelling.
• Analyze situations accurately; adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action, giving due regard to the surrounding hazards and circumstances of each situation; exercise good judgment and make sound decisions under a variety of conditions.
• Demonstrate keen powers of observation and memory; observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
• Understand and follow written and oral directions.
• Keep accurate records and submit clear reports.
• Learn to use and care for small firearms and other law enforcement equipment and tools to meet Sheriff's Office requirements and standards.
• Work courteously, but firmly with the public to support community-based policing efforts and solve matters of crime, disorder, safety, etc.
• Resolve conflicts in an effective manner; employ de-escalation techniques when safe and reasonable.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain physical, emotional, and mental condition to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position; meet and maintain required peace officer employment standards to safely and effectively perform assigned duties.
• Work under physical and mental pressure and in potentially hazardous situations.
• Work irregular or prolonged hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, shift work, and/or overtime.