Job Details

The Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce the opportunity to be considered for the position of Sheriff's Cadet. Successful candidates will be paid as a Sheriff's Cadet and sponsored to attend a basic academy course of study necessary to gain approved Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) in order to become a Deputy Sheriff.

This recruitment is to send Cadets to the Allan Hancock College Academy in January 2026 or the Ventura Academy in April 2026.

The physical agility component of this recruitment is scheduled for Wednesday, August 06, 2025 at Cuesta College. Candidates who successfully pass the physical agility will be invited to take the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) written exam on Friday, August 08, 2025.

Click here to learn more about the divisions and units within the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

Click here to view the full job description.

Click here to learn more about becoming a sworn officer.

Click here to learn more about the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB), including the Applicant Preparation Guide (pdf).

Starting Salary:

• Sheriff's Cadet - $39.48 per hour
• Deputy Sheriff - $47.13 - $60.15 per hour

Upon successful academy completion, incumbents are eligible for promotion to Deputy Sheriff with a starting salary of $47.13 per hour.

Other Incentives/Benefits:

Cadet:

• One-time $1,200 uniform allowance upon hire
• Monthly uniform allowance of $75
• County contribution of up to $1,475/month toward medical insurance

Deputy Sheriff:

• Educational Incentive upon completion of degree or POST certification
• $1,500 Safety Equipment allowance
• Monthly uniform allowance of $90
• Bilingual incentive pay and bonus
• Differential Pay (5% evening, 10% night)
• County contribution of up to $1,655/month toward medical insurance

This recruitment may be used to fill future positions, both full-time and part-time.

The ideal candidate is interested in law enforcement, honest, with integrity, able to take direction, work independently, and possess strong communication and observation skills. Adaptability, quick learning, and multitasking are essential.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from high school or equivalent as determined by POST. Proof of education may be required.

Licenses and Certificates: Valid California driver's license at application and appointment, maintained throughout employment.

Age: Must be 21 or older; applicants aged 20-21 may apply but cannot be appointed until 21.

Applications must be submitted online by the final filing date at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca. Review supplemental questions prior to applying.

The selection process includes an initial review, assessments, exams, interviews, and a background check. References are contacted at the end of the process.

For questions, contact Human Resources at ...@co.slo.ca.us. More info at www.slocounty.ca.gov.

The Recruitment Process:

• Mandatory physical agility test on Wednesday, August 06, 2025.
• Mandatory POST written exam (PELLETB) on Friday, August 08, 2025.
• Optional workshop before interviews.
• Mandatory panel interview for those passing the written exam.

The physical agility test includes four events: 1.5 Mile Run, Push-Ups, Sit-Ups, Pull-Ups. Candidates must pass the run in 15 minutes or less and achieve a minimum score of 14 points on the other events to pass. Refer to the detailed scoring chart in the original description.

Background checks will disqualify candidates with certain offenses listed in the original description.