DEPUTY SHERIFF II - LATERAL

THE AREA AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Sonoma County is approximately 50 miles north of San Francisco. The County encompasses 67 miles of rugged Pacific coastline, majestic redwood forests, and the Russian River. The area features a mild climate and offers a blend of city and country living.

After being hired and receiving appropriate training, you will most likely be assigned to the patrol force, a part of the Field Services Division. The patrol force operates out of the main office of the Sheriff's Department in Santa Rosa and out of three substations located, respectively, in Guerneville on the Russian River, in Boyes Hot Springs in the Sonoma Valley, and in the Roseland section of Santa Rosa. Currently, patrol shifts are based on four 10-hour work days. A variety of specialty assignments are available, including bomb disposal, SWAT team, hostage negotiator, training officer, dive team, dog handler supervisor, helicopter observer, IA and background investigators, and detective. These assignments are made on a "most qualified" basis, normally utilizing oral interview boards for the selection process. Premium pay for specialty assignments ranges from 2.5% to 7.5%, and deputies may be paid for more than one such assignment.

Persons newly hired or reinstated from this list shall serve a probationary period of one year.

THE POSITION:

Under general supervision, a Deputy Sheriff II will work on an assigned shift, performing law enforcement and crime prevention work, including patrolling of assigned areas, serving warrants and making arrests, and assisting in preliminary criminal investigations. Duties may also include assignments to civil process, detention transportation, investigations or court security, and other duties as required. All deputies are expected to be available to work any shift.

Experience: Successful completion of one year of regular, full-time employment as a law enforcement officer. Applicants for Deputy Sheriff II must be currently employed as permanent status law enforcement officers or have separated in good standing from such a position within the last year. The position must be with a recognized Merit System or Civil Service agency. Law enforcement experience performing patrol functions is highly desirable.

Working knowledge of: the laws, ordinances, rules and regulations enforced by the department; modern procedures and methods employed in crime detection and investigation and knowledge of general police practices and techniques; court procedures in criminal and civil trials. Working knowledge of the use and care of firearms; criminal attitudes and behavior patterns and the social factors underlying criminal behavior; recent developments, current literature and sources of information of criminal investigation procedures and police patrol practices.

Knowledge of: first aid methods and their applications; the geography and topography of Sonoma County.

Ability to: enforce the law firmly, tactfully and impartially and to deal courteously with the general public; make quick, effective and reasonable decisions and to take appropriate action in emergencies; understand and follow written and oral directions. Ability to speak and write effectively.

1. An application appraisal (pass/not pass) examination to determine those candidates to be given further consideration in the selection process. Applicants will be evaluated for possession of the minimum qualifications required for the Deputy Sheriff II position and for submission of the required documents. All applicants must submit:

A. A completed Sonoma County application form documenting your education, experience and employment history.

B. A copy of your most recent performance evaluation, which must show satisfactory performance as a law enforcement officer.

C. A copy of your valid P.O.S.T. Basic (or Intermediate or Advanced) Certificate. You may submit your performance evaluation and P.O.S.T. Certificate(s) with your completed application OR you may mail or FAX them to: Sonoma County HR, 575 Administration Dr., #116B, Santa Rosa, CA 95402 FAX: (707) 565-3770.

2. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on an eligible list and certified to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department for further consideration.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION - DEPUTY SHERIFF II

Prior to employment, candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation to assess their employment and educational history, and personal fitness for our position. Such investigation may include, but is not necessarily limited to: use of prescription and/or other drugs, reports from former employers, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, or other relevant sources. The results of this examination shall be confidential and shall not be available to the candidate for review. Failure to pass the background investigation may eliminate a candidate's name from the employment list. Additionally, candidates will be required to participate in a psychological evaluation, a polygraph exam, a physical abilities exam, and a medical examination. Drug and alcohol testing will be conducted as part of the pre-employment medical examination for initial hires and for all current employees who are offered employment in law enforcement, probation, drug, and alcohol assignments. Deception during any portion of this process is grounds for disqualification, even after employment.

Physical Ability Test Preparation - Law Enforcement

The best way to prepare for the physical abilities testing is to engage in a physical fitness program that is designed to improve flexibility, strength and cardiovascular endurance.

The physical abilities testing will include an interview, brief medical screen, general tests of flexibility and strength, and functional tolerance for certain movements and postures. There are several specific job specific tasks that you will be required to do during the testing process.

These include the following:

Strength:

1. Applicant will be asked to perform lifting tasks similar to those needed to restrain and move prisoners and consistent with the essential functions of the job.

2. Applicant will be asked to drag a weighted dummy for a distance of 50 feet.

3. Grip strength will be tested by squeezing a measuring device with maximal effort.

4. Upper body strength will be assessed by having the applicant climb over a 6 foot wall.

Speed and endurance will be assessed by:

1. Asking the applicant to run 100 yards, over a flat surface, in 20 seconds or less.

2. Applicant will be asked to run for a distance of 500 yards in 140 seconds or less, with heart rate remaining within safe parameters.

Additional instruction and close monitoring will be provided at the time of testing. This test requires you to demonstrate your maximal capabilities. A physical exercise and conditioning program is strongly encouraged prior to the testing appointment.

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**PLEASE READ THE DRUG POLICY CAREFULLY**

SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

DRUG POLICY

In order to maintain high standards in the Sonoma County law enforcement community, the Sheriff's Department has established illegal drug use guidelines to evaluate an applicant's suitability for employment. Factors which may be considered include but are not limited to: conviction for misdemeanor drug offenses; on the job illegal drug use, especially while employed by a public safety agency; manufacture, cultivation or sales of controlled substances; patterns of use of controlled substances; and failure to truthfully disclose prior or current illegal drug use, or use of any type of narcotic or controlled substance during his/her employment in any capacity with a law enforcement Agency. An applicant may also be rejected if the applicant's alcoholic beverage consumption is shown to impair his/her ability to perform in a satisfactory manner.

Where there is evidence of an applicant's past abuse of other controlled substances, the following factors may be used to determine the employability of the individual:

1. Patterns of use.

2. How the drug was obtained.

3. Kind of drug used.

4. For each kind of drug used, the date started, and the last date used.

5. Circumstances of the start of the drug use.

6. Circumstances at the time of discontinuance of drug use.

7. Nature of any treatment and prognosis.

8. Social behavior and attitude since discontinuance of drug use.

9. History of any previous rehabilitation efforts.

Drug and alcohol testing will be conducted as part of the pre-employment medical examination for initial hires and for all current employees who are offered employment in law enforcement, probation and drug and alcohol assignments.

Although the above factors require a case by case analysis of an individual's employability, all applicants, including drug and alcohol abusers, may be evaluated on:

1. Past personnel records.

2. Absenteeism.

3. Disruptive, abusive, or dangerous behavior.

4. Violations of the law or work rules.

5. Unsatisfactory work performance.

Please see the BENEFITS tab for additional information on the general employment process steps and vacation, holidays, sick leave, insurance, and other benefits information.

Applications are accepted on-line through the County of Sonoma website (www.sonoma-county.org) or the website of www.governmentjobs.com. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), or through the mail. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

HR Analyst: J. Newingham

HR Assistant: M. Starbuck