County of Alameda

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES 

In this limited-duration, non-sworn position, Sheriff’s Service Cadets learn and gain additional experience in preparation for a career in law enforcement.  Incumbents in this trainee-level classification are always temporarily appointed, and work on a services-as-needed basis (not to exceed 960 hours per fiscal year), while attending an accredited college to earn a degree in Criminal Justice or a closely related field, or while attending a specific training program to be eligible to take a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification exam. 

Positions in this classification are temporary in nature and assignments to this classification will be terminated once the incumbent graduates from college or finishes four (4) years of service as a Sheriff’s Service Cadet.

1. Participates in crime prevention activities such as neighborhood watch meetings,   school and community group presentations, and Sheriff’s Office building tours.
2. Photocopies, files, indexes, and locates law enforcement records and related paperwork.
3. Rides with Deputy Sheriffs to observe and learn peace officer responsibilities and techniques.
4. Performs routine duties for the department such as transporting information to appropriate personnel.
5. Assists with animal control details and functions with direct supervision.
6. Performs traffic and pedestrian control as directed.
7. Attends weekend and/or evening training sessions.
8. Assists with Sheriff Explorer posts.
9. Assists the Fleet Services Coordinator with maintenance of Sheriff’s Office vehicles and equipment.
10. Assists Office of Emergency Services (OES) staff with the delivery of emergency preparedness information, tools, and training to the public, and other non-profit agencies within Alameda County.
11. Participates in, and/or assists with, the set-up of scenarios for Deputy Sheriff Recruits attending the Sheriff’s Office Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Certified Academy.
12. Assists with the set-up and staging of venues for agency-sponsored functions such as promotional and graduation ceremonies, meetings, trainings, or community outreach events.
13. Participates in recruitment-related job fairs and events on an as-needed basis.

Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency certificate, such as the General Educational Development Certificate (State of California).

Education:

Current enrollment (minimum of 9 quarter units/6 semester units), and good academic standing, in an accredited college or university Criminal Justice program or closely related field; or, current enrollment in specific training to be eligible to take a California State POST certification examination. 

AND

Experience:

At least three (3) consecutive months of volunteer or paid work experience which includes close public contact, within the last three (3) years in one (1) of the listed public agencies or programs: a law enforcement agency (Explorer, Police Cadet), public safety-related department (District Attorney’s Office Intern, Probation Intern), accredited college or university Criminal Justice or Administration of Justice program organization.

Special Requirements:

License: 

Valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License by the time of appointment to Sheriff’s Service Cadet.

Age:

Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment to Sheriff’s Service Cadet.

Physical Requirements:

• Hearing must be normal in each ear.
• Using both eyes, must have far vision of at least 20/100 without glasses, correctable to 20/20 with glasses.  Must be free from color blindness and permanent abnormality in either eye.  

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to travel to various locations within Alameda County to meet program needs and to fulfill job responsibilities.
• Must be available to work irregular duty assignments including weekends and evenings.
• Cadets assigned to certain work locations must successfully complete training relevant to that assignment and will be subject to rotation of assignments.
• Will be required to wear a uniform.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

Knowledge of:

• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts.
• Proper English usage including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Basic mathematics. 
• Principles and practices of modern office filing, methods, equipment, and procedures.

Ability to:

• Learn the organizational structure and functions of the Sheriff’s Office.
• Learn and apply laws, ordinances, policies, practices, and methods relevant to the duties or functions being performed.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Learn how to access and utilize various computer databases and make accurate and specific data entries.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Work courteously with the general public in person and digitally.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Practice sound judgment on a daily basis and in emergency or critical situations.
• Problem solve quickly by performing deductive and inductive reasoning.