Employment FAQ

After submitting your application, Human Resources will conduct any required written testing (depending on the position) and forward all qualified applicant names to the Probation Department. For sworn positions (DPO and PCO) all applicants will be contacted within a week and scheduled for a Physical Agility Test (PAT). After successfully completing the PAT, applicants will participate in an oral interview panel. Applicants who successfully pass the oral interview will be assigned to a background investigator, in order of their oral interview ranking. Once an applicant passes the background process, they will be provided with a Conditional Offer of Employment (COE) and be required to pass a medical examination, drug screen and psychological evaluation (for sworn staff only). Once an applicant passes all the required COE steps they will be provided a start date.

The PAT consists of the following components:

• Supporting a 150-pound dummy for 30 seconds.
• Dragging 150-pound dummy 20 feet in 30 seconds.
• An agility course in which applicants maneuver through a course of nine cones within 30 seconds; donning a 20lb. bag at midpoint.
• In the prone plank position, prop the body up onto the toes and forearms. Maintain a flat back and rigid position for 30 seconds.
• Push Ups (Military or Modified); 20 pushups in 2 minutes.
• Sprinting 75 yards within 20 seconds.

*It should be noted, only sworn applicants (DPO and PCO) are required to participate in the PAT.*

The Probation Department is a law enforcement agency, and thus the background process is very thorough. The length of the background process can vary from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the applicant’s history.

As part of the background process, the background investigator will reach out to current/former employers; references; landlords; and neighbors. The investigator will also review the applicant’s credit history and DMV driving record. The applicant will be required to submit to a Live Scan (fingerprinting) and the background investigator will conduct a thorough criminal history check. Also, during the background process for sworn applicants (DPO and PCO), applicants will be required to submit to a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) exam. The CVSA is similar to a lie detector exam and is designed to detect deception by an applicant.

Applicants will be required to provide a Notarized Authorization of Release prior to beginning their background process. The background process cannot be initiated until the Notarized Authorization is received. 

As part of the background process applicants will be required to provide the following documents/items, in addition to any other documents as requested by the background investigator:

• Birth Certificate
• Official School Transcripts/Degrees (high school and college)
• Driver’s License
• Social Security Card
• Proof of Auto insurance
• Marriage and/or Dissolution Certificate
• Selective Service Number (if applicable)
• DD-214 Military Discharge (if applicable)

No, in accordance with Government Code Section 1031, effective January 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, but there are no specific citizenship requirements.

Any hiring or background related questions can be directed to our Background Unit at (559) 608-9000.