Kern County Sheriff's Office
Human Resources Section
Welcome to the Human Resources Section
Here you will find information on:
- Job Recruitments
- Extra Help Employment
- Background Investigations
- Services our Division Offers to the Public
Did you know...
The Kern County Sheriff's Office currenty employs over 1,300 people.
We offer a diverse selection of job opportunities from sworn peace officers to civilian staff.
The Sheriff's Office serves over 925,000 people in the Kern County area.
We offer a diverse selection of job opportunities from sworn peace officers to civilian staff.
The Sheriff's Office serves over 925,000 people in the Kern County area.
Career Opportunities
Considering a career in law enforcement? Your future is here!
Sheriff's Detentions Deputy Trainee Shift
Sheriff's Detentions Deputy Shift Lateral
Sheriff's Detentions Deputy Trainee Shift
Sheriff's Detentions Deputy Shift Lateral
The Sheriff's Office has several vacancies. To view open recruitment opportunities, visit the Kern County Human Resources Division website.
How to prepare for Academy
Don't see what you're looking for? Stand-by! Register for notifications of recruitment at:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kernco/jobInterestCards/categories
For more information please call the Kern County Human Resources Division at (661) 868-3480 or the Sheriff’s Administrative Services Division at (661)391-7500.
Don't see what you're looking for? Stand-by! Register for notifications of recruitment at:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kernco/jobInterestCards/categories
For more information please call the Kern County Human Resources Division at (661) 868-3480 or the Sheriff’s Administrative Services Division at (661)391-7500.
Join KCSO
Join KCSO Detentions
Join KCSO Dispatchers
Extra Help Employment
Extra-help employment is a great way to get your foot in the door and gain experience. Extra-help has a limited term of 2 years with a mandatory 90 days off between each term. Employees working an extra-help term may also be eligible for County benefits. As with all county positions, those seeking extra-help employment must meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job descriptions. Apply now here.
Busy in Backgrounds
Everyone employed by the Kern County Sheriff's Office undergoes a background investigation. The purpose of the background investigation is to uphold the honesty, integrity, and public trust that the Sheriff's Office is entrusted with. There are several components to the background investigation, including questionnaires, employment history, and random drug testing.
Administrative Services Mission Statement
The mission of the Sheriff's Human Resources Section is to recruit and fill department vacancies, conduct thorough administrative investigations, manage the department’s workplace safety program, minimize department liability wherever possible and to recruit and retain the ideal candidate. In support of this mission, the Section consists of several work units: Background Investigations, Human Resources, Risk Management, Recruitment and Workforce Analysis.
The Background Investigations Unit is responsible for identifying suitable and non-suitable applicants who apply for all job classifications in our department including volunteer positions. Due to the nature of law enforcement work, all personnel must successfully complete the background investigation process. Many candidates who apply for employment do not meet the high standards of the profession and are disqualified during the background process. Background investigators meet with all candidates and conduct interviews with references. The investigators also coordinate medical exams, polygraph and psychological evaluations, when required. This process is very time consuming and generally takes six to eight weeks to complete.
The Sheriff’s Administration is committed to filling all department vacancies; therefore, the workload of the Background Investigation Unit is plentiful. Backgrounds are taking longer due to the number of applicants who must go through the process. Background investigators are committed to identifying candidates who meet the hiring criteria and disqualify those applicants who do not qualify for employment. The unit is tasked with a very important responsibility which impacts every division in the agency.
The Recruitment and Workforce Analysis Unit works in collaboration with County Personnel to ensure a steady stream of applicants is available to meet hiring needs. Recruitment events are designed to engage applicants with interest in Deputy, Detentions and Professional Support classifications. The Sheriff’s Recruitment Team consists of members from various classifications such as Deputy Sheriff, Detentions Deputy, Deputy Coroner, Public Administrator, Dispatch and various other support classifications. These events provide the potential applicant with an opportunity to engage in Q&A sessions and hear firsthand testimonials from incumbent staff.
Workforce analysis is regularly done to identify developing or changing staffing needs. The statistics are studied and used to judge the effectiveness of recruitment, training and retention efforts. The Recruitment and Workforce Analysis Unit has a goal to attract and retain the ideal candidate for every operational need within the Sheriff’s Office.
The Human Resources Unit is charged with maintaining departmental organization charts, current vacancy levels and employee transfers and personnel records. During the hiring process, the unit is responsible for preparing the appropriate forms for new employees to begin employment. The unit’s Professional Support Staff explain salary and benefits to new employees and issue all department identification cards to current and retired employees. Professional Support Staff members also support the Backgrounds Investigations.
Another component of the Human Resources Section is the Risk Management Unit. The goal of this unit is to administer a program of comprehensive risk management and loss control for the department and its employees. The Risk Management Unit acts as a liaison for our employees with occupational injuries/illnesses assisting them in the Workers’ Compensation arena.
This unit administers the Return-To-Work Program. The goal of this program is to return our employees to work, fit and ready for full duty in a timely manner. The unit oversees occupational and industrial safety programs, absence and disability management programs, and assists employees filing for retirement.
The department’s Safety Officer is also assigned to this unit. The Safety Officer is responsible for providing on-going safety training for the entire department. Monthly safety meetings are held and on-site inspections of all divisions are conducted. The Safety Officer also checks for compliance with CalOSHA rules and regulations, including compiling, maintaining and reporting to CalOSHA.
The Administrative Services Division is a critically important component of the Sheriff’s Office infrastructure.
The Background Investigations Unit is responsible for identifying suitable and non-suitable applicants who apply for all job classifications in our department including volunteer positions. Due to the nature of law enforcement work, all personnel must successfully complete the background investigation process. Many candidates who apply for employment do not meet the high standards of the profession and are disqualified during the background process. Background investigators meet with all candidates and conduct interviews with references. The investigators also coordinate medical exams, polygraph and psychological evaluations, when required. This process is very time consuming and generally takes six to eight weeks to complete.
The Sheriff’s Administration is committed to filling all department vacancies; therefore, the workload of the Background Investigation Unit is plentiful. Backgrounds are taking longer due to the number of applicants who must go through the process. Background investigators are committed to identifying candidates who meet the hiring criteria and disqualify those applicants who do not qualify for employment. The unit is tasked with a very important responsibility which impacts every division in the agency.
The Recruitment and Workforce Analysis Unit works in collaboration with County Personnel to ensure a steady stream of applicants is available to meet hiring needs. Recruitment events are designed to engage applicants with interest in Deputy, Detentions and Professional Support classifications. The Sheriff’s Recruitment Team consists of members from various classifications such as Deputy Sheriff, Detentions Deputy, Deputy Coroner, Public Administrator, Dispatch and various other support classifications. These events provide the potential applicant with an opportunity to engage in Q&A sessions and hear firsthand testimonials from incumbent staff.
Workforce analysis is regularly done to identify developing or changing staffing needs. The statistics are studied and used to judge the effectiveness of recruitment, training and retention efforts. The Recruitment and Workforce Analysis Unit has a goal to attract and retain the ideal candidate for every operational need within the Sheriff’s Office.
The Human Resources Unit is charged with maintaining departmental organization charts, current vacancy levels and employee transfers and personnel records. During the hiring process, the unit is responsible for preparing the appropriate forms for new employees to begin employment. The unit’s Professional Support Staff explain salary and benefits to new employees and issue all department identification cards to current and retired employees. Professional Support Staff members also support the Backgrounds Investigations.
Another component of the Human Resources Section is the Risk Management Unit. The goal of this unit is to administer a program of comprehensive risk management and loss control for the department and its employees. The Risk Management Unit acts as a liaison for our employees with occupational injuries/illnesses assisting them in the Workers’ Compensation arena.
This unit administers the Return-To-Work Program. The goal of this program is to return our employees to work, fit and ready for full duty in a timely manner. The unit oversees occupational and industrial safety programs, absence and disability management programs, and assists employees filing for retirement.
The department’s Safety Officer is also assigned to this unit. The Safety Officer is responsible for providing on-going safety training for the entire department. Monthly safety meetings are held and on-site inspections of all divisions are conducted. The Safety Officer also checks for compliance with CalOSHA rules and regulations, including compiling, maintaining and reporting to CalOSHA.
The Administrative Services Division is a critically important component of the Sheriff’s Office infrastructure.