Jail Guard Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $10,741.47 - $11,363.73 Monthly
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: H062
Department: Sheriff's Office
Opening Date: 05/01/2024
Bargaining Unit: 61
Description
Are you an experienced peace officer? The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking current peace officers for the position of Deputy Sheriff Bailiff.
Under general supervision, Deputy Sheriff Bailiffs maintain courtroom order and security during trials, enforce courtroom rules of behavior, and oversee the transportation of incarcerated individuals, alongside other law enforcement and crime prevention tasks as assigned. They focus primarily on bailiff duties, contrasting with Deputy Sheriffs who handle a broader range of law enforcement responsibilities such as crime investigation, area patrolling, detainee supervision and transportation, and public safety.
To avoid delays in processing your application for this position, please read all the information contained in this job posting prior to submitting an application.
This is NOT an ENTRY-LEVEL POSITION.
Successful candidates must have experience as a peace officer and must possess a valid California Basic POST Certificate. The Basic Certificate is awarded to current full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency that have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite Basic Course requirement and the employing agency's probationary period. A copy of a valid California Basic POST Certificate or Basic Course Waiver Letter must be attached to the application.
California Basic POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Certificate - The Basic Certificate is awarded, as defined in Regulation 1012, to currently employed full-time peace officers of a POST-participating agency who have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite Basic Course requirement and the employing agency's probationary period.
Out-of-state applicants: Completion of the Basic Course Waiver process is an option for meeting California's Regular Basic Course training requirement for out-of-state applicants. An individual must successfully complete the entire four-step Basic Course Waiver (BCW) process to obtain a waiver. To begin or learn more about the Basic Course Wavier process, please visit
As a Bailiff,you will be responsible for:

• Maintaining security and order in the courtroom and court premises.
• Preserving order among participants and spectators during court proceedings.
• Enforcing courtroom rules of behavior.
• Escorting the jury to and from areas outside the courtroom and acting as a liaison for jurors during court sessions and deliberations.
• Preparing incarcerated persons for court and release, escorting them to and from court, and guarding them while in court.
• Assisting judges as needed.
• Calling participants to the stand.
• Providing information to the public and participants during court proceedings regarding court procedures, customs, and regulations.
• Collecting and retaining unauthorized firearms, weapons, and other contraband from persons entering the courtroom.
• Possibly physically restraining incarcerated persons.
• Potentially arresting individuals violating laws during proceedings.
• Possibly testifying in court.
• Serving legal papers such as subpoenas, summonses, complaints, writs of attachment, execution, and restitution.
• Supervising incarcerated persons at detention facilities and in court holding areas.
• Transporting jail inmates when security requires an armed peace officer.
• Preparing crime and/or incident reports.
• Serving arrest and bench warrants.
• Preparing records and reports relating to the business of the courts and/or the Sheriff's Office.
• Performing related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
NOTE: This job announcement was amended on March 23, 2026, to update the Skills and Abilities section.
Education and Experience:
As required by state law, candidates for Deputy Sheriff classifications must have the following qualifications:
Education: A high school graduate or passing the General Education Development (GED) test or other high school equivalency test approved by CDE, or completion of at least 60 college units from an accredited or approved institution to apply.
Certificate: As required by the State of California, incumbents at this level must possess a valid California Basic POST Certificate.
Knowledge of:

• Civil laws, codes, ordinances, and recent court decisions.
• Principles and practices of law enforcement, criminal investigation, and basic psychology.
• Rules of evidence, laws of arrest and court procedure.

Skill/Ability to:

• Apply principles and techniques of community organization.
• Speak effectively to diverse audiences, including client, professional, civic and citizen groups.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with other program managers and staff, other agencies, and the community; enlist and mobilize community support for programs.
• Prepare complex and detailed written reports, program policies, and procedures.
• Speak, read, and write fluently in English.

Licensure:

• Possession of a Class C California driver license or equivalent.

Other Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age per P.O.S.T and AB-89 Peace Officers: Minimum Qualifications.
• Refrain from using tobacco products at any time for employees hired by the County after October 1, 2004.

Application/Examination
Anyone May Apply. Responses to supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our County of San Mateo application form along with a copy of your California Basic POST Certificate. An application screening committee may select those applicants whose education, experience, training, and knowledge most closely match the requirements of the position and the needs of the Sheriff's Office.
This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time.
Qualified candidates will be notified of the date, time and place of the examinations. Subsequent phases of the selection process include a psychological evaluation, polygraph test, and medical examination. The Sheriff's Office will conduct final interviews with candidates who pass all required tests and evaluations. Final selection of candidates is made by the Sheriff's Office and is based on panel interview performance and information gathered in the background investigation, psychological and polygraph assessments, and medical evaluations. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
For specific questions regarding retirement, the San Mateo County Employees' Retirement Association () can be contacted by email () or by phone (650-599-1234).
Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.
About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.
Analyst: Ximena Burns () (Deputy Sheriff Bailiff)
We invite you to explore our page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)
In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.
As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.
01
Do you possess a California Basic POST Certificate or higher AND currently meet POST requirements for appointment as a peace officer?

• Yes
• No

02
You must attach a copy of your California Basic POST Certificate or Basic Course Waiver Letter with your online application. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected. I have attached a copy of my California Basic POST Certificate or Basic Course Waiver Letter to my online application. Failure to submit my California Basic POST Certificate or Basic Course Waiver Letter will result in my application being disqualified.

• Yes
• No

03
The Deputy Sheriff Bailiff position (per Government Code 1031.4) requires that you must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment. Are you at least 20 years of age at the time of application?

• Yes
• No

04
The Deputy Sheriff Bailiff position requires applicants to have either graduated from high school, have passed the General Education Development (GED) test, possess other high school equivalency test approved by the California Department of Education, or completion of at least 30 college units from an accredited or approved institution. Do you meet this requirement? (Note: If "YES", you will be required to submit proof of educational requirement prior to employment). (A "NO" answer will disqualify you from this recruitment).

• Yes
• No

05
You must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Do you meet this requirement? (If "YES", you will be required to submit proof of your legal authorization to work in the Unites States prior to employment.)

• Yes
• No

06
A Non-Tobacco Use Policy applies to all employees hired by the County as a Deputy Sheriff Bailiff after October 1, 2004. Are you currently a County employee who was hired by the County prior to October 1, 2004?

• Yes
• No

07
If hired for the Deputy Sheriff Bailiff position, you will be required to sign a "Statement of Acceptance" evidencing an agreement to refrain from using tobacco products at any time upon obtaining this position. Any such employee who violates the agreement shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. If hired, will you be able to sign this policy and refrain from using tobacco products at any time?

• Yes
• No

08
You must be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal records. Do you agree to provide fingerprints for this position?

• Yes
• No

09
Do you possess a valid California driver's license?

• Yes
• No

10
If you do not possess a California driver's license, please explain fully.
11
How did you hear of this position? {Check all that apply}

• County Of San Mateo Career Site
• Career Fair
• Sheriff's Office Career Site (https://www.smcsheriffcareers.com)
• Social Media (X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn)
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Army PaYS

12
Did you learn about this position at a community event via a San Mateo County Sheriff's Office recruitment booth and/or staff? If yes, please list the name, date and location of the event. If no, please indicate "N/A."
Required Question