The Kern County Sheriff's Office is hiring deputies, and today they talked to 23 ABC to discuss the hiring process and qualifications.
The first step is applying; you can do that online at the Kern County website, or in downtown Bakersfield at the Kern County Administrative Building.
The second step is to take an exam called the PELLETB. You can read more about it here; if applicants have already passed the PELLETB, they can turn in their exam scores with their application by September 16.
More information for applicants who have passed the PELLETB can be found here.
If an applicant has not taken the PELLETB, the September 16 deadline does not apply to them; the Sheriff's Office will be announcing testing dates for those applicants soon.
The third step is the physical exam. It consists of the following:
- You must push a stationary vehicle 10 feet in under 12 seconds.
- You have to walk a distance of 15 feet on a balance beam in under 12 seconds.
- You have to complete an obstacle course in under 34 seconds; the course includes automobile tires and having to jump through a glassless window.
- You must drag a 165 pound weight (simulating a victim) for 30 feet in under 12 seconds.
- Finally, you must run 220 yards in less than 102 seconds.
After the physical exam, you'll be brought in for an interview. Scores from that are combined with the written test scores, then a list of candidates is made. If you're chosen, you'll undergo background and medical tests.
KCSO employees stressed that this is just the start; the academy itself is much more demanding, so it's important that applicants are in good physical condition.
If you have more questions, you can contact KCSO headquarters and they'll be able to give you more information; they can be reached at 661-391-7500.
The process of getting a deputy hired, trained and on the street can take upwards of a year or more, so the department says they're excited to get new recruits going.
