Hiring Process
Step #1
Online Application
All applicants must complete an online application with the County of Ventura. Applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to take the written exam.
Step #2
Written Exam
Applicants must take and pass a written exam in order to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process. Ventura County Sheriff’s Office offers the following options to meet the written exam requirement:
Applicants only need to choose one option.
Option #1 – Testing services for the position are available through the National Testing Network (NTN). Exams taken through NTN are available virtually or in a testing center. To register with NTN and schedule a test, go to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, select “Find Jobs”, Law Enforcement Jobs, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and then select “Continue”. Applicants are encouraged to take the exam as soon as possible.
Option #2 – Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) – Applicants may submit their results for the PELLETB exam administered by another agency with their application. The results must show a minimum t-score of 42.0 to be accepted and are valid for one year from the date the test was taken. Applicants must submit a copy of the results from the testing agency on agency letterhead. Acceptance of another agency’s t-score is subject to verification with the testing agency.
Option #3 – The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office offers the P.O.S.T. PELLETB throughout the year, on a quarterly basis. You may contact our recruiter to attend an in-person PELLETB exam. There are also instructions to self-schedule for this exam provided in the written exam invitation.
Step #3
Personal History Statement
Upon passing a written exam, applicants will be placed on the eligible list for a period of one year and will be contacted regarding the online submission of a Pre-Investigative Questionnaire (PIQ).
Applicants submitting complete and appropriate PIQs will be invited to an interview with a background investigator.
Completion and submittal of a Personal History Statement (PHS) is the first step of the Background Investigation. The PHS requires the applicant to submit a compilation of extensive biographical information, fingerprinting, and an interview with a background investigator. The background investigation will include checks of employment, police contacts/records, financial, education, and military records, and interviews with family members, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, and friends.
Step #4
Physical Fitness Test
This process can be completed anytime between Steps #2 and #6. The physical fitness exam is by appointment only. The physical agility exam may include, but is not limited to, the following events: one-mile run, weight drag, obstacle course, and fence climb.
Step #5
Polygraph Examination
The Polygraph Examination is conducted to confirm information obtained during the selection process.
Step #6
Psychological Evaluation
The Psychological Evaluation consists of an individual oral interview and evaluation by a psychologist on factors related to the performance in the difficult and stressful job of a deputy sheriff. The information evaluated includes the written psychological tests along with information obtained in the background investigation process.
Step #7
Medical Examination
The Medical Examination is an examination administered by the county and is the last part of the hiring process. Some of the most common reasons individuals are unable to pass are listed below. These are minimum/maximum standards and are significantly different from the ideal or average.
- Hearing Loss.Hearing must be within California POST standards as verified by a medical background.
- Color Blindness.Applicants must pass a color vision test as verified by a medical background.
- Poor Vision (in either eye).Individuals must have uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye, correctable to 20/20 in better eye and 20/40 on weaker eye.
- Liver Function.Use of bodybuilding diet supplements, including, but not limited to, “Creatinine” (in any form) will often affect liver function tests. Therefore, it is important that you do not take bodybuilding diet supplements within several weeks of the blood test. Abnormal test results will require investigation at the applicants’ expense before approval can be granted.
- Weight and Body Fat.Applicants must be in excellent physical condition with weight proportionate to height (body fat <20% for males and <30% for females) as determined by an agility test and an examining physician.
