Career & Technical Education Collaborative Externship

1. Career & Technical Education CollaborativeExternship The Orange County Sheriff Department

2. Externship Project ParticipantSpring 2009 Orlantha Nin EOPS Adjunct Counselor Saddleback College Goal: To investigate career paths and educational preparation for careers with the Orange County Sheriff Department.

3. Part I: Professional Staff • Not all careers at the Orange County Sheriff department are sheriff positions (sworn). • The department also has hundreds of professional positions . • I spent the afternoon with the office supervisor in the warrants department to learn about her position and the functions of her department to get an idea of what one might do as a non-sworn professional with the OCSD.

4. Warrants Department • The Warrants Department is part of the Court Operations Division • This department investigates and attempts to serve all warrants assigned by the Orange County Courts

5. Warrants Department • The office supervisor is responsible for supervising 10 office specialists who are responsible for: • Processing 300-500 warrants each month • Researching & compiling data for field investigators and • Preparing over 600 informational packets each month

6. Warrants Department • Recommended Skills for Office Specialist Positions: Typing, Computer Skills, Communication Skills, Writing, Grammar and Mathematics. • Recommended Personality Traits & Personal Skills: Speaking, listening, ability to multi-task, flexible & assertive.

7. Part II: Sheriff Positions • Those interested in becoming a sheriff, may start their career exploration as early as age 14. • Explorers (age 14 and up) • Volunteer Position • Cadet (17 ½ to 22) • Paid Position • Deputy Sheriff (age 18 & up)

8. Sheriff Explorer ProgramA great career exploration opportunity.. • Explorers assist the OCSD in community and civic events & during emergencies such as natural disasters. • Explorers can take part in a "Ride-A-Long" program. • “Explorers are volunteers and do not serve as police employees, sworn or civilian.”

9. Suggested College Courses • Criminal Justice • Law • Administration of Justice • Psychology • Political Science • Business • Computer Classes

10. Personality Traits for Success as a Deputy Sheriff • Common Sense • Calmness • Ability to stay collected in stressful environments • Good Communication Skills • Responsible • Integrity

11. Deputy Salaries Deputy Sheriff Trainee • (Academy) $25.72/hour • $53,498 Deputy Sheriff I • (Entry Level) $29.36 to $39.90/hour • $61,069 to $82,992 annually Deputy Sheriff II • (Maximum) $42.16/hour • $87,693 annually (Information from www.ocsd.org, May 2009)

12. Promotions • Many promotions are based on a point system. • Points can be awarded for years of service, education, military experience, etc. • To be promoted, deputies must be prepared for written exams, oral exams and multiple choice tests.

13. Promotional Ladder • Deputy Sheriff I • Deputy Sheriff II • Sergeant • Lieutenant • Captain • Assistant Sheriff • Sheriff

14. Sample Work Schedule • Deputies work for one of the Orange County Jails during the start of their careers. This entails shift work with rotations in schedules every 4 months. • After working in the jail, new assignments may entail a different work schedule. Examples of jail shifts: 4:30 AM-3:00 PM 7:00 AM-7:30 PM 1:00 PM-11:30 PM 7:00 PM-7:30 AM

15. Tour of the Women’s Jail Part of the Externship included a tour of the Women’s jail in Santa Ana. The jails are the first place of employment for new deputies. Here they receive training and supervision before moving on to other assignments such as patrol.

16. Sources of Additional Information OCSD Website www.ocsd.org Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov Orange County Sheriff's Basic Academy (714) 566-2700