Sheriff's Lieutenant (Department Promotional Only)

Description

The Sheriff's Office is seeking to establish an eligible list of candidates with exceptional leadership qualities for the Sheriff's Lieutenant position.

Sheriff's Lieutenants lead and manage staff and coordinate a variety of administrative support functions for various divisions and bureaus within the Sheriff's Office. In addition, Lieutenants assist in the development, implementation, and interpretation of administrative policies and procedures and train and direct assigned personnel.

The ideal candidate is a passionate and experienced leader who can build strong partnerships and develop innovative approaches to increase public safety and enhance the quality of life for the residents of San Mateo County. Additionally, the ideal candidate for the position champions integrity and ethics and is committed to promoting transparency through active community engagement at all levels of the organization. They are approachable, politically astute, and passionate about public service, as well as a conscientious team builder who leads with humility, kindness, consideration, and understanding. They should possess strong leadership skills and be able to provide clear and consistent instructions to promote effective communication among Sheriff's Office personnel and the public. The Sheriff's Office currently has two (2) full-time vacancies.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess the following characteristics:

• Have a minimum of three years of increasingly responsible experience at the Sergeant level within the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated management AND leadership skills, including the ability to lead sworn and professional staff, manage divisional operations, make sound decisions, foster accountability, and collaborate effectively with leadership and stakeholders.
• Well-versed in the principles, practices, rules, and regulations of modern law enforcement operations, administration, correctional facilities/services, criminal investigation, and risk management.
• Experienced in administrative principles and practices including policy development, supervision and training of personnel, and budget development.
• Politically astute with a leadership style that quickly fosters teamwork, trust, loyalty, respect, commitment, and accountability.
• A strategic thinker and planner with innovative yet practical solutions to long-term challenges.
• An excellent communicator who can establish and maintain positive working relationships and represent the Sheriff's Office and the County professionally in a variety of settings.
• Quick and clear thinking; calm under pressure; tactful and positive.
• Completion of advanced training such as the P.O.S.T. Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Program or other continuing education.

Career Incentive : Employees holding permanent status may be eligible to receive an incentive equating to 2.5% of base pay in addition to all other compensation for possession of the basic Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Certificate, or an incentive equating up to 7.5% of base pay for the Advanced POST Certificate. The maximum allowable certification differential is 7.5%.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but not limited to, the following:

• Select and assign personnel within an assigned section.
• Authorize purchase of supplies and equipment.
• Develop appropriate policies and procedures for the assigned section.
• Review requests for technical assistance from outside agencies.
• Participate and assist with prisoner rehabilitation programs.
• Confer with court and probation department personnel.
• Screen and classify inmates and inspect correctional facilities to ensure secure and sanitary conditions.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, and directives.
• Conduct and attend meetings with department staff, other public agencies, and individuals.
• Review and assign reports and consult with patrol officers and investigators on case progress.
• Serve as a liaison with other sections, divisions, outside agencies, and the public.
• Organize, direct, and coordinate the administrative services activities of the section.
• Direct section budget preparation providing justification on budget items; justify budget recommendations.
• Design and recommend systems, procedures, forms, and instructions for departmental use.
• Initiate and maintain effective utilization of office space, equipment, furniture, forms, office supplies, etc.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

County Status: Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Sheriff's Office with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Education : Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, or a related field.

Experience : Three years of increasing responsibilities and experience performing a wide variety of duties in a large, protective services agency including at least one year of experience at the Sergeant level in public safety services.

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a Class C California driver license or equivalent.
• Candidates must acquire an Advanced Certificate in law enforcement issued by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within one year of appointment. To view eligibility requirements, please visit https://www.post.ca.gov/peace-officer-certificates.aspx.

Other Requirements:

• Refrain from using tobacco products for employees hired by the County after October 1, 2004.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and court decisions applicable to the assigned division.
• Advanced principles and practices of modern law enforcement administration and criminal investigation.
• Principles of financial administration, including public budgeting and financial analysis.
• Computer systems and applications as used within the County.
• Principles of personnel training, supervision, and evaluation.

Skill/Ability to:

• Direct and participate in advanced administrative and operational activities related to the division.
• Coordinate program area activities with other divisions, departments, programs, and/or outside agencies.
• Direct and participate in the analysis of a wide variety of moderate to complex administrative/operational problems and make effective operational and/or procedural recommendations.
• Develop and administer policies, guidelines, and procedures related to the division.
• Use the appropriate interpersonal style and methods of communication to gain acceptance, cooperation, or agreement of a plan, activity, and/or program idea.
• Negotiate agreements between differing individuals and groups of individuals.
• Monitor current and proposed federal, state, and local legislation that may impact the division.
• Supervise, evaluate, and train assigned personnel.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
• Meet State of California POST medical and physical standards for law enforcement personnel.

Application/Examination
Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Sheriff's Office with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.

A comprehensive resume and a cover letter must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. Candidates should ensure that their cover letter clearly articulates the most significant contribution they will bring to the position of Sheriff's Lieutenant. The resume and cover letter must be attached to your online application. Do not mail, email, fax, or deliver these documents to the Sheriff's Office or Human Resources. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application, resume, cover letter and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to an assessment center (weight: 100%). Details of the assessment center will be provided on the day of the assessment and may include all or a combination of the following :

• A written exercise
• A role play exercise
• A critical incident management exercise
• A structured oral interview

Candidates must complete all components of the assessment center for consideration of placement on the eligible list which will be used to fill current and possible future vacancies. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in County of San Mateo, 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 above or below. If you are not on the County's website, please go to jobs.smcgov.org to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 by 5:00PM PST
Application Screening: Week of February 16, 2026
Assessment Center: March 10 and/or 12, 2026

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 is committed to advancing equity in order 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.

County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.

Analyst: Ximena Burns (01272026) (Sheriff's Lieutenant - D191)

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• County of San Mateo Human Resources Department

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