San Diego County Sheriff
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Volunteer Programs & Opportunities
Chaplain Unit
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Chaplain Program provides emotional and spiritual support to Sheriff’s employees and their families. Chaplains offer counseling, comfort, critical-incident assistance, and may join patrol briefings and ride-alongs.
Applicants must have strong faith, formal religious training, ecclesiastical certification, at least five years of ministry experience, current involvement in local ministry, and emotional stability. They must also hold a California license, pass interviews and a background check, have no disqualifying criminal history, and be able to volunteer at least eight hours per month.
Contact: SheriffChaplain@sdsheriff.org
Crime Laboratory Internships
The Crime Laboratory Citizen Volunteer and Internship Program offers opportunities for individuals to support the San Diego Sheriff’s Regional Crime Laboratory while gaining valuable educational or career experience. These non-paid positions require a set number of weekly volunteer hours, depending on the project and lab area.
All applicants must pass a full background investigation and a truth-verification interview, and program availability may change. Applications for the Latent Print Development Program or the General Crime Laboratory Program are only accepted when indicated on the website.
Explorer Program
The Sheriff’s Explorer Program is a youth program for ages 16–20 that gives young adults hands-on experience in law enforcement through training and real-world exposure at stations across San Diego County. The program focuses on citizenship, community involvement, and career exploration.
Applicants must meet academic, physical, and background standards and commit to at least 20 hours per month. Explorers complete a youth law-enforcement academy—either an eight-day summer program or a five-weekend course—covering criminal law, patrol procedures, report writing, and physical fitness. After graduation, Explorers wear an official uniform and continue monthly training while being assigned to one of several Sheriff’s patrol stations.
Contact: sheriffexplorer2@sdsheriff.org
Law Enforcement Reserves
Reserve Deputies support the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office by assisting full-time deputies in patrol, emergencies, administrative work, and specialized units such as Off-Road Enforcement, Dive, and Aero. The program is open to qualified community members, including those pursuing or returning to law enforcement.
Reserve Deputies complete a selection process similar to regular deputies, volunteer thousands of hours each year, and save the county more than $2 million. Requirements include completing necessary academy training, working two patrol shifts per month, attending meetings and training, and passing written, oral, physical, and background evaluations.
Contact: Sheriff’s Reserve Line at 858-229-1197 or reserves@sdsheriff.org
Dive Unit
The Sheriff’s Dive Unit includes trained volunteer divers and Reserve Deputies who assist with challenging underwater recovery operations across the county. Members respond 24/7 to search for evidence and human remains in oceans, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, often in zero-visibility conditions.
Applicants must be certified divers, at least 18, U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, own their own gear, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass background and medical screenings. The process includes a phone screening, interview, and final clearance before joining the unit.
Contact:
Reserve Sergeant Denise Cable (Lead)
Phone: 858-245-3443
Email: Denise.Cable@sdsheriff.org
Reserve Sergeant Dan Scanderbeg (Recruiting)
Phone: 858-298-5299
Email: Daniel.Scanderbeg@sdsheriff.gov
Off-Road Enforcement Team (ORET)
The Off-Road Enforcement Team (ORET) is part of the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Reserves and is funded by the California State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle program. ORET works closely with Search and Rescue, enforcing off-road vehicle laws and providing medical aid to injured riders.
It is a collateral assignment for qualified Reserve Deputies. The Sheriff’s Office also invites public input on ORET’s Off-Highway Vehicle grant applications submitted to California State Parks.
Contact: 858-229-1197 or reserves@sdsheriff.org
Sergeant Steven Curran: (619) 318-1498
Volunteer Mounted Unit (VMU)
The Volunteer Mounted Unit is open to community members 18 and older who want to support the Sheriff’s Office through mounted patrols and community engagement. VMU volunteers serve as the Sheriff’s “eyes and ears” and help with urban patrols, trail patrols, holiday watches, parades, fairs, memorials, and community events.
Monthly Commitment
Volunteer Mounted Unit members are asked to volunteer at least six hours per month by:
• Attending mounted training events
• Attending monthly personnel meetings
• Participating in patrol opportunities throughout San Diego County
Requirements
To join the VMU, applicants must:
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be physically fit
• Have a valid California driver’s license
• Have, or have access to, a healthy horse
• Own or have access to a well‑maintained livestock trailer and tow vehicle
• Complete a background check
• Graduate from a two‑week academy
• Pass an annual mounted qualification test for each horse they plan to use
Contact: SheriffMounted@sdsheriff.org
Search and Rescue
The Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Detail handles search missions for missing or stranded people, disaster responses, and evidence searches across San Diego County and assists other jurisdictions when needed.
Members begin as Citizen Volunteers and may advance to full field-qualified Rescue Volunteers after completing interviews, background checks, and a 200–300-hour SAR academy. Duties include searching for missing persons, disaster response, assisting detectives, and supporting special events.
SAR members must maintain physical fitness, respond to missions when available, and cover most personal equipment costs. The team is recognized for its strong safety record and highly trained volunteer force.
Contact: search@sdsheriff.org or 619-956-4990
Student Worker
The County of San Diego offers paid student worker and internship opportunities for full-time students interested in gaining work experience while supporting county services. Positions are temporary, hourly roles and are open to high school, vocational, and college students with at least a 2.0 GPA.
Applications are accepted continuously, and departments contact qualified candidates for interviews. Employment requires a background check, fingerprinting, and medical screening. Student workers may receive limited benefits, including health plan options and sick leave accrual.
Contact: Department of Human Resources at 619-236-2191 or Jobs@sdcounty.ca.gov
Volunteer Sheriff's Patrol
The Volunteer Sheriff's Patrol is a program for adults 50 and older who want to support public safety through neighborhood patrols, welfare checks, and assistance at Sheriff’s stations. Volunteers serve at least six hours per week and join more than 700 members who contribute thousands of hours annually.
Applicants must be lawful permanent residents, have a valid California driver’s license, auto and medical insurance, good moral character, and the physical and emotional ability to perform patrol duties. They must also pass a background check and complete a two-week Volunteer Patrol Academy covering topics such as crime prevention, ethics, radio use, and traffic control.
To get started, contact your local Sheriff’s station and ask for the Volunteer Sheriff’s Patrol Administrator.
Careers
The Sheriff’s Office has a variety of open positions, including Deputy Sheriff roles, Emergency Services Dispatchers, medical and mental-health positions, food service jobs, aircraft mechanics, stock clerks, and student worker opportunities.
Current employees can also apply for promotional roles such as Deputy Sheriff Cadet, Sheriff’s Captain, and Sheriff’s Commander. Job openings update frequently, and applicants can subscribe for notifications when recruitment opens.
Civilian Careers
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office relies on the talents of its skilled civilian staff to support its mission of being California’s premier law enforcement agency. With more than 150 non-sworn career options across a wide range of fields, civilian employees provide essential support to deputies working in patrol, jails, and the courts.
As the department continues to grow, it seeks dedicated individuals who embody its core values of honesty, integrity, loyalty, trust, respect, fairness, diversity, and compassion. Those interested in contributing their skills and experience are encouraged to explore available positions and apply.