Volunteer Mounted Search and Rescue Unit
To qualify as a member of the San Benito County Sheriff's
Volunteer Search & Rescue Unit the following minimum standards
will be required to be considered. In the event you do not meet
the minimum requirements, your application will not be
considered as a Search & Rescue Unit Volunteer.
Responsibilities
The San Benito County Sheriff's Office Volunteer Search
& Rescue Unit is formed for the purpose of assisting the Sheriff
in search and rescue and to promote goodwill among the residents
of the county and elsewhere. The unit may be called upon to
assist in the location of lost children or hikers, to provide
support at other missions at the direction of the Sheriff or his
designee, and to provide assistance during times of disaster. We
are grateful for your interest in serving our Community and the
County of San Benito. This is a not for profit organization.
Search & Rescue Unit Volunteer
Minimum Standards
Examples of Duties:
 |
Be a citizen of the
United States of America |
|
|
Be twenty-one (21) years
of age. |
|
|
Be of good character and
reputation (as determined by passing the Sheriff's Office
background investigation). |
|
|
Have a valid California
driver's license and proof of liability insurance. |
|
|
Have a high school
diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. |
|
|
Pay annual dues of
$50.00, renewed each year by June 30. |
|
|
Attain certification for
self and equine, saddle and tack, and transportation for said
animal. |
|
|
Properly register as a
Disaster Service Worker, (DSW) under the provisions of the
Emergency Services Act |
|
|
Attend search and rescue
related training. |
|
|
Conform to the policies
and procedures of the San Benito County Sheriff's Office. |
|
|
Horsemanship skills that
meet MSAR qualifying guidelines. |
|
|
Good health and physical
condition. |
|
|
Willing to work under
the Incident Command System (ICS) guidelines. |
|
|
Willing to complete and
maintain CPR & First aid certification as well as become
proficient in compass, map and GPS use. |
|
|
Attend classes on search
procedure and orienteering when offered; attend mock field search
and rescue exercises when offered. |
|
|
Reasonable time
availability, which includes attending at least 50% of all
scheduled squad activities and at least 50% of all scheduled team
activities. |
|
|
Ability to take
direction and deal with stressful, difficult, and demanding
situations. |
|
|
Carry required equipment
on all team and squad rides. |
|
|
Represent MSAR as well
as the Sheriff's Office in a proper and professional manner at all
times. |
|
|
Bring any suggestions
and/or complaints to squad leaders and follow chain of command. |
|
|
Email capabilities
highly recommended |
|
To
participate in the Search and Rescue Unit, all horses must
meet the following requirements:
- No horses under four (4) years of age; no stallions of any
age.
- Must trailer load and tie (or hobble).
- Must be manageable going alone.
- Must safely negotiate water, bridges and other obstacles.
- Must get along with other horses.
- Must be in good physical condition; adequate foot protection
as required.
- Permanent brand inspection recommended
Additional conditions (please note this list of
conditions is not limited to the following)
All members shall be required to purchase and outfit themselves
at their own expense with uniforms and equipment to conform to
that currently being used by the San Benito County Sheriff's
Office Search and Rescue Unit.
Required Equipment
- Access to a towing vehicle and horse trailer (4 wheel
drive recommended).
- First aid kit.
- Rain slicker, compass, flashlight, knife, matches,
whistle, & water.
- GPS highly recommended.
- Basic survival gear for all weather or overnight.
- Helmets highly recommended.
- Halter & lead ropes.
- Saddlebags or cantle bag of ample size.
- Suitable tack.
- Adequate water, feed, blankets for horses for extended
search.
All applicants for membership must complete and sign the
application and information release authorization. The completed
application shall be forwarded to the Unit Coordinator,
who shall review and forward the application to the Sheriff's
Office
Backgrounds unit.
This volunteer position shall be governed through the Sheriff's
Office. Applications for membership shall be forwarded to the
Sheriff's Office. Members work “at will” and can be dismissed at
anytime by the Sheriff. Other requirements will be provided to
you prior to selection and acceptance of this Volunteer
position.
WHERE TO APPLY:
San Benito County Sheriff's Office, 451 4th St.,
Hollister, CA 95023-3840.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
For more information about this position, please feel to
contact the Sheriff's Department Unit Commander at jgoodwin@sbcsheriff.org.
SELECTION PROCESS:
All completed application documents will be reviewed.
Applications are screened on the basis of overall
qualifications. If a large number of qualified applications are
received, the most qualified applicants will be invited to
participate further in the selection process. These qualified
applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. This
process may include further testing including but not limited to
oral appraisal, medical examination, fingerprints/background
investigation, psychological/psychiatric evaluation.
The County of San Benito actively seeks minority, female, and
disabled applicants and is committed to a policy that pursues
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination. Each
applicant will be considered on the basis of job-related
qualifications regardless of race, color, religion, marital
status, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference,
sexual orientation, pregnancy, parenthood, political affiliation
or belief, physical or mental handicap.
 For a print version of this page, click here.
|
