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The Public Safety sector offers a wide variety of meaningful career paths for individuals inspired to make their communities safer, more resilient, and more equitable. This sector includes emergency services such as police, fire protection, and emergency medical response.
As the home of California’s state capitol, the North Far North region also houses the headquarters of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation—making it a central hub for public administration and law enforcement careers. In addition, the region is home to over 10 national parks and forests, which require highly trained professionals in forest management, environmental protection, and wildfire prevention.
With ongoing threats from climate change, the rise of community-focused policing, and the need for disaster preparedness, careers in public safety are more vital than ever. Students who choose this path can make a direct impact in protecting lives, ensuring justice, and preserving the region’s natural resources. Public service roles in this sector offer strong job stability, advancement opportunities, and the chance to be a trusted leader in your community.
View data from the:
How much will I make per hour?
| What can I train for? | Job openings per year | Entry-level | Median | Experienced | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 614 | $42.38 | $52.76 | $59.32 | View programs |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 323 | $25.36 | $41.23 | $50.34 | View programs |
| Firefighters | 239 | $37.17 | $49.45 | $63.72 | View programs |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 153 | $42.24 | $52.92 | $65.37 | View programs |
| Public Safety Telecommunicators | 102 | $30.84 | $37.04 | $42.25 | View programs |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 98 | $63.65 | $75.06 | $88.36 | View programs |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | 73 | $59.71 | $63.36 | $69.41 | View programs |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | 59 | $49.57 | $75.99 | $86.31 | View programs |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | 46 | $20.36 | $25.20 | $32.98 | View programs |
| Transportation Security Screeners | 38 | $26.17 | $31.73 | $34.29 | |
| Fish and Game Wardens | 7 | $41.15 | $45.64 | $49.36 | |
| Transit and Railroad Police | 4 | $47.52 | $54.95 | $58.41 |
Sources: Lightcast 2025.3; QCEW, non-QCEW, Self-Employed. Compiled by the North/Far North Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research. State Economic Blueprint – California Jobs First, February 2025. https://jobsfirst.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Economic-Blueprint.pdf.
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.
Deputy, Deputy Sheriff, Law Enforcement Officer, Patrol Deputy, Patrol Officer, Peace Officer, Police Officer, Police Patrol Officer, Public Safety Officer, State Trooper
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
Correctional Officer, Correctional Sergeant, Corrections Officer (CO), Deputy Jailer, Detention Deputy, Detention Officer, Jail Officer, Jailer, Jailor
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
Fire Engineer, Fire Equipment Operator, Fire Fighter, Fire Management Specialist, Fire Technician (Fire Tech), Firefighter, Forest Fire Suppression Specialist, Forestry Fire Technician (Forestry Fire Tech), Hot Shot, Wildland Firefighter
Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), Criminal Investigator, Detective, Fugitive Detective, Fugitive Investigator, Investigator, Narcotics Detective, Narcotics Investigator, Police Detective, Special Agent
Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes, threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.
911 Dispatcher, Communications Officer, Communications Operator, Communications Specialist, Dispatcher, Emergency Communications Operator (ECO), Police Dispatcher, Public Safety Dispatcher, Telecommunicator
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.
Police Captain, Shift Supervisor
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.
Correctional Officer Captain, Correctional Supervisor
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
Engine Boss, Fire Battalion Chief, Fire Captain, Fire Chief, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention Chief, Fire Suppression Captain, Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor, Section Forest Fire Warden
Gather, analyze, compile, and report information regarding individuals or organizations to clients, or detect occurrences of unlawful acts or infractions of rules in private establishment.
Asset Protection Detective, Field Investigator, Investigator, Loss Prevention Agent, Loss Prevention Associate, Loss Prevention Detective, Loss Prevention Investigator, Loss Prevention Officer, Private Investigator, Special Investigator
Conduct screening of passengers, baggage, or cargo to ensure compliance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. May operate basic security equipment such as x-ray machines and hand wands at screening checkpoints.
Security Screener, Transportation Security Officer (TSO)
Patrol assigned area to prevent fish and game law violations. Investigate reports of damage to crops or property by wildlife. Compile biological data.
Fisheries Enforcement Officer, Game Warden, Natural Resource Officer, State Game Warden, State Wildlife Officer, Wildlife Conservation Officer, Wildlife Officer
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
Law Enforcement Officer, Patrol Man, Patrol Officer, Patrolman, Police Captain, Police Patrol Officer, Police Specialist, Railroad Police, Railroad Police Officer, Transit Police Officer
The North region encompasses seven counties (El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba).
The Far North region encompasses 15 counties (Butte, Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity).
Specialized skills are specific to the occupation, or group of occupations, and represent job-specific competencies.
Technical skills refer to the specific software and technology regularly encountered on the job.
Employability skills (sometimes referred to as “common skills”) are foundational skills that cross occupations and industries. Many common skills, like, communication and team work, are also considered soft skills.