San Mateo County posted a job listing on Wednesday in its rushed effort to hire a new sheriff after deciding to go with a long-term appointment instead of an election. 

The Board of Supervisors has only two weeks to appoint a new sheriff that will serve the rest of Christina Corpus’ term. Corpus was fired on Oct. 14 for misconduct, retaliation and having a conflict of interest after nearly a year of resisting calls for her to resign. 

As part of the removal process, the board must either make an appointment or call for a special election within 30 days. 

At Tuesday’s special board meeting, supervisors chose the option of filling the sheriff vacancy through an appointment. However, they only have until Nov. 13 to select the next sheriff. 

County Executive Mike Callagy outlined the timeline for making an appointment so that community members could be involved. 

“It is compressed timeline,” Callagy said. “To do this the right way is to get as much public input. This would be the highest priority.”

The application will only be open for less than six business days, closing at noon on Nov. 5,  according to county spokesperson Effie Milionis Verducci. 

Applicants must reside in San Mateo County, have relevant experience, and have certification from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST.

The board is looking for a sheriff that practices modern policing, is fiscally responsible, and works collaboratively with employees and other county departments. Modern policing is a reformed approach to public safety that emphasizes building community relations and prioritizing officer wellness. 

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter that answers specific questions and responses to several supplemental questions. They also must submit a short video with personal introductions and descriptions of why they want to be the San Mateo County Sheriff.

Candidates who meet the qualifications will then be asked to do interviews with the board of Supervisors in a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6. The board will then select finalists.

The finalists will then participate in an open candidate forum on Monday, Nov. 10, where members of the public can submit questions to be asked. 

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the board will conduct final interviews in a public meeting and make a selection of the next sheriff. 

Alise is a general assignment reporter with a focus on covering government, elections, housing, crime, courts and entertainment in San Francisco and on the Peninsula. Alise is a Bay Area native from San Carlos. She studied history at University of California, Santa Cruz and first started journalism at Skyline College’s school newspaper in San Bruno. She has interned for Bay City News and for Eesti Rahvusringhääling, or Estonian Public Broadcasting. She has covered everything from the removal of former San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus to the divisive battle over the Great Highway on San Francisco’s west side. Please send her any tips.