Community Service Officer

City of Santa Cruz; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Cruz is recruiting for Community Service Officers to enhance community engagement through innovative policing strategies. Applicants do not need prior law enforcement experience, but must complete the POST Pellet-B test. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and a commitment to public service.

Qualifications

• Must complete POST Pellet-B test with score of 46.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
• Completion of POST 832 PC certification within three months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Investigate low-risk crime reports and assist the public.
• Maintain public safety presence and enforce local ordinances.
• Transport victims and handle emergency and non-emergency calls.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Education

High school graduation or tested equivalent

Job description

The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Community Service Officer candidates. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the-art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community.

The Community Service Officer is a non-sworn position does not require previous law enforcement experience.

Each and every employee in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Applicants must complete and submit passing POST Reading and Writing Test Battery (PELLET-B) results with a score of 46 or higher.
Attach verification of your POST Pellet-B T Score of 46 taken in calendar years 2024 or 2025 to your job application OR locate a test site and date for the POST Pellet B Exam here:https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/

How to prepare for this exam?Check out POST FAQshttps://post.ca.gov/LE-Entry-Level-Test-Battery-Applicant-FAQs and study guide and sample questionshttps://post.ca.gov/portals/0/post_docs/publications/Applicant_Preparation_Guide_for-the-POST_Entry-Level-Law-Enforcement-Test-Battery.pdf

If you already have taken the POST Pellet B test in calendar years 2024 or 2025 and have a score of 46 or higher,you do not have to take the test again. Please attach an official letter with POST agency logo verifying your test results to your City of Santa Cruz application.

Recruitment # 25-PD-12

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• ApplyNowwith required application materials:
  1. Application- apply online. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out an application form completely. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.
  2. Responses to the supplemental questions
  3. Candidates must submit with their application the following test results: POST Pellet B t-score of 46.0 or higher.
• Personal History Statement:Candidates with a fully completed application and meeting Minimum Qualifications and who have submitted passing POST T-score results of 46 or higher will be requested to submit a Non-Sworn version of the Personal History Statement form (NS-PHS) within 14 calendar days of notification. This is a lengthy document; if you wish to work on this ahead of time, the form is available on the City website. See our agency's customized instructions on filling out and submitting the NS-PHS. You must waituntil requested to submit a Personal History Statement, but you may review the form and reasons for disqualification and work on this document ahead of time here City website
  
• Interviews: All candidates who successfully pass review of their PHS will go on to selection interviews. Selected candidates who pass the selection interview will continue on to the background process described below under BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND POLYGRAPH TEST.

PAY INCENTIVES? Yes, there are pay incentives!
If you were referred by a City of Santa Cruz employee, please be sure to check the "City Employee" box where the application asks for the recruitment source and ??provide the referring employee name(s) as well. That way, we all get to benefit from having talented new employees.***

PAY INCENTIVES

HIRINGBONUS: New Community Service Officers are eligible to receive a $5,000 bonus paid out as follows: $1000 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $1500 upon successful completion of probation, and $2500 at 2.5 years post hire.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND POLYGRAPH TEST

An intensive background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate in accordance with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City-selected psychologist and a medical exam by a City physician (to include a stress test EKG and general physical examination). The results of the psychological exam are valid for one year. Suitability for employment will also be based on the following POST job dimensions: problem-solving ability, learning ability, observation skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, desire for self-improvement, dependability, integrity, credibility as a witness in a court of law, communication skills, judgment under pressure and physical ability.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT POLICY REGARDING ILLEGAL USE
OR POSSESSION OF DRUGS

The following types of drug use or possession will be considered towards the disqualification of candidates in the pre-employment selection process for all police department applicants:

A) Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within seven (7) years prior to application for employment. (LSD, PCP, XTC, And other designer drugs)

B) Any adult use or possession of marijuana, or derivative within one year prior to application for employment.

C) Any other illegal adult use or possession of a drug listed below in the designated time frame prior to application for employment.

Cocaine 7 Years

Amphetamines 7 Years

Meth amphetamines 7 Years

Heroin 7 Years

D) Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug while employed in the capacity of a police officer, licensed security officer, military police, or as a student enrolled in college accredited courses of/or related to the criminal justice field.

E) As an adult, any illegal manufacturing or cultivating of a drug.

F) Failure to divulge to the Police Department during the background investigation any information about personal use or possession of drugs.

The disqualification of a police department candidate for the following types of illegal drug use or possession will be considered in relationship to the overall background of that individual:

A) Any illegal juvenile use or possession of a drug.

B) Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug that does not meet the criteria of the considered disqualifiers specified above; e.g., illegal usage of prescribed or non-prescribed medication or any illegal substance used by the means of injection (Steroids will be considered on a case by case basis only if the above timeline restrictions outlined in section one above has been met)

DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be able to obtain by time of hire and continue to maintain a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record. Applicants with more than two moving violations or responsibility for more than two vehicle accidents in the past three years will be disqualified. A DUI conviction within four years or any two convictions of DUI of alcohol and/or drugs shall be disqualifying.

(May include but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Takes/investigates crime and traffic reports which are low risk in nature or are not in progress.
• Identifies, preserves, collects and analyzes evidence associated with criminal incidents.
• Coordinates documents and organizes investigative information and evidence for subsequent prosecution and laboratory analysis.
• Handles both emergency and non-emergency calls to assist citizens.
• Handles follow up including re-contacting involved parties on crime reports to obtain further information.
• Performs general patrol duties, both on foot and in vehicles, as a crime deterrent. Reports problems to or calls for assistance from City Police, Fire or other departments as appropriate.
• Enforces municipal code violations; gives warnings; issues citations for violations of local ordinances.
• Maintains a uniformed presence; assists public and merchants by providing security, answering questions and providing information.
• Presents crime prevention information to citizen groups and businesses.
• Transports victims, witnesses and prisoners, as needed.
• Checks security of buildings, detects fire and liability hazards.
• Identifies immediate maintenance problems in buildings and wharf structures.
• Performs vehicle abatement duties, including maintenance of a daily log of activities, determining parking violations and issuing the appropriate citations, arranging for towing of abandoned vehicles and otherwise participating in the vehicle abatement program as directed.
• Appears in court as necessary.
• May direct and control traffic at accidents or special events, or as a school crossing guard; may perform non-hazardous crowd control duties.
• Fingerprints individuals.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school graduation or tested equivalent.

Skills:

• Verbal and written communication skills to take information by phone or in person and to give information to the public.
• Organizational skills to gather and coordinate data.

Abilities:

• Understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Write clear, concise and accurate reports.
• Effectively listen to, comprehend and communicate via a police radio.
• Tactfully and effectively interact with people of ethnic and cultural diversity.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with peers, department and the general public.
• Compile and maintain accurate records.
• Read maps and mapped information.
• Understand, appropriately apply and clearly explain regulations, codes and ordinances, policies and procedures.
• Learn to diagram, photograph or video-film crime scene.
• Learn to logically and progressively interview victims and witnesses.
• Learn to operate word processing equipment to prepare reports.
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Work independently and meet established deadlines.
• Pass a thorough background investigation, psychological exam, and medical exam.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Willingness to:

• Wear a uniform.
• Carry a baton, chemical agent, Taser, handcuffs and radio.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Attend community service officer training academy.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES

• Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record.
• Completion of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) 832 PC – Powers of Arrest Course within three months of hire.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience or education related to law enforcement.
• Bilingual ability to speak and write in English and Spanish.
• Possession of certification in advanced first aid and CPR.
• Possession of a Private Security Officer License and Private Security Baton License issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
• Typing skills of 45 wpm.
• Possession of POST 832 PC certification.

Police Lieutenant

Police Sergeant

Police Officer

Police Officer Trainee

Community Service Officer