Community Service Officer

City of Santa Cruz; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus: $5,000

Diversity and inclusion focus

Job summary

City of Santa Cruz is seeking Community Service Officer candidates to support the Santa Cruz Police Department in non-sworn roles. The position emphasizes community-based policing, strong critical thinking, and collaboration with diverse residents.

A POST PelletB score of 46+ is required for applicants who have taken the test in 2025 or 2026. Applicants must meet basic education requirements and are encouraged to attach test results or verify test dates.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for public interactions.
• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide non-sworn support to sworn officers and assist with public inquiries.
• Identify and report municipal code violations and assist in patrol-related tasks.
• Assist with crime prevention activities and community outreach as assigned.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Update: Effective the pay period that began on March 14, 2026, the salary for all classifications in the Police Officer Association increased by 4%. This job posting has been updated to reflect this increase.

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 that 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 (PELLETB) results with a score of 46 or higher.

Attach verification of your POST Pellet-B T Score of 46 taken in calendar years 2025 or 2026 to your job application or locate a test site and date for the POST Pellet B Exam here: https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/

What is a PELLETB?

PELLETB stands for “POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery.” This is a standardized written exam used by law enforcement agencies in California to assess the reading, writing, and reasoning abilities of candidates and is recommended by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

What is a passing score?

A T-score of 46.0 or higher is considered a passing score for the City of Santa Cruz.

How do I take the PELLETB?

For exam dates and locations visit https://theacademy.ca.gov/tests/

Already taken and passed the PELLETB?

If you have taken the exam in calendar years 2025 or 2026, and have a score of 46 or higher, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official letter verifying your test results to your City of Santa Cruz application.

How do I prepare?

Check out Copy of PELLT-B Study Resources or visit https://post.ca.gov/LE-Entry-Level-Test-Battery-Applicant-FAQs

For more information or questions

For additional general information on the POST PELLETB exams, please visit www.theacademy.ca.gov/tests. For more information about the position, contact the Santa Cruz Police Department recruiting team at (831) 420‑5801. To schedule a ride‑along with an officer or tour the Police Department, go to the Police Department webpage. For application questions, email the City of Santa Cruz Human Resources Department at [e-mail].

Recruitment # 25‑PD‑06

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.

• with 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 PELLETB t-score of 46.0 or higher.
• Application screening will be conducted continuously: Applications will be screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position plus PELLETB T-score and results.
  • Request to submit Personal History Statement: Candidates with a fully completed application who meet Minimum Qualifications and attached passing POST T-scores will 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 wait until 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, Candidates who successfully pass review of their Personal History Statement will proceed as follows:
  • Oral Interview Panel
  • Background Investigation and polygraph examination (see below)
  • Interview with the Chief of Police
  • Psychological Examination (see below)
  • Medical Examination (includes drug/alcohol screening) (see below)

PAY INCENTIVES

HIRINGBONUS: New Community Service Officers are eligible to receive a $5,000 bonus paid out as follows: $1,000 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $1,500 upon successful completion of probation, and $2,500 at 2.5 years post hire.

EMPLOYEE REFERRAL 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. The referring employee's name(s) must be listed on the application for consideration for the employee to receive the referral incentive.

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/from 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.

BASIC FUNCTION

Under general supervision, patrols public areas; issues citations or verbal warnings for municipal code violations; writes police reports; reports criminal code violations to sworn officers; performs low risk investigations, including interviews and evidence processing; performs public contact work in crime prevention; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification is distinguished from the Police Officer classification in that it is a non-sworn position and does not carry firearms. Community Service Officers provide assistance to sworn officers by performing a variety of lower risk police department functions.

• 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