Community Service Officer I/II (20785181) LD - 169

City of San Mateo; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid leave

Health benefits

CalPERS retirement

Deferred compensation

Fitness classes

Job summary

The City of San Mateo seeks a Community Service Officer I/II to support the Police Department’s public service mission. The role involves handling reports, assisting with court and DA submissions, and coordinating community engagement through PAL and social channels.

Ideal candidates show proactive service, writing skills, and a career interest in law enforcement. The position offers a generous benefits package, flexible shifts, and CalPERS retirement.

Qualifications

• Public contact experience handling complex rules and regulations.
• Strong analytical and detail-oriented abilities for records.
• Clear written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to learn and apply city, state and federal policies.

Responsibilities

• Process telephone, in-person or on-scene reports of incidents and subpoenas.
• Manage evidence collection, cataloging and storage and assist with legal documents.
• Review reports for submission to District Attorney and procure supporting docs.
• Assist Traffic Safety unit and engage with PAL/community events.
• Oversee security, operation and contracts of the police facility and supervise volunteers.

Skills

Public contact experience

Analytical skills

Detail-oriented

Written communication

Education

High School equivalency

Valid California Driver’s License

Job description

Community Service Officer I/II (20785181)

San Mateo is a city of more than 100,000 residents located in San Mateo County, California, on the San Francisco Peninsula. One of the City’s strengths is its diversity, both in the ethnic makeup and the physical development of the community. San Mateo has a vibrant business and retail environment with national and international businesses, two major shopping centers and an active downtown.
You would be joining over 500 people whose mission it is to serve the San Mateo community with a collaborative, innovative and professional spirit. We are looking for someone who embodies our shared values of respect, creativity, inclusivity, transparency, and integrity in their words and actions.

The City of San Mateo Police Department is looking for applicants for Community Service Officer I/II

The Department

The San Mateo Police Department is seeking a candidate to join our diverse and outstanding group of men and women who are dedicated to providing exceptional public service. The Police Department is committed to improving the quality of life and solving problems while safeguarding our community through professionalism, integrity, and proactive policing. We strive to be the model police agency that others will emulate and a leader in the County and in our profession, adopting creative and innovative strategies to prevent crime and support those most in need. We will continue to do this through cutting-edge technology, creative solutions to problems, by respecting individual rights, and conducting fair and non-biased policing.

The Position

The primary duties of this position may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as a Field Officer processing telephone, in-person or on-scene reports of criminal incidents; and processing requests for police reports and public information, processing and serving subpoenas.
• Assume responsibility for collecting, receiving, cataloging, and the storing of physical and photographic evidence, including contraband and narcotics.
• Serve as Court Liaison by reviewing all reports for submission to the District Attorney; processing complaints for arrests, warrants, notices to appear and report reviews; procure supporting documentation, including body worn camera video.
• Provide assistance to the Traffic Safety unit.
• Serve as the Police Liaison to the San Mateo Police Activities League, manage community engagement and social media for the department and/or PAL, and facilitate special events.
• Assume responsibility for the security, operation, maintenance, and contracts of the police facility, manage volunteers and student interns, facilitates background investigations.
• Hours vary with assignments; shift, weekend and holiday work are required. Every reasonable effort shall be made to ensure that the schedule of working hours for Community Service Officers assigned to Field Operations (Patrol) will remain in the current “4/10” Four (4) (Day/Ten (10) hour format.

Ideal Candidate

Knowledge and Abilities

• You possess basic knowledge of the organization and functions of a municipal law enforcement agency
• You are able to interpret laws and the regulations of the City and Police Departments
• You are able to work cooperatively with others and deal tactfully with the public
• You are someone with strong analytical skills and are detail-oriented
• You possess the ability to prepare and maintain a variety of records and can communicate clearly orally and in writing
• You are able to learn and apply pertinent Federal, State and Local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations

Minimum Qualifications

• You possess at least 1 year of work experience requiring frequent public contact and the interpretation of complex rules and regulations preferably including some prior work experience in municipal police department
• You have a High School equivalency
• Valid California Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record is required

Highly Desirable

• Pro-active and motivated
• Proficient writing skills
• Service oriented
• Interested in career in law enforcement
• One year of work experience comparable to the Community Service Officer I in the City of San Mateo
• Community Service Officer I: $77,147.20 - $91,956.80 Annually
• Community Service Officer II: $84,510.40 - $100,776.00 Annually
• Comprehensive benefits package including generous paid leave and health benefits
• CalPERS retirement (2% @ 55 for classic members; 2% @ 62 for new members. Classic employees contribute 8.34% to CalPERS and New members contribute 7.50% to CalPERS with participation in the Social Security Program
• Deferred Compensation: 0.75% City contribution
• Free Fitness classes through City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation, Employee Assistance Program and Credit Union Membership
• Bilingual Diff: $138.46 bi-weekly (if applicable)

Special Instructions

Examination Process

Based upon a review of the applications, applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be placed on the employment list. The employment list is updated continuously as applicants become eligible. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. Your eligibility will remain in effect for at least one year from the date that you are notified of your status.

The Selection Process:

Once placed on the Employment List, and at the time a vacancy needs to be filled, the San Mateo Police Department representative will contact candidates selected to move onto the next step in the hiring process.

Before a conditional employment offer is made, candidates must take a polygraph examination. If successful, a conditional employment offer is made and candidates are then required to successfully pass a psychological, medical examination including a stress agility assessment, a drug screen, personal interviews, background investigation, fingerprinting, and must be able to furnish proof of legal right to work in the United States. The process will end with the Police Chief’s interview. The City’s standardsmust be met before the final appointment is made. The Chief of Police or their designee will make the final appointment.

Date Posted: October 16, 2026

Fine Print

Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, including a driving record review, reference check, and Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Candidates selected by the Police Department shall successfully undergo a comprehensive background investigation prior to appointment.

The City of San Mateo is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the intent and desire of the City of San Mateo that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants requiring accommodations for any part of the testing or recruitment process must notify [e-mail] or [phone] seven (7) days in advance of the deadline for the part of the process requiring accommodations. Do not upload any documents related to your request for accommodation in CalOpps. The City of San Mateo complies with employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Together, We Make Our Community Stronger.”