Community Service Officer I/II/SR

City of Palmdale, CA; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palmdale, CA is seeking Community Service Officers in a non-sworn capacity to support sheriff services and public safety programs. The role involves responding to calls, filing reports, enforcing codes, and educating the public on laws and city regulations.

Compensation is structured in three levels with clear salary ranges and hiring bands. This entry- to senior-level team collaborates with law enforcement partners and city staff to serve the community.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of due process and constitutional rights in investigations.
• Awareness of safety measures for field investigations.
• Understanding of city organizational structure and functions.
• Familiarity with federal, state and local laws applicable to the role.
• Proficiency with writing reports and data collection.

Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to inquiries for sheriff services at multiple points of contact.
• Conduct investigations and take statements; gather facts through observation.
• Prepare crime and incident reports; maintain logbooks and records.
• Enforce vehicle codes and city ordinances; issue citations as needed.
• Interact with the public; respond to community concerns and provide information.
• Testify in criminal and civil court; assist with deposits as required.

Job description

The full salary range for this position is as follows: Community Service Officer I - $30.65- $39.11 / Community Service Officer II - $33.78 to $43.14/ Senior Community Service Officer $37.25-$47.55. Expected hiring range is as follows: Community Service Officer I$30.65-$33.78 / Community Service Officer II - $33.78 to $37.25/ Senior Community Service Officer - $35.48-$41.07.

The Community Service Officer performs a variety of community service duties in a non-sworn capacity in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; responds to calls-for-service, takes crime reports, enforces the California Vehicle Code, City ordinances, and regulations; issues citations and provides testimony in court; and educates the public about federal, state, and local laws and codes while providing outstanding customer service.

Community Service Officer I

This is the entry-level class in the Community Service Officer series. Positions at this level perform a variety of the less difficult duties typically supporting other accounting personnel within a fiscal function, such as accounts payable or receivable and, with experience, perform a wider variety of more difficult tasks requiring greater skill with greater responsibilities.

Community Service Officer II

Working under general supervision, the position is the journey level in the series. Employees at this level require specific experience and less supervision and review to complete assignments.

Senior Community Service Officer

Positions at this level perform the most difficult duties; possess a specialized technical or functional expertise. Incumbents are assigned significant responsibilities above the advanced journey level, possess specialized knowledge, abilities, skills and experience, and exercise independent judgment and initiative in the performance of their duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Community Service Officer I/II

• Receive and respond to citizen inquiries and requests for sheriff services in the field, at a public counter, and over the telephone.
• Conduct preliminary investigations at given locations including taking statements and gathering facts through observation.
• Make referrals to other agencies as appropriate.
• Assist in traffic control.
• Write crime and incident reports; prepare and maintain logbooks and other records.
• Operate assigned vehicle; ensure issued equipment is in proper order; inventory and maintain supplies such as citation books, envelopes, and other forms.
• Interact with the public on an ongoing basis; receive, listen to, and skillfully handle citizen issues and complaints and conduct research to respond to community concerns as necessary.
• Conducts routine patrols of city facilities and other designated locations.
• Assist the public by providing directions and answering a variety of questions regarding the Sheriff's Department and City programs, policies, and procedures.
• Enforce California Vehicle Codes, issue citations, and store or tow vehicles.
• Enforce provisions of the City's Municipal Code and Palmdale Zoning ordinances; issue administrative citations; educate the public about code and zoning ordinances.
• Prepare for, appear, and testify in criminal and civil court proceedings and at depositions as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Senior Community Service Officer

• Recommend and assist in the implementation of policies, procedures, goals, and objectives; establish schedules and methods for Community Service Officer I/II.
• Supervise, train, motivate, direct, and review the work of Community Service Officer I/II.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staff, equipment, and supplies; monitor and control expenditures.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures; write performance evaluations.
• Prepare reports and make presentations to the City Council, community groups and outside agencies.
• Investigate cases; resolve complaints and minor disputes among staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Due process, constitutional rights, limitation of authority; legal remedies, and abatement strategies used in investigation of complaints.
• Appropriate safety measures for field investigations.
• City organizational structure/functions.

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Community/agency resources available to effect compliance/aid.
• Outside agencies’ jurisdiction.
• Rules and procedures of providing testimony in court regarding crime reports.
• Computer skills necessary to write reports, develop presentations, and collect data.

Ability to:

• Gather and analyze data.
• Prepare accurate and concise technical reports.
• Make sound decisions and recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Work safely in the field setting.
• Interact with residents, businesses, other City employees, Sheriff's Department personnel, and personnel of other government agencies both in the office and in the field.
• Communicate effectively with members of the public, other City employees, Sheriff's Department personnel, and personnel from other public agencies.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with members of the public, other City employees, Sheriff's Department personnel, and personnel from other public agencies.
• Read, write, and speak clearly and effectively using the English language. Use proper English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Interpret and apply civil and criminal laws, the Penal code, Welfare and Institutional Codes, health and safety codes, vehicle codes, City codes, and radio codes.
• Work crime scenes as assigned and write reports.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural and ethnic diversity of the community.

Senior Community Service Officer;

In addition to the requirements for the Community Service Officer II:

• Principles and practices of working crime scenes and report writing, and the mission of the Public Safety Department.
• Principles and practices of investigation, including collection and documentation of evidence and administrative processing.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances, and rules.
• Equipment, tools, and materials used to perform Community Service Officer activities.
• Principles of employee supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
• Business English, spelling and grammar.
• Basic budgetary and contract administration policies and procedures.
• Automated and computerized information systems, including use of word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Principles and practices of safety management.

Ability to:

• Read, comprehend, interpret and explain the Penal code, Welfare and Institutional Codes, health and safety codes, vehicle codes, City codes, and radio codes.
• Gather and analyze data.
• Prepare accurate and concise technical reports.
• Make sound decisions and recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Resolve disputes and problem solve.
• Work safely in the field setting.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Organize, implement, and direct Community Service Officer operations/activities.
• Assist with the analyzing of work papers, reports and special projects; assist with the identifying and interpreting of technical and numerical information; assist with the observation and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce pertinent department policies and procedures.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instruction and deal courteously and fairly with the public in the course of duties.
• Read and comprehend City, County and State Codes. Direct and oversee record systems.
• Perform routine field visits independently and monitor field officer’s community engagement skills.
• Perform, develop, and oversee reports and documentation related to field and office assignments.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Community Service Officer I

Experience:

One year of full-time, or the equivalent of part-time, experience working in a law enforcement or public safety capacity with

substantial public contact.

Training:

High school diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent. College level coursework in law enforcement or related field is highly desirable.

Other Requirement:

Must pass the background for the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as soon as practical.

LICENSE OF CERTIFICATE

Possession of a valid California driver's license by time of appointment is required.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Property Crime Scene Investigation Training certificate within 12 months of appointment.

Community Service Officer II

Experience:

Three years of enforcement experience as a Community Service Officer, law enforcement officer, or similar.

Education:

High school diploma, G.E.D. or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Community Service Officer Sr

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible Community Service Officer experience, including one year of technical and functional supervisory experience.

Education:

Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, planning, law enforcement, code enforcement or a related field. Additional qualifying experience equivalent to Community Service Officer II may substitute for the education on a year for year basis.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent driving, walking, standing, bending, squatting, and sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing.

Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; color and depth vision; frequent reading and close-up work.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; regularly works alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment, and outside in various types of weather.

Position is required to operate vehicles; may require occasional overtime; night and weekend work is required; travel is rare.

These are Confidential positions.

Revised: October 2026

FLSA: Community Service Officer I,II - Non-Exempt

Senior Community Service Officer - Exempt