Crime Analyst I/II

City-of-Santa-Maria,-C; Santa Maria (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Maria Police Department seeks a Crime Analyst I/II to transform crime and intelligence data into actionable information that supports public safety decisions and deployment strategies.

Ideal candidates will be analytical, collaborative, and detail-oriented, with proven crime analysis experience and strong written and verbal communication skills; two years in law enforcement preferred, along with an associate degree or higher in a relevant field.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience as a crime analyst for a law enforcement agency.
• Associate degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Strong analytical, data presentation, and reporting skills.
• Ability to learn new technologies.
• Effective verbal and interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Collects, analyzes, and presents crime and demographic data to guide resource deployment.
• Develops and generates criminal and investigative reports.
• Identifies crime patterns and trends to inform deployment strategies.
• Prepares statistical reports and oral/written presentations.
• Collaborates with command staff, investigators, and partners.

Skills

Analytical

Written and verbal communication

Team player

Attention to detail

Motivated

Driven

Problem solving

Education

Associate's degree or higher in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA POLICE DEPARTMENT IS HIRING A CRIME ANALYST I/II

OPEN: September 23, 2026

CLOSE: Continuous - Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

FIRST REVIEW: October 14, 2026

NOTE: Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early. This recruitment will remain open until filled; however, applications received by October 14, 2026, will be included in the first review. Applications received after that date may be considered in future review batches.

WHO WE ARE:

The City of Santa Maria is a full-service City with a City Council/City Manager form of government with over 700 employees, and serves approximately 112,208 constituents. The City of Santa Maria is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The City has a harmonious balance of maintaining coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business. Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All-America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, and is in close proximity to beaches, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions.

WHAT WE DO

The Santa Maria Police Department strives to protect and serve all those who live, work, and/or visit Santa Maria. This is accomplished by working in cooperation with the community, promoting safety and enforcing the law. The Department offers a full range of professional police services that include patrol operations, investigations, traffic and parking enforcement, criminalistics, crime prevention, and many other services necessary to ensure the development of a safer community.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Santa Maria Police Department is seeking a highly analytical, innovative, and collaborative professional to serve as its next Crime Analyst. This position plays a critical role in supporting public safety operations by transforming crime and intelligence data into actionable information that enhances decision-making, crime prevention, and deployment strategies. The Crime Analyst serves as a trusted resource to command staff, investigators, patrol personnel, and regional law enforcement partners by identifying crime patterns, emerging trends, and operational risks throughout the City of Santa Maria.

The Ideal Candidate will be:

• Skilled Crime Analyst proven through experience gained working at a Law Enforcement Agency
• Highly Motivated
• Driven
• Analytical
• A Team Player
• Detail and solution oriented
• Excellent in written and verbal communication

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION:

Crime Analyst I

(Note - this position is represented and a part of the general employee's bargaining unit SEIU Local 620)

REQUIRED SUBMITTALS:

Due upon application:

• Cover letter
• Resume

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization. This position:

• Collects, analyzes, and presents crime, offender, demographic, and related data used in allocating and deploying police department resources.
• Develops and generates criminal and investigative reports.
• Provides/develops effective deployment, prevention and apprehension strategies and programs.
• Analyzes and Identifies crime patterns; assists in the effective allocation and deployment of police resources in the control of crime activities.
• Prepares reports that effectively present statistical data; makes oral and written presentations.
• Attends meetings; proactively contacts law enforcement and other agencies to obtain and provide crime related data; etc.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential and listed in order of importance (click the hyper link to see the full definition Individual Contributor Competencies):

• Team Player - Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond to requests, and support a spirit of cooperative effort.
• Customer Orientation - Effective performers are in touch with community needs and review the organization through the eyes of Santa Maria residents. They go out of their way to anticipate needs.
• Integrity - Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly, take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.
• Communicativeness - Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange and the competitive advantage it brings. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information, even across great distances. They take responsibility for ensuring that their people have the current and accurate information needed for success.
• Initiative - Effective performers are proactive and take action without being prompted. They do not wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility, and act on it. They make things happen.
• Composure - Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances, and demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation.
• Functional/Technical Expertise - Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, public works, planning, information technology, human resources, etc.), and remain current in their area of expertise.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making - Effective performers identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment.
• Learning Agility - Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge, are curious, learn quickly, and use new information effectively.
• Drive/Energy - Effective performers have a high level of energy and are ambitious and passionate about their role. They have stamina and endurance to maintain a fast pace.

• Crime Analyst I:
  • Ideally, two years working as a crime analyst for a law enforcement agency; and
  • Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree or higher in a relevant field is ideal. Use computer and other office equipment effectively; Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent); proficiency in other computer software; ability to learn new technology.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:
  • Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Possess the ability to effectively give presentations to City staff and the public.

In addition to your completed application, a cover letter and resume are required as part of the application process. If a cover letter and resume are not attached, your application will be considered incomplete.

The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel for an oral interview. Those applicants invited to an interview will be notified electronically at the email address provided by each candidate through the application process. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment. The oral board will recommend a limited number of candidates to the eligibility list from which the new Crime Analyst may be selected.

Prior to an offer of employment, applicants must pass a thorough background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.

If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.