Entry-Level Police Officer

BART; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

CalPERS retirement

Job summary

The BART Police Department invites applicants to launch a purpose-driven career in modern public safety, protecting riders and assets across the Bay Area. The position offers a stable, career-minded path with paid training, ongoing professional development, and a strong benefits package.

Successful candidates will start at the base salary while in the Academy and will receive POST-certified training after hire to develop leadership and policing skills in a forward-thinking transit environment.

Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma, GED or recognized equivalent college credits.
• Willing to obtain POST certification after hire.
• Must be able to meet physical, psychological and background standards.
• Must be able to work varied shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime.

Responsibilities

• Patrol designated area to protect life and property and deter crime.
• Respond to suspicious activities and emergency calls for service.
• Enforce District, city, county or state and federal laws and ordinances.
• Assist in settling disputes, calm patrons and provide crowd direction and control.
• Prepare affidavits for arrest and coordinate investigative activities with other agencies.
• Maintains accurate records and writes incident and crime reports.

Skills

Observe details

Clear communication

Critical thinking

Law enforcement

Report writing

Radio operations

Public safety

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Two-way radio

Job description

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BART POLICE DEPARTMENT AT JOINBARTPD.COM!

Click here to see us in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Rz97xrTDA

Job Summary

This position is represented by the BART Police Officers Association (BPOA). Note that successful candidates will start at the base salary while in the Academy.

Salary Information

• $7,937.77/ Monthly (Step 20/ Base Salary – While in Academy)
• $8,996.14/ Monthly (Step 21 /Base Salary – Upon Academy Completion)
• $10,583.69/ Monthly (Step 1/ Base Salary – Upon FTO Completion)

Who May Apply

All current BART employees and qualified individuals who are not yet BART employees.

Reports To

Police Sergeant or Lieutenant

Days Off

As assigned. Must be willing to work various shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Department

The BART Police Department is a progressive agency and has been on the forefront – and in some cases the model approach to training in the areas of fair and impartial policing, bias-based policing, crisis intervention, cultural competence training, and de-escalation training. The mission of the BART Police Department is to ensure a safe environment within our transit system, reduce crime through a highly visible police presence, and proactive enforcement of the law, and to promote public confidence by working in partnership with our stakeholders and the communities we serve.

Current Assignment

Are you ready to launch a purpose-driven career in modern policing—one built on service, innovation, and community trust? Join the BART Police Department and become part of a forward-thinking public safety team protecting one of the nation’s most advanced transportation systems.

We’re looking for motivated, community-minded individuals who want to make a difference. No prior law enforcement experience is required—we will train you in a POST-certified Police Academy after hire and provide you with the skills, confidence, and leadership tools to succeed.

Key Competencies

• Observe and accurately recall details
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with diverse groups
• Think critically, remain calm, and make sound decisions
• Learn and apply complex laws, procedures, and technology tools
• Build positive relationships with passengers and colleagues
• Maintain detailed records and prepare clear, professional reports
• Operate vehicles and radio communications safely and effectively

If you’re passionate about public service, committed to fairness, and excited by the idea of contributing to a transformational transportation system, we want you on our team.

Examples of Duties

• Patrols a designated area in a radio vehicle or on foot to protect life and property and deter crime.
• Responds to suspicious activities and answers emergency calls for services.
• Enforces District, city, county or state and federal laws and ordinances.
• Assists in settling disputes, calming angry patrons and providing crowd direction and control.
• Makes presentations to community and employee groups regarding personal safety and criminal activities.
• Secures information from the parties at an incident scene and collects, documents and prepares evidence for court.
• Prepares affidavits for arrest and/or search warrants, files criminal complaints and coordinates investigative activities with other law enforcement agencies.
• Transports prisoners to booking facilities and processes them.
• Maintains accurate records and writes incident and crime reports.
• Works with investigative and legal personnel and presents testimony in court.
• Enforces traffic and parking regulations, investigates traffic accidents and directs traffic.
• Serves warrants and subpoenas.

Education

Possession of a high school diploma, GED or recognized equivalent college credits, military or customer service experience highly desirable.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a high school diploma, GED or recognized equivalent college credits, military or customer service experience highly desirable.

Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.
• Must be physically able to drag a body weighing up to 165 pounds.
• Must be physically able to lift and carry equipment and boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to meet physical, psychological and background standards.
• Must obtain required P.O.S.T. certification.
• Must remain firearm qualified.
• Must be able to work various shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime.

Knowledge And Skills

Knowledge of:

• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts.
• Techniques for dealing with varied groups of people.
• Standard record keeping and report writing procedures and techniques.

Ability To

• Observe and accurately recall places, names, faces and incidents.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions. Interpret and apply complex laws, procedures and policies.
• Analyze situations and make rapid, sound independent judgments within legal and procedural guidelines.
• Use two-way radio communication equipment effectively.
• Drive a motor vehicle safely.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise and competent reports.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at [e-mail] .

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs .

Selection Process

The selection process for this position will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement and may include one or more of the following: a skills or performance demonstration, written examination, and/or panel or individual interview.

1. Phase 1: Pre-Screening Application Background Questionnaire
2. Phase 2: POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) written exam and Physical Agility Test (Note: Applicants provided with testing opportunities twice per month)
3. Phase 3: Review and Evaluation of Personal History Statement
4. Phase 4: Oral Board Interview
5. Phase 5: Investigative Background Check

Please note that the entire selection process may take several months to complete.

The selected candidate must demonstrate a work history reflecting reliability and dependability and may be required to provide copies of certificates, diplomas, or other documentation required by law, including proof of authorization to work in the United States, and pass a pre-employment medical examination, which includes a drug and alcohol screen, and which is specific to the essential job functions and requirements. Pre-employment processing will also include an extensive background check, a credit check and successful completion of a polygraph exam. (Does not apply to current full-time BART Police Department employees unless specific job requires additional evaluations).

If selected to proceed in the background investigative phase of the process, you will be asked to provide some essential documents. The following are some of the documents you may be asked to provide naturalization/citizenship papers, birth certificates, school transcripts, proof of selective service, DMV driving history documents, proof of automobile insurance, marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable), and POST certificates (if applicable).

Eligibility to Reapply

Candidates that are unsuccessful in the written, physical agility and/or oral board process can immediately reapply online for future openings. However, candidates that are unsuccessful in the investigative background process must wait at least 6 months before reapplying.