Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee)

Oxnard Police Department; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking candidates to establish an eligibility list for Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee). Trainees attend a 23-week POST-certified Police Academy to learn criminal justice basics, laws, procedures, first aid, fitness and related duties.

After academy, they enter field training and Patrol Division in probationary status. Applicants must be at least 21, legally eligible to work in the US, and meet vision/education requirements; extensive background

Qualifications

• Age: Must be 21 years of age at time of application.
• US Citizen: legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law (no specific citizenship requirements).
• High School Grad/GED or equivalent required; driving license or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Attend a POST-certified Police Academy as a Public Safety Trainee.
• Enter Oxnard Police Department field training program after academy and serve in Patrol Division in probationary status.
• Undergo extensive background investigation, polygraph, post-offer psychology evaluation, and post-offer medical examination, including drug/alcohol screening.

Skills

Read English

Driver's License

US Citizenship eligibility

Education

High School Grad/GED

Job description

Oxnard Police Department – Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee)

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking candidates to establish an eligibility list for the position of Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee) with current vacancies to fill!

PAY RATES

Entry Level Police Officer: (during the academy) $34.93 hourly

Successful Police Academy Graduates: $47.45 - $71.76 hourly, approximately $98,703 - $149,279 annually

UPCOMING EXAM DATES

• Friday, October 2, 2026
• Friday, November 13, 2026
• Saturday, November 14, 2026 (new date added)
• Friday, December 11, 2026

All sessions will offer a morning session and an afternoon session.

To learn more about the Police Department, we welcome you to view our department's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8eWAntFN70

We also encourage you to visit our website at: Join the Oxnard Police Department

Candidates selected for hire will enter into a 23‑week Police Academy as a Public Safety Trainee. As a trainee, you will attend a POST‑certified Police Academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system, train in various laws and procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid, physical fitness, and related duties. Upon successful completion of the Police Academy, trainees enter the Oxnard Police Department field training program and are assigned to the Patrol Division in a probationary status.

Eligibility Requirements

Age: Must be 21 years of age at time of application.

US Citizen: In accordance with Government Code Section 1031, effective January 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. There are no specific citizenship requirements.

High School Grad/GED: High school graduate, pass the General Education Development (GED) Test indicating high school graduation level California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two‑year, four‑year, or advanced degree from a college or university. The high school shall be a United States public school, an accredited United States Department of school, or an accredited or approved public or non‑public high school.

Driver's License: Valid California driver license or ability to obtain one at the time of hire

Ability to Read/Speak English: Required

Vision: Must meet vision requirements per California POST Medical Standards

College: Highly Desirable

Prior Experience: No experience required

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Convictions: Must be of good moral character, with no felony convictions.

Medical: Must meet California POST medical and psychological standards.

Other: Candidates are required to undergo an extensive background investigation, polygraph examination, post‑offer psychological evaluation, and post‑offer medical examination, including screening for drugs and alcohol.

NOTE

After you apply, all future correspondence from the City will be via e‑mail. Please check your messages, including your spam, regularly and be sure to update the contact information contained in your on‑line application.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE REVIEW

A review of application and supplemental questionnaire will be conducted and applicants meeting the minimum qualifications and desired background experience for successful performance as a Public Safety Trainee will continue in the next step of the process.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Applicants must successfully meet the written examination requirement and submit qualifying POST PELLET‑B exam results WITH their application or FrontLine National Written examination test results through National Testing Network (NTN).

Both the POST Pellet‑B exam results and NTN test must have been administered within one year of application submittal.

FrontLine National Testing Network (NTN) Exam: There are three components to the written examination: a video-based human relations test, a reading ability test, and a written language ability test. Testing takes approximately 2 ½ hours.

• Video‑based human relations test
• Reading ability test
• Written language ability test

Upon completion of the written examination, NTN will provide applicant scores to the City of Oxnard Human Resources Department. Applicants who attain a passing score on the written examination will be placed on the City’s eligibility list.

Applicants are encouraged to take the written exam and submit an application as soon as possible as recruitment may close at any time.

ELIGIBILITY LIST

Applicants that meet the written examination requirement by providing NTN test scores or passing the NTN written examination will be certified to an eligibility list, which will be sent to the Police Department for further consideration.

PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT COMPLETION

All applicants certified to the eligibility list are required to complete the POST Personal History Statement (PHS). Applicants will be notified by the Police Department via e‑mail with instructions and a deadline for the Personal History Statement. Applicants should not submit a Personal History Statement until they are requested to do so. If an applicant fails to return the PHS by the required deadline, they will be eliminated from continuing in the recruitment process.

DEPARTMENT SELECTION INTERVIEWS

Upon review of the completed Personal History Statement candidates may be invited to an interview with the Police Department.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST

• Agility Run: Run a 99-yard course with abrupt changes in lateral and vertical movement in 34 seconds
• Dummy Drag: Lift and drag a 165-pound dummy 25 feet in 10 seconds
• Fence Climb/Run