Police Cadet (Part-Time)

City of La Habra; La Habra (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

City of La Habra is hiring a Police Cadet to support the Police Department in a part-time, non-sworn role. The position involves clerical work, data processing, and front-counter assistance while gaining exposure to various police functions.

You must be enrolled in at least six college units and be at least 18 years old with a valid California driver’s license. Flexible scheduling is required to accommodate department needs.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in at least six semester units of study at an accredited college or university.
• Six months of experience working with the public preferred.
• Ability to speak additional languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform non-sworn duties; clerical tasks and data processing.
• Assist records division and front counter staff; respond to public queries.
• Conduct fieldwork, errands, traffic control, and safety duties as assigned.
• Participate in training programs and departmental tours.

Skills

Clerical skills

Customer service

Communication

Spanish language (preferred)

Education

College coursework (6+ units)

GPA 2.0+

Job description

Are you interested in a career in Law Enforcement? Are you a problem-solver? Do you have a sincere desire to help people?

The City of La Habra is seeking motivated individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement to join the Police Department as a Police Cadet. The Police Cadet will work approximately 20-28 hours per week. Please attach a copy of your transcripts to show that you are currently enrolled in at least six semester units.

This list will be in effect for a period of one year.

ABOUT THE CITY

City of La Habra is located at Orange County's northernmost corner; La Habra today is 7.3 square miles, with a population of nearly 62,000. A quiet bedroom community, it is conveniently located within an hour's drive of many beaches, mountain, and desert recreation areas. The City is known for the Tamale Festival, Corn Festival, Citrus Fair, and the Children’s Museum and Depot Theatre. To learn more about the City of La Habra, please visit: www.lahabraca.gov

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Since 1925, the La Habra Police Department has been dedicated to providing the residents of this community with a safe environment in which to live and work. This commitment to service is a tradition upheld by the men and women who serve La Habra and is reflected in all aspects of the department’s day-to-day operations.

In addition to the regular duties of traffic and law enforcement, the La Habra Police Department strives to assess the needs of the City and, working in partnership with area residents, successfully address those concerns. Since law enforcement and public safety are a citywide concern, we actively seek the involvement of community members in all aspects of policing and welcome their participation.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under direct supervision, the Police Cadet will perform a variety of non-sworn duties, ranging from routine to more difficult. Police Cadets may be assigned to work in any division or bureau of the Police Department performing clerical functions, field work, errands, and interacting with the public. This position is used for an apprenticeship type program to familiarize Police Cadets with the various law enforcement occupations. Although an applicant is not expected to have prior experience, they are expected to have an interest in a career in local law enforcement.

(The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all inclusive).

• Performs clerical duties including maintaining records, answering telephones, data processing, and record retrieval.
• Uses a computer to process information and prepare a variety of reports.
• Assists in the records division performing clerical tasks or taking calls.
• Assists the public at the front counter and over the telephone.
• Answers requests and inquiries from the public and City departments.
• Performs fieldwork, errands, traffic control, and crossing guard duties.
• Prepares and submits completed reports on all cases assigned, conforming to department standards.
• Assists with storage inventory and control of departmental supplies.
• Provides information and directions to the public.
• Assists officers and department personnel in fingerprinting, booking, and radio communications.
• Conducts department tours.
• Assists Investigation Bureau, Traffic Bureau, Court Services, and Property Bureau with miscellaneous tasks and duties.
• Participates in formalized training courses and programs as assigned.
• Lifts and carries equipment and other items and performs strenuous activities.
• Drives a vehicle on City business and assists with vehicle transportation.
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Basic law enforcement functions.
• Organizational structure of the Police Department.
• Departmental recordkeeping practices.
• Proper English grammar, spelling, and punctuation for the purpose of completing various police reports.
• Effective customer service techniques.

Ability to:

• Learn, understand, and apply laws, ordinances, department policies and procedures.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Read and write English using proper spelling and grammar.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Work well in the disciplined atmosphere of the Police Department and maintain high ethical standards.
• Accept supervisory authority, understand, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Maintain professionalism, courtesy, and composure at all times, including emergency and high-stress situations.
• Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer and related word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Type at a speed of 35 wpm.
• Work independently.
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Establish and maintain courteous and effective working relationships staff, management, law enforcement officials, the public and others encountered during the course of work.
• Evaluate situations identify problems, and exercise sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Provide excellent customer service skills.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Any combination of experience and education that provides the qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities. Six months of experience working with the public preferred. The ability to speak Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, or Sign language is also preferred.

Must be currently enrolled in at least six semester units of study at an accredited college or university and maintain a minimum of six units per semester in an accredited college or university. All college/university course must have been, and continue to be, accomplished with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.

LICENSE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a valid and appropriate California Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record at time of appointment and throughout employment in this class series.

Must have reached the age of 18 at time of appointment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Police Cadets must be able to work a flexible schedule including nights, holidays, and weekends to accommodate department needs.

PHYSICAL TASKS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed indoors in a front counter or office environment and may occasionally be performed outdoors with full exposure to the elements. Police Cadets may participate in training exercises which require them to successfully complete physical tests/tasks which include physical agility tests similar to POST's standards for a police officer. While performing the duties of this class, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. The employee is expected to climb or scale walls, ladders, or steps, carry police safety gear; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, squat or crawl, as well as walk, sit, and run. Sensory demands include talking, hearing, and using smell. Employees are expected to grasp and carry various tools, and lift, carry, move equipment, and push, pull or drag objects weighing up to 75 pounds or more.

Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data; thoroughly analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; establish priorities and work on multiple assignments and projects concurrently; and interacts appropriately with law enforcement personnel, general public, and others in the course of work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT These positions perform office and field work. When assigned to the office setting, the noise levels are typically quiet, at or below 85 decibels levels. When in the field, employees may be assigned to a police vehicle and are subject to variable weather conditions and traffic.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all La Habra city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

The City of La Habra is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.

If any accommodation is needed during the interviewing or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department at least five days in advance of your scheduled appointment so that we may be able to provide a reasonable accommodation.

This bulletin is not a contract, neither expressed nor implied.

Any provision herein may be modified or revoked.