POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT

City of El Cerrito; El Cerrito (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of El Cerrito is seeking Police Officer Recruits who will receive closely supervised training in laws, criminal justice procedures, and community policing concepts while enrolled in the Police Academy.

The temporary, non-sworn position offers progression to sworn status upon academy completion, CalPERS enrollment, and eligibility for full benefits, with emphasis on safety, public service, and ongoing physical requirements.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Possession of a current and valid California Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements and pass pre-placement tests.

Responsibilities

• Attend POST-certified basic police academy and complete training in laws, procedures, and firearms handling.
• Learn department rules, community policing, and investigative techniques.
• Maintain safety, fitness, and driving standards; pass required exams and assessments.
• Communicate effectively in writing and verbally; establish cooperative working relationships.

Skills

Laws & Penal Codes

Communication skills

Decision making

Public contact

Physical fitness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

What is the Role?

Police Officer Recruits receive closely supervised training in the following areas: laws and penal codes; criminal justice system and procedures; law enforcement and crime prevention techniques; physical fitness and first aid; proper handling and firing of firearms; radio codes and dispatching procedures; public contact skills; interviewing and taking complaints; writing and editing police reports; geography; investigative techniques; procedures regarding the arrest and handling of suspects; and departmental rules and regulations.

Police Officer Recruits are hired into this temporary, non-sworn position for the period during which they are enrolled in the Police Academy. They are not covered by the City's classified (Civil Service) system, and serve at the pleasure of the Chief of Police. Police Officer Recruit benefits are limited to those required by law. City of El Cerrito Police Officer Recruits are enrolled in CalPERS under the Miscellaneous Formula while attending the academy. Upon successful completion of the curriculum and the battery of physical fitness tests at the training academy, Police Recruits are sworn in and appointed to the classified position of Police Officer with full benefits (including CalPERS at the Safety Formula).

NOTE: Applicants who are currently enrolled in a California P.O.S.T. approved academy may apply as a Police Officer Recruit.

This position requires an ability to learn and interpret laws, regulations, policies and procedures; carry out oral and written directions; analyze situations and make quick decisions requiring sound judgment; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and meet the on-going physical requirements of the position.

For additional recruitment information, visit our website: El Cerrito Police Department. Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Attends a POST-certified basic police academy and receives training in the following areas:
  • Laws and Penal Codes;
  • Criminal justice system procedures;
  • Law enforcement and crime prevention techniques;
  • Physical fitness and first aid;
  • Proper handling and firing of firearms;
  • Radio codes and dispatching procedures;
  • Public contact skills;
  • Interviewing and taking concerns;
  • Writing and editing police reports;
  • Geography;
  • Investigative techniques;
  • Procedures regarding arrest and the handling of suspects;
  • Learning departmental rules and regulations.
• Learns and adheres to the department’s organizational philosophy emphasizing community-based services and engagement, enforcement efforts, internal supervision, and mentoring of staff.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

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

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a current and valid California Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record to be maintained throughout employment. An out-of-state license may be used during the hiring process, but a valid California Driver’s License must be obtained prior to appointment.

All applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions of the position, as determined by a thorough City pre-placement physical examination; meet vision requirement of not less than 20/100, correctable to 20/30; must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; and be free of felony convictions.

TESTING REQUIRED

Police Officer Recruit applicants must submit a test score with their application. Police Recruit applicants have the following two testing options:

POST PELLETB:

Applicants must have successfully completed the POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLTNB), which is a reading and writing test designed to measure the ability to identify clear writing, and the ability to spell and understand commonly-used vocabulary words. Applicants must have received a 'T' score of 45 or better, within the preceding six months of the date of their application. Proof of T-score must be submitted with application materials.

OR

National Testing Network (NTN) Test:

The NTN Frontline exam has three components: reading ability, written language ability, and a video-based Human Relations test. Applicants may take NTN’s Frontline National Online Exam and submit passing scores to the El Cerrito Police Department through the NTN portal.

Knowledge and abilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Knowledge of:

• Basic functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies.
• Techniques for de-escalation and providing a high level of customer service by effectively assisting with the public, vendors, and City staff.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Learn and apply knowledge of the El Cerrito Police Department organization, rules, and regulations, including City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Learn principles and techniques of patrol procedures, community service, crime prevention, and public relations.
• Learn enforcement and procedural aspects of criminal law, arrest and control techniques, crowd control, and the enforcement of those laws.
• Learn principles and techniques of proper use and maintenance of firearms.
• Learn proper and safe vehicle operation.
• Learn basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and interviewing witnesses.
• Learn, understand, and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing using the English language.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

THE COMMUNITY

Located near the east shore of the San Francisco Bay, the City of El Cerrito is an ethnically diverse community offering a high quality of life within one of the nation's most sophisticated and beautiful living areas. With a population of almost 26,000 residents, El Cerrito has the advantage of being centrally located in a major metropolitan area. El Cerrito is an established community with a strong self-identity and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its community members.

THE DEPARTMENT

El Cerrito Police Department is a modern, well-managed department providing police services to a community of 25,000 residents. The department offers many opportunities for professional growth including: Investigations, Field Training, Hostage Negotiation Team, Special Response Team, and K9.

For more information, please visit the City's Human Resources page: Human Resources Salary Schedules Benefit Guide Physical Demands.