Police Officer (Recruit)

City-of-Vallejo-3; Vallejo (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Vallejo Police Department is seeking highly motivated individuals to join as Police Officer (Recruit) trainees. The position involves attending a POST Basic Police Academy and serving as temporary, at-will employees during the academy.

Successful completion leads to sworn peace officer status and an 18-month probationary period. Applicants undergo polygraph, background check, psych and medical exams prior to academy attendance, which the City covers.

Qualifications

• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
• Completion of 39 semester units or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Be at least 20 years old at appointment and 21 by POST Academy graduation.

Responsibilities

• Ride with officers to observe and learn peace officer responsibilities.
• Operate police information equipment and research information as directed.
• Assist in processing, packaging, labeling, storing and destroying property and evidence.
• Perform errands for the department such as transporting information to court and district attorney offices.

Skills

Communication skills

Public speaking

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

High School diploma or GED

POST Basic Academy certificate (desirable)

Job description

PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY

Interested in making a difference in the community? The Vallejo Police Department is seeking highly motivated individuals who can demonstrate sound judgment, have superior decision-making skills, and who are eager to participate in a high level of community collaboration, strategic partnerships, and progressive problem solving.

THE POSITION

This recruitment is a continuous recruitment and will be closed when a viable candidate pool has been identified.

Employees in this trainee-level, non-safety assignment, will be completing a POST certified Basic Police Academy (POST Academy), or those who are currently enrolled in an academy, and as such are considered temporary, at-will employees serving at the pleasure of the hiring authority. Assignment to this classification is limited to a maximum of one year. A Police Officer (Recruit) who fails to successfully complete the academy will be terminated.

YOUR IMPACT

Provide quality service to the citizens of Vallejo using modern 21st Century Policing methods in the department's mission to reduce crime.

Make a difference in the community with a progressive, forward-thinking organization in an environment that embraces diversity, creativity, and respect.

The Police Officer (Recruit) will undergo a polygraph examination, thorough background investigation, psychological assessment, medical examination, and drug tests prior to attending a POST Basic Police Academy of the City's choosing. Attendance at the academy is at the City's expense. Upon successful completion of a POST Academy, the Police Officer (Recruit) is sworn in as a peace officer in the Police Officer (Entry) class and begins an 18-month probationary period.

YOUR TEAM

The Vallejo Police Department's mission is to provide professional law enforcement services that enhance, protect, and promote the quality of life for people residing, visiting, or doing business in the City of Vallejo. As an integral part of the community the Vallejo Police Department is committed to providing a highly professional, ethical and quality Police service. The proud men and women of the Department are dedicated to maintaining law and order by proactively addressing crime, protecting welfare, property, and the rights of all people. In partnership with the community, community groups and other city departments, the Vallejo Police Department continually endeavors to improve its service, making Vallejo a safe place to live, work and visit.

For more information about the Vallejo Police Department, please visit their webpage.

ABOUT VALLEJO

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo’s delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer’s market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America’s only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct supervision from POST Academy staff and Vallejo Police Department supervisory and management staff.

Important responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

In addition to attending the POST Basic Police Academy to gain training and proficiency in law enforcement terminology, concepts, and techniques, and to gain the requisite knowledge to be eligible to perform the duties of a sworn peace officer, candidates may perform the following duties as assigned:

• Ride with officers to observe and learn peace officer responsibilities and techniques.
• Operate police information equipment, including computer systems, teletypes and telephones to enter and research information at the direction of an Officer or police civilian.
• Assist in processing, packaging, labeling, storing and destroying property and evidence; may provide assistance with photocopies, files, indexes and locating police records and related paperwork.
• Perform errands for the department such as transporting information and paperwork to court and district attorney offices; perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

• Basic law enforcement grammar, composition, spelling and punctuation;
• Basic mathematics;
• Effective communications and public speaking;
• Effective problem-solving techniques;
• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts;
• Basic computer operating systems and software applications related to the work.

Ability to

• Successfully complete the POST Basic Police Academy;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Learn, understand and interpret laws and regulations;
• Learn to implement and enforce laws, policies, regulations, guidelines and orders concerning the protection of life, property and the maintenance of law, order and peace with a 21st Century Community Policing mind‑set;
• Observe and accurately recall names, faces, numbers, incidents and places;
• Think and act quickly in emergency situations;
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action;
• Exercise sound judgment, often under pressure;
• Understand and carry out written and oral directions;
• Write at a fast rate of speed to prepare accurate and factual written reports;
• Perform basic math computations;
• Safely operate motor vehicles;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with co‑workers, supervisors, public officials and representative of other agencies;
• Utilize computers and computer software, as required;
• Learn to meet the minimum standards of use with department‑issued or approved lethal and non‑lethal weapons;
• Perform in specialized assignments as required.

Experience and Training Guidelines

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

• A High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Completion of 39 semester units or equivalent from an accredited college or university is highly desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid California driver’s license
• Be 20 years old at the time of appointment, and at least 21 years of age upon POST Academy graduation
• Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes with normal color vision
• Must be eligible for U.S. citizenship upon academy graduation
• No felony convictions
• No misdemeanor convictions which mandate weapons prohibitions

The Recruitment & Selection Process

Applications are accepted and reviewed in conjunction with Police Academy admission cycles.

• Alameda County Police Academy
• Contra Costa County Police Academy
• Sacramento Police Academy
• Sacramento Sheriff's Office Police Academy

Applicant Screening and Assessment:

Application screening will be conducted to evaluate each candidate’s supplemental/personal history questionnaire responses, educational course work, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position that may include but are not limited to:

• Education, GPA of 2.0 or higher
• College enrollment
• Academy enrollment or possession of a POST Basic Academy Certificate
• Valid California driver license
• Citizenship
• Criminal history

Oral Panel Interview:

Oral panel interviews are weighted at 100% of a candidate’s score. Those whom have scored the highest will be placed on the register of eligibles and referred to the department for further consideration.

Background Investigation:

The most qualified candidates will be provided a conditional offer letter and invited to move forward in the selection process to a background investigation in accordance with applicable law, regulation and/or policy. Candidates will be required to complete and submit a State of California Personal History Statement (POST Form 2-251 Rev. 01/2024). The information that you provide in the Personal History Statement will be used in the background investigation to assist in determining your suitability for the position of Police Officer (Recruit), in accordance with POST Commission Regulation 1953. Background investigations will also include live scan fingerprinting, and polygraph examination.

Those candidates who pass the background investigation portion of the selection process may be invited to a Chief’s interview. Based on a candidate’s suitability as determined by the background investigation and Chief’s interview, a pre-placement psychological and medical examination would be the next step in the selection process.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact April Adams at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

Disaster Service Workers

All City of Vallejo employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSW) by state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) - The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons.

All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, maritalstatus, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.