Police Officer Trainee

City of Hayward; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3-day work week

Vacation

Paid Holidays

Health Insurance

CalPERS Retirement

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending

Tuition Reimbursement

Wellness Reimbursement

Professional Development

457 Plan

Job summary

The City of Hayward is seeking Police Officer Trainee candidates who will begin in a civilian role, enroll in a POST-certified police academy, and transition into a Police Officer position upon successful completion and availability. The program lasts about six months and includes both academy and field training, with sworn appointment to Police Officer upon eligibility.

Candidates must meet basic qualifications, including education and license requirements.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• License: Valid Class C California Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Attend a basic POST certified police academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system including knowledge of laws, police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid and physical fitness.

Job description

NO prior law enforcement experience or POST certified police academy training is needed.

Must apply no later than Tuesday, January 5, 2027, at 11:59p.m. to be considered for the next exam.

NEXT EXAM DATE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR: SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2027

Place: Alameda County Sheriff's Department 6289 Madigan Road Dublin, CA 94568

Candidates MAY NOT retake the PELLETB within 30 days of previously taking the examination.

All waivers must be received by HR by the close of the application period (January 5, 2027, at 11:59pm) in order to be invited to this round of testing or you will need to reapply to the next round.

We accept waivers from many outside agencies as well as the National Testing Network. City of Hayward requires a T-Score of 46 or higher. Below are upcoming test dates you may want to consider.

THE POSITION:

This is a trainee-level classification that transitions into the Police Officer position. A Police Officer Trainee is a civilian position before and during enrollment in a Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified police academy, which lasts approximately six months. Upon successful completion of the POST academy and the availability of a Police Officer position, Police Officer Trainees are sworn in and appointed to the classification of Police Officer. The Police Officer Trainee position is represented by SEIU Local 1021 and has corresponding benefits provided to a civilian employee.

Upon appointment to Police Officer, duties may include various law enforcement assignments such as patrol, traffic control, criminal and juvenile investigation, and radio communication. These require operating a patrol car or motorcycle, arresting and citing violators of laws, writing reports, serving warrants, testifying in court, and providing information to the public. Please see the City of Hayward's website for a complete job description.

You:

• Are intent on providing excellent service to the Hayward Community
• Have a desire to Improve Hayward's Quality of Life
• Value Integrity and Accountability
• Seek continuous Improvement
• Are professional and respect all who live and work in our community

What you will do:

• Attend a basic POST certified police academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system including knowledge of laws, police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid and physical fitness.
• Receive training to develop an awareness of Police Department functions, as well as the responsibilities of Police Officers and how those responsibilities relate to field operations.
• Receive academy and field training to become a Police Officer.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Successfully complete academy requirements.
• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and locations.
• Think and act quickly in emergencies, and to assess situations and people accurately.
• Understand and interpret laws and regulations.
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written reports.
• Become proficient in self-defense techniques.
• Become proficient in the care and use of firearms.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Deal courteously and effectively with the public.

You have:

• Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
• Experience: None.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• License: Possession and maintenance of a valid Class C California Driver's License.

Special Qualifications:

• Free of any felony convictions.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States as outlined by federal law.
• Age, not less than 21 years at time of appointment.
• Vision in each eye, correctable to at least 20/30.
• Must pass a background investigation and polygraph exam.
• Must meet all Department medical, physical, and psychological standards.
• Bi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

BENEFITS AND REWARDS:

• 3-day work week
• Vacation - 80 hours minimum
• 15.5 Paid Holidays
• Generous employer contribution for Health, Dental and Vision coverage
• CalPERS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan (2.5% at 55 for Classic CalPERS members | 2.0% at 62 for New CalPERS members | 3.0% at 50 for Classic Safety members | 2.7% at 57 for New Safety Members) - No Social Security participation.
• Life and Disability Insurance and Paid Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health and Wellness Reimbursement
• Professional Development Reimbursement
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (employee paid)

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Candidates must successfully pass each step to advance to the next step in the recruitment process.

1. Apply - submit a completed City of Hayward job application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire.
2. Application Review
   1. Minimum Qualifications
   2. Completion of the supplemental questionnaire
3. Pre-Background Questionnaire Survey Monkey - Complete the survey truthfully and thoroughly.
4. Job Related Testing (examination) - One Day Testing

EXAMINATION SCHEDULE

• Next exam date tentatively scheduled for: Saturday, January 30, 2027, You must apply and be invited to attend
• Place: Alameda County Sheriff's Department 6289 Madigan Road Dublin, CA 94568
• 8:30 AM Check-In Begins. Photo ID required. Wear athletic clothing and shoes.
• 8:45 AM Check-in closes. Please note that late applicants will NOT be admitted.
• 9:00 AM-11:00 AM Physical Agility Test (PAT) and 1.5 mile run
• 11:30 AM PELLETB Check-In. Photo ID required.
• 11:45 AM-2:45 PM PELLETB Written Exam

Physical Agility Test (PAT) Options:

• 1. Participate in the PAT on the exam date indicated above
• 2. Submit a passing PAT or Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) Score in lieu of taking the exam. Score must be dated within the last 12 months prior to the date of application.

EXAM INFORMATION

P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB): The PELLETB is a multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank written examination designed to measure reading and writing ability. Candidates MAY NOT retake the PELLETB within 30 days of previously taking the examination. City of Hayward requires a T-Score of 46 or higher.

Candidates are given one (1) hour and forty five (45) minutes to complete the PELLETB exam which contains two (2) components, one evaluates writing ability and the other tests reading ability:

• The writing component of the test measures clarity, vocabulary, and spelling.
• The reading component measures reading comprehension.

For a preparation guide please visit: POST PELLETB Preparation Guide

-OR-

National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Examination: Applicants must complete the Public Safety Job Suitability Assessment (PSSA) component of the NTN examination battery at the time of the Frontline Law Enforcement Written examination. This examination is administered directly by the National Testing Network and the candidates pay a fee to take this examination. The test may be taken virtually or in person at testing sites throughout the country. To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network Website. Select the City of Hayward, then select the Police Officer Trainee position. NTN will submit the scores directly to the City of Hayward for review.

Physical Agility Test (PAT): Designed to measure an applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to complete exercises that replicate some aspect of the job. The examination is timed and includes the following physical examinations: Obstacle course, body drag, chain link fence, solid fence climb, 500 yard run, and a 1 1/2 mile run (under 14 minutes).

What to Expect for the Physical Agility Test (PAT): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12wiuo8tB1g

If you are interested in the Hayward PD Fitness 5.0 Training Program, to better prepare for the 1.5 mile run and the PAT, please email Detective Wright at [e-mail] for more information.

The City of Hayward is an Equal Opportunity Employer

A Certified Age Friendly Employer

Learn more about the mission of the Age Friendly Institute here