Police Officer Trainee

City of Novato; Novato (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Novato is seeking a Police Officer Trainee to join their police department. The role involves attending a certified Police Academy to acquire necessary law enforcement training. Successful candidates will progress into a full Police Officer role after completion of the Academy and a probation period, during which various duties and responsibilities will apply. This is an excellent entry point for a rewarding career in law enforcement, with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.

Benefits

Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, and Vision)

Wellness Program

Educational Expense Reimbursement

Paid Time Off

Deferred Compensation Savings Plans

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must complete testing and selection processes.

Responsibilities

• Attend a P.O.S.T. certified Police Academy for 20 weeks.
• Graduate as a full Police Officer after training.

Skills

Physical Conditioning

Communication

Analytical Skills

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Job Description

Come Join Our Team!

THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING

FOR

POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

If you are interested in a career in law enforcement, this is an excellent opportunity to become a Police Officer Trainee with the Novato Police Department. As a trainee, you would be assigned to attend an upcoming P.O.S.T. certified Police Academy. During the six (6) month Academy program you would receive the training required for appointment to the position of Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the Academy you would typically be appointed as a Police Officer and begin serving an eighteen (18) month probation period with the City of Novato Police Department.

Positions shall be filled only as police officer vacancies exist or are contemplated due to pending resignations, candidates attend a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified Basic Police Academy, and successfully completes the Academy's course of study to acquire peace officer status in the State of California.

The classification is established for police officer trainee purposes only and assignments shall be for a duration of no longer than a 4-month period. Upon recommendation of the Chief of Police, a limited extension beyond the 4-month period may be authorized by the Human Resources Manager. This is a non-sworn position.

Incumbents are in a probationary status and do not qualify for regular status with the City until successful completion of an eighteen (18) month probationary period as a full-time sworn police officer.

Example of Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Participates in and successfully completes a comprehensive training program at a P.O.S.T. certified Police Academy for a period of approximately 20 weeks.
• Acquires the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully as a Police Officer.
• Acquires the physical conditioning needed to meet the requirements of the Police Department.
• Following successful completion of the P.O.S.T. Academy, the trainee will be sworn in as a full Police Officer and be assigned to an approximately sixteen (16) week field training program.
• Trainees successfully completing the P.O.S.T. Academy program will be sworn in as Police Officer prior to beginning the field training program; trainees failing to meet the goals of the field training program will be terminated.
• Probationary Police Officer employees who have transferred from the police officer trainee class are eligible for their first merit review at the completion of a twelve (12) month period as a sworn police officer. Thereafter, merit reviews will occur annually based on the initial merit review date.
  
  

Typical Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

• Minimum age – 21 years
• Must have successfully completed all requirements, testing, and selection processes for appointment as a probationary Police Officer.
  
  

Experience And Training Guidelines

Experience: None Required

Training: Equivalent to completion of twelfth grade

License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Additional Information

Ability To

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Understand and follow oral and written directions, speak and write effectively
• Understand various laws, policies, rules, procedures, law enforcement techniques and first aid
• Analyze situations and/or problems and rationally and calmly take quick, effective action in emergency and stressful situations
• Undergo strenuous physical training
  
  

Working Conditions

Environmental Conditions:

• Emergency peace control environment
• Travel from site to site
• Exposure to potentially hostile environments
  
  

Physical Conditions

Essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for running, walking, crouching or crawling during emergency operations, walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, and operating assigned police equipment and vehicles.

THE CITY OF NOVATO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Employment Process

Applicants are screened for relevant education, experience and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. Those persons most qualified may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral, performance and/or assessment center examinations. Candidates who successfully pass the examination process are placed on the eligibility list.

To apply for this position, please visit novatojobs.org

ACCOMMODATIONS: Applicants with a disability who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing [e-mail] upon submittal of application.

Fully Paid Police Academy

• Support and training to meet physical fitness, arrest & control, and firearms training requirements.
• Non-residential academy means you go home at the end of the day.
• Pre-academy orientation to make sure you can maximize your experiences.
• Academy uniforms and equipment provided by Novato Police Department.
• During the Academy, a department mentor will partner with the Police Officer Trainee to provide support and assistance.
• Salary and Benefits apply while attending the academy.
  
  

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Health Insurance (Including Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for dependent care and/or out-of-pocket health care costs. Employee paid.
• Wellness Program; including workout-on-duty, mental health counseling, peer support team.
• Department gym, wellness room, and on-site chiropractic services.
• Mentoring Program.
• Employee Assistance Program - Available for employees and members of their household at no cost to employee.
• Varied Special Assignments and career advancement opportunities.
• Educational expense reimbursement.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program. Employee paid.
• California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability - Employee paid optional benefit plan.
  
  

The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). In compliance with AB 340, CalPERS retirement formula is 3% @ 55 retirement for Classic Safety employees and 2.7% @ 57 retirement for New Safety employees. The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee based on the employee's benefit enrollment level to apply to medical, dental, life and disability insurance. The dental program and life insurance policy are mandatory. Health, vision and disability options are available. Employees who do NOT enroll in a healthcare plan through the City will receive $250 per month as an addition to their gross earnings. This is taxable income.

Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.

The City does not participate in Social Security.

Salary

Starting salary is generally the first step of the range listed; however, advanced step appointments may be approved based upon qualifications when warranted. Subsequent salary increases within the range are scheduled yearly and may be granted based upon satisfactory service.

Paid Time Off Includes

Vacation: A minimum of 80 hours per year are provided at the time of hire. If you are currently working for another agency (state, federal or local), your vacation rate may be adjusted to account for years of service with that public agency.

Sick Leave: 40 hours provided at time of hiring. Accrue one day of sick leave per month.

Paid Parental Leave: 320 hours, after 12 months of employment.

Leaves

The City offers 14 paid holidays; 88 hours of vacation after 1 year (graduates to 184 hours for 20 years of service); New employees will receive 40 hours of sick leave on their start date (unused sick leave applied to service credit at retirement).

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and Physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions, and sexual orientation.

EEOP Utilization

Applicants may obtain a copy of the department's EEOP Utilization Report upon request.

01

In a few sentences, please tell us why you would like to work in law enforcement and why Novato interests you as a place of employment.

02

I understand that this position requires that I successfully complete and pass a pre-employment background, physical, fingerprinting (LiveScan), and drug screen.

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

I certify that all information provided on my application and supplemental questionnaire is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge; and I understand that all information is subject to verification; and that false or incomplete information will result in disqualification from the selection process or dismissal, if hired.

• Yes
• No
• Required Question