Police Officer Trainee

City Of San Ramon; San Ramon (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Ramon is seeking Police Officer Trainees who exemplify integrity, professionalism, and public service. The role emphasizes discretion, judgment, and strong communication, with a commitment to service excellence in a high-standard community.

Under close supervision, trainees participate in a comprehensive POST-certified academy and are appointed as sworn probationary Police Officers upon successful completion, with enrollment maintained throughout the program.

Qualifications

• Graduation or equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
• Possess (or ability to obtain) a valid California Driver’s License.
• Must maintain enrollment in a POST-certified academy.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be at least 21 years of age and have no disqualifying criminal convictions.

Responsibilities

• Attends a POST-certified academy for training in law enforcement and public safety.
• Participates in academy and field training activities including firearms training and defensive tactics.
• Develops understanding of department procedures, public contact skills, and reporting.
• Reviews rules, regulations, and police procedures.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Discretion

Judgment under pressure

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Description

The City of San Ramon seeks Police Officer Trainees who embody the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and public service. The ideal candidate understands that policing in a distinguished and engaged community requires far more than enforcement authority—it demands discretion, refined judgment, exceptional communication skills, and an unwavering commitment to service excellence.

Successful candidates are motivated by a genuine calling to protect and enhance the quality of life that San Ramon residents value and expect. They recognize that in a community with high standards, every interaction reflects upon the Department and the City as a whole. Accordingly, they approach the profession with maturity, humility, and a commitment to continuous improvement, knowing that accountability and ongoing professional development are essential to earning and maintaining public trust.

The ideal candidate leads through character. Leadership is demonstrated not by rank, but by composure, ethical clarity, and the ability to inspire confidence in every circumstance. Whether engaging with residents, business leaders, or community stakeholders, this individual communicates with respect, confidence, and professionalism. They remain calm under pressure, exercise sound judgment in complex situations, and consistently model principled decision-making.

Above all, the Police Officer Trainee treats every member of the San Ramon community with dignity and respect. They understand that trust is earned through consistent, thoughtful engagement and that legitimacy is reinforced by fairness, empathy, and transparency. The successful candidate embraces the privilege and responsibility of wearing the badge and is committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct, service, and accountability on behalf of the community they serve.

Under close supervision participates in a comprehensive training program at a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified academy. Upon successfully completing the academy and necessary background, psychological, and medical examinations, incumbents will be appointed as a sworn probationary Police Officer and be subject to the standards, requirements, and benefits of the Police Officer classification.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision and evaluation by assigned supervisory or management personnel. No supervision of staff is exercised.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a temporary, at-will entry-level non-sworn law enforcement training classification for the period during which incumbents are assigned to the police academy. The incumbent serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Upon successful completion of the police academy, Police Officer Trainees are sworn in to the position of Police Officer. Employment in the Police Officer Trainee classification is contingent upon maintaining enrollment in a P.O.S.T. certified police academy for which they were enrolled. Incumbents who fail to maintain enrollment in a P.O.S.T. certified police academy for any reason will be released from employment without cause and without the right of appeal.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

• Attends a P.O.S.T. certified 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.
• Undergoes training to develop an awareness of the functions and responsibilities of Police Officers and how they relate to field operations.
• Participates in academy and field training activities including: instruction on proper handling and firing of firearms; emergency vehicle operation; defensive tactics; review of radio codes and applicable penal code sections; overview of the court system; public contact skills; answering telephone calls and dispensing public information; writing and editing police reports; and observing law enforcement activities such as maintenance of order, crime prevention, and protection of citizens and property.
• Reviews rules, regulations, and police procedures.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge Of

• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts.
• Techniques for dealing with people of all socio-economic levels under hostile emergency situations.
• Safety practices and precautions pertaining to law enforcement work.
• Techniques of first aid and CPR.

Ability to:

• Successfully complete P.O.S.T. academy requirements.
• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents and places.
• Think and act quickly in emergencies and to judge situations and people accurately.
• Learn standard operating procedures, a police department's radio-telephone and keyboard type communications equipment.
• Understand and interpret laws and regulations.
• Prepare clear, concise, comprehensive, and grammatically correct written reports.
• Become proficient in self-defense techniques, and in the care and use of firearms.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Learn basic criminal investigation processes and techniques, including the identification, collection, and preservation of evidence, courtroom testimony, and interviewing witnesses.
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Deal courteously and effectively with the general public.

Minimum Qualifications

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 And Experience

Graduation or equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Licenses And Certifications

• Possess (or ability to obtain by the time of appointment) and maintain a valid California Driver’s License.
• As a condition of continued employment, incumbents must maintain enrollment in a P.O.S.T. certified academy for which they are enrolled.

Other Qualifications:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of employment and have no state or federal convictions for a crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or state prison.
• A valid T-score of 45 or higher from a POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) exam, dated on or after January 1, 2026.
• A Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) physical agility score of 384 or higher, dated on or after January 1, 2026.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; maintain P.O.S.T. physical standards, including mobility, physical strength, and stamina; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking on uneven terrain and climbing and descending structures to access crime scene and to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate police services equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb.

Environmental Elements

Employees work indoors and outdoors, and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Must be willing to pass a detailed background investigation. Must be willing to work scheduled hours as set by police academy personnel.