POLICE RECRUIT

City of Signal Hill; Signal Hill (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Signal Hill Police Department invites applications for a non-sworn civilian training position designed to qualify candidates for eligibility as a sworn police officer after academy completion. Trainees attend a P.O.S.T. certified academy and may perform non-sworn tasks during non-academy hours.

Upon academy graduation, recruits are elevated to sworn status with full salary and benefits. A comprehensive background check, polygraph, and medical evaluations are required for hire.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to completion of high school.
• Desirable: sixty college units in criminal justice or related field.

Responsibilities

• Attends a P.O.S.T. certified basic police academy to obtain formal training.
• May perform non-sworn work in jail operations, dispatch, or other areas as assigned.
• Learns patrol methods, investigations, interviews, and basic crime prevention.
• Learns to enforce traffic laws, conduct accident investigations, and manage crowds.
• Gathers evidence, documents reports, may testify in court, and cooperates with agencies.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Sixty college units (CJ/justice related)

Job description

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE JOB BULLETIN, MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HIRING STANDARDS BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION.

Join the City of Signal Hill Police Department for a rewarding career, where Officers care about their community and the community supports its Officers. The Department is devoted to enhancing the quality of life in the City by providing a proactive and professional level of police service, and treating all persons with fairness, respect, and dignity. Upon satisfactory completion of P.O.S.T. academy and meeting other requirements as a recruit, a Police Officer's salary is $95,041.40 - $121,299.58 annually.

The City of Signal Hill is not only a small 2.2-square-mile city. It is also a tight-knit and peaceful community that recognizes and appreciates the value of its Police Department. The Signal Hill Police Department has a state-of-the-art facility, technology, equipment, and a great relationship with the community, making us THE PLACE TO WORK in Los Angeles County.

This is a non-sworn, non-represented, civilian classification, specifically designed to train police officer candidates for eligibility as a sworn police officer with promotion to the position of police officer contingent upon satisfactory completion of police academy training and meeting all other requirements. Police recruits attend a basic police recruit academy certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.). Position requires full-time attendance at a P.O.S.T. certified academy to prepare the recruit to assume the responsibilities of a police officer upon completion of the academy. Work may also include performing non-sworn police related tasks directly for the Police Department during non-academy hours. Academy training progress is reviewed through the formal evaluation system of the police academy by designated academy staff. Non-academy work performed at the Police Department is reviewed through conference, written reports, inspections and observations of results achieved by superior officers. Upon graduation from the academy, police recruits are elevated to sworn police officer with full salary, safety status, and benefits. All new hires must pass a 12-month probationary period to attain permanent police officer status.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics.

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Attends a P.O.S.T. certified basic police academy designated by the City of Signal Hill to obtain formal training in police work associated with public safety and the protection of life and property.
• May perform non-sworn work in the Police Department's jail operation, communication center, property and evidence handling, service desk, community relations or any other designated department area as assigned.
• Learns to patrol assigned areas; learns to answers special calls; conducts initial and follow-up investigations; interviews victims, complainants, and witnesses; learns to answer complaints, including domestic disturbances, health code, and local ordinance violations; learns to perform surveillance activities; learns procedures for conducting chemical, drug, and alcohol testing; learns to investigate suspicious circumstances.
• Learns to enforce traffic laws; learns methods for conducting complete accident investigations; controls and directs traffic when necessary; performs crowd control, special event or riot duties; may learn and assist in crime prevention activities and the control of juvenile delinquency; counsels and educates the community; administers first aid in cases of emergency; transports, books and is responsible for the care and custody of detained persons.
• Learns procedures to obtain and process evidence; takes written statements; prepares and/or dictates required reports and maintains investigative records; serves warrants and subpoenas; may testify in court proceedings; provides information and referrals in non‑criminal situations; contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies as warranted.

Education

Equivalent to completion of high school.

License/Certification

Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.

Desirable Qualifications

Completion of sixty college units of study from an accredited community college, college or university with an emphasis on criminal justice, administration of justice or related field.

Other Requirements

• U.S. citizen or resident alien who has applied for citizenship at the time of application.
• Must have reached 21st birthday upon completion of the police academy.
• Vision uncorrected at least 20/70 and correctable to 20/20 in both eyes. Normal depth perception and color vision in both eyes.
• Hearing must be normal in both ears as passed by the City’s Medical Examiner.
• Height and weight must be in proper proportion.
• Ability to meet physical requirements will be established by competent authority.

Important

A comprehensive background investigation and polygraph will be conducted on any eligible persons considered for hire. Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may be grounds for disqualification. A pre‑employment medical, psychological evaluation AND a drug screen will be conducted upon a conditional offer of employment.

Background Investigation

A comprehensive background investigation will be conducted on all finalists, which will review and verify personal history including, but not limited to financial responsibility, criminal history, drug use history, driving record, and verification of application materials. Significant issues or omissions in the above‑stated areas may be grounds for disqualification. Background investigation will include a polygraph and Livescan fingerprinting.

Conviction History

The selected candidate of a sensitive position will be subjected to a background check including Live Scan fingerprinting Department of Justice (DOJ) and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction (or arrest, in limited circumstances) conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you are a finalist. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with the City.

Medical/Psychological Standards

The selected candidates must pass a pre‑placement medical examination (including a drug screen test) and a psychological evaluation.

Additional Information

Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City of Signal Hill. Disaster Service Workers All City of Signal Hill employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through State and local 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 Disaster Service Worker‑related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.