Police Reserve Officer (Level I)

Costa Mesa Police Department; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Costa Mesa Police Department is recruiting part-time Reserve Police Officer (Level I) candidates. This position is not for entry-level Police Recruit, Academy Graduate Officers, or Lateral Police Officers.

Applications must include a California POST Reserve Academy Certificate (Level I) or a current CA POST Basic Police Academy Certificate (non-expired). Applicants proceed through a multi-step process including online submission, a qualifying written exam, the PAT, and an oral interview.

Qualifications

• Requires California POST Reserve Academy Certificate (Level I) or CA POST Basic Police Academy Certificate (non-expired).
• Candidates must attach the POST certificate to the online application.
• This is a part-time Reserve Police Officer (Level I) position, not entry-level or lateral roles.

Responsibilities

• Submit online application with complete education and experience information.
• Complete steps 1–4 of the selection process: written exam, Physical Agility Test, oral interview.
• Maintain eligibility on the City’s roster after passing all steps.

Skills

Reserve duties

Attention to detail

Education

California POST Reserve Academy Certificate (Level I)

CA POST Basic Police Academy Certificate

Job description

This recruitment is specifically for part-time Reserve Police Officer (Level I) candidates.

This is not for entry-level Police Recruit, Academy Graduate Officers, or Lateral Police Officer. To apply for any of those positions, visit the Employment Opportunities page.

For more information about the Costa Mesa Police Department.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Applications and written exam scores must be received by November 9th to be considered for the Physical Agility Test scheduled tentatively for December 5, 2026.

Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis in order to meet the needs of the City.

STEP #1: SUBMIT APPLICATION

Applications must be completed and submitted online. Candidates are required to provide specific information on their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete (resumes are not accepted). Candidate notifications are sent via email. Please make sure your email address is correct and check your email periodically during the application process. Candidates who pass an initial application screening and submit a qualifying written exam score will be invited to continue selection process.

Required Attachment

Candidates must attach a copy of their California POST Reserve Academy Certificate (as a Level I Reserve) or a current CA POST Basic Police Academy Certificate (non-expired).

Do NOT attach any additional documents (i.e. resume) to the application, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process.

STEP #2: WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Submit test result from one of the two test options below. Scores that are dated within one (1) year of the application date and meet the minimum passing score will be accepted.

National Testing Network (NTN) Frontline Law Enforcement Written Exam

• Passing scores: Video - 65% or higher; Reading - 70% or higher; and Writing - 70% or higher.
• This exam is administered directly by the National Testing Network (NTN) and candidates pay a test fee for the service. There are multiple test sites in Southern California, as well as throughout the Country.
• To schedule a test, visit the National Testing Network website. Select the Costa Mesa Police Department and the specific position you are applying to.
• NTN will submit the scores to Costa Mesa Human Resources for review.
• Do NOT submit a test score if you do not meet the job qualifications.
• OR -

P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)

Passing score: Total T-Score - 45 or higher.

Costa Mesa Police Department does not have any future test dates; however, if you have taken the PELLETB test with another agency within the last year, you may submit a copy of your test results to be meet the written exam requirement. Results must be on the testing agency's letterhead.

PELLETB score must be attached to online application to be considered.

STEP #3: PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST (PAT)

Qualified applicants who submit a passing written exam score, as stated above, will be invited to the PAT when a test date is established. The PAT is typically scheduled several times per year.

To view a video detailing the PAT components.

STEP #4: ORAL INTERVIEW EVALUATIONS

Candidates who successfully pass the PAT will be invited to the interview evaluation.

ELIGIBILITY LIST

Candidates must pass all four (4) of the steps listed above to be placed on the City's Eligibility List. The application screening, written examination, and physical agility test are all qualifying steps (pass/fail). The oral interview evaluation is weighted 100% and determines a candidates' placement on the eligibility list. Eligibility lists are valid for one (1) year from the date they are established unless it is exhausted sooner or extended for an additional period of time.