Recruit Police Officer

City of Santa Clara; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Santa Clara invites applications for an entry-level, non-sworn police position. Selected candidates join the Basic Peace Officer Academy and must obtain POST certification before becoming sworn Police Officers.

Applicants must provide PELLETB and NTN scores and meet WSTB requirements; tickets apply to the eligibility list. Minimum education includes college units with or without experience; a California driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of academic coursework with no experience required; OR
• Completion of 30 semester units or 45 quarter units and two years full-time, paid, recent police experience with a sheriff's department, state police, highway patrol, or municipal police department.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and during employment.

Skills

PELLETB Score

NTN Score

WSTB

CA Driver's License

Education

60 sem units / 90 qtr units

30 sem units / 45 qtr units + 2 yrs police experience

Job description

The Department:

The men and women of the Santa Clara Police Department take tremendous pride in providing the community with outstanding service through the "Santa Clara Way" of service. In partnership with the citizens, the team provides law enforcement services with professional and dedicated staff. The team will always identify and resolve problems utilizing all available resources and perform services professionally and with a high level of integrity. To learn more visit our website.

The Position:

This position is an entry level, non-sworn position in the Police Department. Incumbents in the position are assigned to the Basic Peace Officer Academy and must satisfactorily pass all of the requirements that lead to the possession of the Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training Certificate before becoming candidates for the sworn position of Police Officer. Performs related duties as assigned.

To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must upload PELLETB Score OR NTN Score AND WSTB. Applicants who do not upload these two (2) documents will not move forward in the hiring process (see below). All certificates should be dated no more than one year ago.

• Verification of a valid POST-Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) examination from another agency or approved entity with a T-Score of 50 or above.
• Verification of completion from the National Testing Network: NTN with the following scores or above: Frontline Test: 65% Video, 70% Reading, and 70% Writing.
• Verification of POST Physical Ability Examination (WSTB) PASS.

The annual salary range for this position is 114,713.16 - $146,499.72. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.

Education and Experience

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Completion of sixty (60) semester units or ninety (90) quarter units of academic level course work at an accredited college or university with no experience required; OR
• Completion of thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units of academic level courses at an accredited college or university and two (2) years full-time, paid, recent police experience with a sheriff's department, state police, highway patrol, or municipal police department.

Acceptable Substitution:

None.

License/Certifications:

• Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment.
• The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code (GC) Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4. Every California peace officer must be:

Physical and Other Requirements

• Must be at least 20 years of age at time of application filing and 21 years of age at time of job appointment;
• Must possess the strength and physical ability necessary to perform the essential functions of the position of Police Officer; and
• Must be willing to be fingerprinted.

Vision Requirements

• Vision including color, night, depth, and peripheral vision sufficient to perform all of the essential functions of the position of Police Officer;
• Visual acuity of not less than 20/80 vision in each eye uncorrected, and corrected to 20/30 in each eye;
• EXCEPTION: Applicants with correction afforded by soft contact lenses are exempt from the minimum uncorrected vision standard of 20/80, provided their corrected vision is 20/30 in each eye.
• Hearing, speech, and mental capabilities sufficient to perform all the essential functions of the position of Police Officer.

Special Conditions

• Required to work a basic 5-day workweek during the Academy.
• Attendance of classes at odd and unusual hours may be required, as well as working on weekends and designated holidays.
• Candidates are required to pass the following City examinations prior to being given a conditional offer of employment: oral examination, reading/writing assessment, physical ability assessment, and personal history questionnaire.
• If given a conditional offer of employment, candidates must also pass a full background check which may include medical, psychological, and polygraph examination prior to appointment.

Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Veteran’s Preference Points: This position qualifies for Veteran’s Preference Points. Applicants who have separated from service (Active Duty Status) must submit proof of honorable discharge (Form DD214) with their application at time of filing or will be ineligible to have points added to their final score.

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail].