Police Officer - Lateral

Police Officer

The City of Santa Maria is the largest city in the Santa Barbara County (located on the central coast) with a population of over 100,000. This growing department currently has 180 sworn and non-sworn personnel. Come join our hard working and innovative team!

Under general direction of assigned supervisor, performs law enforcement and crime prevention work; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic laws; may work rotating shifts to preserve the peace and enforce the law. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of this classification, but may act as lead worker for temporarily assigned employees, or special projects. The Police Officer position is an Individual Contributor role that provides safety, security, trust and comfort to Santa Maria residents. Their role enables the enforcement of laws and promotion of safety so that the Santa Maria community is a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

Duties

What We Do: These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization. This position:

• Performs law enforcement and crime prevention work.
• Controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic laws.
• Performs security patrols, first aid, detection, investigations, and arrests of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
• Carries out duties in conformance with local, state and federal laws and ordinances.
• Patrols city streets, parks, commercial and residential areas, etc.
• Performs work requiring good physical condition in a safe and effective manner and under all conditions; safely drive a vehicle under a variety of conditions; etc.
• Uses firearms and other weapons safely and accurately.
• Handles difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
• Responds to emergency radio calls; investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc.
• Takes appropriate law enforcement action including interrogations, evidence preservation, etc.
• Conducts follow-up investigations; prepares cases and testifies in court proceedings.
• Prepares a variety of reports.
• Undertakes community oriented police work; assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug abuse resistance education (DARE), traffic safety, etc.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications/Experience

• Ideally, One year of recent law enforcement experience (preferably in California); and
• Graduation from high school;
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:
• Federal, State and local laws and ordinances, particularly with reference to arrest, rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure, and preservation and presentation of evidence; community-oriented policing; etc.
• Police procedures, and the management of programs of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies; preservation and presentation of evidence in criminal cases; analyze situations effectively; etc.
• Communicate effectively both oral and written forms; learn the community and organizational procedures and maintain effective relationships; etc.
• Effective customer service and oral and written communication skills.
• Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent).
• Use computer and other office equipment effectively.
• Desired other licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment, such as:
• P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate.

Conditions of Employment

• Possession of a valid and appropriate Driver License. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and meet City liability requirements to drive for City business.
• Requires completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the City, which includes polygraph, medical, and psychological exam.
• The incumbent must meet the physical requirements of the job class and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed. Pre-employment physical agility will be performed.
• Reasonable accommodation(s) for an individual with a qualified disability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Selection Process

***Note: Individuals who have applied for the position of Police Officer with the City of Santa Maria and have failed any examination pertaining to the Police Officer selection process within the past twelve months are not eligible to apply. The completed electronic application packet will include the online application, supplemental questions, and electronic attachment of a current/valid California POST Basic Certificate or Certificate of Completion of the California POST Basic Course Waiver Process (if attained). As you complete your online application, please provide complete and accurate information for each employment during the past 10 years. Attaching a resume to your electronic application does not substitute for providing the information requested on the electronic application. Do not write "See resume" or "See attached." Failure to provide complete information will cause forfeiture toward employment with the City. As you complete your supplemental questionnaire, please provide length of experience as of the date the recruitment closes, not as of the date you are submitting your application. The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel for an oral interview. Those applicants invited to interview will be notified electronically at the e-mail address provided by each candidate through application process. A tentative oral interview date has been scheduled for TBD. The oral board will recommend a limited number of candidates to the eligibility list from which the new Police Officer may be selected. This recruitment may also establish an eligibility list for future Police Officer openings.