Police Officer (Experienced and Academy Graduates)

Job Opportunity

The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Police Officer! This recruitment is for lateral applicants who have completed the Basic POST Academy, applicants who are current Police Officers, and applicants who have been a Police Officer within the last three years. At the City of Berkeley, Police Officers perform a wide variety of peace officer duties involving the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances, criminal investigation, crime prevention and suppression, case preparation and testimony, problem solving, and providing information and assistance to the public. Positions may be assigned to patrol, traffic, detective, crime prevention or other police-related functions depending on rotational assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is: Completion of 60 college semester hours. Previous volunteer or paid experience in a law enforcement support area is desirable.

The Academy Graduate level requires successful completion of a California POST Basic Academy. Academy graduation must have been within the last three years.

The Experienced level requires possession of a POST Basic Certificate and successful completion of the probationary employment period with a law enforcement agency in the State of California. The employment must have been within the last three years.

Other requirements include:

• Must be free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Must be 21 years of age or older at time of appointment.
• Must be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose a criminal record.
• Must be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• Must be a high school graduate, pass the General Education Development Test or other high school equivalency test approved by the State Department of Education that indicates high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university.
• Must be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
• Must possess a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.
• Must be able to meet physical, psychological and background standards.
• Must be willing to work evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts.
• Must be able to obtain required POST certification and maintain firearms qualification.
• Must be able to pass the background check, which includes the verification of education, employment, military, criminal history, civil litigation, credit history, DMV records and personal history.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

1. Completed application
2. Responses to the supplemental questionnaire
3. POST Certificate

Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application. Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to View email address on click.appcast.io. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

Exam Process

The exam process will include, but may not be limited to:

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date)

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to View email address on click.appcast.io at the time of application.

Pre-Employment Process

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Disaster Service Worker

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.

Benefits

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other benefits, including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more. Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement CalPERS City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula for sworn police classifications is either 2.7% at age 57 or 3% at age 55 depending on the individual's eligibility. Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP) The City contributes 2% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $648 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries. Deferred Compensation The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS 457 Plan or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plan HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Life Insurance The City provides sworn police employees with a $100,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation New employees accrue 80 hours of vacation annually. Vacation accrual rates increase at 4 years, 12 years, 18 years, and 21 years of service.

Holidays 15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

Uniform Allowance $1,400 annually

Premium Pay Employees receive a Mental Health Crisis Intervention pay differential of 2%. Sworn police personnel who possess a POST Intermediate Certificate receive a pay differential of 5% and those who possess a POST Advanced Certificate receive an additional pay differential of 2%.

Pay differentials for special assignments include:

• Homicide Detail (3% for Officer, 4% for Sergeant)
• Special Response Team (5%)
• Field Training Officer (10%)
• Sergeant assigned as Field Training Officer Supervisor (5%)
• Explosives Ordinance Technician (2x base rate)