Airport Police Officer - Academy Graduate/Attendee

Salary: $113,626.76 - $138,113.30 Annually
Location : Airport, 601 Firestone Rd., Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 2025-072C-1964-AIR-EU
Department: Airport
Opening Date: 04/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


DESCRIPTION
ABOUT US
At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here .
The Santa Barbara Airport

As the Tri-County region's "Airport of Choice", Santa Barbara Airport will be self-sustaining, exceed expectations for safety and quality service, and meet the air transportation and economic development needs of its customers and partners. Read more about the Airport Department here .
BENEFITS
THE POSITION

Under general supervision, provide armed airport law enforcement with arrest and detention authority to comply with Transportation Security Administration Regulations and utilizing the City's Airport Security Program; patrol the Airport property and enforce federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations; identify, apprehend and detain suspected violators, as appropriate; issue warnings and citations or initiate arrests, as appropriate; ensure that the facility continually operates in compliance with the Airport Security Program and the Transportation Security Regulations; assist Airport administrative staff with Airport tenant lease enforcement; serve legal and administrative documents related to Airport tenancies; and other duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Eligibility: To be eligible as an Airport Patrol - Academy Graduate/Attendee candidate, applicant must be currently enrolled in or have passed a P.O.S.T. approved Academy. Out-of-state applicants may also be eligible for hire as a Academy Graduate candidate by successful completion of the "Basic Course Waiver Process" administered by P.O.S.T.
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of airport patrol; criminal procedures and investigative techniques; California vehicle and penal code; firearm safety and self defense; Federal Aviation Administration regulations; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment; principles and procedures of record keeping; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.
Ability to: Make decisions in emergency situations to protect life and property at the Airport; enforce federal, state and local laws and regulations, departmental procedures, security guidelines and other regulations applicable to airport security; tactfully communicate rules and regulations to the public, airport tenants and unruly individuals; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of duty; project a positive public image; document shift activities in written form; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Education/Experience:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
  
• One year of airport police experience is desirable.

License Requirements: Applicant must possess a valid California driver's license at the time of appointment.
Age Requirement: Must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
Work Schedule: Incumbents must be available to work all shifts Monday through Sunday, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, call back and standby duty. Airport Patrol Officers can be assigned either a 3/12½ work schedule (3 days, 12½ hours per day with a one 10 hour pay-back shift per month), a 3/12 work schedule (3 days, 12 hours per day with an 8 hour pay-back shift per pay period) or a 4/10 work schedule (4 days, 10 hours per day).
Other Requirements: Appointees must possess a valid California POST Regular Basic Course Academy Certificate at time of appointment or successfully complete a City-sponsored POST Regular Basic Course Academy within one year. Applicants who do not currently possess the California POST Regular Basic Course Certificate will be appointed as an Airport Patrol Officer Trainee until POST Regular Basic Course Certificate is obtained.

Appointees must have either completed or must complete Aviation Security Training under California Penal Code 832.1 within 90 days from the date of appointment to Airport Police Officer

Applicants must not have a history of personal or criminal conduct which would affect suitability for employment as a sworn peace officer. Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants must submit a completed City Application and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities you possess that qualify you for this position. Applications, supplemental questionnaires, and acknowledgement forms will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the exam process. Applications and supplemental questionnaires may be rejected if incomplete.

The selection process may consist of the following: application/questionnaire rating, practice/written exercise, written exam, oral board exam, physical agility exam, departmental interview, background investigation, polygraph, psychological evaluation, medical exam and controlled substances screening.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CITY APPLICATIONS AND RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE ARE BEING ACCEPTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.


Disaster Services Assignments

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES , through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:
Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• The City is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership , which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• Standard Citywide 9/80 work schedule with closures on alternate Fridays.
• Flexwork / Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $64 / pay period.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Personal leave (32 hours) is provided each July 1st at the start of the fiscal year (pro-rated the first year).
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holidays : 10 holidays (80 hours) are observed / year. Shift employees accrue an additional 3.08 hours/pay period in lieu of observing the actual holiday.
• Retirement : The City does not participate in Social Security.
  • PERS Miscellaneous Formula: " Classic " members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 8% of salary. " New " members: 2% @ 62; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
  • PERS Police Safety Formula: " Classic " members: 3% @ 50; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 9% of salary. " New " members: 2.7% @ 57; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 14% of salary.
  • PERS Fire Safety Formula: " Classic " members: 3% @ 50; City contributes 27.8% and employee contributes 10.5% of salary. " New " members: 2.7% @ 57; City contributes 14.72% and employee contributes 14.5% of salary.
• Insurance including medical, dental, and vision benefits are available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: TAP Unit Rate Sheet .
• Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $328.74 per month.
• Life Insurance: City-paid term life insurance ($50,000) is provided.
• Employee Assistance Program : A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their households.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is provided.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) is provided. Employee pays 1.1% of salary. For 2025, the anticipated SDI/PFL rate is 1.2% of salary.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• A Uniform Allowance or uniforms will be provided by the City.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare . An equal amount is paid by the City.

Revised 12/1/2024
01


Please indicate which of these options applies to you (If NONE of these options apply to you, you are not eligible for consideration as an Airport Patrol Officer - Academy Graduate / Attendee applicant. Please note that if you are not currently enrolled in, or have not successfully completed a P.O.S.T. approved Academy, you must apply at the Airport Patrol Officer - Entry Level. See our our job postings website for additional information on regarding Airport Patrol Officer - Entry Level. If you would like to discuss these application options, please call the Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

• I have obtained a P.O.S.T. certificate from a P.O.S.T. approved Academy. (Please attach a copy of your POST certificate)
• I am currently enrolled in a P.O.S.T. approved Academy. (Please attach a letter confirming your enrollment in an Academy)

02


Do you possess the Aviation Security Training Certificate (PC 832.1)? If yes, list when and where you obtained the certificate (attach copy).
03


If selected, will you be available to work any and all shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, call back and standby duty as required?
04


Describe your experience in dealing with the public in an enforcement capacity.
05


Describe your experience in applying Municipal, Penal and Vehicle Code regulations.
06


Describe your ability or experience in Security/Police Patrol procedures.
07


Describe the level of computer skills you possess.
Required Question