Police Officer Recruit

Salary: $49.28 Hourly
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: View phone number on click.appcast.io
Department: Police
Opening Date: 03/31/2025
Closing Date: 10/26/2026 5:00 PM Pacific


is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.

JOB OPPORTUNITY


The City of Berkeley's Police Department is recognized as one of the most progressive and innovative law enforcement agencies in the country, and continually strives to develop programs which focus upon increased service to the community in conjunction with enhanced effectiveness in combating crime.
The City of Berkeley is seeking qualified candidates who are interested in becoming Police Officers. As a Police Officer Recruit, you will attend a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified police academy to receive education and training in all aspects of law enforcement such as laws of arrest, search and seizure, crime prevention, community relations, first-aid, physical conditioning, self-defense, handling of weapons and other related duties. Upon graduation from the academy, the Police Recruit is sworn in as a Police Officer and assumes the duties of that position.

See the full job class specification here:


Click the following links for more information about this exciting career opportunity:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS


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


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 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.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants must submit a complete application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. 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.
Please be aware of unauthorized job postings and communications. Applications will only be accepted via GovernmentJobs.com and we will only email candidates from the governmentjobs.com or berkeleyca.gov domain. If you encounter a suspicious job post or communication, please alert us at

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

1. Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date)
2. Written Exam: POST PELLETB
3. Performance Exam: Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

The written exam and performance exam will be administered on the same day. There is no cost to take the exams with the City of Berkeley. Upcoming City of Berkeley exam dates:

• Saturday, December 5, 2026 (Applications due October 26, 2026)

If you are unable to attend the City of Berkeley exam dates, you may register and take your exams with The Academy charges a non-refundable materials fee of $10 for the written exam, $25 for the practice PAT, and $100 for the official PAT. After taking the exams and receiving passing scores, please attach your scores to your application.

POST will not authorize you to take the exam within 30 calendar days of having taken your last POST written exam. Please refer to the for additional information.

Applicants may waive the written exam only by submitting a California POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) T-score of 43 points or higher. We will accept California POST T-scores from other agencies provided the test was taken no more than two years prior to the date of application. Applicants must submit, on agency letterhead, a letter that states that the individual has taken the California PELLETB written exam. The letter must contain the total T-score and the date of the test. For information on where the PELLETB test is offered, please visit

Applicants may waive the performance exam only by submitting a California POST physical agility certificate, known as the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB), with a score of 325 or higher. The 1.5-mile run is not a requirement. The test should not be dated no more than two years prior to the date of application.

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 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.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , 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 is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).


Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 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 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 $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 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.

Vision Plan
The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a $25,000 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 with additional years of service. See the for details.

Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

YMCA Membership
The City provides a subsidy of 75% of the membership fee for employees who choose to join the Downtown Berkeley YMCA.
(UNREP - GENERAL)
01


Do you possess the equivalent of a high school diploma?

• Yes, I have a high school diploma
• Yes, I passed a GED test or completed at least a 2-year college degree in an accredited US college/university
• Yes, I attended a Defense Department HS
• No

02


Please indicate your highest level of education. (You must list all schools attended and number of units completed on your application. Failure to provide this information will be an automatic disqualification)

• High School or Equivalent
• Completed 60 college semester units or more
• Completed 90 college quarter units or more
• Completed a combination of semester and quarter units to be converted to 60 semester units or 90 quarter units.
• None of the above

03


Have you taken the POST PELLETB written exam and possess a PELLETB T-score of 43 or higher issued within the last twenty-four (24) months from the application file date?Your PELLETB test results can be submitted, and you will not be required to take the written exam. Please respond "Yes" if this applies to you and to acknowledge that you understand this provision.If your response is "No", you will be required to take the PELLETB written exam through City of Berkeley in order to continue in the recruitment process.

• Yes
• No

04


If you answered "Yes" to the question above, do you understand that you must provide a copy of your qualifying T-Score letter with your application?You may attach a copy of your qualifying T-score letter with your application.

• Yes
• No, I do not possess a T-score of 43 or higher issued within the last 24 months of application file date.

05


Have you taken the California POST physical agility known as the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB), with a score of 325 or higher issued within the last twenty-four (24) months from the application file date? Your Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) test results can be submitted, and you will not be required to take the physical agility exam. Please respond "Yes" if this applies to you and to acknowledge that you understand this provision.If your response is "No", you will be required to take the physical agility exam through City of Berkeley in order to continue in the recruitment process.

• Yes
• No

06


If you answered "Yes" to the question above, do you understand that you must provide a copy of your qualifying WSTB score letter with your application?You may attach a copy of your qualifying WSTB score letter with your application.

• Yes
• No, I do not possess California POST physical agility score of 325 or higher issued within the last twenty-four (24) months from the application file date.

07


Please indicate where you first learned about this job opening (check all that apply).

• Digital Billboard on Freeway
• Banner on Public Safety Building
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Nextdoor
• YouTube
• GovernmentJobs
• Join Berkeley PD
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Zip Recruiter
• Career Fair / Event
• Presentation at Academy
• Presentation at School
• POST Exam
• Presentation at Military Event
• Berkeley Careers Website
• City of Berkeley Employee

08


I acknowledge that I have reviewed all my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy.

• Yes

Required Question