Park and Neighborhood Specialist

Salary : $62,067.20 - $79,144.00 Annually
Location : Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-2574-01
Department: Police
Opening Date: 05/28/2026
Closing Date: 5/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


The Position
The City of Riverside Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of Park and Neighborhood Specialist to establish a list for any current and future vacancies. Successful candidates must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.

The Park and Neighborhood Specialist, under general supervision, perform a variety of non-sworn patrol, observation and enforcement duties at City parks, park facilities and adjacent neighborhoods to ensure safe and proper usage of City parks, public spaces and adjacent neighborhoods; enforce various municipal codes and regulations related to the use of public parks and park facilities; issue warnings or citations for violations; provide public with information, assistance and emergency services such as basic first aid, CPR; attends/assists with City events; and perform other related duties as assigned.
The Park and Neighborhood Specialist is a journey level civilian classification within the police department. Incumbents are expected to collaborate with NPC Police Service Representatives, have a working knowledge of laws, codes, regulations, Department policies and procedures applicable to the assigned work; and are expected to function with a high degree of independent judgment and assist in the training of other civilian personnel as needed. Incumbents are assigned to the various City Parks and may work a varied work shift, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, at night for special events.

Work Performed

• Conducts proactive patrols of city parks, park facilities and adjacent neighborhoods on foot, electric/pedal-assist bicycle, and/or city motor vehicle, while maintaining high visibility to preserve a safe environment.
• Provide the public with information regarding the proper use of parks.
• Perform enforcement of municipal codes related to the use of parks, park facilities and designated areas to maintain or for the protection and safety of patrons.
• Monitor park activities and patrons using parks and park facilities. Recognize suspicious behavior and act upon it to prevent a crime from occurring.
• Operate portable communication devices such as two-way radio.
• Handle parking related issues in the parks.
• Investigate and attempt to resolve citizen complaints in and around the parks.
• Maintain order by acting upon violations of the law, either by issuing a warning, a citation, or having sworn personnel handle the situation.
• Monitor, handle and resolve issues in the park that would deter patrons from using parks and related facilities. These issues include but are not limited to, gang activity, homeless persons, and individuals using drugs and/or alcohol.
• Report unsafe or unsanitary conditions to the appropriate departments. (i.e., Fire, Public Works, Health Department, etc.)
• Provide aid in emergency situations such as administering CPR and basic first aid and notify police and fire of emergency.
• Observe and determine if a park needs a stronger police presence.
• Enforce the proper use of permits for parties, sporting activities, and other park events.
• Attend community and City events in the parks; provide assistance patrolling, providing directions/guidance to the public at City Events (i.e., Festival of Lights, 4th of July Fireworks Shows etc.).
• Collaborate with the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, Community Services Bureau and Riverside Police Foundation to support youth activities in the parks.
• Partner with School Resource Officers to attend and/or assist with school activities or functions held at City parks, facilities or other City public spaces. These may include book reading events, sporting events, or any collaborative event where the City or police department partners with the local school districts.
• Write a variety of incident reports related to burglary, vandalism, petty thefts, grand thefts, auto thefts, various municipal code violations, City property damage, falls on City property, miscellaneous incident reports, and other accident reports.

Qualifications

Requirements for Park & Neighborhood Specialist:
Education: High school graduation or satisfactory equivalent (GED).

Experience: At least one year of responsible public contact experience in the area of enforcement of public laws, ordinance, rules or guidelines in a law enforcement environment, code enforcement, patrolling community parks, police oriented public support, or security patrol and protective services position.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid, Class "C" California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Possession of a POST PC 832 Certificate within 12 months of hire date.
• Possession of a standard First Aid certificate, CPR and AED certificate within 12 months of hire date.
• Must be willing to work various shifts including evenings, weekends, holidays and at night for special events.
• Must be able to pass an intensive police background investigation.
• Must be able to pass a Bicycle Training and Safety course within 12 months of hire date.

Selection Process

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire


IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:
If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.


IMPORTANT: Appointment is subject to successful completion of an in-depth pre-employment background investigation, medical/physical examination, and drug and alcohol test; and may be subject to polygraph examination, and/or psychological examination As part of the background investigation, all claims of education and experience made in the employment application process, as well as other information submitted, will be verified.
Frequently asked questions about the Park and Neighborhood Specialist position:
• Will PANS be unarmed?

Yes, they are civilian staff and will not carry firearms. They will work with a PANS partner along with members of the police department.
• Will an academy be required?

There is no academy, but PANS will attend a 832 PC class as part of their training.
• Will you have to pass a physical agility test?

Yes, applicants must be a able to run a 99 yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, curb height obstacles and, one 34" high barricade, and also ride, manipulate, and successfully load and unload a bicycle weighing approximately 50 lbs. from a vehicle . In addition to this physical agility test, a written test, oral exam, complete background check, and applicants may be required to participate in a polygraph test and psychological examination. Watch a short video about the obstacle course
• What kind of training will PANS receive?

In addition to the 832 PC course, PANS personnel will receive a bicycle training & safety course, along with training to include first aid/CPR, pepper spray training, and other skills training pertinent to the duties of this position.
To hear directly from Chief Gonzalez about the PANS program, click to watch a recent segment of "Mayor's Monthly" with City of Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson where they discuss what our Park and Neighborhood Specialists will be doing to enhance safety in our communities.
NOTE : The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.
All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) - General Unit

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost and is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,687 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $85 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance equal to $100,000. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employees and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City contributes $50 a month with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check. Participation in the deferred compensation plan is optional.
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the SEIU MOU for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• State Disability Insurance - Automatic coverage administered by the Employee Development Department (EDD) of the State of California
• Vacation Accrual - 0-4 yrs. = 80hrs, 5-9 yrs. = 120hrs, 10+ yrs. = 160 hrs.

For other special compensation, refer to the
For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:
For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01



Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(*Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02


Please indicate the highest level of education that you have completed.

• Less than a High School Diploma or GED
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (up to 59 semester units or 89 quarter units)
• Associate's degree or equivalent (60 semester or 90 quarter units)
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent (120 semester or 180 quarter units)
• Master's degree
• PhD

03


Please indicate the amount of experience you possess of responsible public contact in the area of enforcement of public laws, ordinance, rules or guidelines in a law enforcement environment, code enforcement, patrolling community parks, police oriented public support, or security patrol and protective services.

• None
• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) year or more

04


if you indicated having any of the experience listed in the question above, please list the following ( If you answered "None", please list "N/A"):
Employer:
Job Title:
Years of Experience:
Examples of Duties:
05


Do you possess experience working with any of the following (check all that apply):

• Law Enforcement Agency
• Public Contact
• Security Patrol
• None of the Above

06


Do you possess a valid class "C" California driver's license?

• Yes
• No

07


This position requires availability to work weekends, holidays, evenings or nights for special events. Please indicate your availability below. (Check all that apply.)

• Weekends
• Holidays
• Evenings
• Nights
• None of the Above

08


Positions in the Police Department require the ability to pass a comprehensive/extensive police background including a polygraph and criminal background check. Do you believe you have the ability to pass this type of background check?

• Yes
• No

09



Background: The following questions are to assess your suitability for employment with the Riverside Police Department based on your personal background. Please answer each question to the best of your knowledge. This information will be used to determine whether or not you will be invited to continue in the selection process for the current position.

• I understand.

10


Have you been arrested for driving under the influence in the last three (3) years?

• Yes
• No

11


Have you been at fault in three (3) or more traffic collisions in the last four (4) years?

• Yes
• No

12


Have you received three (3) or more moving violation citations within the last four (4) years? (A "moving violation" is not a correctable violation such as a broken taillight or windshield; it is a violation such as speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign, or running a red light.

• Yes
• No

13


Have you used methamphetamine, cocaine, or steroids (other than doctor prescribed) in the last five (5) years?

• Yes
• No

14


Have you used hallucinogens to include LSD, PCP, XTC, in the last five (5) years?

• Yes
• No

15


Have you ever used heroin/opium? (other than doctor prescribed)

• Yes
• No

16


Have you ever manufactured, cultivated, transported, brokered, or sold controlled substances, other than marijuana?

• Yes
• No

17


Have you ever injected any form of illegal narcotics (steroids do not apply)?

• Yes
• No

18


If you answered "Yes" to any of the background related questions above, please provide a detailed explanation. If you did not answer "Yes" to any of the background related questions, please enter, "N/A."
19



Certification: I understand that I cannot update my application once it has been submitted. Therefore, I have fully completed ALL sections, provided full descriptions of my duties and responsibilities for each employer, and have fully answered ALL questions on the Supplemental Questionnaire. Do not refer to a resume or other documentation, as it will not be reviewed in lieu of completing the Supplemental Questionnaire. Note: Employers and/or experience noted on the Supplemental Questionnaire must also be included and fully detailed on the Application.

• I understand.

Required Question