Police Officer Trainee

Police Officer Trainee

The City of Sebastopol is now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer Trainee. Pay: $34.13 hourly. Open until filled.

The City of Sebastopol is looking for a respectful, compassionate, empathetic Police Officer Trainee. The selected candidate must be currently enrolled or enrolled at a future date as a self-sponsored recruit in a certified Peace Officer Standards & Training Council (P.O.S.T.) Police Academy. The Police Officer Trainee is a non-sworn, training-level classification requiring no prior law enforcement experience. The incumbent performs a variety of entry-level police support duties in a learning capacity. The selected candidate will assist and observe Police Officers and civilian police personnel.

The successful candidate will attend the Police Academy to obtain a Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate of Completion, and perform related work which may require public contact but not the enforcement of laws. Police Officer Trainees attend a POST certified Police Academy, which follows a standardized curriculum in order to provide them with basic training in various aspects of policing, many of which are prescribed by law and/or statute.

The Police Academy training is designed to provide the candidate the necessary skillsets to prepare them for consideration for promotion to a probationary Police Officer position within the City and begin the Sebastopol Police Department's Field Training Officer program. Attendance and successful completion of a Police Academy is a legal requirement to be hired as a Police Officer within the State of California and is a requirement for a City of Sebastopol Police Officer Trainee to be considered for promotion to probationary Police Officer with the City of Sebastopol.

The selected self-sponsored academy candidates will receive a conditional offer upon a qualified application and full hourly pay while attending the police academy.

The City will hire at the Police Officer Trainee or Police Officer rank, depending on the qualifications held by the pool of qualified applicants. Please see our concurrent Police Officer recruitment for more information.

The Police Officer Trainee will demonstrate cultural competency working with all community members regardless of cultural differences or circumstances, including race, ethnicity, religion, language, gender identity, age, marital and familial status, sexual orientation, diverse physical and learning abilities, socioeconomic status, and other identities.

Ideal candidate: The ideal candidate will be:

• Currently enrolled and attending a certified P.O.S.T. academy as a self-sponsored Police Recruit.
• 21 years of age at the date of hire.
• Of good moral character with no felony convictions.
• Lawfully able to possess a firearm.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is highly desired.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and encouraging team member.
• Adaptable and able to work under stressful or difficult conditions.
• A service-minded trainee/officer who effectively communicates to a diverse population and workforce, communicating accurately, effectively, and persuasively orally and in writing.
• Skilled at interpersonal relations with excellent ability to listen and understand, diffuse situations, and build relationships.
• A highly disciplined recruit demanding a high moral compass of all members of the department and keen political acumen.
• Understanding and accepting of the cultures within the City and Department, and in the community.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education: Possession of a High School diploma or equivalency, such as a general education degree (GED). Though not required, completion of some college is desirable.

Experience: No experience is required.

License and Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record are conditions of initial and continued employment.

Special Requirements: The most highly qualified applicants must be currently enrolled or enrolled at a future date as a self-sponsored recruit in a certified POST Police Academy.

To be considered for this recruitment, you must have already taken the POST Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) and received a T-score of 42 or higher within the last twelve (12) months. If you do not already possess a valid T-score, please visit the Santa Rosa Junior College Public Safety Training Center website at: or for testing information or to review upcoming test dates.

Important: You must attach your T-Score letter with a score of 42.0 or higher, dated within the last 12 months, to your application at the time of submittal.

• Must be 21 years of age at the date of hire.
• Must be of good moral character with no felony convictions.
• Must be lawfully able to possess a firearm.
• Spanish Speaking ability is highly desirable, but not required.

Character and Background: The selected candidate will be required to undergo a standard Police Background investigation, including fingerprinting, polygraph exam, psychological evaluation, and complete physical exam with drug screening. The investigation must show that the candidate possesses traits including initiative, alertness, integrity, reliability, courtesy, and good judgment, and has not been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

Application Process: To be considered for this exciting opportunity, candidates should apply through CalOpps.org. Complete an online application and the required supplemental questionnaire. All materials must be included to be considered as a candidate.

Selection Process: It is important to complete all required application materials. Applications will be reviewed in detail to identify the most qualified candidates to interview. The most qualified will be invited to a panel interview. Those who pass the panel interview will be advanced to an interview with the Chief of Police.

This position is open until filled.

The City of Sebastopol is not responsible for the failure of internet forms or email in submitting your application. Additional inquiries or candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the recruitment process should contact Danielle Oliveira from Muchmore Than Consulting View email address on click.appcast.io.

The City of Sebastopol is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment services provided by Muchmore Than Consulting, LLC.