Police Records Specialist

Salary : $65,543.92 - $79,668.42 Annually
Location : Police Department, 215 E. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 2026-064-2904-PD-EU
Department: Police
Opening Date: 04/09/2026
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.


The mission of the Police Department is to operate under a community-oriented policing philosophy, create and maintain a safe community where people can live in peace without the fear of crime. The Records Division strives to provide excellent customer service to our community, allied agencies, and our police department with organized solutions for the preservation and accessibility of police records, for all police records inquiries, in adherence with federal, state, and municipal law.
THE POSITION
The City of Santa Barbara Police Department is seeking a enthusiastic, customer service oriented Police Records Specialist. Under general supervision, this position performs a wide variety of highly responsible professional functions related to the maintenance and preservation of police records, and support duties in the Police Records Bureau.
Responsibilities include entering data into the records management system including arrest and crime information, traffic accidents, property and evidence, records, fingerprints and booking identification, restraining orders and subpoenas into local and/or State and National computerized files; inputs corrections and updates; verifies data for accuracy and completeness; maintains a variety of statistical records; purges information as necessary. Incumbents answer telephone and computer inquiries, assist at the public service counter; take and record crime information; provide information on City policies/procedures and legal statutes/requirements pertinent to law enforcement; receive found property or evidence; verify ownership and release towed vehicles. Complete a variety of reports, forms, and logs; file, copy, and distribute reports; participate in the maintenance of a complex filing system; perform various clerical administrative duties in support of assigned functions. Calculate and collect fees for fingerprinting, reports, clearance letters, photographs, etc. Operate a variety of office equipment including computer/printer, cash register, copier, FAX, scanner, Live Scan fingerprint machine, microfilm reader/printer, input and retrieve data and text. Process the mail including receiving, sorting, and distributing incoming and outgoing correspondence. As necessary, perform clerical support work for Police personnel as needed. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Work Schedule : Records is open 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM, 7-days a week. Shifts rotate about every 4-months.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of: Ordinances, codes, policies, and procedures related to the release and maintenance of police records; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; modern office practices and methods, including personal computers and auxiliary equipment; principles of manual and automated file retrieval and maintenance; basic math; familiarity with Word and Excel.
Ability to: Operate a computer and auxiliary office equipment standard office equipment used in assigned duties. Type at speed necessary for successful job performance; approximately 35 or more words a minute. Proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, and Excel, and Outlook. Perform administrative and support duties in related areas; understand the organization and City operations; perform responsible work involving the use of independent judgement and personal initiative; independently prepare correspondence, communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including police dept. personnel, outside agencies and the public. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Interpret and explain City policies and procedures. Maintain records and prepare reports. Work various shifts as assigned.
Experience/Training: Clerical Office experience including public contact, familiarity with Word, Outlook and Excel. Computer useage. Customer service in any setting.
License Requirements: Possession of, or ability to obtain, CLETS/NCIC certification within one year; completion of P.O.S.T. training within one year of employment. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire show all of your relevant experience, training, and/or education that qualify you for this position. Applications and questionnaires may be rejected if incomplete. Applications and responses to the supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the selection process.
The selection process may consist of the following:

1. Written Exam
2. Oral Interview(s)
3. Background - including DMV check
4. Polygraph
5. Psychological evaluation (written exam and clinical interview)
6. Pre-employment medical examination and drug screening

Candidates must successfully complete each phase of the selection process in order to be scheduled for subsequent phases. Candidates must qualify in all phases in order to be eligible for appointment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time.
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.

• Flexwork / Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $110-$222 / month.
• Specialty Assignment Pay of 2% - 6% is available for Sworn employees.
• POST Educational Incentive Pay of $396 - $656 / month is available for Sworn employees.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holiday leave is accrued at the rate of 5 hours / pay period.
• Retirement : The City does not participate in Social Security.
  
  • Sworn employees - PERS Police Safety Formula: " Classic " members: 3% @ 50; employee contributes 9% of salary. " New " members: 2.7% @ 57; employee contributes 14.50% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.
  • Non-sworn employees - PERS Miscellaneous Formula: " Classic " members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 8% of salary. " New " members: 2% @ 62; employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
• Insurance including medical, dental and vision benefits is available under a group plan. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: Police Unit Rate Sheet.
• Cafeteria 125 Plan : Employees who opt-out of the group insurance coverage or who select employee-only coverage may be eligible for a cash pay-out of up to $500 / month.
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insuranc e: City-paid term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance is provided:
  
  • Sworn: $75,000
  • Non-sworn: $50,000
• Employee Assistance Program : A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their households.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is available through the Police Officers' Association.
• S hort-term Disability Insurance optional employee-paid coverage is available.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• A Uniform Allowance of $863-$1,238 / year 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.
• The City is also a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership , which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• The Santa Barbara Peace Officers' Association represents this classification.

Revised 12/1/2024
01


Describe in detail your clerical, administrative and professional office experience. Include your experience operating an officecomputer, and list the software you are proficient in, such as Word, Excel, Outlook or Access, and any data management systems.
02


What experience have you had working with the general public and responding to people in difficult circumstances? Explain in what job role you worked with the public, and what skills you find necessary for customer service success.
03


Describe your experience personally or professional working in a team environment; what setting and circumstances did you work in a team environment?
04


Have you ever been convicted of a crime, including a plea of guilty or no contest, which resulted in a criminal conviction? (Note: Do not include a conviction that has been judicially ordered sealed; expunged.)

• Yes
• No

05


If Yes, briefly describe for each conviction: a) Type of conviction (felony or misdemeanor) b) Nature of the crime c) Date of conviction d) Place of conviction e) Case number f) Legal disposition of the case The City will not deny employment to any applicant solely because the person has been convicted of a crime. The City, however, may consider the nature, date, and circumstances of the offense as well as whether the offense is relevant to the duties of the position. Completing this supplemental questionnaire is required as part of the recruitment process for employment. Applicants shall be rejected if he or she has made any false statement of any material fact, or practiced any deception or fraud on this supplemental questionnaire.
06


REASONS FOR REJECTION: 1. Conviction of any felony. 2. Conviction of any sex crime. 3. Conviction of any crime, the nature and seriousness of which would relate to the sensitivity and exposure characterized by this job classification. 4. Any abuse of narcotics, or drugs may disqualify. 5. Habitual use of intoxicating liquor in excess. 6. Does not have well balanced credit. 7. A bad employment record, including behavior that is discourteous, disloyal, indecisive, undependable, uncooperative, incapable, insubordinate, disobedient, lacking in force, initiative, and judgment, lacking proper work habits and industry, emotionally unstable, unable to accept responsibility, unable to get along well with others, or intemperate. 8. Falsification of any required application or report. 9. Failure to pass controlled substance screening. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: I understand that as part of the qualifying process for POLICE RECORDS SPECIALIST, I will have a background investigation. I will also be required to complete a detailed personal history statement. Any falsification of information or failure to meet the standards listed above will result in my disqualification.

• Yes
• No

Required Question