Airport Police Officer - Entry

Salary: $108,216.16 - $131,536.60 Annually
Location : Airport, 601 Firestone Rd., Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Classified
Job Number: 2025-073C-AIR-EU
Department: Airport
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
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 close supervision learns general law enforcement and crime prevention procedures during attendance at a P.O.S.T. certified academy in preparation to perform a variety of professional and certified law enforcement duties in compliance with Transportation Security Agency Regulations.

Members of the City of Santa Barbara Airport Police are Peace Officers, defined under California Penal Code 830.33.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of: Basic oral and written communication skills for use required for report writing, verbal explanations of the law and court testimony.

Ability to:

• Learn Peace Officer standards of conduct and public relations.
  
• Learn maintenance of firearms and all police related equipment.
  
• Learn Operation of motor vehicles, especially at high rates of speed, using defensive driving.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following:
  
  • Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time
    
  • Walking, running, and various forms of physical exertion
    
  • Lifting light to heavy objects or individuals
    
  • Operating assigned equipment
    
  • Lift 50lb objects
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
  
  • Making observations
    
  • Communicating with others
    
  • Reading and writing
    
  • Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Experience and Training Guidelines Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities listed above is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Minimum requirement for entry into positions in this class may be satisfied by any combination of experience and/or education that would have applied or developed the knowledge and abilities listed above.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license at time of appointment.
REQUIREMENTS:
Age: Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.

Physical: Weight proportionate to height, normal hearing and color vision; excellent health. Must also meet physical and psychological standards required to perform Police Officer duties.

Education: High school graduation or equivalent.

Other Requirements: No history of personal or criminal conduct which may affect suitability for employment as a Peace Officer.
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


Do you possess a current valid POST Regular Basic Course Academy certificate? If yes, list when and where you obtained the certificate (attach copy).
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