Police Officer (Recruit)

Salary: $32.00 Hourly
Location : City Hall - 555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA
Job Type: Extra Help - Temporary (30+hrs/wk, benefited)
Job Number: 26-AA-08
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 12/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific


Description
PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY

Interested in making a difference in the community? The Vallejo Police Department is seeking highly motived individuals who can demonstrate sound judgment, have superior decision-making skills, and who are eager to participate in a high level of community collaboration, strategic partnerships, and progressive problem solving.

THE POSITION

This recruitment is a continuous recruitment and will be closed when a viable candidate pool has been identified.

Employees in this trainee-level, non-safety assignment, will be completing a POST certified Basic Police Academy (POST Academy), or those who are currently enrolled in an academy, and as such are considered temporary, at-will employees serving at the pleasure of the hiring authority. Assignment to this classification is limited to a maximum of one year. A Police Officer (Recruit) who fails to successfully complete the academy will be terminated.


YOUR IMPACT

Provide quality service to the citizens of Vallejo using modern 21st Century Policing methods in the department's mission to reduce crime.


Make a difference in the community with a progressive, forward-thinking organization in an environment that embraces diversity, creativity, and respect.
The Police Officer (Recruit) will undergo a polygraph examination, thorough background investigation, psychological assessment, medical examination, and drug tests prior to attending a POST Basic Police Academy of the City's choosing. Attendance at the academy is at the City's expense. Upon successful completion of a POST Academy, the Police Officer (Recruit) is sworn in as a peace officer in the Police Officer (Entry) class and begins an 18-month probationary period.
YOUR TEAM

The Vallejo Police Department's mission is to provide professional law enforcement services that enhance, protect, and promote the quality of life for people residing, visiting, or doing business in the City of Vallejo. As an integral part of the community the Vallejo Police Department is committed to providing a highly professional, ethical and quality Police service. The proud men and women of the Department are dedicated to maintaining law and order by proactively addressing crime, protecting welfare, property, and the rights of all people. In partnership with the community, community groups and other city departments, the Vallejo Police Department continually endeavors to improve its service, making Vallejo a safe place to live, work and visit.

For more information about the Vallejo Police Department, please visit their


ABOUT VALLEJO

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direct supervision from POST Academy staff and Vallejo Police Department supervisory and management staff.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Important responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

In addition to attending the POST Basic Police Academy to gain training and proficiency in law enforcement terminology, concepts, and techniques, and to gain the requisite knowledge to be eligible to perform the duties of a sworn peace officer, candidates may perform the following duties as assigned:

• Ride with officers to observe and learn peace officer responsibilities and techniques.
• Operate police information equipment, including computer systems, teletypes and telephones to enter and research information at the direction of an Officer or police civilian.
• Assist in processing, packaging, labeling, storing and destroying property and evidence; may provide assistance with photocopies, files, indexes and locating police records and related paperwork.
• Perform errands for the department such as transporting information and paperwork to court and district attorney offices; perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Basic law enforcement grammar, composition, spelling and punctuation;
• Basic mathematics;
• Effective communications and public speaking;
• Effective problem-solving techniques;
• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts;
• Basic computer operating systems and software applications related to the work.

Ability to:

• Successfully complete the POST Basic Police Academy;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Learn, understand and interpret laws and regulations;
• Learn to implement and enforce laws, policies, regulations, guidelines and orders concerning the protection of life, property and the maintenance of law, order and peace with a 21st Century Community Policing mind-set;
• Observe and accurately recall names, faces, numbers, incidents and places;
• Think and act quickly in emergency situations;
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action;
• Exercise sound judgment, often under pressure;
• Understand and carry out written and oral directions;
• Write at a fast rate of speed to prepare accurate and factual written reports;
• Perform basic math computations;
• Safely operate motor vehicles;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, supervisors, public officials and representative of other agencies;
• Utilize computers and computer software, as required;
• Learn to meet the minimum standards of use with department-issued or approved lethal and non-lethal weapons;
• Perform in specialized assignments as required.

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

• A High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Completion of 39 semester units or equivalent from an accredited college or university is highly desirable.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license
• Be 20 years old at the time of appointment, and at least 21 years of age upon POST Academy graduation
• Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes with normal color vision
• Must be eligible for U.S. citizenship upon academy graduation
• No felony convictions
• No misdemeanor convictions which mandate weapons prohibitions

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The Recruitment & Selection Process

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete and submit the following: Failure to attach the required documents will result in disqualification

1. Completed City of Vallejo application
2. Completed Supplemental/Personal History Questionnaire

If you have completed a POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLET-B) and received a T-Score of 45 or higher or you have completed a National Testing Network Law Enforcement exam with a reading score 70% or above, a written score 70% or above, and a video score of 65% or above, and have completed the Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB) and received a score of 320 or higher, you may submit these scores at the time of application. If you do not have these scores at the time of application because your scheduled testing date is after your application date, you may email your scores to April Adams, at once they have been sent to you. **A PELLETB or NTN passing score along with a WSTB passing score, is required to move forward in the selection process.

A resume cannot be substituted for any portion of the application process (i.e., the official application and responses to the supplemental questions).

NOTE: If you have problems creating a user account, obtaining your already created account information, or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com applicant support directly at View phone number on click.appcast.io. City of Vallejo staff are unable to assist with these issues.

Applications are accepted and reviewed in conjunction with Police Academy admission cycles.


Applicants may be chosen to attend one of the four following Police Academies:

• Alameda County Police Academy
• Contra Costa County Police Academy
• Sacramento Police Academy
• Sacramento Sheriff's Office Police Academy

Academy selection is based on admission cycle and availability.


Applicant Screening and Assessment:
Application screening will be conducted to evaluate each candidates' supplemental/personal history questionnaire responses, educational course work, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position that may include but are not limited to:

• Education, GPA of 2.0 or higher
• College enrollment
• Academy enrollment or possession of a POST Basic Academy Certificate
• Valid California driver license
• Citizenship
• Criminal history

Individuals who are found to be the most qualified will be invited to participate in an oral panel interview.

Oral Panel Interview :
Oral panel interviews are weighted at 100% of a candidates score. Those whom have scored the highest will be placed on the register of eligibles and referred to the department for further consideration.


Background Investigation :
The most qualified candidates will be provided a conditional offer letter and invited to move forward in the selection process to a background investigation in accordance with applicable law, regulation and/or policy. Candidates will be required to complete and submit a State of California Personal History Statement (POST Form 2-251 Rev. 01/2024). The information that you provide in the Personal History Statement will be used in the background investigation to assist in determining your suitability for the position of Police Officer (Recruit), in accordance with POST Commission Regulation 1953. Background investigations will also include live scan fingerprinting, and polygraph examination.


Those candidates who pass the background investigation portion of the selection process may be invited to a Chief's interview. Based on a candidates suitability as determined by the background investigation and Chief's interview, a pre-placement psychological and medical examination would be the next step in the selection process.


REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact April Adams at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at


Disaster Service Workers - All City of Vallejo ("City") employees are designated Disaster Service Workers ("DSW") by state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.


Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE ) - The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.


Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
No City benefits are offered with this Temporary position.
01


ACTIVEInstructions for Supplemental Questionnaire: This Supplemental Questionnaire is the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) used as one of the steps in the selection process, and is intended to assist us in determining your qualifications for this position. Subject Matter Experts for this position will review your responses to these questions, and will determine whether you move on to the next steps; therefore, it is very important that you respond to each question in a comprehensive, but concise manner. There are very few automatic bases for rejection. Even issues of prior misconduct, such as prior illegal drug use, driving under the influence, theft, or even arrest or conviction are usually not, in and of themselves, automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements or omissions can and often will result in your application being rejected, regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatements/omissions. In fact, the number one reason individuals "fail" background investigations is because they deliberately withhold or misrepresent job-relevant information from their prospective employer.Applications submitted without responses to the supplemental questions will not be evaluated.Your application will be reviewed along with your responses in order to verify them against your work history.Please indicate below that you have read and understand the instructions presented above.

• Yes
• No

02


I understand that the City of Vallejo Human Resources Department is not responsible for any lost or redirected emails and that it is my responsibility to add View email address on click.appcast.io to my email contact list to avoid email notifications related to this examination from being classified as "spam" or "junk" mail.Please indicate below that you have read and understand the statement above.

• Yes
• No

03


Please indicate below whether or not you are at least 20 years of age.

• Yes
• No

04


Education: Please indicate below whether or not you possess a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.If yes, please ensure that this information is reflected in the "education" portion of your application.

• Yes
• No

05


In order to move forward in the selection process for Police Officer (Recruit), language aptitude (PELLETB or NTN) and physical agility scores (WSTB) must be submitted. Please indicate below which testing scores you have submitted with your application (select all that apply).

• PELLETB
• NTN
• WSTB
• None

06


If you answered "none" to the question above, please provide information for your scheduled exam (location, date, time, type of test).
07


Employment Experience: During the past ten years of employment history how many times have you been involuntarily terminated, failed probation or resigned to avoid being fired?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4 or more times

08


If you answered 1, 2, 3, or 4 or more to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "0", please type n/a below.
09


Employment Experience: Did you ever work (even on the side) without reporting it while collecting unemployment?

• Yes
• No

10


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
11


Driving Record: Have you been issued any moving violations (moving violations include: speeding, illegal U-turns, illegal lane changes, following too close.) in the last three (3) years? Do not include parking citations. If "yes", how many?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5 or more

12


If you answered 1,2,3,4, or 5 or more to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "0", please type n/a below.
13


Driving Record: Have you been "at fault" in any traffic collisions within the last three (3) years where you were the driver? If "yes", how many? (At fault refers to you being the primary reason for the collision)

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5 or more

14


If you answered 1,2,3,4, or 5 or more to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "0", please type n/a below.
15


Financial History: Do you currently have accounts in collections or are you delinquent (90+ days) in any payments you owe for credit cards, loans, child / spousal support, utility bills, taxes, or other debts?

• Yes
• No

16


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
17


Legal History: For the following question do not include sealed or expunged offenses.How many times have you been convicted, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor as an adult?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4 or more

18


If you answered 1, 2, 3, or 4 or more to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "0", please type n/a below.
19


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.When was the last time you were convicted of a misdemeanor?

• N/A
• 0-36 months
• 37 months - 6 years
• More than 6 years ago

20


If you answered 0-36 months, 37 months - 6 years, or more than 6 years to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "N/A", please type n/a below.
21


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.How many times have you been convicted, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to a felony?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3 or more

22


If you answered 1, 2, 3 or more to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "0", please type n/a below.
23


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Have you ever been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to domestic violence (273.5/243e PC).

• Yes
• No

24


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
25


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Have you ever been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to assault, battery, or resisting arrest as an adult?

• Yes
• No

26


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
27


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Have you ever been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to forgery or embezzlement?

• Yes
• No

28


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
29


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Have you ever been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to arson?

• Yes
• No

30


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
31


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Have you ever been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to any type of sex crime?

• Yes
• No

32


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
33


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Are you currently on court-ordered probation or parole for any offense, including traffic violations?

• Yes
• No

34


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
35


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Do you currently have any outstanding warrants for your arrest?

• Yes
• No

36


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
37


Legal History: For the following question, do not include any sealed or expunged offenses.Since the age of 18, have you ever committed theft or embezzlement for an amount totaling $950.00 or more?(This includes theft from an employer, items other than unintended supplies such as pens, pencils, etc...)

• Yes
• No

38


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
39


Legal History: For the following question, do not include any sealed or expunged offenses.How many times have you been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to DUI?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4 or more

40


If you answered 1, 2, 3, or 4 or more to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "0", please type n/a below.
41


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Have you ever caused or been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to a DUI accident involving death or injury to another person?

• Yes
• No

42


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
43


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Have you ever caused or been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to a reckless driving accident involving death or injury to another person?

• Yes
• No

44


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
45


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Have you ever caused or been convicted of, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest to a vehicular manslaughter?

• Yes
• No

46


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
47


Legal History: For the following question, do not include sealed or expunged offenses.Have you ever slapped, punched, or otherwise injured a spouse or romantic partner (not in self-defense)?

• Yes
• No

48


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
49


Illegal Drug Use: Have you ever tried, used or experimented with any substance or illegal drug, under limited circumstances (without a prescription) including: cocaine powder, barbiturates (downers), hallucinogens (LSD, mescaline, mushrooms, and peyote), GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate), amphetamines, aethamphetamine, Amyl Nitrate, quaaludes, steroids or synthetic steroids, designer drugs (ecstasy, bath salts, synthetic heroin, etc.), nitrous oxide, paint or any substance containing Toluene (for the purpose of getting high), or any other illegal drug not listed above, OTHER than marijuana?

• Yes
• No

50


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
51


Illegal Drug Use: If you answered yes to question #49, when was the most recent time you have used?

• N/A
• within the last 12 months
• more than one year ago, but less than two years
• more than two years ago, but less than three years
• more than three years ago, but less than four years ago
• more than four years ago, but less than five years ago
• five or more years ago

52


Illegal Drug Use: Have you ever used PCP, Heroin/Opiates/ Morphine/Demerol (other than a prescription drug or treatment legally prescribed to you), or Crack Cocaine?

• Yes
• No

53


If you answered yes to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "no", please type n/a below.
54


Illegal Drug Use: As an adult, have you ever engaged in any of the activities listed below for drugs, narcotics or illegal substances, including marijuana? (Please check all that apply)

• Sold
• Furnished
• Manufactured
• Cultivated
• None of the above

55


If you answered sold, furnished, manufactured, or cultivated to the question above, please explain below. If no explanation is needed because you have answered "none of the above", please type n/a below.
56


By checking the "yes" box below, you are acknowledging that should you successfully complete the selection process for Police Officer (Recruit), Police Academy placement is based on academy admissions cycles and availability.You may be selected to participate in one of the following Police Academies:- Contra Costa County Basic Police Academy- Alameda County Basic Police Academy- Sacramento Police Academy*Please note that the City of Vallejo reserves the right to add or remove to the list of Academies depending on admission availability and at the discretion of the Police Chief.

• Yes
• No

57


By submitting your application packet, you are certifying that the following is true and correct:I understand that all information I have provided on all documents and responses to my supplemental/personal history questionnaire is subject to verification. Submitting information that is false, inaccurate, or incomplete to the extent that it misrepresents the facts may result in my disqualification, ineligibility or separation from employment.Please indicate below that you have read and understand the statement above.

• Yes
• No

Required Question