Community Service Officer

Community Service Officer The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Community Service Officer candidates. Come join a department that has received national and international acclaim for our innovative community-based policing strategies. We believe in fostering an environment of strong critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. You will work alongside great team members and interact with our diverse community. We have state-of-the-art training combined with an opportunity to make a difference in our community. The Community Service Officer is a non‑sworn position and does not require previous law‑enforcement experience. Each and every employee in our department embodies a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department serves a community of over 65,000 citizens. During the summer months, the population may swell to over 100,000. The City of Santa Cruz has a strong interest in and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring and retention practices. We actively seek and encourage applications from talented individuals with diverse backgrounds. Applicants must complete and submit passing POST Reading and Writing Test Battery (PELLETB) results with a score of 46 or higher. Attach verification of your POST Pellet‑B T Score of 46 taken in calendar years 2025 or 2026 to your application or locate a test site and date for the POST Pellet B Exam at PELLETB stands for “POST Entry‑Level Law Enforcement Test Battery.” This is a standardized written exam used by law‑enforcement agencies in California to assess the reading, writing, and reasoning abilities of candidates and is recommended by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). What is a passing score? A T‑score of 46 or higher is considered a passing score for the City of Santa Cruz. How do I take the PELLETB? For exam dates and locations visit Already taken and passed the PELLETB? If you have taken the exam in calendar years 2025 or 2026, and have a score of 46 or higher, you do not have to take the test again. Please attach the official letter verifying your test results to your application. How do I prepare? Check out Copy of PELLT‑B Study Resources or visit

PAY INCENTIVES

Yes, there are pay incentives! HIRING BONUS: New Community Service Officers are eligible to receive a $5,000 bonus paid out as follows: $1,000 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $1,500 upon successful completion of probation, and $2,500 at 2.5 years post hire.

EMPLOYEE REFERRAL INCENTIVES

If you were referred by a City of Santa Cruz employee, please be sure to check the “City Employee” box where the application asks for the recruitment source and provide the referring employee name(s) as well. The referring employee's name(s) must be listed on the application for consideration for the employee to receive the referral incentive.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND POLYGRAPH TEST

An intensive background investigation will be conducted on each final candidate in accordance with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission Peace Officer Background Investigations Guidelines. Candidates will also be required to successfully pass a polygraph test administered by a licensed polygrapher, a psychological exam given by a City‑selected psychologist and a medical exam by a City physician (to include a stress test EKG and general physical examination). The results of the psychological exam are valid for one year. Suitability for employment will also be based on the following POST job dimensions: problem‑solving ability, learning ability, observation skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, desire for self‑improvement, dependability, integrity, credibility as a witness in a court of law, communication skills, judgment under pressure and physical ability. PRE‑EMPLOYMENT POLICY REGARDING ILLEGAL USE OR POSSESSION OF DRUGS Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within seven (7) years prior to application for employment. (LSD, PCP, XTC, And other designer drugs) Any adult use or possession of marijuana, or derivative within one year prior to application for employment. Any other illegal adult use or possession of a drug listed below in the designated time frame prior to application for employment. Cocaine 7 Years Amphetamines 7 Years Meth amphetamines 7 Years Heroin 7 Years Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug while employed in the capacity of a police officer, licensed security officer, military police, or as a student enrolled in college accredited courses of/or related to the criminal justice field. As an adult, any illegal manufacturing or cultivating of a drug. Failure to divulge to the Police Department during the background investigation any information about personal use or possession of drugs. Any illegal juvenile use or possession of a drug. Any illegal adult use or possession of a drug that does not meet the criteria of the considered disqualifiers specified above; e.g., illegal usage of prescribed or non‑prescribed medication or any illegal substance used by the means of injection (Steroids will be considered on a case by case basis only if the above timeline restrictions outlined in section one above has been met) Driver's License Requirements Applicants must be able to obtain by time of hire and continue to maintain a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record. Basic Function Under general supervision, patrols public areas; issues citations or verbal warnings for municipal code violations; writes police reports; reports criminal code violations to sworn officers; performs low risk investigations, including interviews and evidence processing; performs public contact work in crime prevention; and performs other duties as assigned. Typical Duties Takes/investigates crime and traffic reports which are low risk in nature or are not in progress. Identifies, preserves, collects and analyzes evidence associated with criminal incidents. Coordinates documents and organizes investigative information and evidence for subsequent prosecution and laboratory analysis. Handles both emergency and non‑emergency calls to assist citizens. Handles follow up including re‑contacting involved parties on crime reports to obtain further information. Performs general patrol duties, both on foot and in vehicles, as a crime deterrent. Reports problems to or calls for assistance from City Police, Fire or other departments as appropriate. Enforces municipal code violations; gives warnings; issues citations for violations of local ordinances. Maintains a uniformed presence; assists public and merchants by providing security, answering questions and providing information. Presents crime prevention information to citizen groups and businesses. Transports victims, witnesses and prisoners, as needed. Checks security of buildings, detects fire and liability hazards. Identifies immediate maintenance problems in buildings and wharf structures. Performs vehicle abatement duties, including maintenance of a daily log of activities, determining parking violations and issuing the appropriate citations, arranging for towing of abandoned vehicles and otherwise participating in the vehicle abatement program as directed. Appears in court as necessary. May direct and control traffic at accidents or special events, or as a school crossing guard; may perform non-hazardous crowd control duties. Fingerprints individuals. Performs related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications High school graduation or tested equivalent. Skills Verbal and written communication skills to take information by phone or in person and to give information to the public. Organizational skills to gather and coordinate data. Abilities Understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Write clear, concise and accurate reports. Effectively listen to, comprehend and communicate via a police radio. Tactfully and effectively interact with people of ethnic and cultural diversity. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with peers, department and the general public. Compile and maintain accurate records. Read maps and mapped information. Understand, appropriately apply and clearly explain regulations, codes and ordinances, policies and procedures. Learn to diagram, photograph or video‑film crime scene. Learn to logically and progressively interview victims and witnesses. Learn to operate word processing equipment to prepare reports. Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system. Work independently and meet established deadlines. Pass a thorough background investigation, psychological exam, and medical exam. Other Requirements Wear a uniform. Carry a baton, chemical agent, Taser, handcuffs and radio. Work evenings and weekends as needed. Attend community service officer training academy.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES

Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record. Completion of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) 832 PC – Powers of Arrest Course within three months of hire. Desirable Qualifications Experience or education related to law enforcement. Bilingual ability to speak and write in English and Spanish. Possession of certification in advanced first aid and CPR. Possession of a Private Security Officer License and Private Security Baton License issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Typing skills of 45 wpm. Possession of POST 832 PC certification. Career Ladder Police Lieutenant Police Sergeant Police Officer Police Officer Trainee Community Service Officer Santa Cruz Police Officers Memorandum of Understanding Leave Vacation – 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year. Sick – 8 hours per month. The City has a sick leave incentive program. Holidays – 104 hours per year Insurance Medical – Minimal cost; depends on plan selected. Participating members make an additional $35 contribution per pay period towards the cost of health care benefits. Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program – City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage. Life – City provides a $50,000 life insurance policy. Long Term Disability – City provides a long term disability plan through CLEA. Bilingual Pay The City shall provide a monthly allowance of 5% of base pay for bilingual speaking skills, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Police and the approval of the Director of Human Resources. Retirement As a Police Officer (Lateral): Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) Classic Member 3% @ 55; employee contributes 14% (Tier 2) of their salary to PERS on a pre‑tax basis. PEPRA Member 2.7% @ 57; employee contributes 17.75% (Tier 3) of their salary to PERS on a pre‑tax basis. As a Police Office (Academy Graduate): Same as terms as PEPRA Member above. An employee is vested after 5 years of PERS membership. No Social Security is withheld. Additional Benefits 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Accident Protection Insurance Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance Direct Deposit Education Incentive Discount Bus Pass Program Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care Longevity Pay (after 10 years and 15 years) In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month Supplemental Life Insurance Tuition Reimbursement Uniforms provided & maintained #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Santa Cruz