Police Officer (Academy Graduate)

The Position

The East Bay Regional Park District's Police Department serves over 25 million annual visitors. Our area of patrol includes 73 different parks over a 1,750 square mile area covering all of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. We are a full service POST-recognized law enforcement agency with 71 sworn officers. Our department includes a variety of units and patrol opportunities such as Air Support, Marine, Equestrian, Special Enforcement (including off-road vehicles), Investigations, and a 24-hour per day 9-1-1 Communications Center. Looking to start your career in an organization that values your work and professional development endeavors? Apply to join the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department today! Application materials for this position consist of four (4) required parts:

1. A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online; and
2. Completed supplemental questions; and
3. A valid CA POST Police Academy Certificate of Completion

Optional application materials (if applicable to the candidate): Physical Agility Alternatives: The Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB): If you have completed the WSTB in the last six (6) months with a passing score of 384 for Academy Grad. If you do not have the WSTB passing score you will have to complete the District's physical ability test. Conditions of Employment: Incumbents must have successfully completed the POST Basic Academy to qualify for status as a Police Officer; A valid California driver's license is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification; Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under various weather conditions and to perform the duties as required by their assigned position; Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holiday shifts as needed; Applicant must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, as well as pass a polygraph, psychological, and medical examination.

We're Looking for Someone Who: Enjoys being challenged and is self-motivated; Enjoys public service and has a high level of personal integrity; Appreciates the value of publicly accessible open space and wishes to work with like-minded folks to preserve such opportunities for future generations; Is a personable and excellent communicator that understands the importance of community policing in the law enforcement profession.

A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job: Meaningful and valued work connected to our organizational mission; A workplace that encourages professional growth by investing in staff trainings and developmental opportunities; Daily challenges that encourage problem solving and working as part of an excellent team; Great benefits including medical (through CalPERS), dental, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement pension through California Public Employees Retirement System (Classic—3%@55 & PEPRA—2.7%@57); Incentive pays (bilingual pay, POST Certification, and education); Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles); Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).

Our Values: Respect: We honor each other, the park users we serve, and the land we steward. Resilience: We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination. Relationships: Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve. Responsiveness: We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably. Transparency: We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and unfettered access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing and/or interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment devices before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. The selection process will include the following:

1. Physical Agility Test: Those applicants who pass the physical agility test or provide proof of passing the alternative will proceed to the oral board interviews.
2. Oral Board Interview: Applicants who are successful at passing the physical agility test will be invited to the oral panel interview.
3. Background Investigation: A thorough investigation of a personal history, including but not limited to work history, education, military, arrest record, etc., will be conducted on candidates certified to the Police Department. A polygraph is a part of the background examination.
4. Medical/Psychological Evaluation: After receiving a conditional offer of employment, candidates must successfully complete a required medical/psychological examination prior to appointment.
5. Probation: The probationary period for this classification is twenty-four (24) months.

Essential Functions

• Provides uniformed patrol by automobile, 4-wheel drive, ATV, motorcycle, boat, helicopter, horseback or on foot;
• Provides information to the public regarding park lands and facilities;
• Assists park visitors and other park employees;
• Contacts citizens and employees regarding any matter concerning public safety and welfare;
• Answers radio calls and self-initiates all types of police services;
• Investigates traffic accidents and takes injury reports;
• Enforces all laws and ordinances, issuing warnings and citations, making arrests when necessary;
• Investigates criminal offenses;
• Writes detailed and accurate reports;
• Prepares cases for court and testifies as necessary;
• Performs rescue work and administers first aid when needed; reports fires and provides traffic and crowd control;
• Works days, nights or holidays, and in adverse weather conditions;
• Performs any other duties necessary and required for the safety and protection of the citizens and employees within the Regional Parks and other assigned patrol areas.

Minimum Qualifications

POST: Must meet current Peace Officer Selection Standards as set by the California Commission on POST; Certification: Academy Graduate applicants must possess a valid State of California Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) Basic Academy Certificate; Citizenship: Applicant must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; Age: Must be at least 21 years of age; Education: High School graduation or passage of General Education Development Test (GED), and successful completion of at least 24 semester or 36 quarter units of college level courses. For purposes of this requirement, credit will be given for units recognized by POST in the completion of a Basic POST training course through an accredited institution or agency; Experience: An Academy Graduate applicant (must meet one of the following standards): Standard 1b: Must have completed all the required courses and graduated from a State of California Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) Basic Law Enforcement Academy within three (3) years of application; or Standard 2b: Has completed the POST Requalification Course within three (3) years of application. License: Must possess a valid California driver's license at initial and continued employment in this classification.

Additional Information

Knowledge of: Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts; Techniques for dealing with people of all socio-economic levels under hostile and emergency situations; Public relations in law enforcement. Ability to: Learn principles, procedures, terminology, and operation of equipment used in law enforcement, crime prevention, and investigation; Observe and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics and facts of incidents; Understand and apply departmental policies, rules, complex laws, procedures and regulations; Make rapid, sound independent judgements within legal and procedural guidelines; Prepare clear and concise reports, records, and other written materials; Deal effectively with and control groups of people in stressful situations; Operate a variety of specialized police department equipment including computerized telecommunications and dispatch equipment establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal and external customers.