Police Officer (Lateral)

Salary : $168,527.76 - $215,072.16 Annually
Location : 1500 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 10-22-650
Department: Police
Opening Date: 01/14/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 2
Weighting Plan: 100% Oral Exam


Description
The Department:


The men and women of the Santa Clara Police Department take tremendous pride in providing the community with outstanding service through the "Santa Clara Way" of service. In partnership with the citizens, the team provides law enforcement services with professional and dedicated staff. The team will always identify and resolve problems utilizing all available resources and perform services professionally and with a high level of integrity. To learn more, visit our


The Position:


This position is a sworn position in the Police Department. Incumbents perform various law enforcement duties which impact public safety, including responding to calls for service and investigating complaints. Primary functions are patrol assignments where incumbents monitor and respond to calls for service to protect people, property, and enforce City, County, and State laws. Performs related duties as assigned. *** To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must upload at least a BASIC POST CERTIFICATE (proof of a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Basic POST Certificate).***
Additional Information:

Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write "see resume, NA, or personnel file."). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Proof of a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Basic POST Certificate. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application packets may be submitted online through the "Apply Now" feature on the job announcement at Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis for consideration to the position. If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.
This recruitment is a continuous recruitment, and applications are accepted on an on-going basis. The recruitment may close periodically to accommodate for various recruitment phases, but examinations will be held periodically to update the eligible list. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to be considered for the current testing phase. Per the Civil Service Rules, a candidate in a continuous examination may not take the same examination within the following six (6) months and a police officer candidate may repeat the physical ability portion of the examination after ninety (90) days of his/her last physical ability examination. Applicants may be deferred to a subsequent testing phase in order to adhere to this provision in the Civil Service Rules.

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT.


The annual salary range for this position is $155,827.80 - $198,864.72. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units of academic level courses at an accredited college or university AND proof of a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic certification, with at least two (2) years full-time, paid, recent police experience with a sheriff's department, state police, highway patrol, or municipal police department; OR
• Successful completion of California POST Basic Police Academy as a Recruit Police Officer with the Santa Clara Police Department.

Acceptable Substitution:
None.


License/Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment.
• Recruit Police Officers who complete the Basic Police Academy with the City of Santa Clara must possess and maintain a valid California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic certification within eighteen (18) months of appointment.
• The minimum peace officer selection standards are set forth in Government Code (GC) Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.4. Every California peace officer must be:
  o Free from any disqualifications for employment, including felony convictions (GC 1029);
  o Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law (GC 1031); and
  o At least 21 years of age for specified peace officers (GC 1031.4)

Other Requirements:
PHYSICAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 20 years of age at time of application filing and 21 years of age at time of job appointment;
• Must possess the strength and physical ability necessary to perform the essential functions of the position; and
• Must be willing to be fingerprinted.

Vision requirements:

• Vision including color, night, depth, and peripheral vision sufficient to perform all of the essential functions of the position.
• Visual acuity of not less than 20/80 vision in each eye uncorrected, and corrected to 20/30 in each eye.

EXCEPTION: Applicants with correction afforded by soft contact lenses are exempt from the minimum uncorrected vision standard of 20/80, provided their corrected vision is 20/30 in each eye. Hearing, speech, and mental capabilities sufficient to perform all of the essential functions of the position.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Required to work a basic workweek consisting of a "4/11 - 3/11" shift schedule, subject to the operational needs of the Department.
• May be required to work odd and unusual hours, including weekends and designated holidays, and to be subject to call-back in the performance of job duties.
• Candidates are required to pass the following City examinations prior to being given a conditional offer of employment: oral examination, reading/writing assessment, physical ability assessment, and personal history questionnaire.
• If given a conditional offer of employment, candidates must also pass a full background check which may include medical, psychological, and polygraph examination prior to appointment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.


VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS: This position qualifies for Veteran's Preference Points. Applicants who have separated from service (Active Duty Status) must submit proof of honorable discharge (Form DD214) with their application at time of filing or will be ineligible to have points added to their final score.

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at View phone number on click.appcast.io or
City of Santa Clara Benefit Summary Overview for

Bargaining Unit #2 Police Officers Association

This summary provides a brief overview of the City of Santa Clara's benefits available to Bargaining Unit #2 employees in 2026. In the event of any conflict between the information in this summary and the applicable official plan documents, City Manager's Directives (CMDs), Personnel and Salary Resolution, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the applicable official plan documents, CMDs, Personnel and Salary Resolution, or MOU will prevail over this summary. Benefits are subject to change.

Retirement*:

• Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
  • Classic Employees: 3.0% @ age 50 formula - employee pays 11.25% of gross pay
  • New Employees: 2.7% @ age 57 formula - employee pays 12.25% of gross pay
• Medicare and Social Security (FICA)
  • Employee does not participate in Social Security
  • Employee pays 1.45% of gross salary for Medicare

* Recruit Police Officers are represented by Unit #2, but are considered Miscellaneous under CalPERS - 2.7% @ 55 (Classic)/2% @ 62 (New) with 8% less $61 bi-weekly/6.50% employee contribution. Recruits also participate in Social Security and Medicare with 7.65% contribution. After Recruits have successfully completed the Academy and are sworn, retirement is as above.

Health Insurance:

• The City contributes up to 100% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan for Employee Only and Employee + 1 Dependent plans, and up to 90% of the premium of the Kaiser (Region 1) plan of the Employee + 2 or More Dependents plan
• Employees electing health coverage with premiums above the City health contribution will pay additional premium costs from salary on a pre-tax basis
• No cash difference is paid if an employee elects a plan cheaper than the max City contribution
• To be eligible for the City's contribution toward health, employees must be on a paid status for at least 80 hours in the month prior to the month of coverage
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire
• Employees hired on or after 1/1/2023 who opt-out of City-offered health insurance and provide annual attestation and acceptable proof of alternative required coverage for themselves and their tax family, if applicable, are eligible for a cash-in-lieu amount of $250/month. Contact Human Resources for more details

Dental Insurance:

• Choice of two Delta Dental plans; enrollment is mandatory
• City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Vision Insurance:

• Choice of two VSP plans
• City pays lowest cost employee only plan; additional cost is paid by employee
• Coverage is effective as early as the first day of the month after date of hire

Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA):

• City contributes $100 a month toward employee's VEBA account
• Account funds may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses after separation from the City and after age 50 (pre-tax)

Life Insurance:

• City pays for $15,000 of Basic Life Insurance coverage
• Coverage is effective the first of the month after one calendar month of employment
• Additional optional life insurance may be purchased for the employee, spouse, domestic partner, and/or dependent children

Deferred Compensation:

• Voluntary plan available through Nationwide Retirement Solutions
• Employee may contribute up to the lesser of the IRS maximum or 100% of gross compensation into a pre-tax 457(b) account or a post-tax Roth 457(b) account (or a combination of the two accounts) subject to IRS rules
• Additionally, the City contributes $150 a month toward employee's 457(b) account. This dollar amount will factor into the above mentioned IRS rules and limits

Flexible Spending Account (IRS Section 125 Plan):

• Employee may contribute up to $3,400 per year in pre-tax dollars to a health care spending account
• Employee may contribute up to $7,500 per year in pre-tax dollars to a dependent care spending account
• Employee may contribute up to $340 per month in pre-tax dollars to a commuter benefit plan

Vacation:

• Vacation is accrued bi-weekly, cannot use vacation during first 6 months of City service
  • For 1 - 9 years of service: 120 hours/calendar year
  • For 10 - 15 years of service: 160 hours/calendar year
  • For 16 - 20 years of service: 176 hours/calendar year
  • For 21+ years of service: 192 hours/calendar year
• Maximum vacation accrual is 400 hours
• Once per year, employees can elect to convert up to 90 hours of accrued vacation to cash to be paid out in up to two cash-outs the following calendar year

Sick Leave:

• Sick leave is accrued bi-weekly for equivalent of 96 hours/calendar year with no maximum accrual
• Up to 56 hours/ calendar year of accumulated sick leave may be used for family illness
• Up to 32 hours/calendar year of accumulated sick leave may be used as personal leave
• Employee may convert sick leave to vacation once per year (annual maximum conversion is 96 hours sick to 48 hours vacation)
• Partial sick leave payoff provision on retirement depending on years of service

Holiday Pay:

• 7.5% of base salary for Holiday Pay

Bilingual Pay:

• If the Chief of Police determines that a particular assignment involves need for bilingual skills on a regular basis, a certified bilingual employee is eligible for $45/bi-weekly or $90/bi-weekly for advanced certification (employees who have demonstrated both oral and written bilingual proficiency)

Additional Premium Pays:

• Various premiums including Night Shift Differential, Field Training Officer, Narcotics Task Force, Specialized Crimes Action Team, Special Response Team, Traffic Investigator, Explorer Coordinator, Public Information Officer, POST Intermediate Certificate, POST Advanced Certificate, Motorcycle Duty, Armorer, Crime Scene Investigator and Field Evidence Technician are available, depending upon shift, assignment and/or other requirements

Uniform Allowance:

• $600 per year (per MOU)

Tuition Reimbursement Program:

• Up to $2,000 per fiscal year for tuition reimbursement

Psychological Counseling:

• Confidential psychological counseling is available (Employee pays $10 for each visit. The uninsured costs of all visits are borne by the City)

Retiree Medical Reimbursement Program:

• Employees who retire from the City with at least ten (10) years of service shall receive reimbursement to help cover retiree single health insurance premiums. The reimbursement maximum includes the PEMHCA minimum.
• Up to age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $438/month in 2026 (amount adjusted annually)
• After age 65, retirees are eligible for reimbursement up to $262/month in 2026 (amount adjusted annually)

01


Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, omissions, stating "see resume" or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question completely and in your own words (without the use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools, including but not limited to Chat GPT, Microsoft AI, or any other AI tool), and that your responses can be verified from information included within your application?

• Yes
• No

02


Please indicate the highest level of education that you have attained from an accredited college or university.

• Master's Degree or higher
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associate's Degree
• At least 60 semester or 90 quarter units
• At least 30 semester or 45 quarter units
• High School Diploma or GED
• None

03


Do you possess at least two (2) years of full-time, paid, recent police experience with a sheriff's department, state police, highway patrol, or municipal police department?

• Yes
• No

04


Please explain how you meet both the education & experience requirements (do not write "see resume or personnel file").
05


Please select the best option:

• I possess a valid State of CA Driver's License.
• I do not possess a valid State of California Driver's License, but have the ability to obtain one by the time of appointment.
• I am unable to obtain a valid State of California Driver's License prior to time of appointment.

06


Are you able to demonstrate proficiency in a second language? If so, please indicate what language. If not applicable please indicate N/A.
07


Do you have military experience?

• Yes
• No

08


If you served on active military duty with the Armed Forces of the United States for at least 18 consecutive months or received a military discharge attributable to a service-connected injury or illness, you may qualify to have five (5) Veteran's Preference Points added to your final examination score. Applicants who have separated from active military service (Active Duty Status) must submit proof of honorable discharge (DD214) at time of application to qualify for Veteran's Preference Points.By selecting "Yes" below, you acknowledge your DD214 must be attached to your application to receive the Veteran's Preference Points. If you do not attach your DD214 at time of application, you will be ineligible to receive Veteran's Preference Points.

• Yes
• No

09


I confirm I have uploaded my proof of a valid Basic POST Certificate which is certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

• Yes
• No

10


Have you ever been De-Certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training or any other equivalent Peace Officer Commission in another state (SB 2)?

• Yes
• No

11


If you answered "Yes" to the previous question (question #9), please explain. If you answered "No" to the previous question, please write "N/A."
12


Have you been referred to this position by a City of Santa Clara Police Officer?

• Yes
• No

13


If you answered "Yes" to the previous question (question #11), please provide only one of the names of the Police Officer that referred you. If you answered "No" to the previous question, please write "N/A."
Required Question