POLICE OFFICER

Salary : $89,082.96 - $111,376.08 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 01945
Department: Police
Opening Date: 04/10/2024
Closing Date: Continuous


Description


The City of Visalia Police Department is recruiting for Police Officer. Please review the recruitment announcements:


Police Officer (Academy Graduate)
Police Officer (Lateral Police Officer)

THE DEPARTMENT
The City of Visalia Police Department has been established to preserve the public peace, prevent crime, detect and arrest violators of the law, protect life and property, and enforce criminal laws of the State of California and ordinances of the City of Visalia.

Examples of Duties

THE POSITION
Under direction, Police Officers perform a variety of basic law enforcement activities to prevent crime, maintain law and order, and identify and apprehend suspects. The majority of positions in this class are assigned to the patrol division, with others assigned to investigations, community and youth services, and administration. All may be called upon at any time to respond to a major crime scene or other law enforcement priority outside their regular assignment. Performs related responsibilities as required.

Qualifications / Requirements

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Visalia Police Department is seeking experienced law enforcement officers with a minimum one year of experience and currently in active status as a sworn peace officer (Lateral), with a California POST Certification OR candidates that have completed or are currently enrolled in a California Basic Police Academy (Academy Graduate).
The ideal candidate will be an ethical, self-motivated professional with strong interpersonal and customer service skills. They will possess good listening and communication skills, work as a problem solver, demonstrate strong community involvement, and be committed to making the community a great place to live, work and play.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Any equivalent combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities would normally be obtained by:
ACADEMY GRADUATE

• Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent;
• Academy graduate or must be within 30 days of graduation from a California Basic P.O.S.T. Police Academy. Basic Academy certification elapses under the following circumstances:
  • Three years break in service as a California Peace Officer/Level I Reserve Officer;
  • Three years since Basic Academy graduation and employment as a California Peace Officer/Level I Reserve Officer has not occurred. (If this applies, a re-qualification course certificate is required.)
• Must be at least 21 years of age by time of appointment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license by time of appointment.

LATERAL

• Twelve months or more experience and active status as a sworn California Peace Officer;
• Possession of, or ability to, obtain a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.

PHYSICAL STANDARDS
Positions in this class lift and carry people and heavy objects, and are exposed to the weather.


Click the job title below to review the job description:Police Officer


SELECTION PROCESS Application and supplemental materials will be evaluated and applicants who appear to be most qualified will be invited to participate in a job related written examination and/or interview process.
Additional Information

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS The City of Visalia offers a competitive total compensation package that includes:
$7,424 - $9,281 Monthly
Longevity Pay for prior law enforcement experience up to 10% (2.5% @ 5, 10, 15, 20 years)
POST Certificate Pay
Specialty Assignment Pay
CalPERS retirement program
Longevity Pay
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
Onsite City Health and Wellness Clinic (no out of pocket expenses)
Paid Holidays, Vacation, Sick Leave and much more...

Review the Benefits tab for more information.

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW If work-life balance is important to you, consider living in a thriving community that offers the most affordable housing in California with a typical commute time of less than 20 minutes. With a population of over 146,000, Visalia offers small town charm with metropolitan amenities. Visalia has a world class health care system, our own Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, a flourishing arts community, a minor league baseball team, a downtown convention center, and numerous fine dining establishments.


As the Tulare County seat, Visalia is the principal retail center in the region, and home to several large industrial employers. Visalia has a vibrant downtown district, safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, institutions for higher learning, and low cost of living. The City has many community parks, organized team sports, a municipal golf course and private country club, a multi-sport family-oriented regional sports park, and numerous outdoor and recreational activities.


Located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley, Visalia offers easy access to the nearby mountains, national parks, lakes and rivers which provide year-round opportunities for sports and recreation within an hour or less. Visalia was ranked as the top Central Valley community and one of seven California cities in the top 25 of Gallup Sharecare's latest State of American Well Being Index. Our strong sense of community and social well-being keeps Visalians happy, healthy and moving forward. Come discover all Visalia has to offer!

The City of Visalia is an equal opportunity employer.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice. Please refer to the MOU for further information.

Employee Benefits & Employment Information

Bargaining Unit: Employees in this class are represented by the Visalia Police Officers Association (Group B bargaining unit). This bargaining unit may establish and collect dues for their members' independent from the City of Visalia. Those that elect to join may be required to pay dues per the provisions in the MOU.

Salary Policies: The salary range for the job is stated on the job announcement. Candidates are normally hired at the minimum of the salary range. Salary increases are given based upon employee work performance, up to a maximum of 5% per fiscal year.

Longevity Pay: Association members are eligible for longevity pay based on complete years of full-time service with the City of Visalia as a percentage of base wages at the following intervals: 2.5% at 5+ years, 10+ years, 15+ years, and 20+ years. Prior full-time law enforcement officer experience may be counted toward years of service in determining longevity pay.

Police Incentives: Assignments are available in specialized units, including Traffic Bureau, K-9, Investigations/Detectives, Youth Services/Juvenile Officer, SWAT, Field Training Program, Bomb Squad, Special Enforcement (Gang Detail/Narcotics), Range Master, and HOPE Team and offer incentives in the amount outlined in the Group Memorandum of Understanding. Employees shall not receive more than two specialty pays concurrently, regardless of number of categories for which they qualify.

Bilingual pay of $1,300.00 per year, pro-rated each pay period, is available to those who qualify.

Members of Group B are eligible for up to 5% for POST Certificate Pay: 3% for maintaining their Intermediate POST Certificate and an additional 2% for maintaining their Advanced POST Certificate.

Officers in patrol and other designated assignments are furnished with a take home car provided they reside within Visalia's urban boundaries.

Uniforms and Uniform Maintenance: Group "B" members receive an annual uniform allowance of $1,100 for the provision and maintenance of appropriate uniforms and equipment. They are responsible for acquiring, cleaning, and replacing uniforms as necessary. The uniform allowance is calculated and paid bi-weekly as part of regular payroll.

Stand-by pay allowance of $1,000 annually is provided for "on-call" availability with regard to court-related duties. Other On-Call/Call-Back/Standby Compensation is outlined in the MOU.

The Visalia Police Department currently operates under a hybrid model of either a 4/10 or a 3/12.5 shift schedule.

Holidays: Regular full-time City employees receive eleven (11) paid holidays. In lieu of the holidays, shift employees receive 4 hours of compensatory time off and 4 hours of regular pay in the pay period the holiday falls.

Vacation: Regular full-time employees earn 10 days per year. After 2 years, employees are eligible for 11 days; after 4 years, 14 days; after 9 years, 17 days; and after 16 years, 20 days of vacation per year. Employees are eligible for vacation usage after six (6) months of service. The waiting period is waived for employees hired as qualified lateral Police Officers. Employees hired from another governmental agency may be entitled to receive years-of-service credit for their vacation accrual rate for such previous employment and applies only to the government agency the employee was employed with immediately prior to employment with the City of Visalia.

Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees earn 96 hours of sick leave per year, accrued on a pay period basis. Employees are eligible for sick leave usage after three (3) months of service.

Annual Sick Leave Buy Back: For employees covered under the Sick Leave I provision of the policy, the City will automatically cash out all sick leave hours over 480 hours at 40% of the employee's base rate of pay.

Health Insurance: The City provides employee health insurance which includes medical, dental, and vision care. Employee contribution rates are determined by employee's bargaining unit and plan selected. Health benefits are also available for an employee's dependents for an additional contribution rate. Eligibility for health insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire. Contribution rates are reviewed for adjustment annually.

Life Insurance: The City pays the premium for a life insurance and accidental death or dismemberment policy of $30,000. A supplemental life insurance policy may be purchased and paid through payroll deduction. Eligibility for life insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire.

Retirement: The City of Visalia is a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Police Officers are covered under the public safety 2.7% @ 57 plan. (Employees with previous CalPERS qualifying service (Classic employees) may fall under the 3% @ 55 plan.) Each pay period, the employee pays an employee contribution at the CalPERS established rate. The City pays an employer contribution towards the retirement benefit and employees are responsible for contributing 3% of the employer contribution in addition to the required employee contribution.


Social Security/FICA: City employees are not subject to regular Social Security (FICA) deductions. However, Federal law requires that the Medicare portion of the FICA is deducted.

Section 125: The City offers a voluntary Section 125 program whereby tax-free contributions are put into a trust account and are available for withdrawal with documentation of an unreimbursed healthcare or dependent care expense (i.e. premium, dependent care, medical care).

Long Term Disability: Regular full-time City employees are eligible for disability insurance (up to 2/3 of their salary) in the event they are disabled for more than ninety (90) days. LTD premium cost is paid by the employee.

Worker's Compensation: Salary continuance is provided up to one year for Safety employees who sustain an occupational injury or contract occupational illnesses. Regular Worker's Compensation disability benefits are paid thereafter in accordance with Worker's Compensation laws.

Other Benefits: The City also offers additional benefits such as an employee assistance program (EAP), a pre-tax deferred compensation plan, education assistance up to $2,500 per fiscal year, as well as an Onsite City-sponsored clinic staffed by clinicians 6 days per week available to all full-time employees and covered dependents. Services include general medical care and health and wellness coaching. No deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses.

As a potential applicant, you are about to participate in a series of events collectively called the employment process. Because the goal of the employment process is to obtain the most qualified candidates to fill City positions, examinations are administered to qualified applicants. These examinations are conducted in a variety of ways (written, oral, practical, and/or performance), yet they share a common purpose - to test applicants based upon the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.

The employment process occurs in several stages which are described below:

Application: Perspective employees must submit a City of Visalia application and other documents required as outlined in the announcement by the closing time specified on the final filing date. Final filing dates and times are listed on the front of each announcement. Separate original applications must be submitted for each recruitment/position applied for.

Examination: Applicants will be evaluated and applicants who clearly appear to be more qualified in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be invited to take an examination or combination of examinations. Written, practical, oral, and/or performance examination scores, or a pre-determined combined examination score, will determine standing on the eligible list.

Exam Accommodations: If you are most qualified for the job, but need reasonable accommodations to take the exam, contact the Human Resources Division at least five (5) days prior to the exam. We want to work with you to design a fair and effective means by which you can demonstrate your ability to perform the essential functions of this job. Be prepared to furnish proof of the need for accommodation. Such proof should normally be a signed statement on letterhead by a professional who is qualified to make a diagnosis.

Eligible lists: Eligible lists contain names, in descending order of score, of applicants who have obtained passing scores. Eligible lists are maintained for no less than six (6) months and no more than one year unless otherwise determined by Human Resources. The City retains the authority to reestablish an eligible list for a specific job opening when deemed necessary. Separate eligible lists are established for each recruitment.

Selection: A departmental interview is conducted with the top candidates from the eligible list. The number of candidates interviewed depends on the number of vacancies.

Background Review: Depending on the position, prospective employees will be subject to clearing a background investigation which may include, but is not limited to, a reference check, credit check, criminal history review, social security verification, DMV record check, polygraph, and psychological evaluation.

Post Offer Medical Examination: Prior to starting work, all prospective employees are required to take a drug/alcohol screening administered by the City's medical provider and/or pass a medical examination. Candidates are cautioned not to quit or give notice to present employers until the medical examination has been completed and passed.

Probationary Period: Persons hired or promoted into the classification of Police Officer shall serve an eighteen (18) month probationary period. An employee may be terminated without recourse for any reason and at any time during the probationary period.

Immigration Law: Prior to employment, applicants will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, alien registration, or authorization to work in the United States at time of appointment, and complete an I-9 form. Failure to do so within three (3) days from date of hire may be cause for termination. Once hired, failure to maintain authorization to work in the United States may be cause for termination of employment.

Driver's License: Some City positions may require possession of a valid California Driver's License. Employees may also be required to submit a DMV printout with proof of automobile insurance as some positions may require the use of your vehicle on the job. Additionally, employees may be required to drive City vehicles or equipment.

Non-Smoking Policy: A non-smoking ordinance adopted by the City provides a smoke-free environment.

Drug-Free Workplace: The City is a drug-free workplace and has adopted a comprehensive substance abuse policy.

Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy: A zero-tolerance discrimination and anti-harassment policy adopted by the City provides employees and volunteers with a professional work environment in which they are not exposed to harassment and illegal discrimination of any kind.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
01


As an Adult, have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation? If yes, give dates and explanation. (Conviction does not automatically disqualify you)
02


Have you interviewed with the City of Visalia for this position within the past year? (If you have interviewed within 1 year, you are not eligible to reapply at this time)

• Yes
• No

03


Did you graduate from a California POST certified academy?

• Yes
• No

04


If you answered yes to question #3, Which Police Academy did you attend?
05


If you answered yes to question #3, on what date did you graduate?
06


Are you currently attending a Police Academy?

• Yes
• No

07


If you answered yes to question #6, which Police Academy are you currently attending?
08


If you answered yes to question #6, what is your expected graduation date?
09


This position requires you be at least 21 years of age by time of appointment. Do you meet this requirement?
10


Do you qualify as a lateral Police Officer with at least one year law enforcement experience in a California POST agency?

• Yes
• No

Required Question