Community Services Officer

Description Summary

Expectation of Job Duties

• Reviews and completes forms and paperwork on, and photographs each registrant; inputs data into software; forwards information onto appropriate agency; reviews files with and answers questions of each registrant.
• Conducts follow-up on registration requirements as needed.
• Runs background checks on registrants.
• Maintains data for police department and community use.

• Patrols City streets and facilities to provide security support; follows-up on complaints regarding abandoned vehicles; issues citations and arranges for the towing or other abatement of abandoned or illegally parked vehicles.
• Patrols apartment complexes owned by the Housing Authority in efforts to deter crime, including communicating with residents regarding on-going crime related problems, taking crime reports, and providing support to crime victims.
• Monitors and assists sworn officers in DUI checkpoints, controlling traffic, and crowd control as required.
• Assists sworn staff with investigations including evidence collection and searches at crime scenes.
• Transports patrol vehicles, radios, and other equipment for maintenance to appropriate destination.
• Performs required research in order to locate information for the police use, including gathering available information on possible drug houses, wanted and paroled persons, and property owners as necessary.
• Responds to traffic collisions and takes reports.
• Performs additional duties as needed in the absence of the Animal Control Officer and other assigned police support personnel.

• Assists in the formulation and development of a program of public information and education on the use of the Police Department facilities, programs, activities, and services by selecting, preparing, and distributing publicity releases through all available media; arranges information news releases and performs other related duties in the distribution of information.
• Receives inquiries and provides information to the public regarding a wide variety of crime prevention topics, including drafting and sending out new releases on related issues and successfully communicating with a variety of news media.
• Plans and promotes local community events related to crime prevention and safety, including determining appropriate events and taking appropriate measures to ensure successful implementation.
• Coordinates child safety seat checks to ensure proper installation and usage for interested parties.
• Prepares and assists with the development of various public announcements.

• Reviews, performs follow-up on, and supplies briefing information, collects x-rays, skeletal x-rays, and photos, collects DNA samples, makes copies of reports for the Department of Justice, writes clearances and ensures that dispatch clears MP or RJ cases, maintains files and logs on all missing persons and runaway juveniles; assists in monthly Department of Justice records audit pertaining to follow-up and information on missing persons and runaway juveniles.
• Performs follow-up on major crime reports.
• Assists the assigned unit as needed by running RAPS, DMV checks, CAD research, transcribing tapes and digital recordings, answering phones, entering information into the Record Management System, and picking up and delivering items pertaining to a case.
• Receives, logs, distributes, and replies to requests for information from the District Attorney’s office.
• Maintains, orders, and logs supplies needed for the assigned unit.

• Takes information from the public regarding thefts, accidents, lost and found property and other incidents that do not require the presence of a law enforcement officer at the scene; completes standard police reports for review by sworn officers.
• Performs required follow-up functions on crime reports, including booking found property, serving subpoenas, taking missing person, vehicle burglary, forgery, and vandalism reports, investigating fraud, performing assigned evidence work such as latent fingerprint dusting, and gathering fingerprints as needed.
• Assists in fingerprinting and searching suspects as required.
• Provides comprehensive staff support to the Police Department on a wide variety of programs, projects, and services.
• Provides initial non-emergency contact with the public and representatives of other agencies requesting police records or related services at a public counter or over the telephone; determines the nature of the contact; provides factual information regarding services, policies and procedures or directs the caller to the proper individual or agency.
• Provides applications for a variety of permits and licenses to the public; explains policies and procedures and processes completed forms.
• Maintains accurate departmental and law enforcement records and files; researches and compiles information from such files.
• Interprets Federal, State and local legislation, policies, laws, codes and regulations; research, analyze and coordinate their application to the City’s operations.
• Prepares and processes a variety of reports and records using a word processor and/or other report writing systems/databases and, following established formats, distributes to the proper individual or agency, files reports, and maintains automated or manual logs of departmental actions.
• May process warrants and subpoenas, confirming information provided; distributes them to sworn personnel; maintains status and disposition records and notifies appropriate agencies as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Basic functions, principles and practices of law enforcement agencies including crime scene investigations and evidence retention practices and regulations.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, policies and statutes.
• Legislative activities of Federal, State and local governments.
• Activities and programs of the City's Police Department.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to functional areas.
• Principles and techniques used in the conduct of an effective public information and publicity program for a City or large public agency.
• Principles, practices and procedures related to media relations, reporting, and news writing.
• Principles and practices of records management.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for correspondence and reports.
• Business arithmetic.
• Modern office practices, methods and computer equipment.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively dealing with and solving the problems presented by a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, educational, regulatory and legislative organizations.

• Analyze, interpret, summarize and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.
• Interpret, apply and explain complex laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
• Analyze situations and identify pertinent problems/issues; collect relevant information; evaluate realistic options; and recommend/implement appropriate course of action.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.

• Perform technical, detailed and responsible office support work.
• Operate radio communication equipment.
• Compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions.
• Compile and summarize information to prepare clear and accurate reports.
• Use sound, independent judgment within legal, policy and procedural guidelines.
• If applicable, plan, organize, and coordinate a variety of public information, media and legislative related activities and programs.
• If applicable, develop effective public and community outreach strategies and campaigns; work effectively with diverse groups; listen to and discuss problems and complaints tactfully.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Requirements

• One (1) year of related administrative support experience and
• One (1) year of experience working with the public.
• Two (2) years of college-level coursework and/or volunteer law enforcement experience is desirable.

• Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.
• Successful completion of a P.O.S.T. - certified PC 832 Arrest Course within one (1) year of hire.

No other information will be accepted and resumes, cover letters or additional materials WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Important Note: Please make sure it is absolutely clear in your application exactly how you meet the minimum qualifications/requirements listed above. Applications that do not appear to meet the minimum qualifications will not move forward in the recruitment process.

City of Eureka's Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging

We envision an inclusive community where everyone’s fundamental needs are met, where our employees respect and celebrate all walks of life, where everyone can grow and thrive, as we work with integrity for the good of Eureka. Our mission is to meet the needs of Eureka residents, businesses and visitors by providing services and making decisions that are socially, fiscally and environmentally responsible, creating a workplace that values growth, inclusion and empathy for
all.

Disaster Service Worker

All City of Eureka employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local 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 Disaster Service Worker related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

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The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin
may be modified or revoked. The City of Eureka is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis
of handicap status in the admission, access to, treatment, or employment for its programs, or activities, whether funded by
the City or by grants. Women, persons with disabilities, and minorities are encouraged to apply. In accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate people with special physical or mental requirements. If you have special needs, please call (707) 441-4124 prior to the examination date. When indicating you have a special need, one of the following definitions will apply to you. A disabled person is anyone who: (1) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities: i.e., walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, working or learning; or (2) has a record of such impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment.