Part-Time Police Cadet

The purpose of positions in this classification is to perform a wide variety of routine law enforcement support duties as part of a Police Cadet program.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Irvine Police Department Cadet Program seeks an individual that possesses a strong desire for a career in law enforcement. In accordance with well-defined policies and procedures, Police Cadets will receive first-hand experience and knowledge in all areas of the police department to include, but not limited to, Patrol, Investigations, the Business Desk, Community Services Officer, Parking Enforcement, the Great Park, Dispatch, Mental Health, Crime Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation and Crime Prevention. This is a position that will offer flexible scheduling to accommodate college course work attendance. It is a transitional program designed to mentor and develop individuals to accomplish their goal for a full-time position with the Irvine Police Department. Incumbents assume greater responsibilities and work with increasing independence as knowledge and experience are gained. Individuals may remain in this position for a maximum of 4 years.

Individuals employed as Police Cadets must be between the ages of 18 and 23 at the time of hire and be enrolled in an accredited two-year or four-year college/university within six (6) months of hire. To remain employed as a Police Cadet, the individual must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester units (or equivalent) and remain in good standing with an accredited college. Though the Police Cadet position is intended for current college students, an incumbent may continue to be employed in this position for up to 12 months after graduation from college.

All applicants must be able to pass the Public Safety background check process.

Certain City operational budgets may not include funding for mandated CalPERS employer contributions; therefore, a qualified candidate who is a current member of CalPERS may be restricted from temporary/part-time employment with the City of Irvine.

The following duties are normal for this classification. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Each position may be assigned duties from the following list; however, it is unlikely he/she will be responsible for all of these duties at any one time.

• Learns, understands and applies applicable laws, ordinances, policies and procedures.

• Provides technical assistance to the public at the front desk and over the telephone; evaluates and processes disturbance calls, complaints, and requests for police services; gathers information, records complaints, and prepares routine crime reports; directs callers to other departmental personnel or other agencies as appropriate. Fingerprints citizens and new employees as needed.

• Prepares and processes a variety of reports, forms, citations, applications, and permits; types, compiles, and tabulates basic statistical and financial data; tracks status of cases and warrants; maintains related files and records.

• Prepares and issues parking citations to vehicles parked illegally; arranges for the towing and storage or impound of abandoned vehicles, illegally parked vehicles, vehicles with expired licenses, or vehicles in violation of other related laws and ordinances.

• Directs and controls traffic during special events and peak traffic conditions.

• Receives emergency and non-emergency telephone calls from the public for police, fire, or other services; communicates with callers to determine the nature of the call and provide appropriate assistance; maintains composure to ensure that complete and accurate information is transmitted to public safety and medical personnel.

• Receives, classifies, indexes and stores property and evidence seized and recovered by police personnel, including money, firearms, narcotics, stolen property, and hazardous materials.

• Assists with field investigations of crime scenes; protects crime scenes from contamination; takes photographs, and collects other related property and evidence; examines and processes evidence on scene and at the Police Department.

• Transports police vehicles to City Yard for service.

• Assists sworn and civilian personnel with essential non-emergency tasks.

• Coordinates public education, safety and prevention programs related to assigned responsibilities. Performs crossing guard duties as needed.

• Compiles crime statistics and data to identify trends, methods of operation and suspects.

• May assist with records management and matron duties.

• Maintains knowledge of National, State and local laws, as well as department policies and procedures.

Graduation from high school and enrollment in an accredited two-year or four-year college/university, within six (6) months of employment, in a field applicable to law enforcement or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. To remain employed as a Police Cadet, the individual must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester units (or equivalent) and remain in good standing with an accredited college.

Requires a valid California drivers' license.

Depending on assignment, may be required to obtain certification in first aid and CPR.


Knowledge/Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

• Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort data, as well as assemble, copy, record and transcribe data. Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data.

• Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.

• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as technical operating manuals, statutes, ordinances, crime reports, criminal complaints, warrant information, investigative reports, staff reports, citations, traffic accident reports, Division Orders Manual, penal and vehicle codes, maps, schedules, health and safety code, procedures, guidelines, a variety of reports and non-routine correspondence.

• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with victims/witnesses, suspects, business owners/operators, attorneys, other city staff, vendors, representatives from other law enforcement agencies, and the general public.

• Ability to use functional reasoning in performing diversified work activities involving some choice of action.

• Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against measurable criteria.

• Knowledge of techniques for effective customer service and communication with the public, law enforcement personnel, suspects, victims and other entities in sometimes stressful situations.

• Knowledge of the purpose and functions of municipal law enforcement agencies, their operations, and the principles under which they operate.

• Some knowledge of national, state and local laws, City ordinances and department policies and procedures.

• Specialized knowledge related to the area of assignment may be required.

• Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.

• Ability to operate equipment and machinery, some requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as the city vehicles, parking control truck, computer keyboard/terminal, tape recorders, inked fingerprint equipment, police communication devices, photocopier, fax machine, camera, calculator and telephone.

• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing slightly skilled movements such as computer keyboard use.

• Ability to exert moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.

• Ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sounds, tastes, odors, textures etc., associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.

• Ability to work under mildly safe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations, odors, violence, noise, vibrations, wetness, disease and/or dust may cause discomfort and where there is a risk of injury, requiring moderate recovery time.

The City
Irvine is recognized as one of America's Best Places to Live, according to Money Magazine. The City of Irvine has the distinction of being one of the safest cities in the United States with a population of more than 100,000, based upon FBI statistics on violent crime.

Your Team
The Public Safety Department is a full-service public safety agency that provides several special program areas including Emergency Management, Crime Prevention, DARE, School Resource Officer, K-9s, Traffic Enforcement, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, General Investigation, Crime Scene Investigation, Special Investigation (vice & narcotics), and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).

The Process
The selection process will include an interview and will involve a background investigation prior to appointment. This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.