Police Officer Trainee

Salary : $73,141.32 - $88,903.80 Annually

Location : Novato, CA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 2025-02

Department : Police

Opening Date : 01 / 21 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

Job Description

Come Join Our Team !

THE CITY OF NOVATO IS RECRUITING

POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE

Application Deadline : Open Until Filled

If you are interested in a career in law enforcement, this is an excellent opportunity to become a Police Officer Trainee with the Novato Police Department. As a trainee, you would be assigned to attend an upcoming P.O.S.T. certified Police Academy. During the six (6) month Academy program you would receive the training required for appointment to the position of Police Officer. Upon successful completion of the Academy you would typically be appointed as a Police Officer and begin serving an eighteen (18) month probation period with the City of Novato Police Department.

Positions shall be filled only as police officer vacancies exist or are contemplated due to pending resignations, candidates attend a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified Basic Police Academy, and successfully completes the Academy's course of study to acquire peace officer status in the State of California.

The classification is established for police officer trainee purposes only and assignments shall be for a duration of no longer than a 4-month period. Upon recommendation of the Chief of Police, a limited extension beyond the 4-month period may be authorized by the Human Resources Manager. This is a non-sworn position.

Incumbents are in a probationary status and do not qualify for regular status with the City until successful completion of an eighteen (18) month probationary period as a full-time sworn police officer.

Example of Duties

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and / or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Participates in and successfully completes a comprehensive training program at a P.O.S.T. certified Police Academy for a period of approximately 20 weeks.
• Acquires the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully as a Police Officer.
• Acquires the physical conditioning needed to meet the requirements of the Police Department.
• Following successful completion of the P.O.S.T. Academy, the trainee will be sworn in as a full Police Officer and be assigned to an approximately sixteen (16) week field training program.
• Trainees successfully completing the P.O.S.T. Academy program will be sworn in as Police Officer prior to beginning the field training program; trainees failing to meet the goals of the field training program will be terminated.
• Probationary Police Officer employees who have transferred from the police officer trainee class are eligible for their first merit review at the completion of a twelve (12) month period as a sworn police officer. Thereafter, merit reviews will occur annually based on the initial merit review date.

Typical Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and / or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience : None Required

Training : Equivalent to completion of twelfth grade

License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Additional Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

Ability to :

WORKING CONDITIONS :

Environmental Conditions :

Physical Conditions :

Essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for running, walking, crouching or crawling during emergency operations, walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, and operating assigned police equipment and vehicles.

THE CITY OF NOVATO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Employment Process :

Applicants are screened for relevant education, experience and / or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. Those persons most qualified may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral, performance and / or assessment center examinations. Candidates who successfully pass the examination process are placed on the eligibility list.

To apply for this position, please visit ovatojobs.org

ACCOMMODATIONS : Applicants with a disability who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing hr@novato.org upon submittal of application.

Benefit Package :

The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee based on the employee's bargaining unit to apply to health, life and long-term disability insurance. The dental program and life insurance policy are mandatory. Health, vision and disability options are available.

New employees will receive 40 hours of sick leave on their start date. Employees currently working for another agency (state, federal or local) will have their vacation rate adjusted to account for their years of service with that public agency.

Salary :

Starting salary is generally the first step of the range listed; however, advanced step appointments may be approved based upon qualifications when warranted. Subsequent salary increases within the range are scheduled yearly and may be granted based upon satisfactory service.

Leaves :

The City offers 13 paid holidays; 80 hours vacation after 1 year (graduates to 21 days for 20 years service); 12 days per year sick leave (unused leave applied to service credit at retirement).

Retirement :

The City of Novato participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). P.E.R.S. 2% at 62 and Safety 2.7% at 57. Classic members receive 2% at 55 and 3% at 50 for safety.

NOTE : State pension reform may change retirement benefits and contribution rate based on circumstances of the individual for those hired after January 1, 2013

In a few sentences, please tell us why you would like to work in law enforcement and why Novato interests you as a place of employment.

I understand that this position requires that I successfully complete and pass a pre-employment background, physical, fingerprinting (LiveScan), and drug screen.

I certify that all information provided on my application and supplemental questionnaire is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge; and I understand that all information is subject to verification; and that false or incomplete information will result in disqualification from the selection process or dismissal, if hired.

Required Question

Salary : $73,141 - $88,904