Police Officer Trainee

The City is seeking candidates for Police Office Trainee who will be sponsored for the 26-week law enforcement academy.  

*We are now offering the PELLETB exam for our applicants.  Next testing date is October 29, 2024; instructions will be provided to applicants who are accepted to move forward in the process.*

The Police Officer Trainee position is an outstanding opportunity for individuals with a desire to begin a career in law enforcement.  The Police Officer Trainee is an entry-level, non-sworn training position in the Police Department.  Incumbents are assigned to the Basic Peace Officer Academy and must satisfactorily pass all of the requirements that lead to the possession of the Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy Certificate before becoming candidates for the sworn position of Police Officer.  Police Officer Trainees are provided with medical, dental, and vision benefits while attending the academy.  Assignment to Police Officer Trainee is temporary.

Ideal Candidate for Police Officer Trainee:

• Ability to learn operating procedures of a public safety department
• Ability to learn various federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations; principles of crime prevention and suppression
• Demonstrates a high level of ethical behavior
• Great interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with other City Departments, outside agencies, and members of the public
•  Ability to act quickly and calmly in emergency conditions and situations
• Strong attention to detail to remember names, faces and information about incidents
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent leadership skills; values teamwork
• Ability to operate a police vehicle, firearms, and other law enforcement equipment
• Demonstrates an understanding of community-oriented policing and problem-solving strategies
• Adaptive, flexible and tolerant of the continued evolution of policing 
• Is culturally competent and accepting of diverse ideas, thoughts and suggestions  

For more information on the academy visit: Basic Academy | Contra Costa Sheriff, CA (cocosheriff.org) 

About the Police Department
The protection of life and property is the Police Department's highest priority. The Operations Bureau is responsible for the management of the Patrol Division and the Traffic Unit. The Patrol Division represents the largest component of the Police Department. The Support Services Bureau is responsible for the management of the Investigations Division, Property/Evidence Division, Code Enforcement Division, Records Division, School Resource Officer Program, and the Gang/Vice Team. The Support Services Bureau also provides in-service training and certified courses to ensure compliance with Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and applicable educational mandates for all sworn and civilian police personnel.
 The City of Pittsburg is a full-service city following the council-manager form of government. The City has approximately 320 full time employees and at times, up to 350 employees total (depending on the season).  Pittsburg is currently organized into the following departments: City Management, Community and Economic Development (Building, Economic Development, Code Enforcement, and Planning), Community Services (Housing Authority, Pittsburg Power Company, and the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency, CDBG/Housing Rehabilitation, Environmental Services, Waterfront Administration, and Property Management), Recreation, Human Resources, Finance, Police, and Public Works (Engineering, Operations/Maintenance, Utilities, Facilities, Parks, and Water Treatment). Fire Protection services are provided by the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Department. Pittsburg’s total budget for FY 22/23 is $225.9 million and a General Fund budget of $51.3 million.
 
Incentives for Police Officers include:
*Holiday Pay: 5.5% in lieu of holidays
*Shift Differential: 2% or 4.5% depending on shift
*Call out Pay: 4 hours minimum OT
*POST Certificate: 2.5% for Intermediate or 5% for Advanced
*Educational Degree: 2.5% for Bachelors
*Bilingual Pay: 5%
*Special Assignment Pay up to 5%

 Benefits include:
*Uniform Allowance: $1000 per year 
* $4,500 Tuition Reimbursement per year
* Vacation Buyback program
*Retirement Health Saving Plan
*96% to 100% of Medical, Vision, and Dental premium paid by employer
 
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
In addition to attending the Police Academy to gain training and proficiency in law enforcement terminology, concepts, and techniques, and to gain the requisite knowledge to be eligible to perform the duties of a sworn peace officer, candidates may perform the following duties as assigned:
 

• Ride with officers to observe and learn peace officer responsibilities and techniques.
• Operate police information equipment, including computer systems, teletypes and telephones to enter and research information at the direction of an Officer or police civilian.
• Assist in processing, packaging, labeling, storing and destroying property and evidence; may provide assistance with photocopies, files, indexes and locating police records and related paperwork.
• Perform errands for the department such as transporting information and paperwork to court and district attorney offices; perform related duties as assigned.
• Represent the City with dignity, integrity, and the spirit of cooperation in all relations with staff and the public. 
• Foster an environment that embraces integrity, service, inclusion and collaboration.
• Be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Oral and written communication skills; business English including vocabulary, spelling, and correct grammatical usage and punctuation.
• Effective communication and public speaking.
• Effective problem-solving techniques.
• Basic law enforcement concepts.
• Basic computer operating systems and software applications related to the work.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment including relevant software programs.
• Safe work practices.
• Principles and practices of excellent customer service.

 
Ability to:

• Successfully complete the P.O.S.T. Basic Police Academy.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Learn, understand and interpret laws and regulations.
• Learn to implement and enforce laws, policies, regulations, guidelines and orders concerning the protection of life, property and the maintenance of law, order and peace.
• Observe and accurately recall names, faces, numbers, incidents and places.
• Think and act quickly in emergency situations.
• Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Exercise sound judgment, often under pressure.
• Understand and carry out written and oral directions.
• Write at a fast rate of speed to prepare accurate and factual written reports.
• Perform basic math computations.
• Safely operate motor vehicles.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, supervisors, public officials and representative of other agencies.
• Utilize computers and computer software, as required.
• Learn to meet the minimum standards of use with department-issued or approved lethal and non-lethal weapons.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions and prioritize workload to meet deadlines. 
• Read, write and comprehend the English language at a level necessary for effective job performance exercising correct English usage, vocabulary, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Communicate effectively, tactfully and positively in both oral and written form.
• Operate and use modern office equipment and technology, including computers and applicable software.
• Maintain regular attendance and adhere to prescribed work schedule to conduct job responsibilities. 
• Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.   
• Contribute effectively to the accomplishments of City goals, objectives and activities.

 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the best qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
 
Education and Experience:
There are two tracks to meet the minimum requirements for this job classification.
 
Entry Level: A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skill and ability required for this position would be: Equivalent to graduation from high school and any full or part-time work experience of a length to demonstrate good work habits. Experience working in a police environment and completion of college-level course work related to law enforcement is preferred.  
 
Academy Attendee: In addition to the Entry Level requirements, current enrollment in, and attendance at, a California POST Basic Police Academy is required at time of application.
 
Special Requirements:
Possession at the time of hire and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license is required. 
 
Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
 
Vision/Hearing: 20/80 vision in each eye without corrective lens, or visual acuity separately correctable to 20/40 or better. Applicants' distant binocular acuity must be at least 20/80 in both eyes with or without corrective lenses.   Must have normal color vision and normal hearing acuity.
 
License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license and proof of auto liability insurance is required.
 
Background Investigation: Satisfactory completion of a thorough background investigation.   Must have not been convicted for a crime which could have resulted in state or federal imprisonment. 
 
Pre-Employment Testing: Successful completion of drug screen, medical, psychological, and polygraph examinations.
  
POST Examination: Applicants must possess or acquire a P.O.S.T. T-score of 44 or higher issued within the last twelve (12) months.
 
Working Conditions:
Incumbents in this classification are required to work rotating shifts and assignments, and may be assigned to work overtime with little or no notice. Due to the varied and unpredictable nature of police work, incumbents may also be required to perform the following:
 
Measure distances using calibrated instruments such as when investigating traffic accidents or processing crime scenes; make precise arm-hand positioning movements and maintain static arm-hand position such as when sighting and shooting a firearm; direct traffic which requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand movements; use sufficient strength to enable the incumbent to sprint, jump, or physically overcome resistance when chasing or apprehending suspects; coordinate the movement of more than one limb simultaneously such as when using a hand radio while driving a vehicle or searching a building with firearm drawn, flashlight on and opening and closing doors; bend or stoop repeatedly and continuously over time such as getting in and out of a patrol car or gathering evidence at crime scenes; patrol officers wear a 15 pound utility/gun belt which requires the continuous support from stomach and lower back muscles; a patrol officer typically spends 7 - 8 hours per day driving a vehicle which requires the continuous support of lower back muscles; climbing ladders and searching rooftops requires lifting arms above shoulder level and working at heights greater than ten feet; searching for suspects or lost persons may require walking over rough, uneven, slippery or rocky surfaces including fields, parks, hillsides and creeks; an officer is required to listen for alarms, screams, breaking glass or other suspicious and unusual noises that may require investigation; move heavy objects such as equipment (50 pounds and more), and lift and carry injured or intoxicated persons short and long distances; work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements; tolerate very hot and very cold temperatures; sit for extended periods of time and may or may not be able to change positions such as when sitting in a patrol vehicle, or performing surveillance; foot beat and search activities require walking for extended periods of time, unable to stop, sit or rest at will; crowd and traffic control duties require standing for extended periods of time, unable to sit or rest at will.1. Application process: Applicants must complete an online employment application which includes a supplemental questionnaire at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pittsburg. Employment applications will be disqualified if a resume is submitted in lieu of completing the application or if sections of the applications are left blank that relate to the minimum qualifications of the job such as education and work history. Applications will be evaluated to determine if it meets the minimum qualifications of the job. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase in the process. All communication regarding your application status will be sent via email only.

2. Testing process (Weighted 100%): The selection process consists of screening employment applications, supplemental questionnaire, and P.O.S.T. Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB). The names of the applicants who pass the interview are placed on an employment list from which appointments for the position of Police Officer Trainee are made.  The City reserves the right to utilize alternate testing methods if deemed necessary.  

Additional requirements include the successful completion of a thorough background investigation, medical, psychological, and polygraph examination. Successful candidates will attend the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Law Enforcement Training Center in Pittsburg, CA. For more information on the academy visit: Basic Academy | Contra Costa Sheriff, CA (cocosheriff.org)

IMPORTANT:
Candidates that possess the minimum qualifications will advance in the recruitment process. For the written examination, candidates have two options for testing – participate in the POST PELLETB with the City of Pittsburg or submit a valid, passing, PELLETB score dated within the last 12 months prior to the date of application.

P.O.S.T. Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB): Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications, and do not provide PELLETB scores with their application, will be invited to participate in the PELLETB. The PELLETB is a multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank written examination designed to measure writing ability.  The City of Pittsburg will administer this examination with no charge to their applicants. Candidates MAY NOT retake the PELLETB within 30 days of previously taking the examination.
 
Applicants are given two (2) hours to complete the PELLETB. For a preparation guide please visit:  https://post.ca.gov/portals/0/post_docs/publications/poWrittenPracticeTest.pdfIf you want to schedule an alternate date for the exam, you may schedule with Pre-Employment Testing and Training - The Academy 

For applicants who already completed a PELLETB exam, please submit a P.O.S.T. T-score of 44 or higher (issued within the last twelve (12) months) from the application submittal date. The T-score may be attached to the online employment application or faxed to Human Resources.

Salary : $1,000