What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Officer - Lateral position at City of Santa Barbara, CA?
Salary : $102,772.02 - $124,920.12 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type : Full-time Classified
Job Number : 2025-xxx-2400-PD-EU
Department : Police
Opening Date : 01 / 29 / 2024
Closing Date : Continuous
DESCRIPTION
The City of Santa Barbara is excited to announce that it is currently accepting applications for Police Officer positions within the Police Department.
ABOUT US
At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive.
The mission of the Police Department is to operate under a community-oriented policing philosophy, create and maintain a safe community where people can live in peace without the fear of crime. Work in a department where character counts, performance and excellence are celebrated, a place that helps employees develop and grow, and an environment that listens, learns, invites and inspires new ideas.
THE POSITION
Under general supervision, performs law enforcement & crime prevention work for the protection of life & property; patrols assigned area in police car, on motorcycle or on foot, enforcing federal, state & municipal laws & ordinances; issues warnings & citations for violations; responds to a variety of calls for public service; maintains constant radio contact with communications center; conducts preliminary investigations; testifies in court; apprehends, arrests & books suspects; & does other work as required.
SPECIAL PAY :
Officers may qualify for a variety of special pays in addition to the salary listed above including : bilingual pay, educational pay for Intermediate & Advanced Post Certificates, & bonus pay for special assignments such as Detective, Investigator, Canine Handler, F.T.O., DARE, Beat Coordinator, D.D.T., Community Relations, Training Officer, Traffic, School Resource Officer & a variety of grant funded assignments.
Candidates may be eligible for additional pay depending on qualifications and specialty. Please see the Benefits tab for more information.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Eligibility : To be eligible as a Police Officer-Lateral candidate, applicant must have passed a P.O.S.T. approved Academy & possess a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate, or for out-of-state applicants completion of the "Basic Course Waiver Process" administered by P.O.S.T., by the time of appointment.
Knowledge of : Oral & written communication skills required for report writing, verbal explanations of the law & court testimony; Basic Peace Officer Standards of Conduct & public relations.
Skill in : Using & maintaining firearms & police-related equipment.
Ability to : Think & act quickly in emergency situations, assess the situation accurately & apply police training & proper conduct in stressful situations; make accurate observations, document & communicate details, & recognize hazards, potential hazards, & crime problems; understand & follow written & oral directions & established police procedures; deal tactfully & effectively with members of the community & explain laws, rules & regulations; accurately communicate details of a situation in courtroom testimony; learn procedures & techniques involved in specialized police work such as crime scene investigations, traffic investigations & detective work; learn & enforce the applicable Federal, State & Municipal codes & Motor Vehicle Codes, including laws of arrest, search & seizure. Ability to speak Spanish is highly desirable.
License Requirement : Applicant must possess a valid California Driver's License at time of appointment. Traffic positions may require possession or acquisition of a Class "M" California Driver's License to operate motorcycles.
Age : Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
Physical : Weight proportionate to height, normal hearing & color vision; at least 20 / 100 vision, correctable to 20 / 25 (20 / 200 correctable to 20 / 25 with soft contact lenses); excellent health. Must also meet physical & psychological standards required to perform Police Officer duties.
SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
The selection process may consist of the following :
- Oral Exam
- Physical Agility Exam (Pass / Fail)
- Background Investigation
- Polygraph
- Psychological Evaluation
- Medical Examination and Controlled Substances Screening
Candidates must successfully complete each phase of the selection process in order to be scheduled for subsequent phases.
You will receive an email notification prior to the testing date to confirm your attendance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Communication regarding your application and / or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
APPLICATIONS, WITH THE ATTACHED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM SIGNED, ARE ACCEPTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS. YOU MUST ALSO SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR P.O.S.T. BASIC CERTIFICATE. NOTE : APPLICATIONS MAY BE REJECTED IF INCOMPLETE.
The City of Santa Barbara is an Equal Opportunity Employer - and we encourage all persons to apply.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES , through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining :
Note : Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.
Sworn employees - PERS Police Safety Formula : " Classic " members : 3% @ 50; employee contributes 9% of salary. " New " members : 2.7% @ 57; employee contributes 14.50% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.
Sworn : $75,000
Please indicate which of these options applies to you. If NONE of these options apply to you, you are not eligible for consideration as a Police Officer - Lateral applicant and you must apply at the Police Officer - Entry or the Police Officer - Lateral openings : If you would like to discuss these application options, please call the Human Resources Office at 805.564.5316.
I have attached required certificates to my application. It is requirement of this application process to submit documentation demonstrating your completion and status of P.O.S.T. required certificates. You can complete this requirement by attaching a scanned copy of the certificates. Please certify these attachments have been posted to your application. If you need assistance with this matter, please call HR at 805.564.5316.
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
POTENTIAL REASONS FOR REJECTION :
I understand that as part of the qualifying process for Police Officer, I will have a polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, a physical examination including controlled substances screening, and a thorough background investigation. I will also be required to complete a detailed personal history statement. Any falsification of information or failure to meet the standards listed above will result in my disqualification.
Were you referred to this position by a City of Santa Barbara Employee?
If you answered "yes" to #5 above, please enter the name of the employee.
Required Question
Salary : $863 - $1,238