What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Services Officer position at City of Selma?
Thank you for your interest in our Community Services Officer (Part-time) position.
The City of Selma is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of nearly 25,000 and is situated in the heart of California’s Central Valley. The City provides a full-range of services to our citizens. We are building Selma into a place of Prosperity, Unity and Strength.
To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application.
Only the most qualified applicants, who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process. This process could include a written test and/or performance exam, a panel interview, and an interview with the department head.
Panel interviews have tentatively been scheduled on MARCH 20, 2025 and Department Head interviews have been tentatively scheduled on APRIL 1, 2025. The assessment process / assessment dates are subject to change as needs dictate.
For planning/scheduling purposes, please make note of the above dates. Additional details regarding the interview phase will be sent via email to qualified applicants after the recruitment closes and our screening process is completed.
We look forward to the opportunity to consider you for a position with our department.
A. PURPOSE:
Under general supervision, performs assignments involving responsible public contact work in crime prevention and the delivery of non-emergency police services, and performs related duties as required.
B. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is an entry level class performing a variety of community and crime prevention Police activities which do not require the authority of a sworn officer. Community Services Officers may be part of a team with a sworn officer and assist in many police related functions. The position does not have authority to make arrests or issue tickets. Community Services Officers normally are found in assignments such as: community affairs; dispatch; assisting officers; court liaison; juvenile crime and drug prevention programs; clerical assistance; processing property and evidence; preparing and processing crime reports; working with the public at the front window and counter.
C. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(1) Assists in the protection of the life and property of the general public; (2) performs low risk investigative duties related to the commission of crimes against property and persons; (3) completes police reports involving crimes, traffic accidents, civil procedures and miscellaneous, non-emergency incidents where Police Department action is required or requested; (4) maintains records of daily work activities; (5) handles vehicle parking control and issues citations for violation of parking laws and ordinances; (6) handles abandoned vehicle enforcement; (7) solicits community participation, support and input in determining crime prevention needs; (8) presents information to citizen groups, businesses and homeowners on crime prevention programs; (9) instructs citizenry on proper methods of marking property and valuables for identification; (10) conducts home and business security checks to identify security problems; (11) recommends security devices and other protective measures; (12) assists police officers with non-enforcement duties; (13) writes routine police reports and appears in court when necessary; (14) performs general clerical work, inputs data into the computer and operates office machines and police radio; (15) may direct and control crowds and traffic at accident scenes or special events; (16) performs vehicle checks to determine if vehicle equipment violations have been corrected; and (17) receives and responds to citizen inquiries and gives general assistance or directions as appropriate.
D. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. General and Specialized Job Knowledge and Abilities:
(a) General Knowledge of: English grammar, spelling and syntax; basic math; spelling.
(b) Specialized Knowledge of: City, state and federal laws and regulations and ordinances; law enforcement report writing; broadcast procedures of a police radio system. (Some positions may require the ability to read, write and speak Spanish.)
(c) Ability to: Meet and deal courteously with the public; acquire a working knowledge of various city ordinances and criminal and vehicle codes; write clear, accurate and concise police reports; explain laws and regulations to with the public; communicate both orally and in writing; instruct the public on crime prevention and home and business security methods; understand and comply with written and oral instructions; work both under supervision and independently; gather data and perform basic statistical analysis; interpret and apply department policies and procedures.
2. Resources, Including Money, Equipment, Materials and Records: Police records and reports; confidential records; criminal evidence; property; patrol vehicle; police radio; and office equipment.
3. Solving Problems: Filing complete and accurate reports; determining when to issue a parking ticket, or have vehicle towed; submitting weapons and narcotics correctly for forensics use; answering questions properly and keep the City from liability; counseling teenagers; responding to a crime scene before an officer arrives; when to step into family and child custody problems; how to work with and assist in the control of gangs and gang related problems; determining who to send to an emergency when there are insufficient numbers of officers; maintaining control in tense and difficult situations; and maintaining respect for the uniform.
4. Performance of Others: Other team members; other officers when dispatching, assisting rookies and P.O.S.T. interns.
5. Relations with:
(a) Internal Relations with: Other officers; Police Sergeant; Police Commander; Chief of Police; other City employees; members of the City Council.
(b) External Relations with: General public; other police and law enforcement agencies; child and adult protective services; fire departments; hospitals; parole officers; attorneys; court personnel.
6. Communications:
(a) Oral: Instructions; radio dispatch; communication with other officers.
(b) Written: Instructions; memos; reports; criminal records.
(c) Visual: Traffic situations; illegal parking; crime scenes; traffic accidents; injuries; weapons discharge; hand signals of fellow officers.
(d) Auditory: Traffic noises; movements of suspects in hiding; radio dispatch; communication with partner and other officers; sirens and horns.
7. Safety:
(a) Hazardous conditions: Depending upon assignment, conditions may be minimal when working in the office to hazardous when accompanying an officer, answering police calls, entering burning buildings, assisting at accident scenes and controlling traffic.
(b) Frequency: From few to many times each shift.
(c) Consequence: From minor injury and abrasions up to and including death.
8. Tolerance of Job Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. From controlled conditions in an office environment to heat and cold; dampness; loud noises; violence; smells; toxic chemicals; long hours.
9. Physical Aptitude:
(a) Moderate degree of hand/eye coordination and physical strength and conditioning.
(b) Minor to heavy lifting and strength required in assisting officers.
10. Application of Mental and Physical Effort: Requires moderate to high levels of concentration for extended periods of time and the ability to analyze and interpret data and situations; utilize strength and agility.
E. PREREQUISITES:
1. Education and Experience: Any combination equivalent to graduation from high school and one (1) year experience in a clerical or similar position; college credits in criminal justice system highly desirable.
2. Licenses, Registrations, Accreditation, etc.: Possession of a valid Class C California Motor Vehicle Operators License; standard CPR and First Aid Certificates issued by the American Red Cross.
The City of Selma is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of nearly 25,000 and is situated in the heart of California’s Central Valley. The City provides a full-range of services to our citizens. We are building Selma into a place of Prosperity, Unity and Strength.
To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application.
Only the most qualified applicants, who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process. This process could include a written test and/or performance exam, a panel interview, and an interview with the department head.
Panel interviews have tentatively been scheduled on MARCH 20, 2025 and Department Head interviews have been tentatively scheduled on APRIL 1, 2025. The assessment process / assessment dates are subject to change as needs dictate.
For planning/scheduling purposes, please make note of the above dates. Additional details regarding the interview phase will be sent via email to qualified applicants after the recruitment closes and our screening process is completed.
We look forward to the opportunity to consider you for a position with our department.
A. PURPOSE:
Under general supervision, performs assignments involving responsible public contact work in crime prevention and the delivery of non-emergency police services, and performs related duties as required.
B. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is an entry level class performing a variety of community and crime prevention Police activities which do not require the authority of a sworn officer. Community Services Officers may be part of a team with a sworn officer and assist in many police related functions. The position does not have authority to make arrests or issue tickets. Community Services Officers normally are found in assignments such as: community affairs; dispatch; assisting officers; court liaison; juvenile crime and drug prevention programs; clerical assistance; processing property and evidence; preparing and processing crime reports; working with the public at the front window and counter.
C. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(1) Assists in the protection of the life and property of the general public; (2) performs low risk investigative duties related to the commission of crimes against property and persons; (3) completes police reports involving crimes, traffic accidents, civil procedures and miscellaneous, non-emergency incidents where Police Department action is required or requested; (4) maintains records of daily work activities; (5) handles vehicle parking control and issues citations for violation of parking laws and ordinances; (6) handles abandoned vehicle enforcement; (7) solicits community participation, support and input in determining crime prevention needs; (8) presents information to citizen groups, businesses and homeowners on crime prevention programs; (9) instructs citizenry on proper methods of marking property and valuables for identification; (10) conducts home and business security checks to identify security problems; (11) recommends security devices and other protective measures; (12) assists police officers with non-enforcement duties; (13) writes routine police reports and appears in court when necessary; (14) performs general clerical work, inputs data into the computer and operates office machines and police radio; (15) may direct and control crowds and traffic at accident scenes or special events; (16) performs vehicle checks to determine if vehicle equipment violations have been corrected; and (17) receives and responds to citizen inquiries and gives general assistance or directions as appropriate.
D. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
1. General and Specialized Job Knowledge and Abilities:
(a) General Knowledge of: English grammar, spelling and syntax; basic math; spelling.
(b) Specialized Knowledge of: City, state and federal laws and regulations and ordinances; law enforcement report writing; broadcast procedures of a police radio system. (Some positions may require the ability to read, write and speak Spanish.)
(c) Ability to: Meet and deal courteously with the public; acquire a working knowledge of various city ordinances and criminal and vehicle codes; write clear, accurate and concise police reports; explain laws and regulations to with the public; communicate both orally and in writing; instruct the public on crime prevention and home and business security methods; understand and comply with written and oral instructions; work both under supervision and independently; gather data and perform basic statistical analysis; interpret and apply department policies and procedures.
2. Resources, Including Money, Equipment, Materials and Records: Police records and reports; confidential records; criminal evidence; property; patrol vehicle; police radio; and office equipment.
3. Solving Problems: Filing complete and accurate reports; determining when to issue a parking ticket, or have vehicle towed; submitting weapons and narcotics correctly for forensics use; answering questions properly and keep the City from liability; counseling teenagers; responding to a crime scene before an officer arrives; when to step into family and child custody problems; how to work with and assist in the control of gangs and gang related problems; determining who to send to an emergency when there are insufficient numbers of officers; maintaining control in tense and difficult situations; and maintaining respect for the uniform.
4. Performance of Others: Other team members; other officers when dispatching, assisting rookies and P.O.S.T. interns.
5. Relations with:
(a) Internal Relations with: Other officers; Police Sergeant; Police Commander; Chief of Police; other City employees; members of the City Council.
(b) External Relations with: General public; other police and law enforcement agencies; child and adult protective services; fire departments; hospitals; parole officers; attorneys; court personnel.
6. Communications:
(a) Oral: Instructions; radio dispatch; communication with other officers.
(b) Written: Instructions; memos; reports; criminal records.
(c) Visual: Traffic situations; illegal parking; crime scenes; traffic accidents; injuries; weapons discharge; hand signals of fellow officers.
(d) Auditory: Traffic noises; movements of suspects in hiding; radio dispatch; communication with partner and other officers; sirens and horns.
7. Safety:
(a) Hazardous conditions: Depending upon assignment, conditions may be minimal when working in the office to hazardous when accompanying an officer, answering police calls, entering burning buildings, assisting at accident scenes and controlling traffic.
(b) Frequency: From few to many times each shift.
(c) Consequence: From minor injury and abrasions up to and including death.
8. Tolerance of Job Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. From controlled conditions in an office environment to heat and cold; dampness; loud noises; violence; smells; toxic chemicals; long hours.
9. Physical Aptitude:
(a) Moderate degree of hand/eye coordination and physical strength and conditioning.
(b) Minor to heavy lifting and strength required in assisting officers.
10. Application of Mental and Physical Effort: Requires moderate to high levels of concentration for extended periods of time and the ability to analyze and interpret data and situations; utilize strength and agility.
E. PREREQUISITES:
1. Education and Experience: Any combination equivalent to graduation from high school and one (1) year experience in a clerical or similar position; college credits in criminal justice system highly desirable.
2. Licenses, Registrations, Accreditation, etc.: Possession of a valid Class C California Motor Vehicle Operators License; standard CPR and First Aid Certificates issued by the American Red Cross.
Salary : $22
