Community Service Officer

To be considered for this position, please attach the following to your application.

• D.M.V. printout(Not older than 3 months) 

Under direction, provides a variety of non-sworn/civilian duties in support of police operations and activities and other necessary day-to-day services related to community services and crime prevention.   This position supports crime prevention programs related to community oriented police support services.Disclaimer- This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed.  In other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Assists citizens in need of non-safety law enforcement related services
• Provides visibility within the community
• Makes citizen referrals to community resources
• Takes reports of incidents from involved parties
• Conducts searches for owners of found property
• Assists in the collection and preservation of evidentiary material
• Performs reception duties as well as citation sign-offs.
• Assists with public inquiries regarding police department operations and procedures
• Acts as courier in the delivery of department materials, supplies and equipment as directed.
• Assists with animal control functions, including performing retrieval, control, feeding and general care duties of animals in the care of or jurisdiction of the department.
• Explains the operations of the department and provides tours of the facility
• Makes presentations on crime prevention, public safety and similar topics to a variety of neighborhood or civic groups and/or school audiences;
• Reviews crime statistics and information and assists in the development and design of special programs to address community issues
• Assists in the dissemination of brochures, pamphlets and materials to residents concerning safety and crime prevention programs and techniques
• Participates in community events and awareness programs
• Develop and implement crime prevention programs targeted at reducing crime
• Liaison for the implementation of crime prevention programs with residents, schools, and businesses within the community
• Plans and coordinates special programs such as Neighborhood Watch, Combat Auto-theft, Crime Prevention Community Fairs, or other related community services programs
• Publicizes community services and resources
• Interacts with citizens interested in participating in volunteer programs and other community efforts to improve community safety
• Participates in child identification and other community-related law enforcement education programs and in training programs.
• Provides information and direction to the public regarding law-enforcement related codes and ordinances.
• Work with other departments in matters of plan and program review relative to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
• Responds to and assists in the investigation of routine traffic and other non-criminal incidents
• Participates in crowd-control activities
• Maintains program files related to various community-oriented police services, gang information, graffiti, monikers and participates is special civic events;
• Prepares letters and routine office correspondence and memoranda, logs, and other reports.
• Provides relief dispatching.
• Supervises the activities of Explorers and/or Cadets.
• May serve as alternate evidence custodian or conduct registrations of offenders.
• Receive, identify, collect, categorize, preserve and store evidence appropriately without tainting or contaminating
• Update and track evidence information into Law Enforcement Evidence Tracking System
• Drive a marked vehicle to perform home, business, and area checks
• Detect violations of laws, ordinances and regulations, watch for suspicious behavior, disabled vehicles, hazards, vandalism, or traffic accidents
• Respond to calls concerning runaways, burglaries, thefts, vandalisms, and similar crimes where suspects are unknown
• Interview victims and witnesses, write reports, take photographs, dust and lift for fingerprints
• Investigate traffic accidents by taking statements, diagramming the scene, and writing reports
• Assist Sworn officers with traffic accidents by directing traffic, setting up flares, and other support functions
• Coordinate vehicle towing and traffic control.
• Appear in Court as a result of above noted duties
• Issue warnings or citations or a wide variety of code, regulation, and ordinance violations
• May carry OC Spray and/or a Taser or if certified. 
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of PC’s and related software.
• Operation of standard office equipment 
• Correct use of oral and written English, spelling punctuation and composition
• Public speaking and public contact techniques
• Practices and techniques of inventory and record keeping; data collection, statistical record keeping methods and report writing techniques, Police records and information resources.
• Basic interviewing techniques
• Safe driving principles and practices
• Standard safety practices necessary in the area of law enforcement in a non-sworn capacity.

Skilled in:   

• Remaining calm and taking appropriate action in tense situations. 
• Reading, interpreting and applying procedures and policies. 
• Preparing clear and concise reports. 

Ability to: 

• Operate a PC and related software
• Maintain effective working relationships with other people
• Communicate clearly and concisely in oral and written English. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those employees. 
• Analyze, act, and react, effectively and assertively in a variety of circumstances.  
• Interact effectively and sensitively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Read, understand interpret and apply applicable laws, procedures, codes and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Make routine decisions in the absence of specific instructions.
• Prepare and deliver effective oral presentations
• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records and reports
• Respond appropriately to inquiries, complaints and requests for information from staff and the general public.
• Physically be present at the worksite to ensure proper staffing levels.
• Be consistent in reporting on time and working full workdays and workweeks to include shift work, weekends, and evening hours as assigned.

Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of the requisite knowledge, skill and abilities. A typical way to obtain these would be:

• High School Diploma or an equivalent certificate or diploma recognized by the State of California. 
• One year of work experience which involves a substantial amount of public contact.
• Able to obtain a Certificate of Graduation from a POST Community Services Officer Course within one year of appointment. 
• Possess a Title 22 First Aid/CPR Certificate or be able to obtain within one (6) month of appointment.
• Work periodically on a rotating shift Workweek of 4 or 5 consecutive days, weekends, holidays, overtime, and respond to recall when paged and physically available.
• Maintain a valid California Driver License with a driving record acceptable to the City. 

Selection Process:

Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to participate in the interview and testing processes. Reference checks, Live Scan, background investigations, and pre-employment physicals including drug testing are part of the employment process.