Business Services Officer (Ventura Police Department)

Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site:
www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs. Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted.

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted until Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Pay & Benefits

• $99,925.28 - $133,901.04 Annually (DOQ)

• Benefits

  • Medical Insurance (HMO, PPO options)

  • City Paid Dental and Vision Insurance

  • Life Insurance

  • Vacation & Holiday Compensation

  • Deferred Compensation

  • CalPERS Retirement

  • Wellness Program (access to gym facility and fitness classes)

  • Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay

About the Opportunity

The City of Ventura is seeking an experienced public-sector professional to serve as the Business Services Officer for the Ventura Police Department.

In this key position, you'll oversee the department's business operations, including budget administration, finance, payroll, purchasing, grants, fleet and facility coordination, while providing administrative support to department leadership and professional and administrative staff. This is an excellent opportunity for an analytical, solutions-oriented, finance-minded professional who enjoys managing complex projects, improving business processes, and supporting the critical operations of a public safety department.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Coordinating and monitoring the Police Department's budget, fiscal control programs, and major budget expenditures.

• Supporting budget development and administration, partnering with the Finance Department, and analyzing financial data to support sound fiscal decision-making.

• Managing purchasing activities, expense reporting, budget transfers, and analyzing budget transactions and available funding.

• Overseeing payroll administration and reporting for the Police Department while ensuring accurate and timely processing.

• Coordinating fleet management, facility maintenance, and departmental communication systems, including cellular and telephone services for the Police Department.

• Conducting administrative studies, research, and data analysis, including preparing reports, grant applications, and managing special projects.

• Advising command staff on administrative, budgetary, and financial matters, while assisting with the implementation of processes and procedures.

• Overseeing grant administration and ensuring fiscal compliance with grant requirements.

• Working closely with professional and administrative staff and building effective partnerships with City departments, vendors, and contractors.

• Serving on departmental committees, leading special task forces, and performing other related duties as needed.

The Ideal Candidate – Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a knowledgeable, proactive administrative professional with strong technical expertise who excels in a fast-paced environment and can manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy, accountability, and a commitment to public service.

Key attributes include:

• Strong knowledge of and demonstrated experience in budget administration, grant management, accounts payable, purchasing, payroll, and contract administration.

• Experience supporting the annual budget process, preparing presentations and City Council reports, and providing administrative and analytical support to leadership.

• Ability to analyze complex financial and payroll data, identify issues, and recommend practical, compliant solutions.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments and meet deadlines.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information in a clear and understandable manner.

• Proven ability to work independently while building effective working relationships across departments and with external partners.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the use of pivot tables and other data analysis tools, is highly desirable.

• Experience with Workday Financials or a comparable enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is highly desirable.

• Experience in a public safety agency or public sector environment is required.

Minimum Qualifications – Required

A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, or a closely related field, and three years of professional level management or administrative experience with a public agency are required.

A Master's degree is highly desirable.

License: Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required.

About the Ventura Police Department

Our Mission

To protect, serve, and problem solve with our community. We are great people, providing exceptional service, and we value excellence, integrity, professionalism, respect, and transparency.

Our Team

The Ventura Police Department is a team of more than 250 sworn officers, professional staff, and volunteers dedicated to serving our community through collaboration, transparency, and excellence. Organized into two divisions—Field Operations and Administration Operations—the Department provides a full range of public safety services, from patrol, dispatch, K9, traffic enforcement, and homeless outreach to investigations, crime analysis, school resource officers, records, and professional standards and training.

For more information about the Ventura Police Department, visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/950/About-The-VPD.

How to Apply

Submit an online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline.

• It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs, and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.

• After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail.  Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.

Selection Process

• All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified based on experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Candidates will be notified about their status after the filing deadline.

• Those candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position will be invited to a qualifying panel interview process. Candidates will be notified of specifics after the examination process has been completed. Initial panel interviews may be conducted in-person or via video teleconference. Candidates will be notified of specifics at the appropriate time.

• As a condition of employment, the selected candidate may be required to complete an extensive post-offer Police Department background investigation that may include live-scan fingerprinting and a polygraph examination.

The Eligibility List

The resulting eligibility list may be used to fill other vacancies that may occur during the active period of the eligibility list.

THE SCHEDULE

The timeline dates are subject to change. Candidates will be notified as necessary.

• Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. – Application Deadline. Applications and supplemental questionnaires must be submitted by this date to be considered for the position.

• Week of July 27, 2026 - Candidates will be notified by email of their status by this date.

• Week of August 10, 2026 - Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled for this date. Qualifying candidates will be notified by email or phone if they are invited to the panel interview process.

• Department Selection Interviews will be scheduled promptly after the panel interviews have been completed. Qualifying candidates will be notified by phone or email if they are invited to the department selection interview process.

• August 2026 – Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the interview by this date.

Additional Information

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at  City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing here Business Services Officer.

To learn more about the City’s hiring process, visit the City of Ventura Hiring Process page.

Questions? Contact the Recruitment Team:

[email protected]

(805) 654-7802