Community Service Officer

COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Baldwin Park Police Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Community Service Officer (CSO). This dynamic, non-sworn, role supports public safety efforts through the enforcement of City codes and ordinances related to parking, nuisance abatement, abandoned vehicles, and more. CSOs perform a variety of field and administrative duties including issuing citations, providing traffic control, collecting fees, and assisting the public at the front counter. The ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, the ability to work independently in varying conditions, and a commitment to community service. Community Service Officers are required to work varying work schedules depending on the needs of the department, with work schedules being adjusted periodically. May involve fixed or rotating shifts, including, holidays, weekends, evenings, and extended hours when required.

THE POSITION
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 
May include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides visible uniformed presence/patrol either on foot or in a vehicle at City parks as a crime deterrent, may investigate quality of life complaints and initiates nuisance abatement investigations related to City parks/property and businesses, cites violator; monitors locations, prepares reports. 
• May investigate and complete crime reports when no suspect is present in the field; investigates complaints and cites violator; prepares reports; investigates selected traffic collisions and other incidents as assigned.
• May be assigned to investigate cases of missing persons, adult and juvenile misdemeanor arrests and status offenders, cases of lost and found property; provides limited advisory assistance and referral services to victim and families.
• May issue parking citations; enforce laws and regulations applicable to non-moving vehicles; write citations for illegal parking; assist in identifying and removing/impounding stolen and/or abandoned vehicles/trailers; assists stranded motorists; performs traffic control; reports observed traffic hazards.
• May collect and preserve evidence in accordance with established procedures and inventories and tags evidence.
• May conduct City Neighborhood Watch and other crime prevention programs; participates in department activities/events, provides liaison to participating agencies and groups; composes informational materials, newsletters, and public service announcements for a variety of media as needed.
• May provide skilled support in assistance to the public, in person or by phone, providing information relative to departmental policy and procedures; creates records of crime reports and complaints; may appear in court to provide testimony.
• May perform a variety of general clerical tasks in the performance of non-hazardous duty, including typing, operate office equipment, a remote computer terminal and a police radio.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Baldwin Park and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
  
  

KNOWLEDGE OF: 

• English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and arithmetic.
• Effective public relations and personal interaction skills. 
• Basic functions of a municipal law enforcement agency.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Geography, roads, and landmarks of the City and surrounding areas.
  
  

ABILITY TO: 

• Operate a department vehicle in a lawful and safe manner.
• Learn and apply basic criminal, traffic, and civil law pursuant to department training.
• Understand, interpret, and apply pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations, including, vehicle codes, penal codes, and municipal codes.
• Learn a variety of automated systems.
• Deal constructively with conflict, physical threats, verbal abuse, other stressful situations and develop/initiate effective resolutions. 
• Understand and follow verbal and written directions.
• Write neat, concise, and thorough reports.
• Work independently.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others and promote a professional image of the department.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPEREINCE GUIDELINES
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Graduation from an accredited college with an AA Degree in a related field is desirable.
• One (1) year of clerical experience involving public contact preferably in a law enforcement agency.

Please note: Proof of education must be submitted with the application. 

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California State Driver’s License.
• Possession of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) PC 832 (Powers of Arrest) certification or successfully complete the 832 PC course within three (3) months of hire.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a standard office environment and in the field; may stand, sit, walk for prolonged periods of time.  May be exposed to loud noise levels, cold, hot, and inclement weather conditions.  Must be available to work varying work schedules depending on the needs of the department, with work schedules being adjusted periodically.  May involve fixed or rotating shifts, including, holidays, weekends, evenings, and extended hours when required. Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50lbs.

Applications must be submitted online. Employment application and supplemental questions must be completed. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a City application. Applicants must be specific in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitution for a completed application. If you submit multiple applications, only the most recent application will be considered. Application materials will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in the job announcement. Applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements and needs of the City, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Copies of the required certifications must be submitted with the application. Possession of the minimum qualifications does not ensure continuing in the recruitment process. The selection process may include a written examination, a panel interview and other testing processes designated to predict successful job performance. It is the applicant's responsibility to notify Human Resources of any changes to their contact information. 

THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Baldwin Park is committed to promoting equal employment opportunity to all without regard to political affiliation or opinion, age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, marital status, disability, medical condition, gender, pregnancy, or pregnancy related condition. Please note: If you require an accommodation during the selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract for employment. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The City of Baldwin Park is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Individuals with qualified disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the selection process must specify the accommodations needed, in writing, at the time when the employment application is submitted.
 
LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires all new hire employees to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States within three (3) business days beginning with the first day of work. The City is legally prohibited from employing anyone who cannot provide such verification or documentation.
   

PROVISIONS

The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provision contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked without notice. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a reference / background check and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening). The City of Baldwin Park utilizes E-Verify and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization.

City of Baldwin Park