Public Safety Specialist

PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIALIST

DEFINITION

Under general direction, performs a diverse range of non-sworn duties in support of public safety operations in the Police Department and/or the Department of Social Services and Housing; areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to parking enforcement, municipal code enforcement, property, evidence, crime prevention, youth intervention, crime analysis, social media/public outreach, homeless outreach, homeless resource and program navigation, and social services; taking and preparing reports, conducting criminal investigations, processing crime scenes and evidence, and related tasks; and performs related or other work as required or assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from superior personnel as reflected in the assigned department chain-of-command. Exercises technical and functional supervision over subordinate personnel and volunteers as reflected in the assigned department chain-of-command.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

• Performs a diverse range of non-sworn duties in support of public safety, social services, and/or law enforcement  operations; areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to parking enforcement, municipal code enforcement, property, evidence, crime prevention, youth intervention, crime analysis, social media/public outreach, homeless outreach, navigation and social services, taking and preparing reports, conducting criminal investigations, processing crime scenes and evidence, and related tasks.
• Prepares evidence for use in court cases; delivers and retrieves evidence to and from the District Attorney's Office, Superior Court, Department of Justice, and other locations, maintaining the chain of custody; may provide court testimony.
• Conducts intake, documentation and proper cataloging of a diverse range of property and evidence based on mandated requirements and in compliance with chain of custody obligations; enters and retrieves information from databases; maintains evidence and property room, including completion of inventory and audits; coordinates with other employees to transport, deliver, or dispose of evidence and/or property; disposes of and releases property in accordance with applicable laws and assigned departmental procedures
• Responds to and investigates code enforcement complaints; enforces local ordinances and State codes; prepares and mails violation notifications; performs vehicle abatement activities including identification of potentially abandoned vehicles, photographing vehicles, and contacting tow services to move vehicles.
• Conducts graffiti cleanup and nuisance abatement, including cleaning occupied and unoccupied encampments; coordinates resources for camp cleanup activities.
• Works with homeless individuals to determine what resources are needed and any barriers to employment and housing
• Performs casework services with individuals who may or may not have mental illness and/or addictive/dependence disorders, assessing problems and initiating long and short-term care plans
• Performs casework services with families who are homeless/unhoused or at risk of homelessness or being unhoused, assessing problems and initiating long and short-term care plans.
• Consults, refers cases, and works actively with government agencies and private partners/community groups; refers individuals and families to appropriate community resources.
• Operates Live-Scan fingerprint services.
• Coordinate, schedule, supervise volunteers and explorers; act as a liaison between the assigned department and the community or other City departments to coordinate volunteer efforts
• Works with various social media and information sharing platforms.
• Serves as liaison to the community on crime prevention activities, including the Neighborhood Watch Liaison Program and the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program.
• Researches and maintains statistical data, reviews daily logs, extracts pertinent data, enters data into spreadsheets or other automated formats, such as crime analysis or computer mapping software and collects, collates, analyzes and disseminates statistical information, graphs and charts as well as prepares various reports as needed and presents to internal and external groups or forums.  
• Maintains statistical and crime data using modern records management systems; imports and extracts pertinent data and records; enters data into spreadsheets or other automated formats, such as crime analysis or computer mapping software.
• Registers sex and arson offenders; completes necessary paperwork; takes photographs and uploads information and photos into law enforcement databases.
• Serves as liaison to various committees and presents information at public forums such as crime prevention fairs, school safety presentations, homelessness, neighborhood watch, or other community activities; conducts station tours; coordinates and conducts crime prevention efforts/demonstrations.
• Serves as a spokesperson at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities; cultivates good community relations by appearing before civic, fraternal, and other community groups; releases information to the public in accordance with policy.
• Performs a variety of complex, specialized, legal, and responsible duties in support of programs dealing with juvenile offenders; coordinates youth activities and speaker programs; gives presentations on youth programs to local and regional groups.
• Coordinates, maintains and tracks youths assigned to the Juvenile Restorative Justice Program, conducts diversion and/or restorative sessions, oversees work groups, and makes recommendations concerning program changes.
• Develops and implements short-term and on-going projects to promote constructive youth involvement with the community; assists with youth related activities; confers with the public, other law enforcement agencies, social services providers, and school district officials on problems and concerns regarding youth.
• Reviews evidence obtained via body worn and in-car cameras; reviews and copies digital evidence pursuant to discovery and other requests.
• Maintains appropriate records, prepares necessary reports, and serves as an information source.
• Researches and responds to complaints and requests for information; may attend committee meetings providing technical information; maintains systems to ensure accountability and controls.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Patrols assigned streets and parking areas in an enforcement vehicle; enforces parking regulations using modern parking enforcement technology.
• Marks parked cars to determine violations within time limited parking spaces and permitted areas; issues citations for vehicles parked over allowed time limits; contacts tow service for vehicles in violation of regulations.
• Inspects and reports fading or missing signage or markings.
• Reports emergency conditions and incidents which require action to ensure public safety and prevent City liability.
• May serve in a variety of specialized and/or collateral assignments subject to assigned department’s need.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Operations and services of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement, public safety and/or social services agencies.
• Basic functions of the criminal justice system and court processes.
• Applicable federal, State, and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Local municipal code enforcement rules and regulations.
• State of California Vehicle Code and Health and Safety Codes.
• Public relations and public speaking techniques.
• Assigned department’s chain of command.
• A variety of local, regional and national databases used in law enforcement agencies or by social services agencies.
• Police radio codes.
• Principles and practices governing the intake, documentation, preservation, and/or of property and evidence to ensure chain of custody is maintained.
• Processes with respect to the registration of sex offenders and arsonists.
• Government agency and community based organizational resources serving the needs of the homeless/unhoused population.
• Government agency and community based organizational resources serving the needs of those with mental illness.
• Methods and techniques of researching and evaluating data and information.
• Confidentiality laws.
• City and assigned department safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Principles and practices of record keeping.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City personnel.
• Neighborhood court, restorative practices, and criminal diversion programs.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform technical duties in support of assigned programs within the assigned department.
• Interpret and apply operational procedures to resolve field situations.
• Explain assigned department or program operations and services to the general public. 
• Ensure that all work performed is compliant with established or mandated processes.
• Coordinate services, or collaborate, with other local government or State agencies.
• Work with members of the business community, civic organizations and the general public to provide a safe and healthy environment for the public.
• Collect, interpret, and apply data.
• Learn radio codes and procedures.
• Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Maintain detailed incident reports including notes and photographs, and prepare related correspondence.
• Work effectively under stress and in emergency situations.
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from the public and outside organizations.
• Learn and apply City and assigned department policies and procedures.
• Maintain an appropriate professional appearance and demeanor by following all uniform and dress code regulations.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Understand, communicate, and implement the  assigned department’s philosophy. 
• Wear protective equipment for an extended period of time; pass respirator medical and fit-testing; use a respirator.
• Meet and maintain all OSHA, legislatively required, and department required training mandates.
• Ability to pass a background investigation prior to employment and remain eligible to access confidential governmental records systems.  

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade.

Experience:

• One (1) year experience supporting a law enforcement program and/or social services program which involves contact with the public is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within 12 months from date of appointment, valid California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) Certification, to be maintained throughout employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, personal communications device, and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; operate machinery, to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other personnel. Employees must be able to work in personal protection equipment such as full-face respirators and other safety gear.    

Other Requirements

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in indoor/outdoor conditions and are exposed to loud noise levels, noxious odors, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, moving vehicles, and hazardous physical substances, biological substances, pathogens and allergens such as; particulates, blood, chemicals, smoke, aerosols, fumes and cleaners. Employees also work in an office or station environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. There is exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, disabled individuals, violent individuals and persons infected with communicable/infectious diseases/medical conditions. Employees may interact with upset personnel and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

May be required to be on-call and work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.