Police Service Officer

Are you a highly organized self-starter who enjoys helping people and thrives in a team environment? Apply today to be the City of Arcata's Police Service Officer!

Interviews tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 23. 

Under general supervision, this position provides a variety of non-sworn police support services including coordinating crime prevention activities, conducting investigations of non-hazardous calls for service, assisting in collecting and processing evidence, investigating and enforcing abandoned vehicle abatement code and ordinance violations; assisting with general administrative and support functions; performs all other related duties as assigned.When performing crime prevention and public information activities:

• Assists in coordinating, promoting, and providing public information and education activities regarding crime prevention and safety; creating training materials for department or general public use; designing brochures and pamphlets for programs, services, and meetings.
• Organizes and conducts neighborhood watch programs, and meetings and presentations for a variety of audiences (i.e. adults, school age children, service clubs, etc.); represents the department at meetings with other agencies and community organizations. 
• Evaluates the security of residences and businesses and recommends crime/loss prevention measures; conducts neighborhood checks. 
• Assists alarm companies and their customers in reducing false alarms; coordinates alarm ordinance regulations.

When performing investigation and evidence activities: 

• Investigates non-hazardous calls for service, including writing reports and interviewing victims, witnesses, suspects; recording interviews on audio recorder or video; and conducting appropriate follow-up investigations.
• Photographs, videos, and diagrams crime scenes. 
• Locates, collects, and processes physical evidence; packages and logs in incoming evidence and property for storage; maintains security of physical evidence, evidence chain of custody, and evidence records; releases and destroys evidence and found property.
• May testify in court.
• Serves subpoenas.
• Directs traffic.

When performing abandoned vehicle abatement activities:

• Patrols the City to locate abandoned vehicles, and responds to citizen reports of abandoned vehicles in violation of the Arcata Municipal Code and the California Vehicle Code.  
• Processes and abates abandoned vehicles as outlined in the California Vehicle Code and police department policy; annually reviewing all applicable abandoned vehicle fees to ensure financial integrity; and coordinating with other City departments for abandoned vehicle issues. 
• Creates, maintains, and provides detailed reports, forms and data pertaining to abandoned vehicle activity; providing statistical data, and maintaining all required documents and forms as required by the State of California.
• Establishes and maintains a fair and efficient rotational towing protocol and procedure; establishes and maintains working relationships with towing agencies, vehicle dismantling agencies and other vehicle recyclers.
• Creates and maintains guidelines and information for private property owners for reporting and legally abating vehicles. 
• Appears and testifies in court.

When performing other general administrative and support function activities:

• Assists staff with caseloads; assists dispatchers with data entry.
• Responds to questions and comments from the public and news media in a courteous and timely manner. 
• Fingerprints applicants. 
• Transports patrol vehicles, radios, and other equipment for maintenance to appropriate destination. 
• Mediates civil disputes.
• Responds to requests for assistance involving animal control problems; conducts animal bite investigations and complete incident reports; issues citations or warn owners of animals in violation of the Arcata Municipal Code; transports animals to the animal shelter.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Please view job description for complete list of duties.Experience and Training
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:

• Equivalent to an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice or a closely-related field OR graduation from POST-Approved Basic Academy or POST-approved Reserve Academy. At least one (1) year in a legal or law enforcement related field.

Knowledge of:  Applicable California Penal, Vehicle, Health and Safety, and Welfare and Institution Codes; the criminal justice process and law enforcement policies; laws regarding confidential information; applicable criminal and civil laws; crime scene investigations and investigative procedures for non-hazardous service calls; crime prevention strategies, techniques and equipment as it applies to persons and possessions; services provided by other law enforcement and social service agencies.
 
Ability to:  Use and extrapolate information from various legal handbooks and documents; gather and preserve evidence according to established guidelines; work well with a wide variety of age groups, from preschool to senior citizens, and ability to tactfully handle individuals from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds; operate radio communication equipment; work independently with minimal supervision; communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;  understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions; prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations; operate a personal computer using standard and customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks; create programs for schools and various groups of citizens and ability to organize and conduct meetings; design and make photo-ready various brochures and pamphlets for programs and meetings; use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions; perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines; drive various types of vehicles.Other Requirements:

• Possess a valid California Driver License.
• Willing to handle dangerous substances, including materials stained with blood or other human body fluids.
• A commitment to understand and support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Available to work nights, weekends and holidays as required.
• Willing and available to respond to emergency call outs.
• Able to remain calm in emergency situations.
• Willing to comply with neat, clean grooming standards to present a professional appearance.

Physical Requirements
Work is generally performed in both a general office and field environment. Must be able to perform the physical aspects of the job, including sitting and standing for periods of time; operate standard office equipment, including a computer; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching and twisting; lifting, pushing, pulling; lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds; traversing rough/uneven terrain; operating a motor vehicle; interact with a diverse range of people, which may sometimes include emergency or stressful situations; working outside in all weather conditions; working around and coming in contact with dust, pollen, hazardous materials, and strong odors.