Community Services Officer

Introduction

THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for current and future vacancies for the position of Community Services Officer. This position will be assigned to the Oceanside Police Department.
Virtual Written Examination Date:Open December 3 - 8, 2026Exam dates are posted as a courtesy and may be subject to change and/or cancellation.

Incumbents in this class assist in a variety of non-sworn responsibilities supporting law enforcement functions that are limited to duties of a routine nature such as clerical duties and/or field work. This class is distinguished from Community Safety Specialist Supervisor, which is a supervisory class responsible for directing a group of employees on an assigned shift. The work involves frequent public contact with all segments of society regarding a wide variety of civil and criminal issues. Situations encountered are often emotionally tense requiring the exercise of patience, tact, discretion, and responsiveness.
Prospective employees will undergo and must successfully pass a thorough police background investigation which may include a psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, and a medical examination which may include a drug screen.  The selection process could take up to 90 days.
 

Examples of Duties

The Community Services Officers receive and respond to citizen inquiries and requests for police services and information at a public counter, over the telephone and in the field; Write a variety of reports including civil and criminal issues, traffic accidents, animal bites, lost or found and missing persons reports; Fingerprint applicants; Provide information to officers in the field; Distinguish criminal issues from non-criminal issues; Advise and assist as appropriate; Register sex, narcotics and other criminal offenders; Provide court testimony; Collect and book found property and evidence; Maintain log books and records; Take photographs of evidence; Take photographs of registrants; May be required to search prisoners; Escort prisoners to the rest rooms; Serve subpoenas on Police Department employees; Conduct public presentations; Conduct security inspections; Recommend security devices and protective measures to the public; Enforce selected City codes; and direct and control crowds and traffic; Perform related duties as assigned.
 In addition to the above, the following are examples of duties that reflect areas of assignment: Patrol Operations Division: 

• Establish and maintain traffic control posts
• Conduct investigations of crimes not in progress in the field and over the telephone
• Conduct investigations of traffic collisions
• Drive to and from crime scenes
• Answer calls for service appropriate for this position via police radio
• Assist with the call taking in the communications section

• Conduct follow up investigation of non-injury or minor injury collisions
• Assist with the logistics of community events for the police department
• Support of operations in the downtown and beach area
• Provide administrative and field support for the Homeless Outreach Team
• Assist with the juvenile diversion program

• Conduct investigative follow up of criminal cases
• Conduct follow up of missing persons cases
• Research of statistical data collected by the department
• Assist with responses to public records requests
• Disposition of Evidence
• Compiling data
• Sex registrant tracking

Working Conditions and Selection Process

Environmental Conditions:  Office environment. The availability to work any shift, weekends, holidays and overtime. Physical Conditions: Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition for sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time; climbing stairs, bending, and lifting. Background Investigation:  A thorough Police background investigation will be conducted which may include a psychological and polygraph exam. A medical examination will also be completed, which may include drug screening. Selection Process: All applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process will include a computer based examination to assess job-related experience and skills. Candidates who successfully complete the examination process will be placed on the eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of six months.
 
RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS BUT MAY BE ATTACHED. CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTING PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge of: Legal guidelines, regulations, laws and procedures governing the confidentiality, security and processing of law enforcement related records
• Police terminology and law enforcement codes
• Principles of record keeping and automated information systems
• Police Department organization and procedures as they relate to the processing of police records
• Basic organization and functions of a municipal law enforcement agency
• Procedures and work methods required to perform the full range of assigned duties safely and efficiently
• Procedures and techniques for dealing with the public in a tactful but firm manner
• Techniques of photography and fingerprinting
• Modern office procedures, practices and equipment
• Ability to: Maintain confidentiality in stressful situations
• Analyze situations appropriately and take an effective course of action
• Work variable shifts, during weekends and holidays
• Use computer terminal and various computer programs
• Maintain records, logs, and files
• Work with fellow employees as a team
• Remain courteous and calm while interacting with hostile citizens
• Follow oral and written directions
• Learn to interpret and apply pertinent laws, codes and regulations with impartiality and efficiency
• Think and act quickly in emergency situations
• Prepare and maintain accurate and grammatically correct written reports and records
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and the public
• Communicate clearly, accurately, and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Deal with the public in general and in difficult work situations
• Read maps and learn the city's geography
• Use sound judgment in decision making
• Experience and Training: Experience: No experience required
• Customer service and/or public contact work experience is desirable
• Training: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade or GED. License/Certificate: Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license

Work for Warriors is a no-cost employment program of the California Military Department for Service Members, Veterans, and military family members. The Veteran Staffing Consultant for Oceanside Police Department is Chuck Callahan.