Police Officer Lateral Santa Maria

 
LATERAL INCENTIVES (as of August 2021):

• $20,000 hiring incentive ($10k at time of hire / $5k upon successful completion of FTP / $5k upon successful completion of probation, 12 months).
• $2500 relocation incentive.
• Credit for full years of service with most recent agency (for vacation accrual purposes).
• PERS ret. 3% at 55 (if coming from another PERS agency)
• 4/10 plan for sworn personnel
• Preloaded 80 hours vacation upon hire. 
• Preloaded 80 hours sick time upon hire. 

OUT-OF-STATE LATERAL APPLICANTS: Assistance through the recertification course may be available.
 
The City of Santa Maria is the largest city in the Santa Barbara County (located on the central coast) with a population of over 100,000. This growing department currently has 180 sworn and non-sworn personnel. Come join our hard working and innovative team!
 
Please see the SELECTION PROCESS below for required attachment(s) to the electronic application. Applicants will not be able to "submit" the application, without first electronically attaching the required documents.
 
If you have further job-related questions please contact staff in the Training and Recruitment Bureau at 805-928-3781 x2144. If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties, please call the NEOGOV help line for technical assistance at 1-877-204-4442.
 
Under general direction of assigned supervisor, performs law enforcement and crime prevention work; controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic laws; may work rotating shifts to preserve the peace and enforce the law. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of this classification, but may act as lead worker for temporarily assigned employees, or special projects.
 
The Police Officer position is an Individual Contributor role that provides safety, security, trust and comfort to Santa Maria residents. Their role enables the enforcement of laws and promotion of safety so that the Santa Maria community is a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

DUTIES

WHAT WE DO:
These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization.  This position:

• Performs law enforcement and crime prevention work.
• Controls traffic flow and enforces state and local traffic laws.
• Performs security patrols, first aid, detection, investigations, and arrests of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
• Carries out duties in conformance with local, state and federal laws and ordinances.
• Patrols city streets, parks, commercial and residential areas, etc.  
• Performs work requiring good physical condition in a safe and effective manner and under all conditions; safely drive a vehicle under a variety of conditions; etc.
• Uses firearms and other weapons safely and accurately.
• Handles difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
• Responds to emergency radio calls; investigates accidents, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, etc.
• Takes appropriate law enforcement action including interrogations, evidence preservation, etc.
• Conducts follow-up investigations; prepares cases and testifies in court proceedings.
• Prepares a variety of reports.
• Undertakes community oriented police work; assists citizens with such matters as locked or stalled vehicles, crime prevention, drug abuse resistance education (DARE), traffic safety, etc.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION: 
Police Officer
 
REQUIRED SUBMITTALS:
Due upon application:

• Cover letter
• Résumé
• POST Basic Law Enforcement Certificate

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Ideally, One year of recent law enforcement experience (preferably in California); and
• Graduation from high school;
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:
  • Federal, State and local laws and ordinances, particularly with reference to arrest, rules of evidence pertain­ing to search and seizure, and preservation and presenta­tion of evidence; community-oriented policing; etc.
  • Police procedures, and the management of programs of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies; preservation and presenta­tion of evidence in criminal cases; analyze situations effectively; etc.
  • Communicate effectively both oral and written forms; learn the community and organizational procedures and maintain effective relationships; etc.
  • Effective customer service and oral and written communication skills.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent).
  • Use computer and other office equipment effectively.
• Desired other licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment, such as:
  • P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Possession of a valid and appropriate Driver License. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and meet City liability requirements to drive for City business.  
• Requires completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.
• The incumbent must meet the physical requirements of the job class and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

 SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• May require completion of a pre-employment physical to the satisfaction of the City.
• Reasonable accommodation(s) for an individual with a qualified disability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

SELECTION PROCESS

***Once a recruitment has been open for ten (10) calendar days, the City reserves the right to stop accepting applications prior to the initially posted deadline if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.  To ensure review of application materials, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible in the process.  The recruitment is officially closed once it has been removed from the City's web site.

***Note:  Individuals who have applied for the position of Police Officer with the City of Santa Maria and have failed any examination pertaining to the Police Officer selection process within the past twelve months are not eligible to apply.

The completed electronic application packet will include the online application and supplemental questions, and electronic attachment of a current/valid California POST Basic Certificate or Certificate of Completion of the California POST Basic Course Waiver Process (if attained). If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-877-204-4442.

As you complete your online application, please provide complete and accurate information for each employment during the past 10 years. Attaching a resume to your electronic application does not substitute for providing the information requested on the electronic application. Do not write "See resume" or "See attached." Failure to provide complete information will cause forfeiture toward employment with the City.

As you complete your supplemental questionnaire, please provide length of experience as of the date the recruitment closes, not as of the date you are submitting your application.

Applicants are required to apply online. Hard copy application packets will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the online process. However, persons who believe they are qualified under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) or California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment process. The request must be received by Human Resources with sufficient time prior to the final filing deadline, to allow for the request to be considered through the interactive process.

The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel for an oral interview.  Those applicants invited to interview will be notified electronically at the e-mail address provided by each candidate through application process. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment.  A tentative oral interview date has been scheduled for TBD.  The oral board will recommend a limited number of candidates to the eligibility list from which the new Police Officer may be selected.  This recruitment may also establish an eligibility list for future Police Officer openings.

The City of Santa Maria is a participant in the E-Verify program through the Department of Homeland Security. Upon hire, the candidate must produce original documents according to the Department of Homeland Security Form I-9 List of Acceptable Documents. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources staff at (805) 925-0951 extension 2203.

Although you are unable to make changes to a completed application or add additional documents one you initially submit your packet, if you need to make corrections or attach a document you missed, you may only do so by submitting an entire new application packet prior to the final filing deadline. Please note if you reapply, ONLY your most recent application will be reviewed; all portions of previous applications submitted will be automatically archived without review. It is the applicant's responsibility to submit a fully completed application for Human Resources review; incomplete applications will be subject to disqualification.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Upon hire, the candidate must submit a Department of Motor Vehicles printout summarizing their driving record covering the last 30 days from the closing date of this recruitment.  Upon hire, candidate must possess a bank account to accommodate the City of Santa Maria's direct deposit for bi-weekly pay.  

NOTE: Additional information is available regarding the hiring incentive bonus of $20k. Please reach out to Lt. Paul Van Meel at, [email protected], should you have any questions regarding the payout. 

Martin Rivera