Police Officer (Entry Level - Academy Graduate)

Description

PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY

Thank you for your interest in a career with the Vallejo Police Department!
The Vallejo Police Department is committed to hiring Police Officers who embody professionalism, are dedicated to providing superior service to the community, and who will uphold the values and core principles of the department.

THE POSITION

This recruitment is a continuous recruitment and will be closed when a viable candidate pool has been identified. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply early for immediate consideration.

The Police Officer (Entry) works under supervision and in all conditions, performing a variety of law enforcement duties that involve protecting life and property; enforcing laws and ordinances; conducting criminal investigations, crime prevention and suppression; preserving the public peace; performing special assignments in the protection of life and property; and related work as required.

Ideal candidates for this position should possess understanding of modern policing issues, philosophies, practices and trends including the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Candidates should also have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the demonstrated ability to interact with a diverse community. Graduation from a POST certified academy within the last 12 months is highly desirable.

Specialized Assignments:

Detective

Traffic

K-9

SWAT

HNT

Mobile Field Force

Bike Patrol

Crime Reduction Team

Community Policing

Honor Guard

School Resource Officer

YOUR IMPACT

• Provide quality service to the citizens of Vallejo using modern 21st Century Policing methods in the department's mission to reduce crime.
• Make a difference in the community with a progressive, forward-thinking organization in an environment that embraces diversity, creativity, and respect.

PERKS:

In addition to CalPERS retirement, medical, vision, and dental, the City of Vallejo offers some of the following additional benefits to their Officers:

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

Comp Time

Uniform Allowance/$1,142 per year

Bilingual Pay

On Duty Workout Program

4/10 or 3/12.5 shifts

YOUR DEPARTMENT

The City of Vallejo Police Department's mission is to provide professional law enforcement services that enhance, protect, and promote the quality of life for persons residing, visiting, or doing business in the City of Vallejo.

As an integral part of the community, the Vallejo Police Department is committed to providing a highly professional, ethical and quality Police service. The proud men and women of the Department are dedicated to maintaining law and order by proactively addressing crime, protecting welfare, property, and the rights of all people. In partnership with the community, community groups and other city departments, the Vallejo Police Department continually endeavors to improve its service, making Vallejo a safe place to live, work and visit. For more information about the Vallejo Police Department, please visit their webpage.

THE CITY OF VALLEJO

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is both the entry level and the first safety class within the Police Officer series. Incumbents perform all duties required to effectively respond to and resolve situations encountered. Police Officer (Entry) may be assigned, depending on rotational assignments, to patrol, traffic, detective, crime prevention or other police-related functions.

This class is distinguished from Police Officer (Lateral) in that it is the fully experienced working level within the series, while the Police Officer (Entry) requires no experience beyond possession of a Basic Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certification or re-certification.

This class is distinguished from uniformed safety police-related classes by its designation and the responsibilities and authorities associated with designation as a safety peace officer under the laws of the State of California.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from supervisory and management staff.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The following duties are considered essential to the Police Officer (Entry) class:

• Enforces local, State and Federal laws and ordinances
• Patrols assigned areas of the City in a car, on a motorcycle, or on foot
• Protects persons and property from harm during emergency and non-emergency situations
• Responds to calls related to the protection of life and property, traffic incidents, and other required emergencies
• Pursues, subdues, apprehends and controls fleeing, uncooperative or combative persons
• Prepares reports of arrests made, activities performed, and unusual incidents observed
• Conducts both preliminary and follow-up investigations of disturbances, criminal incidents, hazardous incidents, vehicle accidents, and deaths
• Prepares search and arrest warrants; makes arrests; serves warrants and subpoenas
• Interrogates suspects and interviews victims, complainants and witnesses
• Coordinates and investigates violent crimes, child abuse, property crimes, vice, gaming, and narcotics violations
• Testifies and presents evidence in court; provides backup assistance for other officers and law enforcement personnel
• Collects, preserves, and maintains evidence, found property, and property for safekeeping
• Assists and advises motorists and enforces traffic safety laws by issuing citations and warnings
• Searches, fingerprints, and transports prisoners
• Responds to demonstrations, riots, hostage situations, barricaded subjects and other extremely hazardous situations
• Maintains contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and preserves good relationships with the public
• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement and non-law enforcement agencies in matters relating apprehending offenders and investigating offenses
• Observes, monitors, directs, and controls routine and unusual traffic conditions
• Assists with special investigative and crime prevention duties
• Checks buildings for physical security
• Administers first aid as needed

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Basic law enforcement terminology, methods and concepts as taught in a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy and Field Training Program
• Techniques for dealing with people under hostile and emergency situations

Ability to:

• Act with integrity, dependability, and professionalism to maintain the public trust
• Comprehend, interpret, explain, and implement laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and instructions
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; and prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports
• Think and act quickly; demonstrate sound judgment and rational thinking under adverse/dangerous circumstances; judge situations and people accurately; rapidly evaluate options and alternatives and choose appropriate responses
• Work with people from all socio-economic backgrounds
• Observe accurately and remember faces, numbers, incidents, and places
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use and care of department equipment, including, but not limited to firearms, vehicles, radios, and computers
• Demonstrate and maintain a physical condition which permits the satisfactory performance of assigned duties and responsibilities at all times, in all weathers and conditions, in a conveyance or on foot
• Demonstrate audio-visual acuity, perception and discrimination sufficient to accurately: hear instructions and information, make observations, testify in court, read and write, and properly operate assigned equipment and vehicles
• Demonstrate proficiency in the exercise of defensive tactics
• Handle an automobile in high speed and emergency situations
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at all times

Education:

• A High School diploma, GED, or equivalent;
• Graduation from a California P.O.S.T. certified basic Academy within the last three (3) years or
• possession of a P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Recertification certificate; and
• Completion of 60 semester units or equivalent from an accredited college or university is highly desirable.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH P.O.S.T., ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

• Possess a valid California driver's license
• Possess a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate
• Be 20 years old by the date of the written examination and be 21 years, or older, at the time of appointment
• Be not less than 20/100 uncorrected or corrected to 20/30 with normal color vision
• Eligible for U.S. citizenship at the time of appointment
• No felony convictions
• No misdemeanor convictions which mandate weapons prohibitions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) guidelines, incumbents must continuously display competence in the established peace officer job dimensions of: integrity, communication skills, learning ability, judgment under pressure, observational skills, willingness to confront problems, interest in people, interpersonal sensitivity, motivation, appearance, dependability, physical ability, operation of equipment and credibility as a witness in a court of law.

In accordance with P.O.S.T. guidelines, incumbents must continuously demonstrate and maintain standards of personal conduct with regards to personal and professional integrity; impulse control/attention to safety; substance abuse/risk-taking behavior; stress tolerance; confronting and overcoming problems, obstacles and adversity; conscientiousness; interpersonal skills; decision-making and judgment; learning ability; and communication skills.

Please note: Since Policing contains perishable skills such as driving, tactical firearms, force options, arrest and control, and verbal communications, applicants who have obtained a POST Certification more than one year prior to application date, and have not worked in the capacity of a Peace Officer, may be required to reattend the Police Academy.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Working Conditions

Working conditions may include, but are not limited to: running, jumping, walking, kneeling, crouching or crawling, subduing uncooperative individuals, chasing fleeing subjects, physically moving equipment and incapacitated or deceased persons, climbing stairs/ladders, going over obstacles, performing life-saving and rescue procedures, standing, sitting, or remaining in fixed positions for extended periods of time, and operating Department equipment and vehicles.

Function effectively while confronted with personal danger, including, but not limited to: exposure to armed/dangerous persons, dangerous animals, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, fumes, hazards of emergency driving, hazards associated with traffic control and working in and near traffic, and natural and man-made disasters.

The Recruitment & Selection Process

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete and submit the following: Failure to attach the required documents will result in disqualification.

1. Completed City of Vallejo application
2. Answers to all Supplemental Questions
3. A copy of your California P.O.S.T. Basic Academy Certificate or re-certification certificate

Please also attached any other professional certifications relevant to the Police Officer class.

*A resume cannot be substituted for any portion of the application process (i.e., the official application and responses to the supplemental questions).

NOTE: If you have problems creating a user account, obtaining your already created account information, or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com applicant support directly at 855-524-5627. City of Vallejo staff are unable to assist with these issues.

Applicant Screening and Assessment:
Application screening will be conducted to evaluate each candidates' supplemental/personal history questionnaire responses, educational course work, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position that may include but are not limited to:

• Education, GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Valid California driver license
• Citizenship
• Criminal history

Individuals who are found to be the most qualified will be invited to participate in an oral panel interview.

Oral Panel Interview:
Oral panel interviews are weighted at 100% of a candidates score. Those whom have scored the highest will be placed on the register of eligibles and referred to the department for further consideration.

Background Investigation:
The most qualified candidates will be provided a conditional offer letter and invited to move forward in the selection process to a background investigation in accordance with applicable law, regulation and/or policy. Candidates will be required to complete and submit a State of California Personal History Statement (POST Form 2-251 Rev. 01/2024). The information that you provide in the Personal History Statement will be used in the background investigation to assist in determining your suitability for the position of Police Officer (Entry - Academy Graduate), in accordance with POST Commission Regulation 1953. Background investigations will also include live scan fingerprinting, and polygraph examination.

Those candidates who pass the background investigation portion of the selection process may be invited to a Chief's interview. Based on a candidates suitability as determined by the background investigation and Chief's interview, a pre-placement psychological and medical examination would be the next step in the selection process.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact Yissa Barajas at (707) 648-8606 or by email at yissa.barajas@cityofvallejo.net.

Disaster Service Workers - All City of Vallejo ("City") employees are designated Disaster Service Workers ("DSW") by state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) - The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.