Police Sergeant (Internal Promotional Only)

Job Description

Description

This is a Department Only Promotional Opportunity for employees in permanent, allocated positions in the Vallejo Police Department whom are eligible for promotion pursuant to section 6 of the Vallejo Police Officers Association (VPOA) labor agreement.

The City of Vallejo is recruiting for the position of Police Sergeant to establish a Register of Eligibles list to fill vacancies for up to two years.

Under general supervision, the Police Sergeant directs and assists a unit of police officers or employees in performing the police functions of protecting persons and property providing law enforcement, and other related work as required.

In addition to being qualified as outlined below, ideal candidates will have good attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; and be judicious, proactive, responsive, timely, accurate, trustworthy, and ethical.

Candidates should possess extensive understanding of modern policing issues, philosophies, practices and trends, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the demonstrated ability to interact with a diverse community.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Receives general supervision from supervisory or management staff.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

- Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Inspects, directs and supervises the work of subordinates; coordinates employee activities which are generally performed independently as individual work details at different job sites or areas.
• Mobilizes forces and assigns duties to meet emergencies.
• Determines the need for materials and equipment required and is responsible for their care, use and return; reports time and materials used on activities.
• Inspects work being performed and approves completed work and reports.
• Provides job instruction and prepares work appraisals for employees assigned.
• Enforces work safety regulations; enforces departmental and City work regulations.
• Provides supervision at the scene of traffic accidents, crimes or other incidents.
• May perform specialized administrative or investigative work.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Modern police methods and procedures including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques.
• California Penal and Vehicle Codes; criminal law with particular reference to laws pertaining to minors, rights of citizens, and the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons accused of misdemeanors and felonies.
• The rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure, and the preservation and presentation of such evidence in criminal cases.

Ability to:

• Schedule, organize, and supervise the work of others.
• Analyze situations effectively and interpret and apply appropriate laws and regulations.
• Prepare clear, concise and complete written reports.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others and to deal tactfully and effectively with the public.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Experience :

Three years of experience as a police officer in the City of Vallejo.

Training :

Additional desirable qualifications: possession of an AA Degree in an appropriate discipline; possession of a P.O.S.T. Intermediate or Advanced Certificate.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The Recruitment & Selection Process Applicants must submit a completed City of Vallejo online application by Thursday, December 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., including all responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (Resume/Cover Letter Optional), by the posted deadline in order to be considered.

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.

2. Applications will be screened for minimum qualifications to determine promotional eligibility pursuant to the experience and training guidelines set forth in the classification specification above, and Section 6 of the VPOA labor agreement. The City of Vallejo reserves the right to invite only those whom meet the minimum qualifications to orientation and the examination process.

3. Candidate Orientation is tentatively scheduled for Monday , December 14, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. . Candidate orientation will be held virtually via Zoom. Please log in on time, and allow approximately 60 minutes for the orientation.

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be sent an invite prior to December 14, 2026. Participation in candidate orientation is highly encouraged, but is not required.

Examination Process
The examination process will include a written exam and an assessment center consisting of three components. In accordance with Civil Service Commission (CSC) rule 9.5, the components of the examination process and relative weight is as follows:

• Written Exam 40%
• Oral Panel Interview 15%
• Community Presentation Exercise 15%
• Critical Incident Exercise 15%
• Written Exercise 15%

Pursuant to Section 6(G) of the VPOA labor agreement, employees applying for promotional examinations within the Department shall receive a notice at least three (3) months in advance of the dates on which each general phase of the examination shall be conducted. Examination dates and details are as follows:

Written Exam : The written exam will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2027 at 10:00 a.m . The exam will be held in the Vallejo Room located at 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA 94590. Please arrive on time, and allow approximately two hours for the test.

Pursuant to CSC Rule 9.6, an applicant who has failed in a subject of examination having weight sufficiently great to make it impossible for him/her to attain a general average of seventy percent (70.00%) or more, assuming the maximum degree of excellence in all other subjects shall be excluded from further examination and shall be considered as having failed the entire examination.

Written Exam/Assessment Center Study Guide
Questions for this promotional assessment will be drawn from the following source materials:

• Lexipol Policy Manual (Entire Manual)
• Solano County Fatal Incident Protocol
• Government Code 3300 - 3312
• Vallejo Police Officers Association Memorandum of Understanding (VPOA MOU), April 1, 2022-June 30, 2026
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Memorandum of Understanding (IBEW MOU), July 1, 2024-June 30, 2027
  • Sections: 2.3, 3.9, 3.10, 4.2, 4.4, 4.7, 6.1, 6.6
• Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement by Kevin Gilmartin

** A copy of the Lexipol Manual has been frozen with no further changes as of October 22, 2026, and will be provided to all applicants as described below.

Access to the study guide documents mentioned above, will be sent at the same time as this bulletin is posted via email to candidates whom are eligible to apply for this promotional opportu nity with the exception of the book "Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement" by Kevin Gilmartin, which is available to check out through Executive Secretary, Kristin Jackson. To reserve a copy of the book, candidates must have submitted an online application for the position, and send an email request to kristin.jackson@cityofvallejo.net.

** Please Note: If you believe that you are qualified for this position, but did not receive an email containing study guide materials, please contact Anabela Rivera in Human Resources at the information below:

Anabela Rivera
Phone: (707) 645-2620
Email: anabela.rivera@cityofvallejo.net

Assessment Center: The remaining components of the examination process (Oral Panel Interviews, Community Presentation Exercise, and Critical Incident Exercise) are tentatively scheduled for February 3 & 4, 2027 . Notification of testing time and the testing location, will be provided to candidates in advance of their scheduled time.

Pursuant to section 6(G) of the VPOA labor agreement, if the Department determines to change the date of any phase of the examination, it shall provide written notice of the new date at least fourteen (14) calendar days in advance of the new date .

Scores: After all components of the examination process have been completed by all qualified candidates, tentative scores will be tabulated in accordance with Civil Service Commission Rule 9 and 10 (which includes seniority credit, where applicable) and sent to each candidate.

Inspection of Scored Answers Period: Pursuant to Civil Service Commission Rule 12.3, after all parts of an examination have been completed and scored, the candidates shall be allowed a period of five (5) working days during which they may inspect their scored answer sheets and any rating forms which they have been rated during any part of the examination.

To inspect scored answers in accordance with the CSC Rule above, candidates must schedule an appointment by emailing Anabela Rivera at anabela.rivera@cityofvallejo.net.

Following resolution of any candidate protests, final scores will be sent to each candidate.

In accordance with CSC rule 9, the average percentage for the proficiency required for passing shall be seventy percent (70%). Those with scores 70% or higher will be placed on the Register of Eligibles.

Pursuant to Civil Service Commission rule 9.6, an applicant who has failed in a subject of examination having weight sufficiently great to make it impossible for him/her to attain a general average of seventy percent (70.00%) or more, assuming the maximum degree of excellence in all other subjects shall be excluded from further examination and shall be considered as having failed the entire examination.

Register of Eligibles: Pursuant to CSC rule 13, for promotional examinations, the names of persons shall take rank upon the Register of Eligibles on which their names appear in the order of their relative excellence as determined by the examination process without reference to priority of date of examination.

Each candidate shall receive, in addition to their final score, their ranking on the Register of Eligibles.

Department Interview and Final Selection: Those whom have been placed on the Register of Eligibles will be referred to the Department for interview and final selection. In accordance with section 6(A) of the VPOA labor agreement, promotions to classifications within the unit represented by the Vallejo Police Officers Association shall be made from the ranks, provided the candidate on the eligible list is qualified for the vacant position as determined solely by the Chief of Police in accordance with Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations and the following Subsection:

1. In the event that there are no names on a reserve or re-employment list in the classification to be filled, the names of all candidates on promotional Lists of Eligibles developed under Civil Service Rules and Regulations shall be certified by the Civil Service Commission to the Chief of Police. If fewer than three (3) names remain on the List the Chief may demand certification of at least three (3) names and examinations shall be conducted until at last three (3) names may be certified.

2. Once a promotional List of Eligibles has been certified by the Civil Service Commission to the Chief of Police, the Chief of Police shall recommend promotion to the appointing authority of the candidates on that List utilizing criteria to include the quality and diversity of the candidate's experience, raw Civil Service Examination scores, relevant academic and vocational education, work attendance and productivity, and the candidate's understanding of the requirements of the classification within the Police Department.

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.

Veteran's Preference - Veteran's preference points will be applied in accordance with Civil Service Rule 24. A copy of the DD 214 form must be filed at time of application.

Seniority Points - Seniority points will be applied in accordance with CSC Rule 10.5. Pursuant to Rule 10.5;

a. In marking examinations, a uniform allowance of credits to be known as seniority credit shall be made for past service in position from which promotion is limited. Seniority credit calculations shall accumulate up to and including the time of the final filing date indicated on the job announcement for which the employee is submitting an application. If an employee has been reclassified from another position to that which he/she holds at present and competes in a promotional test, entrance to which is limited to lower ranks, including his/her present position, then he/she shall receive the same seniority credit for the service in the position from which he/she was reclassified as he/she receives for the service in the position to which he/she was reclassified. (Rule 10.5a amended by Civil Service Commission on 03/13/06, and approved by City Council on 04/25/06, Res. No. 06-130 N.C.)

b. Seniority Credit shall be allowed only for promotional examinations and shall be given only to those candidates who attain a minimum passing grade of seventy percent (70.00%) or higher on the examination grading scale of one hundred percent (100.00%). Seniority shall be computed on the following basis: (1) Two percent (2%) or points for each year of the first three (3) years of service in the rank or grade from which promotion is sought; (2) One percent (1%) or point for each year of the next four (4) years of service in the rank or grade from which promotion is sought. Not more than ten percent (10%) or points shall be allowed for seniority .

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.

Click here for benefit information for Vallejo Police Officers Association Employees (VPOA)

Closing Date/Time: 12/3/2026 5:00 PM Pacific