ABOUT THE POSITION NOTE: This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close without prior notice. Please thoroughly review the entire job flyer including the application instructions. Failure to submit a completed application and provide required documentation may result in an application being removed from further consideration. The Community Services Officer is a non-sworn position in the Police Department responsible for performing clerical and technical tasks in support of patrol and investigation personnel.
The position of Community Services Officer will be assigned to the Field Operations Division, which operates 24 hours/7 days per week. Full-time weekly work schedules consist of four (4) - 10 hour shifts. Qualified applicants be available to work a flexible schedule which may include mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends, including holidays.
This recruitment is to establish an Eligibility List of qualified candidates to fill two (2) anticipated full-time vacancy in the Police Department.
The Eligibility List may be utilized to fill other full and part-time vacancies as needed. Generally, a valid Eligible List is in effect for up to one year, unless the List expires sooner.
The City offers a competitive benefits package, including 100% City-paid medical insurance coverage up to the CalPERS Kaiser Plan (2024 rates) with the option of selecting an HMO or PPO plan; dental and vision insurance; voluntary deferred compensation plans; group life insurance ; 12 paid holidays per calendar year; optional health and dependent care flexible spending accounts; behavioral wellness program, a generous tuition reimbursement program, city-paid professional memberships and trainings; and a "9/80" work schedule.
Effective the start of the pay period that includes April 1, 2025, employees will receive a four percent (4.0%) across the board pay range increase.
The Community Service Officer positions are anticipated to be approved for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this classification:
- Prepare, process, index and file documents required for prosecution and court appearances, as well as any related documents and information.
- Receive visitors at the police desk or via the telephone and take information to prepare articulate police reports that contain complex and sensitive information.
- Respond to field locations of crime scenes and traffic collisions; take information, secure scene, and prepare reports.
- Identify, collect, and preserve physical evidence.
- May take photographs of crime and traffic accident scenes.
- Maintain statistical reports on daily activity.
- Patrol areas of the City to enforce parking regulations including marking and handling storage procedures for abandoned vehicles.
- May handle traffic control, which may include the set up and removal of traffic barriers at traffic accident scenes.
- Testify in court as necessary.
- Follow up on a variety of non-hazardous crimes to insure the recording of accurate and timely information.
- Interview principles and witnesses for factual information in the completion of police reports.
- Deal effectively with difficult and sensitive situations involving non-hazardous crimes.
- Assist sworn officers by searching, fingerprinting, booking and monitoring detainees/prisoners as required.
- May be assigned to assist in dispatching emergency services.
- May take custody of and store police criminal evidence and property, supplies and property.
- Enforce various municipal code ordinances.
- Assist in the training and supervision of less experienced personnel.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the skills, knowledge and abilities would be:
Age:At least 18 years of age, upon appointment.
Education: High School graduate or equivalent. College level work in Police Science or related field is desirable.
Experience: General office experience including public/customer contact is desirable, but not required.
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of sound business communication, oral and written; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation; principles and practices of public relations and customer service; and elements of effective time management and organizational skills.
Ability to: Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines; work independently, reason and react effectively and maturely; comprehend and comply with verbal and written instructions; learn in a changing work environment; evaluate situations and determine appropriate action to be taken, and anticipate situations and problems and initiate effective strategies; understand and follow oral and written instructions; communicate with a variety of people in various situations, using diplomacy, persuasion, patience, courtesy, tact, self-restraint, common sense, judgment and strategy when dealing with sensitive, complex and/or confidential issues and situations; read and interpret complex documents; collect, organize and analyze a variety of information and apply results to police activities; maintain confidentiality of documents and records; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; learn and operate telephone, teletype and police radio equipment.
Bilingual in Spanish or Asian languages is desirable.
License:Due to the performance of field duties which will require operation of a motor vehicle, a valid California Class C Driver's License and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout active employment is required.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System: An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of Downey. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.
Physical Tasks, Abilities, and Environmental Conditions: Work is performed in an office and outdoor environments. Office environment duties and responsibilities involve sitting, standing, and walking for prolonged or intermittent periods of time, and include reaching above and below shoulder level, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and twisting at the waist to perform desk work, file maintenance, and finger dexterity to operate general office equipment, including the operation of a personal computer and keyboard for prolonged or intermittent periods of time; which requires finger and wrist dexterity and the ability to withstand exposure to vibration, pitch and glare from the computer. Employee must be able to safely lift and carry books, files and reports weighing up to 25 pounds.
Outdoor environment may involve exposure to loud noise levels, police radio and traffic noise; cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, non-hazardous physical substances, and fumes. Operation of a motor vehicle which involves driving for prolonged or intermittent periods of time, standing and walking for prolonged or intermittent periods of time, standing and walking on uneven surfaces when performing duties; pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, squatting and climbing; and safely lifting and carrying object up to 50 pounds.
Shift Assignment: Must be available to work all assigned shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
EXAMINATION PROCESSThose applicants, who most closely match the desired qualifications, will be invited to participate in the examination process which will consist of:
Part I: Qualifying Written Examination (Pass/Fail)- Only those applicants who earn a qualifying score on the written examination will proceed to the appraisal examination (oral interview).
NOTE: The City of Downey reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to continue in the recruitment process based on higher scores achieved on the written examination.
Part II: Appraisal Examination- Oral Interview (weighted 100%): Designed to assess the applicant's knowledge, education, experience, and general ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Any applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the selection process due to a qualified disability must inform the Human Resources Office at (562) 904-7292 at least 72 hours in advance.
Candidate(s) who complete selection testing with acceptable results will be considered by the Department hiring authority. Prior to a conditional offer of employment, a candidate will undergo a comprehensive background check that includes employment reference checks, criminal history check, fingerprinting with the California Department of Justice, a credit review, and a polygraph. A psychological examination and a job-related pre-placement medical examination, including a drug screen will be conducted upon issuance of a conditional offer of employment.Closing Date/Time:
