Community Services Officer

Job Summary

Join Our Team as a Community Services Officer!

Joining the Santa Monica Police Department as a Community Services Officer (CSO) offers a unique opportunity to contribute to public safety and make a meaningful impact in our community. If you have two years of recent, paid work experience involving heavy public contact and are passionate about serving others, this role is designed for you.

As a CSO, you’ll play an essential role in supporting sworn officers by conducting preliminary investigations, preparing detailed reports, and assisting with traffic control and community events. Whether you're helping citizens in need, gathering evidence, or providing critical services to the public, this position offers a chance to directly impact the well-being of Santa Monica residents.

This role not only allows you to apply your existing public contact experience but also provides opportunities for personal and professional growth in a dynamic and collaborative law enforcement environment. Additionally, the Santa Monica Police Department offers competitive pay and excellent benefits, making this a rewarding opportunity both personally and professionally.
By joining the Santa Monica Police Department, you’ll be part of a team dedicated to excellence and community-oriented policing. If you’re ready to take on a rewarding and challenging position that makes a difference, we encourage you to apply to become a Community Services Officer.

JOB SUMMARY : Relieves and assists sworn personnel by performing a variety of preliminary investigations of traffic accidents, crimes, and other incidents. Prepares reports and performs support duties in other areas of the police department.

Representative Duties

Relieves and assists sworn personnel by conducting preliminary investigations of traffic collisions and felony and misdemeanor crimes, and other incidents.

Prepares police reports and completes forms on a variety of incidents and crimes, including statements from witnesses, victims and citizens. Takes incident reports of injury/fatal airplane and light rail collisions.

Driving a marked vehicle, patrols the City to observe and report activities relevant to law enforcement matters and to provide other services to the public.

Performs traffic control duties, sets up safety barricades, and ensures safe traffic patterns. Reports hazardous traffic conditions, when necessary.

Gathers, processes, and preserves property and evidence.

Takes photographs in the field, as needed. May provide photographic support to the Forensic Section.

Enforces parking regulations, performs vehicle checks, and has cars towed and impounded, when needed. Recovers stolen or lost vehicles and performs required follow up activities.

Performs relief and support duties at the police department's front desk, and Santa Monica Pier.

Provides information and assists the public with a variety of requests and inquiries.

Assists lost individuals and disabled motorists.

Assists with crowd control activities at large events and emergencies.

Appears and testifies in court and at depositions, as required.

Follows applicable safety rules and regulations.

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills :

Knowledge of:

English grammar and composition.
Safe work practices.
Basic measurements and mathematics.
Effective customer service techniques.

Ability to:

Learn and apply effective investigation techniques.
Learn proper patrol procedures.
Learn City street layout. Learn municipal, vehicle, and penal codes and police policies and procedures.
Learn and use law enforcement telecommunication databases and other applications in an appropriate manner.
Learn safe work procedures in traffic and in emergency situations.
Learn to identify suspicious activities and unsafe conditions.
Work independently.
Write clear, concise, and accurate reports in a timely manner.
Deal effectively with a variety of individuals in stressful situations.
Use good judgment in a variety of situations.
Make sound decisions and use independent judgment.
Grasp information quickly and take appropriate action.
Learn and use police radio, cameras, safety equipment (flares, barricades), measuring devices, and CPR mask.
Apply learned first aid procedures in emergency situations.
Provide effective customer service.
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees and the general public.

Skill in:

Using a personal computer and applicable software applications.
Reading, writing and communicating at an appropriate level.
Typing at a corrected speed of 25 words per minute.

Education, Training and Experience :

Graduation from high school or the equivalent.

Two years of recent, paid work experience involving heavy public contact. Public contact experience should include assisting and providing information to a variety of individuals.

Licenses and Certificates :

Possession of a valid Class C driver license. Must have the ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certificates within 12 months from date of hire.

Will be expected to complete a Basic Traffic Collision Investigation course, Intermediate Traffic Collision Investigation course and Transit Rail Incident Investigation course within a timeframe set by the Police Department.

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY : An on-line City application and required supplemental questions must be completed for this position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified for the position on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.

NOTE: Only permanent employees are eligible for a transfer. Employees submitting transfer applications must notify the recruitment analyst via email upon submission of their application.

SELECTION PROCESS : All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Testing will consist of the following:

• Keyboarding @ 25 wpm (Qualifying) - week of February 3, 2025
• In-Person Written Examination (online testing will not be offered)

(THE IN-PERSON WRITTEN EXAMINATION IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 18, 2025)

Medical Examination: Prior to appointment, candidates must successfully complete a thorough examination, including a drug screen, to determine if they meet the City's medical standards.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS : Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process be subject to a thorough background investigation.

NOTE : If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.

Equity & Inclusion Statement

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact. The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS: Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246 (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is performed both inside and outside in seasonal climate and weather conditions. Slippery surfaces, oily conditions, dust, dirt, and odors are conditions frequently encountered. Must constantly work with noise from traffic and police radio. Responding to major traffic accidents and emergencies, completing reports in a timely manner, controlling traffic and responding to multiple calls are situations often encountered. Physical demands include repetitive arm and wrist motions from directing traffic and writing reports. Constant arm and leg movements, driving, standing, and sitting for long period of time. Bending, stooping, squatting, climbing is also required. Must have ability to lift, carry and move heavy objects. Position requires availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, on call and overtime.

The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.

Closing Date/Time: 1/17/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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• City of Santa Monica

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