Community Service Officer

About the role

The City of Santa Cruz is now recruiting for Community Service Officer candidates. The position is a non-sworn position that does not require previous law enforcement experience.

Responsibilities

• Takes/investigates crime and traffic reports which are low risk in nature or are not in progress.
• Identifies, preserves, collects and analyzes evidence associated with criminal incidents.
• Coordinates documents and organizes investigative information and evidence for subsequent prosecution and laboratory analysis.
• Handles both emergency and non-emergency calls to assist citizens.
• Handles follow up including re-contacting involved parties on crime reports to obtain further information.
• Performs general patrol duties, both on foot and in vehicles, as a crime deterrent.
• Reports problems to or calls for assistance from City Police, Fire or other departments as appropriate.
• Enforces municipal code violations; gives warnings; issues citations for violations of local ordinances.
• Maintains a uniformed presence; assists public and merchants by providing security, answering questions and providing information.
• Presents crime prevention information to citizen groups and businesses.
• Transports victims, witnesses and prisoners, as needed.
• Checks security of buildings, detects fire and liability hazards.
• Identifies immediate maintenance problems in buildings and wharf structures.
• Participates in the vehicle abatement program as directed.
• Appears in court as necessary.
• Directs and controls traffic at accidents or special events, or as a school crossing guard; performs non-hazardous crowd control duties.
• Fingerprints individuals.

Requirements

• Completion and submission of passing POST Reading and Writing Test Battery (PELLETB) results with a score of 46 or higher.
• Passing POST Pellet-B T Score of 46 taken in calendar years 2025 or 2026.
• Driver’s License Requirement: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license and a safe driving record.

Qualifications

The City of Santa Cruz is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its recruitment, hiring, and retention practices. The ideal candidate should embody a commitment to change and improving the quality of life in Santa Cruz.

Skills

• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate reports.
• Effective listening and communication via a police radio.
• Tactful and effective interaction with people of ethnic and cultural diversity.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with peers, department, and the general public.
• Compile and maintain accurate records.
• Understand, appropriately apply, and clearly explain regulations, codes, and ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Learn to diagram, photograph, or video-film crime scenes.
• Learn to logically and progressively interview victims and witnesses.
• Operate word processing software.

Benefits

• Hiring Bonus: $5,000 bonus paid out as follows: $1000 upon successful completion of the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, $1500 upon successful completion of probation, and $2500 at 2.5 years post hire.
• Employee Referral Incentives: Eligible for a $500 referral bonus if referred by a City of Santa Cruz employee.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is $49,000 - $55,000 annually, with a potential for a hiring bonus of $5,000 upon successful completion of the FTO program, probation, and 2.5 years post hire.

Schedule

Community Service Officers typically work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to support the needs of the community.

Application Process

To apply, candidates must complete and submit the following:

• Passing POST Reading and Writing Test Battery (PELLETB) results with a score of 46 or higher.
• Verification of POST Pellet-B T Score of 46 taken in calendar years 2025 or 2026.
• A valid California driver's license.

Candidates must also submit a Personal History Statement within 14 calendar days of notification. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis.