Police Officer - Entry Level

About the role

The position involves patrolling the city in radio dispatched vehicles and on foot, answering calls for protection, enforcing laws, conducting traffic law enforcement, and performing various other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the city in radio dispatched vehicles and on foot
• Answer calls for protection of life and property
• Enforce City, State, and Federal laws
• Operate radar equipment
• Suppress crime by interrogation of suspicious persons, observing unusual situations, and settling disputes and arguments
• Perform traffic control, accident investigation, render emergency assistance, transport prisoners, serve warrants, participate in investigations, interview persons involved in crimes and accidents, document incidents using computers, conduct security checks, observe assigned area for suspicious activities and unsafe conditions, and provide assistance to other officers and law enforcement agencies
• Participate in community-based policing, familiarization between law enforcement and community residents, and collaborative problem solving

Requirements

• High school graduation or G.E.D. certificate/equivalent
• Proof of being 21 years old by the date of hire
• Record free of any felony convictions
• Reside or be willing to relocate within a 60-minute drive to the police department
• Physical health, strength, and agility necessary to meet the physical demands of police work

Qualifications

• Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License (Class C / Class 3)

Skills

• Ability to enforce laws and regulations
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Physical fitness and stamina

Benefits

• Retirement through the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
• Health insurance paid by the City of Scotts Valley
• Lifetime disability insurance paid by the City of Scotts Valley
• Uniform allowance fully provided by the City of Scotts Valley
• Vacation benefits starting at 80 hours after 5 years of service
• Holiday pay in lieu of holidays off
• Longevity pay increasing with years of service
• Sick leave with buy-back incentive program
• Pre-tax deductions for medical and dependent care expenses
• Deferred compensation plan
• Retiree medical benefit

Pay

Entry level salary range: $7,955 - $10,662 per month

Includes automatic 8 hours straight time each month due to 3/12 shift and 9.5 hours straight time for monthly holiday pay.

Schedule

All police patrol personnel currently work a 12-hour/3-4 day work schedule.

Benefits

• Retirement through the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS)
• Health insurance paid by the City of Scotts Valley
• Lifetime disability insurance paid by the City of Scotts Valley
• Uniform allowance fully provided by the City of Scotts Valley
• Vacation benefits starting at 80 hours after 5 years of service
• Holiday pay in lieu of holidays off
• Longevity pay increasing with years of service
• Sick leave with buy-back incentive program
• Pre-tax deductions for medical and dependent care expenses
• Deferred compensation plan
• Retiree medical benefit

Application and Testing Process

• Required to fill out and complete a City application form
• Must pass a pre-employment medical, psychological, and polygraph exam
• Complete the POST Entrance Assessment Process (written and physical tests)
• Submit certificates of completion with the application
• Complete a Personal History Statement (PHS) at the provided link and email it to the police department’s Administrative Secretary

Local Training Centers

• South Bay Coyote Valley
• College of San Mateo
• M Monterey Peninsula College

Pre-employment Policy Regarding Illegal Drug Use or Possession

Note: For the purposes of this policy, an adult is defined as someone 18 years of age or older. The following types of illegal drug use or possession will be considered automatic disqualifiers in the pre-employment selection process for sworn police personnel, with no exceptions:

• Any adult use or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within seven (7) years prior to application for employment.