POLICE OFFICER (Lateral or Academy Complete)

Job Description:

POLICE OFFICER (Lateral or Academy Complete)

Description

THE POSITION

The City of Ventura is accepting applications for the position of Police Officer (Lateral or Academy Trained). Police Officers work under general supervision and performs regular law enforcement, criminal investigation, crime prevention, and traffic control and enforcement duties. Police Officers may perform duties in specialty assignments such as motorcycle officer, K-9, major crimes investigations, special investigation, SWAT and field tactical units. This position wears a uniform and works rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and is subject to call-back.

The City offers a total compensation package that includes both a generous salary and other benefits! Refer to the benefits tab on the job posting for more information.

If you meet the qualifications for the position and are interested in a career with the City of Ventura Police Department, please complete an online City Job Application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis. Open until filled.

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City's Career Page at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs or by selecting here Police Officer .

Employee Referral Program

This position has been designated “hard to fill” and is eligible for the employee referral program. If you have been referred to apply for this position by a current City staff member, please indicate their name as the person who referred you in the supplemental question.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of education, training and experience equivalent to completion of high school. College coursework in behavioral or social science, criminal justice, or a related field is desirable, and the following requirements must be met:

LATERAL applicants: Must possess a California POST Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Certificate and have one year experience as a Police Officer with a California agency.

ACADEMY-TRAINED applicants: Must have successfully completed a California POST Certified Basic Academy.

ACADEMY-IN-PROCESS applicants: Must be currently enrolled in a California POST Certified Basic Academy program and be within three months of graduation.

License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record are required at time of hire.

Certificate: Possession of a California POST "Basic" certificate is required at time of hire.

APPLICATION AND INTERVIEW PROCESS

Applications and supplemental questions are reviewed on a continuous basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly. Open until filled.

The preferred method to submit your application is on-line at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs . If you are unable to submit an online application, you may request paper application materials by calling (805) 654-7853 during regular business hours or emailing recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov. Paper applications and answers to the supplemental questionnaire can be Faxed to (805) 648-4467 or mailed to City Hall at: 501 Poli Street, Room 210; Ventura, CA 93001. If you FAX, it is highly recommended that you also send the original documents via mail.

It is important that your City job application show all the relevant education, training and experience you possess. Resumes and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application. Submitting an incomplete application, may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.

NOTE: After you apply, all future correspondence from the City will be via e-mail. Please keep your contact information up-to-date and ensure that your email spam filter allows you to receive messages from recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov . You may also view notices sent to you by the City in the "My Applications" tab at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs .

All applicants meeting the minimum requirements will have their names certified to the eligibility list and forwarded to the Police Department for further consideration.

Additional selection and hiring components include: department selection interview, physical agility assessment*, polygraph, background investigation, post-offer psychological and medical examinations.

*The physical agility assessment consists of the following components:

• Agility Run: Run a 99-yard course with abrupt changes in lateral and vertical movement
• Dummy Drag: Lift and drag a 165 pound dummy 21 feet.
• Fence Climb/Run: Run 25 yards, climb a six foot high chain-link fence, continue running 5 yards.
• Fence Climb/Run: Run 25 yards, climb a six foot high solid fence, continue running 5 yards.
• 500 Yard Run: Run 500 yards with no obstacles.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov . supplemental questions will be accepted on a continuous basis and candidates should apply promptly to be considered for upcoming vacancies.

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Ventura operates under the Council/ Manager form of government under a charter adopted by voters in 1934, with an elected seven-member City Council. This full-service municipality is supported by 11 major City departments: City Manager, City Attorney, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources, Community Development, Parks & Recreation, Fire, Police, Public Works, and Ventura Water. The City’s Adopted FY 2024/2025 Operating and Capital budget totals approximately $531 million. The City Council and the City Manager are dedicated to the highest standards of integrity, public service, and innovative approaches to governing.

To learn more about the City of Ventura, please visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov and view the FY2024-25 Adopted Budget.

CITY OF VENTURA
The City of Ventura is located just north of Los Angeles County and south of Santa Barbara County and is frequently considered one of America’s most desirable places to live. The City is a full-service municipality that was founded in 1782, incorporated in 1866, and serves nearly 110,000 residents within its 32 square miles. With nearly 700 employees, the City is dedicated to delivering key services to our businesses, residents, and visitors to ensure Ventura remains a fiscally stable, economically vibrant, safe, clean, and desirable community.

Locals and visitors enjoy Ventura’s impressive park system that includes 32 parks and historic sites, and more than 800 acres of open green space. The City offers a remarkable year-round climate, friendly people, and a spectacular coastline. Ventura is an exciting location for a variety of outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, sailing, surfing, whale watching and windsurfing. Other activities include the Channel Islands National Park, championship golf, world-class shopping, wine tours, and more. Learn more about the City of Ventura at www.CityofVentura.ca.gov

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The City of Ventura values human rights, goodwill, respect, inclusivity, equality, and recognizes that the City derives its strength from a rich diversity of thoughts, ideas, and contributions. As leaders in public service, we aspire to be an employer of choice by promoting an organizational culture that reflects these core values. We seek to attract, develop, and retain a talented and dedicated workforce where people of diverse races, genders, religions, cultures, political affiliations, and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that empowers our employees to provide the highest level of service to our community of residents and businesses; they’re counting on us.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!

Background Information:

Right to Work : Before employment, candidates must submit documentation verifying legal right to work in the United States.

Background Check : A pre-employment verification of background, references, and medical examination, including psychological and polygraph exams, will be conducted. A drug screening may be required for some positions.

Probationary Period : 12 months for Lateral Police Officer; 18 months for Academy-Trained Police Officer.

POLICE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Upon completion of the academy, and appointment as a Police Officer, candidates will be eligible for the following benefits:

Educational Incentive: After completion of probation, 5% of base pay for an AA degree or intermediate POST certificate or 10.24% for a BA degree or Advanced POST certificate.

Bilingual Pay: $50 per pay period for demonstrated proficiency in a second language.

Uniform Allowance: $550 per year. All uniforms, including safety vests, are provided.

Deferred Compensation: A Section 457 plan is available.

Medical/Dental Insurance: Up to $1,040 monthly towards a selection of plans. Medical and dental insurance is effective the first of the second month after date of hire.

Optional Benefits Program: $462 monthly, which may be applied toward medical insurance premiums. Cash-out option is not available.

Vision Insurance: City paid coverage for employees and their dependents. Vision insurance is effective the first of the second month after date of hire.

Life Insurance: City paid term life insurance of $10,000.

Retirement: Employees are covered by the CalPERS retirement system. If you are a CalPERS retiree, please contact CalPERS to discuss the impact that employment in this position would have on your pension benefit.

Tier I - 3% @ 50/Single Highest Year of Compensation Period for Classic CalPERS members who were hired prior to July 24, 2011, or who worked for the City prior to July 24, 2011 and are returning to City employment. Employees make a 4.5% member contribution and 4.5% of the employer's share, and may be subject to compensation limits per Section 401(a)(17) of the IRC. The City will contribute 4.5% of the member contribution and report the value to CalPERS as pensionable income.

Tier II - 3% @ 55/Single Highest Year of Compensation Period for employees hired on or after July 24, 2011 and prior to January 01, 2013, and for employees hired on or after January 01, 2013 who are considered Classic CalPERS members with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS'-reciprocal agency. Employees make a 4.5% member contribution and 4.5% of the employer's share, and may be subject to compensation limits per Section 401(a)(17) of the IRC. The City will contribute 4.5% of the member contribution and report the value to CalPERS as pensionable income.

Tier III - 2.7% @ 57/ Highest Three Consecutive Years of Compensation for employees hired on or after January 01, 2013 who are considered, "New Members." Employees will pay an 11.5% member contribution in accordance with Government Code Section 7522.30, and are subject to compensation limits per Government Code Section 7522.10. Additional details regarding the City's retirement plan will be provided to candidates during the job offer process.

Social Security: CalPERS members do not participate in Social Security retirement so there is no payroll deduction. Receiving a CalPERS benefit may affect your Social Security upon retirement. For further information contact a Social Security office or www.socialsecurity.gov/form1945 .

Medicare: Employees participate only in the Medicare portion of Social Security. There is a 1.45% payroll deduction for this benefit.

Holiday and Vacation: 22 days per year of combined holiday and vacation. Employees may cash out 120 hours of holiday time annually.

Personal Leave: 35 hours per calendar year.

Sick Leave: 8 hours accrued per month, up to 1,440 hours; 25% will be paid out at retirement with 10 years service.

Tuition Reimbursement: $2,500 per year for tuition and books for courses taken at accredited institution after completion of probationary period.

Student Loan Forgiveness: The City currently qualifies as an eligible employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Direct Deposit: Paychecks are automatically deposited to employee accounts.

Workweek: Officers in Field Services work 12 hours per day, 3 days per week.

Wellness Program: A comprehensive program is available, including on-site gym, exercise classes, downtown/beach walking routes, weight loss, and tips on nutrition and healthy lifestyle.

Professional Development: The City of Ventura is a LinkedIn Learning organization. LinkedIn Learning online classes are available with a library of more than 13,000 courses taught by real-world experts. Users can download certificates and customize learning paths that match their roles and competencies.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$47.88 Hourly