Community Service Officer

City of Delano•Delano, CA

About The Position

Under direction, the Community Service Officer performs a variety of non-sworn civilian duties supporting police operations, community services, crime prevention, and day-to-day department services. The position supports community-oriented police programs and helps address community issues through public outreach, education, and crime-prevention activities. The role provides non-emergency assistance to residents, responds to routine traffic and other non-criminal incidents, supports investigations and evidence handling, and performs office, reception, dispatch, animal-care, and public-information duties. The officer may drive a marked vehicle, appear in court for work-related duties, participate in crowd control, and supervise Explorers and/or Cadets. The position may carry OC spray and/or a Taser if certified. Applicants must attach a DMV printout dated within the previous three months. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications may be invited to interview and testing. Reference checks, Live Scan, background investigations, and pre-employment physicals, including drug testing, are part of the employment process.

Requirements

High school diploma or an equivalent certificate or diploma recognized by the State of California.
One year of work experience involving a substantial amount of public contact.
Ability to obtain a Certificate of Graduation from a POST Community Services Officer Course within one year of appointment.
Possess a Title 22 First Aid/CPR Certificate or be able to obtain one within six months of appointment.
Maintain a valid California Driver License and a driving record acceptable to the City.
Knowledge of PCs and related software, standard office equipment, correct written and oral English, public speaking and public-contact techniques, inventory and recordkeeping, data collection, statistical recordkeeping, report writing, police records and information resources, basic interviewing techniques, safe driving, and standard safety practices for non-sworn law-enforcement work.
Skill in remaining calm and taking appropriate action in tense situations, interpreting and applying procedures and policies, and preparing clear and concise reports.
Ability to operate a PC and related software; communicate clearly in oral and written English; maintain effective working relationships; and interact effectively and sensitively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to analyze and respond effectively and assertively in varied circumstances; interpret and apply applicable laws, procedures, codes, and regulations; make routine decisions without specific instructions; and prepare and deliver effective oral presentations.
Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and complete records and reports and respond appropriately to inquiries, complaints, and requests for information from staff and the public.
Ability to be physically present at the worksite to ensure staffing levels and to report on time and work full workdays and workweeks, including assigned shift work, weekends, and evenings.
Ability to work periodically on a rotating shift and a workweek of four or five consecutive days; work weekends, holidays, and overtime; and respond to recall when paged and physically available.

Responsibilities

Assist citizens with non-safety law-enforcement-related services, provide visibility in the community, refer residents to community resources, and respond to public inquiries about department operations and procedures.
Take incident reports from involved parties and respond to routine traffic and other non-criminal incidents.
Search for owners of found property and assist with collecting and preserving evidentiary material.
Perform reception duties, citation sign-offs, courier services, and relief dispatching.
Assist with animal-control functions, including retrieval, control, feeding, and general care of animals in the department’s care or jurisdiction.
Explain department operations, provide facility tours, and give presentations on crime prevention, public safety, and related topics to community and school audiences.
Review crime statistics and information and assist in developing and designing programs to address community issues.
Distribute safety and crime-prevention materials and participate in community events, awareness programs, child-identification programs, and community law-enforcement education and training.
Develop and implement crime-prevention programs and coordinate with residents, schools, and businesses to implement them.
Plan and coordinate programs such as Neighborhood Watch, Combat Auto-theft, and Crime Prevention Community Fairs; publicize community services and resources; and engage residents in volunteer and safety efforts.
Provide information and direction to the public about law-enforcement-related codes and ordinances.
Work with other departments on plan and program reviews involving Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).
Maintain files related to community-oriented police services, gang information, and graffiti; prepare correspondence, memoranda, logs, and reports; and participate in special civic events.
Supervise Explorers and/or Cadets and, as assigned, serve as an alternate evidence custodian or conduct offender registrations.
Receive, identify, collect, categorize, preserve, and store evidence without tainting or contaminating it, and update and track evidence information in the Law Enforcement Evidence Tracking System.
Drive a marked vehicle to conduct home, business, and area checks; observe for legal violations, suspicious behavior, disabled vehicles, hazards, vandalism, and traffic accidents.
Respond to calls involving runaways, burglaries, thefts, vandalism, and similar crimes where suspects are unknown; interview victims and witnesses, write reports, take photographs, and dust and lift for fingerprints.
Investigate traffic accidents by taking statements, diagramming scenes, and writing reports; assist sworn officers by directing traffic and setting up flares; and coordinate towing and traffic control.
Appear in court in connection with assigned duties and issue warnings or citations for applicable code, regulation, and ordinance violations.
Participate in crowd-control activities and perform other duties as assigned.