Community Service Officer I/II/SR

City of Palmdale•Palmdale, CA

About The Position

The Community Service Officer performs community service duties in a non-sworn capacity in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The role responds to calls for service, takes crime reports, enforces the California Vehicle Code, City ordinances, and regulations, issues citations, provides court testimony, and educates the public about federal, state, and local laws and codes while delivering customer service. The Community Service Officer I is the entry-level class in the series. The Community Service Officer II works under general supervision at the journey level and performs assignments with less supervision and review. The Senior Community Service Officer performs the most difficult work, has specialized technical or functional expertise, exercises independent judgment, and carries responsibilities above the advanced journey level, including supervision of Community Service Officer I/II staff. The full salary ranges are $30.65–$39.11 for Community Service Officer I, $33.78–$43.14 for Community Service Officer II, and $37.25–$47.55 for Senior Community Service Officer. Expected hiring ranges are $30.65–$33.78, $33.78–$37.25, and $35.48–$41.07, respectively.

Requirements

Community Service Officer I: One year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in a law enforcement or public safety capacity involving substantial public contact.
Community Service Officer I: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Community Service Officer I: Pass the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) background process through the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department as soon as practical.
Community Service Officer II: Three years of enforcement experience as a Community Service Officer, law enforcement officer, or similar.
Community Service Officer II: High school diploma, GED, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Senior Community Service Officer: Three years of increasingly responsible Community Service Officer experience, including one year of technical and functional supervisory experience.
Senior Community Service Officer: Education equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, planning, law enforcement, code enforcement, or a related field; additional qualifying experience equivalent to Community Service Officer II may substitute year for year.
Possess a valid California driver's license by appointment.
Possess, or be able to obtain, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Property Crime Scene Investigation Training certificate within 12 months of appointment.
Knowledge of due process, constitutional rights, limits of authority, legal remedies, and complaint-investigation and abatement strategies.
Knowledge of field-investigation safety measures, City organization and functions, applicable laws and codes, community and agency resources, other agencies' jurisdictions, and procedures for court testimony regarding crime reports.
Ability to gather and analyze data; prepare accurate, concise technical reports; make sound decisions; and recommend corrective action.
Ability to work safely in the field and communicate and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public, City employees, Sheriff's Department personnel, and other government-agency personnel.
Ability to read, write, and speak English clearly and effectively, using proper composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Ability to interpret and apply civil and criminal laws and applicable Penal, Welfare and Institutions, health and safety, vehicle, City, and radio codes.
Ability to work assigned crime scenes and write reports, and to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the community's cultural and ethnic diversity.
Senior Community Service Officer: Knowledge of crime-scene practices and report writing; investigation, evidence collection and documentation, and administrative processing; applicable laws and rules; job-related equipment and materials; supervision, training, and performance evaluation; business English; basic budget and contract administration; computerized information systems; and safety management.
Senior Community Service Officer: Ability to organize, implement, and direct Community Service Officer operations; resolve disputes and problems; interpret and enforce department policies and procedures; oversee record systems; independently conduct routine field visits and monitor field officers' community engagement; develop and oversee reports and documentation; and develop and recommend policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

College-level coursework in law enforcement or a related field is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Receive and respond to citizen inquiries and requests for sheriff services in the field, at a public counter, and by telephone.
Conduct preliminary investigations, take statements, and gather facts through observation.
Refer matters to other agencies when appropriate and assist with traffic control.
Write crime and incident reports and prepare and maintain logbooks and other records.
Operate an assigned vehicle and maintain issued equipment and supplies.
Handle citizen issues and complaints, research community concerns, and provide information about Sheriff's Department and City programs, policies, and procedures.
Conduct routine patrols of City facilities and other designated locations.
Enforce California Vehicle Codes, issue citations, and store or tow vehicles.
Enforce the City's Municipal Code and Palmdale zoning ordinances, issue administrative citations, and educate the public about applicable codes and ordinances.
Prepare for, appear, and testify in criminal and civil court proceedings and depositions as needed.
Recommend and assist with implementing policies, procedures, goals, and objectives; establish schedules and methods for Community Service Officer I/II staff.
Supervise, train, motivate, direct, and review Community Service Officer I/II staff.
Evaluate assigned operations and activities, recommend improvements, and prepare operational reports.
Participate in budget preparation and administration, prepare cost estimates and justifications, and monitor expenditures.
Participate in staff selection, coordinate training, address deficiencies, implement discipline procedures, and write performance evaluations.
Prepare reports and presentations for City Council, community groups, and outside agencies.
Investigate cases and resolve complaints and minor disputes among staff.
Perform related duties as assigned.