Address
Form of workSalary : $80,808.00 - $101,030.52 Annually
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 00556
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/10/2012
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
TITLE: Police Officer
DEPARTMENT: Police
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under direction, performs a variety of basic law enforcement activities to prevent crime, maintain law and order, and identify and apprehend suspects. The majority of positions in this class are assigned to the patrol division, with others assigned to investigation, community and youth services, and administration. All may be called upon at any time to respond to a major crime scene or other law enforcement priority outside their regular assignment. Performs related responsibilities as required.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Patrols an assigned area for the prevention of crime and enforcement of federal, state and local laws and regulations, and arrests violators as necessary.
Examples of Duties
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position reports to a Police Agent or Police Sergeant and does not supervise as an ongoing assignment.
Qualifications / Requirements
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of / Skill in / Ability to
Any equivalent combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities would normally be obtained by:
ACADEMY GRADUATE
Must be at least 21 years of age by time of appointment Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license by time of appointment.
LATERAL
Additional Information
PHYSICAL STANDARDS:
Positions in this class lift and carry people and heavy objects, and are exposed to the weather.
The City of Visalia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
Employee Benefits & Employment Information
Bargaining Unit: Employees in this class are represented by the Visalia Police Officers Association (Group B bargaining unit). This bargaining unit may establish and collect dues for their members' independent from the City of Visalia. Those that elect to join may be required to pay dues per the provisions in the MOU.
Salary Policies: The salary range for the job is stated on the job announcement. Candidates are normally hired at the minimum of the salary range. Salary increases are given based upon employee work performance, up to a maximum of 5% per fiscal year.
Police Incentives: Assignments are available in specialized units, including SWAT, K-9, DUI team, Traffic/Motors, Bomb Squad, Range Master, Special Enforcement Unit, Youth Development Officers, Rapid Response Team, Community Policing, and Police Activities League. Specific units, such as SWAT, Range Master, Youth Services, Bomb Squad, Special Enforcement and Investigations offer specialty and transfer incentives of $1,800 annually for each category. Specialty pay for those assigned to FTO is $2,400 annually. Employees shall not receive more than two specialty pays concurrently, regardless of number of categories for which they qualify. Those assigned to Traffic receive 40 hours of compensatory time and 56 hours of pay for maintaining their department issued motorcycle and employees assigned to the K-9 unit receive 40 hours of compensatory time and 142 hours of pay.
Bilingual pay of $900 per year, pro-rated each pay period, is available to those who qualify.
Members of Group B are eligible for up to 5% for POST Certificate Pay, 3% for maintaining their Intermediate POST Certificate and an additional 2% for maintaining their Advanced POST Certificate.
Officers in patrol and other designated assignments are furnished with a take home car provided they reside within Visalia's urban boundaries.
A uniform allowance of $1,100 annually is provided for maintenance and care of department required uniforms or attire.
Stand-by pay allowance of $1,000 annually is provided for "on-call" availability with regard to court related duties.
The Visalia Police Department currently operates on a 4/10 shift schedule.
Holidays: Regular full-time City employees receive (10) paid holidays. In lieu of the holidays, shift employees receive 4 hours of compensatory time off and 4 hours of regular pay in the pay period the holiday falls.
Vacation: Regular full-time employees earn (10) days per year. After 2 years, employees are eligible for 11 days; after 4 years, 14 days; after 9 years, 17 days; and after 16 years, 20 days of vacation per year. Employees are eligible for vacation usage after six (6) months of service. Employees hired from another governmental agency may be entitled to receive years-of service credit for their vacation accrual rate for such previous employment and applies only to the government agency the employee was employed with immediately prior to employment with the City of Visalia.
Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees earn 96 hours of sick leave per year, accrued on a pay period basis. Employees are eligible for sick leave usage after three (3) months of service.
Annual Sick Leave Buy Back: After accumulating 480 hours sick leave, the City will automatically cash out all sick leave hours over 480 hours at 40% of the employee's pay rate.
Health Insurance: The City provides employee health insurance which includes medical, dental, and vision care. Employee contribution rates are determined by employee's bargaining unit and plan selected. Health benefits are also available for an employee's dependents for an additional contribution rate. Eligibility for health insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire. Contribution rates are reviewed for adjustment annually.
Life Insurance: The City pays the premium for a life insurance and accidental death or dismemberment policy of $30,000. A supplemental life insurance policy may be purchased and paid through payroll deduction. Eligibility for life insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire.
Retirement: The City of Visalia is a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Police Officers are covered under the public safety 2.7% at 57 plan. (Employees with previous CalPERS qualifying service (Classic employees) may fall under the 3% at 55 plan.) Each pay period, the employee pays an employee contribution at the CalPERS established rate. The City pays an employer contribution towards the retirement benefit and employees are responsible for contributing 3% of the employer contribution in addition to the required employee contribution.
Social Security/FICA: City employees are not subject to regular Social Security (FICA) deductions. However, Federal law requires that the Medicare portion of the FICA is deducted.
Section 125: The City offers a voluntary Section 125 program whereby tax free contributions are put into a trust account and are available for withdrawal with documentation of an unreimbursed healthcare or dependent care expense (i.e. premium, dependent care, medical care).
Long Term Disability: Regular full-time City employees are eligible for disability insurance (up to 2/3 of their salary) in the event they are disabled for more than ninety (90) days. LTD premium cost is paid by the employee.
Worker's Compensation: Salary continuance is provided up to one year for Safety employees who sustain an occupational injury or contract occupational illnesses. Regular Worker's Compensation disability benefits are paid thereafter in accordance with Worker's Compensation laws.
Other Benefits: The City also offers additional benefits such as an employee assistance program (EAP), a pre-tax deferred compensation plan, and education assistance up to $2,500 per fiscal year.
As a potential applicant, you are about to participate in a series of events collectively called the employment process. Because the goal of the employment process is to obtain the most qualified candidates to fill City positions, examinations are administered to qualified applicants. These examinations are conducted in a variety of ways (written, oral, practical, and/or performance), yet they share a common purpose - to test applicants based upon the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.
The employment process occurs in several stages which are described below:
Application: Perspective employees must submit a City of Visalia application and other documents required as outlined in the announcement by the closing time specified on the final filing date. Final filing dates and times are listed on the front of each announcement. Separate original applications must be submitted for each recruitment/position applied for.
Examination: Applicants will be evaluated and applicants who clearly appear to be more qualified in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be invited to take an examination or combination of examinations. Written, practical, oral, and/or performance examination scores, or a pre-determined combined examination score, will determine standing on the eligible list.
Exam Accommodations: If you are most qualified for the job, but need reasonable accommodations to take the exam, contact the Human Resources Division at least five (5) days prior to the exam. We want to work with you to design a fair and effective means by which you can demonstrate your ability to perform the essential functions of this job. Be prepared to furnish proof of the need for accommodation. Such proof should normally be a signed statement on letterhead by a professional who is qualified to make a diagnosis.
Eligible lists: Eligible lists contain names, in descending order of score, of applicants who have obtained passing scores. Eligible lists are maintained for no less than six (6) months and no more than one year unless otherwise determined by Human Resources. The City retains the authority to reestablish an eligible list for a specific job opening when deemed necessa...
Location : Visalia, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 00556
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/10/2012
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
TITLE: Police Officer
DEPARTMENT: Police
BASIC FUNCTION:
Under direction, performs a variety of basic law enforcement activities to prevent crime, maintain law and order, and identify and apprehend suspects. The majority of positions in this class are assigned to the patrol division, with others assigned to investigation, community and youth services, and administration. All may be called upon at any time to respond to a major crime scene or other law enforcement priority outside their regular assignment. Performs related responsibilities as required.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Patrols an assigned area for the prevention of crime and enforcement of federal, state and local laws and regulations, and arrests violators as necessary.
Examples of Duties
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Patrols an assigned area for the prevention of crime and enforcement of federal, state and local laws and regulations, and arrests violators as necessary.
- Responds to radio messages, telephone instructions, and/or citizens requests to appear at scenes of disorder or crime as assigned.
- Conducts preliminary or follow-up investigations of crimes and disturbances including burglaries, thefts, robberies, narcotics action, deaths, assaults and accidents.
- Collects and preserves evidence and may determine what evidence should be collected.
- Testifies in court at civil and criminal hearings.
- Directs traffic, including regulation of vehicle flow, at times of emergency or congestion.
- Stops drivers who are operating vehicles unsafely or in violation of laws, and issues traffic and parking citations.
- Serves warrants and subpoenas.
- Prepares detailed reports of arrests, investigations and unusual incidents for the use of other officers, correctional and other government agencies, and insurance companies.
- May receive special assignment to assist other law enforcement and government agencies.
- If assigned to Community and Youth Service Bureau, may work in the prevention, amelioration and investigation of juvenile delinquency, child abuse and sexual assault.
- May participate in public education programs and make presentations regarding traffic safety and a variety of crime prevention topics; may serve as Department representative to other public agencies, task forces or committees.
- Attends Department meetings and briefings and may participate in internal task forces.
- May perform duties of higher rank for training purposes.
- Performs related duties as required.
This position reports to a Police Agent or Police Sergeant and does not supervise as an ongoing assignment.
Qualifications / Requirements
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of / Skill in / Ability to
- All basic police operations as taught in California Basic Police Academy.
- Federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding civil, criminal and traffic violations, and the conduct of law enforcement operations including arrest, search, seizure, incarceration, interrogation, investigation and use of deadly force.
- City streets, buildings and geography.
- Department policy and procedures for officer conduct.
- Appropriate instantaneous responses to life-threatening and otherwise volatile law enforcement situations.
- Safe and appropriate use of firearms and other weapons.
- Public relations and contact.
- Maintain Department physical fitness standards for the purpose of pursuing, subduing and arresting suspects, and defending against physical assault.
- Accurately aim and fire a weapon.
- Stabilize crime scenes and other disorderly or dangerous situations using the least inflammatory methods available.
- Write concise and legible thorough reports of incidents and investigations for a variety of public users.
- Make rapid, defensible decisions when instructions or standard procedures conflict with immediate observation.
- Communicate tactfully, and effectively with the full range of persons that may be contacted in the course of performing assigned duties.
- Follow oral and written directions.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships.
- Operate and maintain, in proper operating condition, a police patrol car, assigned weapons, and other specially assigned equipment such as camera and tape recorder for recording evidence.
Any equivalent combination of experience and education that could likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities would normally be obtained by:
ACADEMY GRADUATE
- Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent;
- Academy graduate or must be within 30 days of graduation from a California Basic P.O.S.T. Police Academy. Basic Academy certification elapses under the following circumstances:
- Three years break in service as a California Peace Officer/Level I Reserve Officer;
- Three years since Basic Academy graduation and employment as a California Peace Officer/Level I Reserve Officer has not occurred. (If this applies, a re-qualification course certificate is required.)
LATERAL
- Twelve months or more experience and active status as a sworn California peace officer;
- Possession of, or ability to, obtain a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.
Additional Information
PHYSICAL STANDARDS:
Positions in this class lift and carry people and heavy objects, and are exposed to the weather.
The City of Visalia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
Employee Benefits & Employment Information
Bargaining Unit: Employees in this class are represented by the Visalia Police Officers Association (Group B bargaining unit). This bargaining unit may establish and collect dues for their members' independent from the City of Visalia. Those that elect to join may be required to pay dues per the provisions in the MOU.
Salary Policies: The salary range for the job is stated on the job announcement. Candidates are normally hired at the minimum of the salary range. Salary increases are given based upon employee work performance, up to a maximum of 5% per fiscal year.
Police Incentives: Assignments are available in specialized units, including SWAT, K-9, DUI team, Traffic/Motors, Bomb Squad, Range Master, Special Enforcement Unit, Youth Development Officers, Rapid Response Team, Community Policing, and Police Activities League. Specific units, such as SWAT, Range Master, Youth Services, Bomb Squad, Special Enforcement and Investigations offer specialty and transfer incentives of $1,800 annually for each category. Specialty pay for those assigned to FTO is $2,400 annually. Employees shall not receive more than two specialty pays concurrently, regardless of number of categories for which they qualify. Those assigned to Traffic receive 40 hours of compensatory time and 56 hours of pay for maintaining their department issued motorcycle and employees assigned to the K-9 unit receive 40 hours of compensatory time and 142 hours of pay.
Bilingual pay of $900 per year, pro-rated each pay period, is available to those who qualify.
Members of Group B are eligible for up to 5% for POST Certificate Pay, 3% for maintaining their Intermediate POST Certificate and an additional 2% for maintaining their Advanced POST Certificate.
Officers in patrol and other designated assignments are furnished with a take home car provided they reside within Visalia's urban boundaries.
A uniform allowance of $1,100 annually is provided for maintenance and care of department required uniforms or attire.
Stand-by pay allowance of $1,000 annually is provided for "on-call" availability with regard to court related duties.
The Visalia Police Department currently operates on a 4/10 shift schedule.
Holidays: Regular full-time City employees receive (10) paid holidays. In lieu of the holidays, shift employees receive 4 hours of compensatory time off and 4 hours of regular pay in the pay period the holiday falls.
Vacation: Regular full-time employees earn (10) days per year. After 2 years, employees are eligible for 11 days; after 4 years, 14 days; after 9 years, 17 days; and after 16 years, 20 days of vacation per year. Employees are eligible for vacation usage after six (6) months of service. Employees hired from another governmental agency may be entitled to receive years-of service credit for their vacation accrual rate for such previous employment and applies only to the government agency the employee was employed with immediately prior to employment with the City of Visalia.
Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees earn 96 hours of sick leave per year, accrued on a pay period basis. Employees are eligible for sick leave usage after three (3) months of service.
Annual Sick Leave Buy Back: After accumulating 480 hours sick leave, the City will automatically cash out all sick leave hours over 480 hours at 40% of the employee's pay rate.
Health Insurance: The City provides employee health insurance which includes medical, dental, and vision care. Employee contribution rates are determined by employee's bargaining unit and plan selected. Health benefits are also available for an employee's dependents for an additional contribution rate. Eligibility for health insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire. Contribution rates are reviewed for adjustment annually.
Life Insurance: The City pays the premium for a life insurance and accidental death or dismemberment policy of $30,000. A supplemental life insurance policy may be purchased and paid through payroll deduction. Eligibility for life insurance benefits begins on the first of the month after the date of hire.
Retirement: The City of Visalia is a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Police Officers are covered under the public safety 2.7% at 57 plan. (Employees with previous CalPERS qualifying service (Classic employees) may fall under the 3% at 55 plan.) Each pay period, the employee pays an employee contribution at the CalPERS established rate. The City pays an employer contribution towards the retirement benefit and employees are responsible for contributing 3% of the employer contribution in addition to the required employee contribution.
Social Security/FICA: City employees are not subject to regular Social Security (FICA) deductions. However, Federal law requires that the Medicare portion of the FICA is deducted.
Section 125: The City offers a voluntary Section 125 program whereby tax free contributions are put into a trust account and are available for withdrawal with documentation of an unreimbursed healthcare or dependent care expense (i.e. premium, dependent care, medical care).
Long Term Disability: Regular full-time City employees are eligible for disability insurance (up to 2/3 of their salary) in the event they are disabled for more than ninety (90) days. LTD premium cost is paid by the employee.
Worker's Compensation: Salary continuance is provided up to one year for Safety employees who sustain an occupational injury or contract occupational illnesses. Regular Worker's Compensation disability benefits are paid thereafter in accordance with Worker's Compensation laws.
Other Benefits: The City also offers additional benefits such as an employee assistance program (EAP), a pre-tax deferred compensation plan, and education assistance up to $2,500 per fiscal year.
As a potential applicant, you are about to participate in a series of events collectively called the employment process. Because the goal of the employment process is to obtain the most qualified candidates to fill City positions, examinations are administered to qualified applicants. These examinations are conducted in a variety of ways (written, oral, practical, and/or performance), yet they share a common purpose - to test applicants based upon the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.
The employment process occurs in several stages which are described below:
Application: Perspective employees must submit a City of Visalia application and other documents required as outlined in the announcement by the closing time specified on the final filing date. Final filing dates and times are listed on the front of each announcement. Separate original applications must be submitted for each recruitment/position applied for.
Examination: Applicants will be evaluated and applicants who clearly appear to be more qualified in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities will be invited to take an examination or combination of examinations. Written, practical, oral, and/or performance examination scores, or a pre-determined combined examination score, will determine standing on the eligible list.
Exam Accommodations: If you are most qualified for the job, but need reasonable accommodations to take the exam, contact the Human Resources Division at least five (5) days prior to the exam. We want to work with you to design a fair and effective means by which you can demonstrate your ability to perform the essential functions of this job. Be prepared to furnish proof of the need for accommodation. Such proof should normally be a signed statement on letterhead by a professional who is qualified to make a diagnosis.
Eligible lists: Eligible lists contain names, in descending order of score, of applicants who have obtained passing scores. Eligible lists are maintained for no less than six (6) months and no more than one year unless otherwise determined by Human Resources. The City retains the authority to reestablish an eligible list for a specific job opening when deemed necessa...
