Police Officer - Trainee & Lateral

Salary: $94,663.50 - $126,858.37 Annually
Location : City of Watsonville, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 2020-00002
Department: Police
Opening Date: 09/29/2020
Description
Lateral sworn Police Officers will receive 40 hours of sick time and 40 hours of vacation time effective at their time of hire.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency; higher education preferred
• Valid California driver's license and a safe driving record
• 21 years of age at time of appointment
• Ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and communicate effectively orally
• Spanish bilingual skill highly desirable
• Ability to skillfully and effectively deal with various racial, ethnic and economic groups
• Ability to work under physical and mental pressures and in potentially hazardous situations as determined by a pre-employment psychological exam
• Willingness to work night shifts and weekends
• Physical health, strength, stature and agility to meet physical demands of police work as determined by an agility test and a pre-employment physical exam
• Vision correctable to 20/30 in each eye. Normal color acuity; non-restricted peripheral vision
• No use or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogenic within 7 years prior to application for employment.
• No use or possession of marijuana within 6 months prior to application for employment.
• No other illegal use or possession of drug not mentioned above (including cocaine) within 3 years prior to application for employment.
• Per SB960, effective Jan 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law but do not have to be U.S. citizens or applying for citizenship

Examples of Duties
ASSIGNMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Alcohol/Tobacco Compliance Teams
• Auto Theft Task Force
• Bike Patrol
• Corporal/Field Training Officer
• County Gang Task Force
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Crisis Negotiation Team
• Detective
• Downtown Officer
• K-9 Unit
• Mental Health Liaison
• Motor Officer
• Professional Standards Unit
• School Resource Officer
• Special Investigations Team (Gang Team)
• Special Response Unit (SWAT)
• Training Unit

Typical Qualifications
SELECTION PROCESS
Applicants who successfully pass both the written exam and physical agility tests (PELLETB score of 46 or higher) will be screened to determine suitability for hiring. South Bay Regional Public Safety Training in San Jose, CA offers the test on behalf of the Watsonville Police Department. The written portion may also be taken through www.NationalTestingNetwork.com. These exams must be taken prior to submitting an application with our department.
PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS!
Your application will not be considered if all paper work is not submitted and/or with passing scores on the below listed exams.
Paper work to be submitted:
1.) WSTB physical agility exam (must have passed) letter.
2.) POST PELLET B written exam with a passing score of 46 and above OR submitted scores through the National Testing Network.
*The written and physical exam will be waived for academy graduates and lateral applicants. Please attach copy of POST Certificate.
Applicants who meet employment qualifications will be subjected to a comprehensive background investigation which includes, but is not limited to:
1. Oral Interview
2. Personal History Questionnaire
3. Polygraph Examination
4. Background Investigation
5. Psychological Examination
6. Medical Evaluation
Supplemental Information
THE DEPARTMENT
We, the members of the Watsonville Police Department dedicate ourselves to impacting our community in positive ways, everyday, through strong relationships and problem solving. We commit ourselves to public safety through engagement, education, enforcement, and professional development.
Our core values are; Character, Competency, Compassion, and Communication.

• Intermediate POST certificate or AA/AS: 2.5% differential pay
• Advanced POST certificate or BA/BS: 5% differential pay
• Masters degree 7.5% differential pay
• Spanish bilingual pay: 5% differential pay
• Specialized assignment differential pay
• Uniform allowance: $1,200 p er year
• Tuition reimbursement $2,000 per year
• Participation in CalPERS retirement
• 96 to 160 hours of vacation per year
• 120 hours paid holidays per year
• 120 hours paid sick leave per year
• $50,000 life insurance policy
• Longevity pay 2% at 10 years and 4.5% at 20 years
• Health, dental and vision plan coverage
• Graveyard shift pay differential