Community Service Officer

Palm Springs, located in the Coachella Valley, is known for its luxurious yet relaxed lifestyle. Picture waking up to fresh air, surrounded by palm trees, and enjoying stunning mountain views. This city offers a perfect blend of nature and modern living for both residents and visitors. Palm Springs is ideal for families, offering numerous parks, gardens, and nature reserves for leisurely activities and wildlife encounters. With a wide range of attractions and events, there's always something fun for everyone in the family. To see the exciting things going on visit the Engage Palm Springs website. The City of Palm Springs is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, from policies to inclusive healthcare, and making people of various backgrounds feel welcome and supported. To view our recent Human Rights Campaign, visit the Municipal Equity Index website. 

This position is a member of the Palm Springs Police Department and provides a variety of civilian police services and respond to calls not requiring immediate law enforcement response including; writing reports and citations; handling property and evidence; clerical assistance; compiling statistics; preparing traffic collision reports; directing traffic at accidents and construction sites; controlling department equipment; receiving, booking, releasing, and transportation of prisoners to and from the jail; and to perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducts/investigates crime and traffic reports which are low risk or are not in progress.
• Identifies, preserves, collects, and analyzes evidence associated with criminal incidents.
• Coordinates documents and organizes investigative information and evidence for subsequent prosecution and laboratory analysis.
• Direct and control traffic at accidents or special events or as a school crossing guard; may perform non-hazardous crowd control duties. 
• Performs vehicle abatement duties, including determining parking violations and issuing the appropriate citations and coordinating the removal of damaged or abandoned vehicles as necessary.
• Assist with community policing programs, including homeless, youth, seniors, and other assigned programs.
• Assist investigations with court filings and document transportation.
• Handle evidence and property as directed; maintain control and inventory of department equipment.
• Conduct booking searches; search and safeguard property entrusted to their care.
• Transportation of suspects/prisoners to the County jail, medical facilities, court, or other agencies.
• Receive, book, and release suspects/prisoners; maintain records and inventory related to suspects/prisoners in custody. 
• Complete jail logs; document and compile reports; follow up on incidents that warrant further action. 
• Attend meetings and events in support of City programs and initiatives.
• Assist and participate in community relations, services, and education. 
• Prepare citations for parking or municipal violations.
• Assist with live scanning.
• Testify in court as necessary.  
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.   

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered, however, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the selection process. Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. "Full-time work" means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Qualifications noted as "desirable" or "preferred" are not included as part of the minimum requirements.

Experience

• One (1) year of responsible full-time work experience performing technical services support, administrative duties, and/or providing front-line customer service or security services to the public; or successful service of 6 months or greater in a Police Explorer program; or successful completion of a Police Cadet program with a City, County, or State Government law enforcement agency is required.
• Experience working in a law enforcement agency is preferred.

Training      

• High School Diploma or equivalent education is required.

License or Certificates

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver License with a satisfactory driving record (a driving record may be deemed unsatisfactory for any of the following reasons: three or more moving violations or reportable accident within the last three years; conviction of driving under the influence within the last five years) is required.

Special Requirements

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license with a satisfactory driving record (a driving record may be deemed unsatisfactory for any of the following reasons: three or more moving violations or reportable accident within the last three years; conviction of driving under the influence within the last five years) is required. 
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a California Penal Code section 832 - Arrest certificate or a Peace Officer's Reserve training certificate in levels one, two or three is required.
• Cannot be related to any other employee in the Palm Springs Police Department.
• Must be willing and able to work various shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays. 
• Incumbents are enrolled in the California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice Program.  The DMV Pull Notice Program provides information on the incumbents driving record and driving record status on a periodic basis to the City.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment background investigation, fingerprints and a physical and drug screen.

Working Conditions

The following work environment and physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

This position works in both a field and jail environment; travel from different sites and locations; exposure to bodily fluids/odors, violent behavior and/or hostile situations; subject to extreme climate and weather conditions, and  may require maintaining physical condition sitting, walking, standing, or driving a vehicle for prolonged periods; the ability to kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift up to 50 lbs.; ability to lift or hold equipment essential for the job.

A completed application and supplemental questionnaire are required by the closing date and time.  As a candidate for the position, you will want to be sure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position to achieve maximum opportunity. Applications will be reviewed carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process.

Minimum requirements must be clearly demonstrated on the application to be considered as this information will be used to determine minimum qualifications.  Experience requirements must be demonstrated in the "Work Experience" section of the application, other sections of the application will not be used to determine experience qualifications. (One year of work experience is the equivalent of 12 months of full-time work. "Full-time work" means at least 36 hours of work over a period of one week or 1,872 hours of work over a period of at least 12 months.) Resumes and other documents may be submitted, however they will not be used to determine minimum qualifications, please do not use phrases such as "see attached" or "see resume" as they will not be considered.  Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to compete further in the process.  Minimum requirements must be met at the time of application submission unless stated otherwise. 

Selection Process Information - The selection process for this position may include one or more of the following: application review, qualification review, written exam, practical exam, oral panel exam and department interview.    

Candidates must successfully pass each stage of the selection process above in order to continue to the next step.  This process may be modified or changed depending on the number of qualified candidates.

Please remember to submit all your application materials by the closing date and time.  Incomplete or applications received after the closing date and time cannot be considered.  All information on the application is subject to investigation and verification.   

For more information on completing your application materials click here.

If you are ready to join the exciting Team Palm Springs and you meet the requirements detailed above, please click the apply button.  For more information contact Human Resources at:

The City of Palm Springs

3111 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs, CA  92262

http://www.palmspringsca.gov/

760-323-8215

Applications must be received by 4:00pm, October 16, 2024, in order to be considered for this opportunity. The City of Palm Springs reserves the right to accelerate or extend the "Closing Date" of open positions at any time, dependent upon the number of applications received. 

The City of Palm Springs is an equal employment opportunity employer and we encourage all persons to file applications. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, family or marital status, disability, medical condition or pregnancy, genetic information, religious or political affiliation, or veteran status.  

Disaster Service Worker:  In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, City of Palm Springs Employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.