Job Details

Location : Shafter, CA
Job Type: Volunteer
Job Number: 24/16
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 10/08/2024
Closing Date: Continuous

Objective
The Police Cadet position is a preparatory role designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Cadets will receive comprehensive training in various aspects of law enforcement, including dispatch, records management, and other non-sworn duties.
This is a volunteer appointment that offers practical work experience in various aspects of law enforcement, preparing cadets for future roles in sworn or non-sworn positions. It may involve challenging opportunities, real technical projects, and interaction with staff. This is a great opportunity togain hands-on experience in the law enforcement field.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

A Police Cadet is distinguished from a Police Officer Trainee in that the latter classification prepares incumbents to become sworn police officers by attending a rigorous six-month, high-stress, physically demanding basic police academy. Additionally, Police Cadets are non-paid volunteers, while Police Officer Trainees are considered part-time, temporary employees compensated at an hourly rate with health benefits.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

• Participate in a structured training program covering law enforcement principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Attend training sessions and workshops on topics such as criminal law, traffic enforcement, first aid, and emergency response.
• Learn the operations of the police communications center, which includes but is not limited to answering emergency and non-emergency calls, applying protocols for dispatching police officers to incidents, and maintaining accurate logs of all communications and dispatch activities.
• Learn the operations of the records division, which includes but is not limited to maintaining and organizing police records and reports, inputting, retrieving, and managing data in law enforcement databases, and ensuring confidentiality and security of sensitive information.
• Support community outreach and engagement programs; participate in crime prevention initiatives and public safety education.
• Assist with traffic control, crowd management, and other non-enforcement tasks as directed; file traffic citations.
• Conduct routine patrols and report any suspicious activities.
• Assist with booking of evidence.
• Process crime analysis data and pawn slips; assist detectives as needed.
• Assist with inmate in-processing and cell checks.
• Learn the administrative support role by providing administrative assistance to various divisions within the police department, which include but are not limited to assisting with clerical tasks, including filing, typing, and data entry, and helping in preparing reports and documentation for internal and external use.
• Demonstrate commitment to personal and professional growth; engage in mentorship and guidance programs with experienced law enforcement officers.
• Perform duties of a disaster services worker in the event of an emergency.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be between the age of eighteen (18) and twenty (20).
• Currently enrolled in an accredited College or University in any field of study with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and in good academic standing.
  • Incumbents must maintain the above educational requirements throughout their appointment.
• Ability to fluently read, write, and speak Spanish is highly desired.

LICENSES AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid California Class C driver's license with a good driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Principles and processes for providing customer and personal service, including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of compositions, and grammar.
• Fundamental concepts of criminal law, traffic regulations, and public safety practices.

Skilled in:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey information and instructions.
• Assessing situations, identifying problems, developing appropriate solutions quickly and effectively, and referring problems to upper management when necessary.
• Setting priorities and being able to meet assignment deadlines.
• Good judgment, dependability, and adaptability.
• Using computers, databases, and other office equipment for data management and reporting.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City management, staff, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Comprehend and follow instructions, including verbal and written instructions from the supervisor.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Calculate basic arithmetic problems without the aid of a calculator.
• Exercise judgment and initiative within established guidelines.
• Adapt to various roles and responsibilities within the department including both office and field work.
• Maintain high levels of accuracy and attention to detail in all tasks, especially in records management and dispatch duties.
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the role.
• Take initiative, learn new skills, and seek opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Work in a diverse team environment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds, in person and by telephone.
• Use hands to fingers, feel computers and standard business equipment; make repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties.
• Walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach.
• Lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate (up to 50 lbs.) amounts of weight.
• Operate vehicles.
• Verbally communicate to exchange information.
• Visual requirements include near and distance visual acuity, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS

• Use written and oral communication skills.
• Interpret data, information, and documents.
• Analyze and solve complex problems.
• Learn and apply new information or new skills.
• Work under deadlines with constant interruptions.
• Interact with City management, staff, and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied or quarrelsome.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work is performed in an outdoor/indoor environment.
• Travel from site to site.
• Exposure to noise, inclement weather, chemicals, fumes, mechanical and electrical hazards, moving objects, traffic, and traffic hazards.

All City of Shafter employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Section 3100-3109). As Disaster Service Workers, all City employees are expected to remain at work or report to work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.

The City of Shafter is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations for disabilities may be requested from the Human Resources Department at (661) ###-#### or ...@shafter.com.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Incomplete application packets will not be accepted. Application packets must contain the following items:
1. City of Shafter Employment Application
2. College Transcripts

SELECTION PROCESS
The following are steps in the selection process. Candidates must pass each step before proceeding to the next step.
1. Submit complete employment application as listed under Application Process
2. Application Review
3. Written Examination
3. Oral Interview
4. Name Placed on Eligibility List
5. Background Investigation
6. Conditional Offer
6. Medical Examination
7. Formal Offer
Comprehensive City Paid Benefit Package

• California Public Employees Retirement Plan (CalPERS) in accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA): Miscellaneous 2% @ 55 or 2% @ 62.
• Medical, Dental, & Vision: City pays 100% of the medical, dental, & vision premiums on the base plan for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner, and dependents.
• Life Insurance: City pays 100% of the premium for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner, and dependents. Employee benefit is equal to 12 times monthly base salary + $17,000, rounded to next $1000.
• Vacation: 10 days to start to 25 days maximum annually.
• Holidays: 10 fixed and 2 floating annually.
• Sick Leave: 96 hours annually.
• Work Schedule: 5/8 Work Schedule.
• Spanish Fluency Incentive: $120 per month for designated positions.
• Tuition Reimbursement: $3,000 annually.
• IRS 125 Tax Deferred Flexible Spending Account: voluntary
• IRS 457 Tax Deferred Retirement Plan: voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bereavement Leave
• Longevity Pay: 5 years - 2.5%, 10 years - 2.5%, 15 years - 2.5%, 20 years - 2.5%

01

Are you between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty (20)?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you currently enrollment in an accredited college or university in any field of study with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and in good academic standing?

• Yes
• No

Required Question