Job Description

Location

1199 El Camino Real Colma, 94014

Description

The Colma Police Department is seeking individuals for the position of Police Officer ~ Lateral and Academy Graduate who are committed to providing public safety and quality service to community residents, businesses, and visitors.

The Town of Colma, known worldwide as the "City Of Souls," is the smallest city in San Mateo County with over 1,509 residents and 1.5 million "souls." However, Colma is more than just cemeteries. Colma's commercial buildings make a distinct architectural statement resulting from design standards that encourage Spanish-Mediterranean motifs. The  small-town approach to modern, municipal government reflects a commitment to both a healthy business climate and a harmonious relationship with residents. 

THE DEPARTMENT 

The Colma Police Department is made up of 28 employees who take great pride in providing excellent police service to the community. Among police, dispatch and detective duties, the department also has an Executive Assistant, Motorcycle Officer, Bicycle Patrol Officers, members attached to the Daly City/North County SWAT team, Tactical Dispatchers, a Community Service Officer and a Reserve Police Officer Program. 

The members of the Police Department hold many values in high regard and are proud to serve those who live, visit, or do business in the Town of Colma.  They take special pride in the department motto, “Excellence is Our Standard.”  They have built a culture rooted in professionalism, honor, and outreach; where innovation and fresh ideas are welcomed. If you seek a law enforcement agency where you will be surrounded by officers of strong character, supportive Town leadership and an involved community who believes in their officers, the Colma Police Department is the place for you; a place where you are family; a department like no other.  We invite you to explore this opportunity with us!

To learn more about the Colma Police Department, you are invited to visit their website at https://www.colma.ca.gov/departments/police/.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision of a Police Sergeant, the Police Officer is a sworn position assigned to field operations to patrol for the prevention and detection of crime and enforcement of laws and regulations within the philosophy of community oriented policing.  Incumbents are normally expected to solve most work problems independently and to refer to supervisory personnel only those matters which involve policy decisions, technical questions and unusual problems at the entry level and make recommendations at the advanced level.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Enforces laws and regulations and apprehends law breakers
• Conducts crime investigations
• Patrols for the prevention and detection of crime and enforcement of laws and regulations
• Responds to radio messages or telephone instructions and investigates reported disorders or crimes
• Notes and reports complaints, accidents, offenses and damages to property
• Reports abandoned or damaged vehicles
• Directs traffic
• Makes arrests, issues citations and warnings
• Prepares reports on arrests and property impounded
• Inspects crime scenes and questions witnesses
• Analyzes clues and information related to criminal activities
• Reviews modus operandi of known criminals
• Reports on the progress of investigations and prepares assigned cases for court
• Serves warrants
• Appears in court to testify regarding arrests and other law enforcement activities
• Writes complex and detailed reports
• Operates patrol vehicles
• Administers first aid or CPR when appropriate
• Develops cooperative working relationships and mutual aid agreements with other local public safety representatives
• Develops and maintains partnership building with the residential and business community as well as the other working departments within the Town of Colma
• Adheres to department rules, regulations, orders and procedures
• Exhibits and encourages behavior that is consistent with the Town’s risk management program and decreases risk of accident or injury to self, employees, residents, visitors and their property
• Performs other related duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Modern office technology
• Principles and practices of customer service
• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement program
• California driving regulations and motor vehicle operations
• Basic English composition, grammar, spelling and math
• Simple record keeping methods
• Methods and techniques of criminal investigation
• Law enforcement theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs
• Principles and practices of crime prevention, suppression and law enforcement
• Use of firearms and other modern police equipment

Ability to:

• Represent the Town in a positive manner
• Establish, maintain and foster cooperative working relations with others from diverse backgrounds, including elected officials, co-workers and the public effectively and with courtesy, in person, via e-mail and over the phone
• Follow written and oral instructions and procedures
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, by using proper English grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of peace officer duties and responsibilities
• Effectively deal with personal danger
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating equipment and vehicles
• Exercise sound judgment and rational thinking under stressful circumstances
• Demonstrate intellectual capabilities during training and testing processes
• Utilize word processing and spreadsheet programs and personal computer
• Work effectively with a wide variety of individuals and groups, including other staff and the public
• Acquire knowledge of applicable policies, practices and functions of the division, department, Town and other governmental agencies
• Prepare and maintain accurate records and reports
• Operate a variety of office equipment
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality

Job PDF: 

Ideal Candidate

Requirements in addition to a completed online application:

Must attain 21 years of age at date of appointment.

Lateral Transfer: Completion of POST approved Basic Academy and actively employed by a California Law Enforcement Agency as a Peace Officer within the last twelve months; minimum one year satisfactory past Police Patrol experience and possession of POST Basic Certificate. (Copy of California POST Basic Academy Certificate and POST Basic Certificate must be submitted with application).

POST Academy Graduate: Possession of a Certified POST Basic Academy Certificate of at least 800 hours issued within 3 years of submitting an application. (Copy of California POST Basic Academy Certificate must accompany application).

Education and Experience:

• Possession of a G.E.D or Graduation from High School or equivalent 
• Completion of at least thirty (30) semester units at an accredited college or university (at the time of application), to be eligible to participate in the selection process
• Previous volunteer or paid experience in law enforcement is desired

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License, which must be maintained as a condition of employment, as well as a satisfactory driving record
• Certification in First Aid and CPR

*A copy of all required certifications must be submitted with the online employment application in order to be considered for the position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

These functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Speak clearly and understandably
• Review reports and correspondence quickly and accurately
• Report to work at any hour of day or night as required by disaster or other emergency situation
• Use dexterity and vision necessary to operate computer equipment with a high degree of productivity
• Intermittently twist to reach equipment in their work area
• Perform simple grasping and fine manipulation
• Operate basic office equipment (i.e. telephone, copier, calculator, etc.)
• Hearing and vision necessary to perform all duties of police service
• Dexterity and agility sufficient to operate and care for firearms
• On a continuous basis, incumbents must sit in a vehicle or in meetings for long periods of time
• Use a two-way radio
• Establish and maintain interpersonal relations with department and staff, administrators and the public
• Interpret a variety of legal codes and regulations, and accurately and effectively communicate same to the public
• Work extended and/or flexible hours including nights, weekends and holidays
• Perform all duties listed on the job description except those determined to be incidental

Benefits

We are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package in which medical is fully paid for up to the second most expensive plan offered (including family coverage) as specified in the current employee group contract, also offering many additional benefits including: 

Salary and Benefits 

• Academy Graduate/Lateral
  • During probation period:
    • Police Officer 1 (HS/GED and 30 college semester units):$10,772.58 to $12,472.46 per month
  • After passing probation period:
    • Police Officer 2 (AA or Intermediate POST Cert.): $11,202.10 to $12,971.14per month
    • Police Officer 3 (BA or Advanced POST Cert.): $11,420.50 - $13,220.48per month
• Retention pay up to 5%
• CalPERS Medical (up to second most expensive plan offered), Delta Dental and VSP insurances covered for employee and eligible dependents
• CalPERS Retirement (3% at 55 or 2.7% @ 57 as defined by state law)
• Town paid $50,000 life insurance for employee
• Up to $1,200 yearly matching deferred compensation program (voluntary)
• Health Club fees up to $564 per year
• $1,025 yearly Uniform allowance
• Educational reimbursement program and incentive compensation up to $1,000 per year
• 5% holiday pay in lieu; 1.5 x hourly rate on designated holiday shifts
• 10-25 vacation days based on length of service
• Sick leave accrual of 8 hours per month
• Onsite gym and sleep rooms

Please visit the Town of Colma's website for a complete listing of benefits: https://www.colma.ca.gov/benefits/

Special Instructions

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED.  APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANYTIME.  FIRST REVIEW OF APPLICANTS WILL BE ON JANUARY 24, 2025. 

To be considered for this employment opportunity, you must complete the online application along with uploading the required documentation to establish eligibility for the position. A resume maybe included but does not substitute for a complete application. Applications with "see resume" as a substitution for the work experience description, those with unclear past employment information or those with missing or insufficient information to evaluate possession of minimum qualifications, will not be considered.

Calopps.org:  Some email accounts have been known to place these emails in the spam/junk file. Please check your email folders/settings or accept emails ending with calopps.org.

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Applicants may be screened to the most qualified and invited to the next step in the recruitment process which may include a panel interview.  Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations. 

Human Resources has the right to revise this process as needed based on business needs.

After a mutual interest has been established, the selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of any or all of the following: a polygraph examination, a thorough background investigation, a Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint check, a medical exam, psychological exam, and a drug screening. Please note, a conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. All Town standards must be met before the final appointment is made.

At the Town of Colma, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. To us, equal opportunity employment is not just about compliance, it’s about who you are, how you can help our Town and who you want to be. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and residents.

THE INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE CHANGED AT ANY TIME. THE INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE EITHER AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.

THE TOWN RESERVES THE RIGHT, AT ITS DISCRETION, TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES INVITED TO THE SELECTION PROCESS. TESTS MAY CONSIST OF ANY COMBINATION OF WRITTEN, ORAL OR OTHER EXERCISES OR ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE TOWN, IN ORDER TO EVALUATE JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND/OR ABILITIES AS THEY RELATE TO THE POSITION. THE TOWN MAY, WITHOUT NOTICE, CHANGE OR ELIMINATE ANY PARTICULAR ASSESSMENT COMPONENT OR COMBINATION OF COMPONENTS AS NEEDS DICTATE.

THE TOWN WILL MAKE REASONABLE EFFORTS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS TO ACCOMMODATE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. PLEASE ADVISE THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT OF SUCH SPECIAL NEEDS AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.

ALL EMPLOYEES HIRED BY THE TOWN OF COLMA MUST BE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE CERTAIN DOCUMENTS VERIFYING SUCH INFORMATION. EOE

Recruitment Contact

Contact phone: 

(650)997-8306

Contact email: 

jrumayor@colma.ca.gov

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Holiday work, Full time, Contract work, Work experience placement, Local area, Immediate start, Worldwide, Trial period, Flexible hours, Shift work, Night shift,

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