Community Services Officer - INTERNAL - LIMITED TERM presso City of Atascadero, CA

About the Department

The Atascadero Police Department serves the City of Atascadero, which is a small, beautiful California central coast community located in San Luis Obispo County. The City has a population of 30,000 residing in an area just under 27 square miles. Our community is a great place to live, work and raise a family! We are situated along Highway 101, halfway between the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The community is located in the Paso Robles wine region and is a short 20-minute drive to the beach and Highway 1. We are within a three-hour drive to Yosemite National Park and two hours to Monterey or Carmel. For those that enjoy the outdoors, we are close to four local lakes, a national forest and endless hiking and biking trails.  Become a member of an organization consisting of hardworking individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact through public service. The organizational environment encourages collaboration and productivity and is fostered by engaged management, all working for the betterment of the community. 

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Under general supervision, as an unarmed, non-sworn employee, provides a wide variety of specialized and technical law enforcement duties in support of police operations and services; provides information and assistance to the public and answers citizen inquiries.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Receives direction from the Watch Commander or a designated supervisor.

Position Duties

• Respond to non-hazardous, non-emergency, and/or cold calls for service in-lieu of a Police Officer.
• Prepare necessary criminal and non-criminal police reports; provide information and assistance to the public regarding codes, laws, and ordinances.
• Provide general assistance to department programs and special events.
• Assist Police Officers in routine investigations and respond to/investigate non-injury traffic collisions.
• Respond to and assist at traffic collisions and major incidents.
• Patrol City streets and enforce laws and regulations applicable to non-moving vehicles.
• Perform front desk duties including answering phones, taking photographs, counter reports, finger printing and assisting the public with a variety of questions and services.
• Enforce minor municipal code violations up to and including the issuance of infraction citations for minor offenses. 
• Issue administrative citations.
• Perform basic crime scene investigation.
• Variety of duties associated with the maintenance and control of Police property.
• Calibration and accuracy checks for preliminary alcohol screening devices.
• Testify in court.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least eighteen years of age at time of appointment.
• Possess a High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Vision correctable to 20/20 with corrective lenses supplied by the applicant, and normal depth perception.
• Must possess or be eligible for a valid First Aid Certificate issued by the American Red Cross and verified completion of an approved CPR course within one year of the appointment.
• Must possess a valid and appropriate California Driver’s License and have the ability to drive a patrol vehicle. 
• Must possess a Basic P.O.S.T. approved Penal Code 832 Certificate or be able to obtain the Certificate within the first six months of employment.

• Ability to interact effectively with the community, liaison groups and representatives, other governmental agencies, coworkers, and management.
• Ability to organize and prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, basic typing and personal computer skills. 
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions, react quickly and calmly in emergencies, exercise good judgement in personal encounters and relationships with the public, establish and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with supervisor(s), coworkers and the public. 
• Skilled in reading, writing and oral communication in English at an appropriate level, deal with a variety of culturally sensitive issues, effectively communicate with local citizens and understand the community.

Other Qualifications

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Pursuant to California Labor Code Section 3211.9, service is essential in times of extreme emergency or disaster. For this reason, State law designates public employees as “Disaster Service Workers”. As such and even when off-duty, this position may be required to return to duty in case of emergency or disaster.
• Ability to meet the Fitness for Duty standards as defined in the Department Policy Manual. 
• Must be a United States Citizen or hold status of “Permanent Resident.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED: 

Vehicles of varying types, radios, first aid equipment, personal computer and related software, flares, keys and locks, other standard office equipment, flashlights, telephones, video and audio recording equipment, small tools, and other tools and equipment as necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. Occasionally required to stand, walk, run, use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste, smell, feel or touch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions, day or night. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places, and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; and job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above 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 the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.