Crime Prevention Specialist na City of Orange, CA

About the Department

Automatic Employment Disqualifiers:

We understand that applying for employment requires a substantial amount of time and effort.  Because this role is in our Police Department, candidates must meet substantial background investigation standards.  Before deciding to apply, click here to read the Orange Police Department's list of Automatic Employment Disqualifiers to determine if you are eligible to be considered for employment.

Position Duties

The following duties represent the principal job duties; however, they are not all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.  Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Participates in planning and coordinating a variety of community outreach/education activities and projects in support of the Police Department's programs and services, including public safety, Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, and other outreach programs.

• Participates in outreach projects and activities with schools; assists and participates in educating students regarding a variety of public safety, crime prevention, and other safety programs and services; makes presentations and leads participatory discussions with teachers, students, and parents as a representative of the City.

• Assists citizens with the planning, coordinating, and implementation of existing or new neighborhood watch and business watch group programs.

• Reviews incoming building plans and inspects tenant construction projects to ensure compliance with security ordinances; reviews major building projects for opportunities to apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts; coordinates work with planning and code enforcement staff.

• Conducts residential and commercial security inspections, including addressing fencing, landscaping, and visibility issues, and physical security concerns; conducts illumination inspections to ensure compliance with minimum lighting standards.

• Conducts federally regulated inspections for banks and savings and loan institutions.

• Conducts annual Department of Justice mandated security compliance surveys of all firearms shops.

• Updates City security ordinances and municipal codes as directed; participates in updating various reports related to security compliance issues, such as Environmental Impact, Conditions of Approval, and General Plan.

• Plans, promotes, and participates in local community events related to crime prevention and safety, including determining appropriate events and taking appropriate measures to ensure successful implementation.

• Develops and maintains information, outreach, and educational materials, including brochures, information packets, press releases, flyers, guides, and other documents; conducts workshops and training.

• Provides general information regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations, including responding appropriately to complaints, requests for information, and requests for service in person and by telephone, forwarding written complaints against personnel, and coordinating work with other City departments.

• Coordinates and integrates program services and activities with other agencies and City departments; develops program partnerships, where applicable, with external agencies and organizations; facilitates development of agreements for multi-agency efforts; identifies public and private resources to support program objectives.

• Monitors and evaluates performance results and effectiveness of programs and service delivery methods; makes presentations and writes reports regarding programs; writes grants to support programs, as needed.

• Attends and/or participates in meetings and conferences; makes presentations to citizens groups; serves as a liaison between the City, other agencies, and the public.

• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of: 

• Practices, procedures, and techniques related to coordinating, implementing, and evaluating crime prevention programs.

• Practices, procedures, and techniques related to conducting security inspections of commercial and residential buildings and firearms shops.

• Public/community relations, communications, customer service, and information presentation methods and procedures; effective communication techniques in public presentations.

• Contemporary security procedures and equipment.

• Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and departmental rules and regulations, including security ordinances.

• Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence.

• Record keeping principles and procedures.

• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.

• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

• Coordinate crime prevention programs and activities effectively to achieve program goals and objectives.

• Identify program deficiencies or delivery problems and develop corrective action strategies in support of established goals.

• Coordinate program activities with multiple stakeholders and facilitate development of partnerships and multi-agency agreements.

• Understand, interpret, and respond to internal and external customer needs and expectations.

• Understand the organization and operation of the Police Department and other City departments and outside agencies to assume assigned responsibilities.

• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with complex Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, and departmental policies and procedures, including security ordinances.

• Effectively conduct meetings and make presentations to various groups.

• Apply sound, creative problem solving techniques to resolve difficult program issues and problems.

• Prepare clear and effective reports, correspondence, and other written material.

• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.

• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.

• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.

• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.

• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Work a varying work schedule based on operational needs of the department.

Education and Experience:

• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

• Two (2) years of experience in a clerical or technical position related to law enforcement or criminal justice.  

• College-level coursework or degree in criminal justice, police science, communications, or a related field is desired.

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Crime Prevention Specialist certificate.

Other Qualifications

Work Location & Schedule:

This is an on-site position with a typical work schedule of Monday through Thursday, 700 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Incumbents will be required to occasionally work evenings, early mornings, weekends, and holidays to support the department's operational needs, programs, and special events.

Physical Demands:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect various commercial and residential development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points; and to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements:

Employees work partially in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions, and partially in the field and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.   Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  The principal duties of this class are performed in a police station environment with exposure to criminal offenders, mentally ill individuals, and persons potentially infected with communicable diseases.  

Disaster Service Worker:

All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be “Disaster Service Workers.” In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees’ normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

City Mission, Vision, and Values:

Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors.  As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.