Community Services Officer

THE POSITION

The Sheriff's Department is looking for dedicated individuals to serve their community. The Community Services Officer can be assigned to the Operations Division or the Adult Detention Division.

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OPERATIONS DIVISION
The Community Service Officer is a non-sworn civilian classification, that does not require Peace Officer status, training or responsibility. Individuals in this classification are uniformed members of the Sheriff's Department who perform various routine law enforcement-related tasks in support of the activities of peace officers. This position works under the general supervision of law enforcement personnel and assists the public and Sheriff's Deputies. This individual performs a variety of public relations, technical, clerical, and manual activities related to law enforcement functions.

Assignments involve a substantial amount of public contact and may include completing police reports over the telephone and in person. This position requires strong written and verbal communication skills. In addition, individuals must be able to relate well with other people, use good judgment, and have a high degree of maturity. Individuals in this classification may be required to work Court Services, at the main Sheriff's Office, which may include the Detectives Unit or the Property and Evidence Unit, or in the contract cities of Hughson, Riverbank, Waterford or Patterson. Performs related duties as assigned.

ADULT DETENTION DIVISION

The Community Service Officer assigned to Adult Detention is a non-sworn civilian classification, that does not require Peace Officer status, training or responsibility. Incumbents of this classification are uniformed members of the Sheriff's Department who perform various routine law enforcement-related tasks in support of the activities of peace officers. This position works under the general supervision of law enforcement personnel and assists the public and Sheriff’s Deputies.

Assignments may involve public contact. The incumbent may be assigned to various areas within the detention division. Individuals may be required to work in an Adult Detention Facility, in Detention Administration helping with training or scheduling, or in the Inmate Programs Unit. This position requires strong written and verbal communication skills. In addition, individuals must be able to relate well with other people, use good judgement, and have a high degree of maturity. Performs related duties as assigned.

Under general supervision of law enforcement personnel, assists the public, Sheriff’s Deputies, and others by performing a variety of public relations, technical, security, surveillance, clerical, and manual activities related to law enforcement functions; and performs other duties as assigned. Incumbents are subject to overtime, callback, weekend, and shift assignments.

Community Service Officers may be subject to shift work, which includes weekends and holidays.

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Services of the County and is assigned to the Community & Health Services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.

Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months for a total of eighteen months.

Part-time extra-help is a provisional classification where permanent status may not be obtained. This position is subject to overtime, standby, shift, and callback assignments and will perform related duties as assigned. This position is non-benefited except for participation in a 401a program with Nationwide.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday, and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

• Assist the public either in person, on the telephone or in the field by taking complaints and reports and providing appropriate information;
• Collect, preserve, photograph, identify and record evidence;
• Prepare charts, graphs, diagrams, exhibit and take photographs required for court presentations; photograph, gather, tag and transport evidence;
• Establish and maintain system of evidence control;
• Receive, organize, and inventory evidence and found property, maintain chain of custody for evidence, releases evidence;
• Approve, visitor, schedule and monitor video visits; screen visitors, operate metal detector and x-ray equipment;
• Establish and maintain inmate property management, receive, store and release inmate property, accept, store and release jury clothing;
• Scan and verify outgoing mail;
• Receive and inspect incoming mail for contraband and deliver inmate mail and packages;
• Relieve sworn personnel by handling non-hazardous reports of crimes such as burglaries where there are no suspects at the call location;
• Assist Deputy Sheriff’s on routine calls which are non-criminal in nature;
• Act as a court liaison by filing criminal complaints with the District Attorney's Office;
• Serve civil process and subpoenas such as Claims and Orders, Orders to Show Cause and Orders to Appear;
• Operate a police radio to transmit and receive messages from radio-equipped vehicles and other stations;
• Maintain a full understanding of the Sheriff's radio call signs and codes;
• Explain in understandable terms the policies and procedures of the Sheriff's Department;
• Assist in the promotion of the Neighborhood Watch Program;
• Enter and retrieve data using computer terminals and printers;
• Write a variety of reports relating to assigned area of responsibility;
• Perform general clerical work, including typing, filing, and answering the phone;
• Testify in court as necessary and as a fingerprint expert;
• Provide bailiff duties for civil courtrooms;
• Observe and report possible suspects committing crimes within the immediate area of assignment until arrival of sworn peace officers;
• Write parking citations;
• Traffic control;
• Direct emergency responses to the needed location;
• Provide event assistance; and
• Accept additional assignments as directed by the Sheriff.

KNOWLEDGE

• Basic organization and functions of a law enforcement agency;
• Photography and techniques of photo development and fingerprinting;
• General office practices, including the operation of standard office equipment and computer terminals;
• Record keeping principles;
• Correct English usage, spelling and punctuation;
• English composition and report writing;
• Rules of evidence;
• Basic interviewing methods and techniques;
• Geography of Stanislaus County;
• Civil law and procedures;
• Procedures and work methods required to perform the full range of assigned duties safely and efficiently;
• Procedures and techniques for dealing with the public in a tactful and courteous manner; and
• Safe work practices.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Type 30 wpm (net words corrected);
• Learn and apply departmental policies and procedures;
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action;
• Develop rapport and obtain cooperation from crime victims, witnesses, and the general public;
• Maintain accurate and concise records and reports;
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions;
• Work in the field without immediate supervision;
• Recognize and maintain confidential information;
• Operate a police radio;
• Gather, compare, and interpret technical data;
• Learn to operate a computer terminal and printer;
• Testify in court as a fingerprint expert;
• Complete a defensive tactics training;
• Attend training offered by the law enforcement agencies on legal issues related to criminal and civil liabilities, public meetings, public offices, First and Fourth Amendment rights, picketing and demonstrations, handling of mentally disturbed persons, and other County protocols;
• Demonstrate proficiency in using and understanding radio codes and call signs used by the law enforcement agencies and Stanislaus Regional 911 Center;
• Interpret and apply pertinent laws, codes, and regulations;
• Exercise sound judgement;
• Understand and carry out written and oral instructions;
• Establish and maintain cooperative-working relationships with those contacted in the course of work;
• Communicate clearly, accurately, and concisely both orally and in writing;
• Keep records and make reports;
• Read maps;
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of the assigned responsibilities;
• Lift or carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds; and
• Operate motorized equipment and vehicles.

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school graduate or General Educational Development (GED) equivalency; AND
• One (1) year of full-time public contact; OR
• One (1) year prior experience dealing with the public in a security enforcement position

License or Certificate:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License.
• Possess and maintain a valid First Aid and CPR certificate within six (6) months from the date of appointment.
• Employees assigned to Court Security will be required to complete Penal Code 832 training on Power of Arrest.

OTHER MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• No felony convictions. Must be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of a crime for which the punishment could have been imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or state prison;
• Pass an extensive background investigation;
• Normal vision that is not worse than 20/100 correctable to 20/30 or better in each eye; and
• Normal hearing and color vision are required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening will focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.

• A typing certificate, within 4 years, of 30 WPM (net corrected) from any temporary agency or comparable institution. The certificate must be a three to five minute timed test OR verification of data entry ability at a speed of not less than 7,000 strokes per hour (accurate and skillfully).

Please note that it is in the best interest of the candidate to submit a typing certificate as this department will only consider hiring those that attach one at application. Applications submitted without a valid typing certificate will be disqualified. Internet typing certificates will not be accepted.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE
Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS
Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.

Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org

Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.