Community Services Officer

The City of Pismo Beach Police Department has an exciting opportunity for the right candidate as a Community Service Officer (CSO). The CSO plays a vital and dynamic role in supporting law enforcement by managing the intake, documentation, and secure storage of property and evidence—ensuring the integrity of each item and maintaining an unbroken chain of custody. This position is key in preparing and submitting evidence for forensic analysis, often working closely with crime labs on high-priority cases involving firearms, narcotics, and biological specimens. The CSO is hands-on in the investigative process, contributing to the forensic functions that help bring cases to resolution. With responsibilities ranging from organizing sensitive records and preparing materials for court, to coordinating the release or disposal of property, this role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment. The position also serves as a crucial point of contact for officers, courts, and the public—offering a unique opportunity to be part of the justice system in a meaningful and impactful way. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in a brand-new, state-of-the-art police facility upon the completion of the project in 2026.

Management reserves the right 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.

• Receives property and evidence, documents the receipt, maintains the physical integrity and control and the chain of custody, and physically stores property and evidence in the designated property and evidence room.
• Prepares evidence for submittal to outside agencies or labs for analysis, including packaging, securing, and preserving evidence items, preparing required forms, and submitting forms with evidence to labs.
• Coordinates with crime laboratories; determines and justifies which evidence to refer; prepares and transports evidence including weapons, narcotics, and biological specimens for analysis and processing by others.
• Releases and purges property and evidence following appropriate Federal, State, and local laws and regulations; prepares evidence and property for auction and/or disposal upon completion of court proceedings.
• Initiates, organizes, updates, maintains, and controls access to complex filing systems and records, including highly sensitive case files.
• Acts as liaison to the court and other offices requiring the transmission of property and evidence; prepares evidence for officers and investigators for court proceedings; maintains records and tracks such actions.
• Releases property to the public; prepares the proper paperwork and prepares evidence for pick-up; completes the necessary reports and documentation of the release.
• Takes information from the public regarding thefts, accidents, lost and found property, and other incidents that do not require the presence of a law enforcement officer at the scene.
• Provides general information regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations, including responding appropriately to complaints, requests for information and service in person and by phone, forwarding written complaints against personnel, and coordinating work with other City departments.
• Assists sworn officers with investigations and occasional traffic control; occasionally relieves dispatchers by receiving, prioritizing, and dispatching emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Performs difficult, complex, technical and/or specialized office support work that requires the exercise of independent judgment, the application of technical skills, and a detailed knowledge of the activities and procedures specific to the Police Department.
• Researches and assembles information from a variety of sources for the preparation of periodic and special reports and the completion of forms; uses spreadsheets and makes arithmetic and statistical calculations.
• Prepares correspondence, reports, forms, receipts, and specialized documents, such as letters to investigators, property claim letters to citizens, and other correspondence.
• Provides technical assistance to co-workers, including providing instruction on proper evidence collection and maintenance techniques.
• Determines and recommends equipment and materials for assigned operations; monitors and controls supplies and equipment; prepares documents for equipment procurement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Basic functions, principles and practices of law enforcement agencies including crime scene investigations and evidence retention practices and regulations.
• Activities and programs of the City's Police Department.
• Current forensic methods and techniques used in the collection, analysis, evaluation, preservation, and presentation of physical evidence.
• Techniques and procedures used in developing, collection, and analyzing fingerprint evidence.
• Basic methods and techniques of crime prevention and conflict resolution.
• Basic knowledge of types of narcotics and reference books.
• Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requirements for handling and disposing of evidence with blood borne pathogens, infectious diseases, and other related body fluid contamination.
• Identifying and handling a firearm.
• Police terminology and law enforcement codes.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the assigned area.
• Techniques for records management and evidence processing, including records disbursement and chain of evidence procedures.
• Methods used in the collection, tabulation, review, analysis, and distribution of evidence and property, forms, reports, and documents.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work, including police records management systems, data tracking, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence.
• Business arithmetic and basic statistical techniques.
• 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.

• Perform technical, detailed, and responsible law enforcement support work.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Organize, research, and maintain technical and administrative files.
• Enter data into a computer system and prepare written materials with sufficient speed and accuracy to perform the work.
• Obtain necessary information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.
• Analyze situations and identify pertinent problems/issues; collect relevant information; evaluate realistic options; and recommend/implement appropriate course of action.
• Conduct complex criminal evidence collection and analysis.
• Photograph and videotape crime scenes, traffic collision scenes, and develop latent fingerprints.
• Make accurate arithmetic and statistical calculations.
• Prepare clear and effective reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• File and maintain automated and hardcopy records with speed and accuracy.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Operate radio communication equipment.
• 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.

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to the completion of twelfth (12th) grade and two (2) years of increasingly responsible clerical, code enforcement or related experience that includes a high level of public contact. Specialized clerical or law enforcement training is highly desirable. Prior law enforcement experience is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.