Police Lieutenant

Closing Date: 06/23/2025 @ 8:00 am

Interview Date: Mid-July

The City of Santa Maria is a full-service City with a City Council/City Manager form of government with over 700 employees and serves approximately 108,000 constituents. The City of Santa Maria is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The City has a harmonious balance of maintaining coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business. Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All-America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, and is in close proximity to beaches, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions.

• Team Player
• Customer Oriented
• Integrity and Ethics
• Learning Agility
• Communication Skills
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Motivated

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization.

• Supervises the activities of sworn and professional personnel, may serve as Watch Commander, acts as a relief for supervisor, etc.
• Assists in the administrative functions of the department; prepares comprehensive administrative staff reports; etc.
• Supervises staff including: assigning work, providing guidance and assistance, preparing performance evaluations, employee development, hiring, disciplinary recommendations, etc.
• Assists in developing training programs.
• Provides support and direction during investigative operations and matters of concern.
• Supervises enforcement of laws, ordinances, department rules and regulations.
• Communicates effectively safety and non-safety issues and recommends solutions.
• Performs confidential internal investigations as assigned.
• Maintains and develops cooperative and positive relationships with public agencies, departmental employees, citizen and business community; etc.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

• Ideally, four years as a Police Sergeant; and
• Graduation from high school.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field; and/or
  • In lieu of experience, a bachelor’s degree will count as one year of experience as a Police Sergeant.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above;
• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:
  • Federal, State and local laws and ordinances, particularly with reference to arrest, rules of evidence pertain­ing to search and seizure, and preservation and presenta­tion of evidence; community-oriented policing; etc.
  • Police procedures, and the management of programs of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies; preservation and presenta­tion of evidence in criminal cases; analyze situations effectively; etc.
  • Effective supervision; budget and operational management; etc.
  • Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent), and project management principles.
  • Use computer and other office equipment effectively.
• Possession of licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment, such as:
  • P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate
• Possession of a valid and appropriate Driver License. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and meet City liability requirements to drive for City business.
• Requires completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.
• The candidate must meet the physical requirements of the job class and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.
• May require completion of pre-employment physical, psychological and polygraph exams to the satisfaction of the City.
• Reasonable accommodation(s) for an individual with a qualified disability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Talent Development - Effective performers keep a continual eye on the talent pool to monitor skills and needs of team members. They expand staff skills through training, coaching, and development. They evaluate and articulate present performance and future potential.
• Organizing & Planning - Effective performers have strong organizing and planning skills that allow them to be highly productive and efficient, manage time wisely, and effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks.
• Organization Knowledge - Effective performers understand the workings of a municipal organization, formal and informal policies and structures, and know "how the place works."
• Relationship Building - Effective performers understand that a primary factor in success is establishing and maintaining productive relationships. They interact with people and are good at it. They devote appropriate time and energy to establishing and maintaining networks.
• Results Orientation - Effective performers maintain appropriate focus on outcomes and accomplishments, are motivated by achievement, and persist until the goal is reached.
• Industry Knowledge - Effective performers understand the general workings of local government within which the organization functions, and maintain a current knowledge base.
• Written Communication - Effective performers write clearly and concisely, composing informative and convincing documents. They use written language to convey substance and intent with simplicity, accuracy and clarity.
• Financial Acumen - Effective performers understand the financial framework of the organization. They are cost conscious and fiscally responsible, and use financial data to make informed business decisions.
• Change Agility - Effective performers are adaptable, are effective in the face of ambiguity, and support an orientation for change.
• Technology Savvy - Effective performers use technology to be successful in their organizational role. They value technology and leverage existing and new technology to achieve efficiency.

• Written Project (for review and discussion only)
• Oral Board (40%)
• Oral Board with department Commanders (60%)
• Final review by Chief of Police.