Police Officer (Recruit and Academy Attendee)

The East Bay Regional Park District's Police Department serves over 25 million annual visitors. Our area of patrol includes 73 different parks over a 1,750 square mile area covering all of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. We are a full service POST-recognized law enforcement agency with 71 sworn officers. Our department includes a variety of units and patrol opportunities such as Air Support, Marine, Equestrian, Special Enforcement (including off-road vehicles), Investigations, and a 24-hour per day 9-1-1 Communications Center. Looking to start your career in an organization that values your work and professional development endeavors? Apply to join the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department today!
 
What You'll Be Doing as Police Officer Recruit: Police Officer Recruit is an entry level classification and a non-sworn position which has no police officer powers. As a Police Officer Recruit, you will attend a Peace Officer Basic Training Academy approved by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) in order to successfully complete the course of study necessary to gain Peace Officer status in the State of California! Your academic progress and physical achievement will be closely monitored during this training period. Upon successful completion of the POST Basic Training Academy, you will be considered for appointment as a sworn Police Officer for the East Bay Regional Park District!

Application materials for this position consist of three (3) required parts:

1. A current East Bay Regional Park District job application submitted online; and
2. A Completed Supplemental Questionnaire; and
3. A copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial)

Optional application materials (if applicable to the candidate):

Written Exam Alternatives: 

POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) T-Score: If you have taken the Pellet B with another agency within twelve (12) months of the job posting closing date, with a passing score of 45 or higher, and would like to use that score in place of retaking the test with our agency, you may attach a copy of your T-Score to the job application. 

Physical Agility Alternatives: 

• Incumbents must successfully complete the POST Basic Academy to qualify for status as a Police Officer;
• A valid California driver's license is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification;
• All East Bay Park Regional District employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
• Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under various weather conditions and to perform the duties as required by their assigned position;
• Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holiday shifts as needed;
• Applicant must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, as well as pass a polygraph, psychological, and medical examination.

• Enjoys being challenged and is self-motivated;
• Enjoys public service and has a high level of personal integrity;
• Appreciates the value of publicly accessible open space and wishes to work with like-minded folks to preserve such opportunities for future generations;
• Is a personable and excellent communicator that understands the importance of community policing in the law enforcement profession.

• Meaningful and valued work connected to our organizational mission;
• A workplace that encourages professional growth by investing in staff trainings and developmental opportunities;
• Daily challenges that encourage problem solving and working as part of an excellent team;
• Great benefits including medical (through CalPERS), dental, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement pension through California Public Employees Retirement System (Classic—3%@55 & PEPRA—2.7%@57); Click here for details regarding additional benefits;
• Incentive pays (bilingual pay, POST Certification, and education) 
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles);
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).

• Respect: We honor each other, the park users we serve, and the land we steward.
• Resilience: We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
• Relationships: Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
• Responsiveness:  We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
• Transparency: We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and unfettered access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

1. Written Exam and Physical Agility Test: Those applicants who pass both exam components will proceed to the oral board interviews.
2. Oral Board Interview: Applicants who are successful at passing the physical agility test will be invited to the oral panel interview. 
3. Selection Interview: Applicants that are placed on a pool list will be considered for existing vacancies and will participate in selection interviews.
4. Background Investigation: A thorough investigation of a personal history, including but not limited to work history, education, military, arrest record, etc., will be conducted on candidates certified to the Police Department. A polygraph is a part of the background examination.
5. Medical/Psychological Evaluation: After receiving a conditional offer of employment, candidates must successfully complete a required medical/psychological examination prior to appointment.
6. Probation: The probationary period for this classification is twenty-four (24) months.

• Provides uniformed patrol by automobile, 4-wheel drive, ATV, motorcycle, boat, helicopter, horseback or on foot;
• Provides information to the public regarding park lands and facilities;
• Assists park visitors and other park employees;
• Contacts citizens and employees regarding any matter concerning public safety and welfare;
• Answers radio calls and self-initiates all types of police services;
• Investigates traffic accidents and takes injury reports;
• Enforces all laws and ordinances, issuing warnings and citations, making arrests when necessary;
• Investigates criminal offenses;
• Writes detailed and accurate reports; 
• Prepares cases for court and testifies as necessary;
• Performs rescue work and administers first aid when needed; reports fires and provides traffic and crowd control;
• Works days, nights or holidays, and in adverse weather conditions;
• Performs any other duties necessary and required for the safety and protection of the citizens and employees within the Regional Parks and other assigned patrol areas.

POST: Must meet current Peace Officer Selection Standards as set by the California Commission on POST; and   
 
Citizenship: Applicant must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law; and
 
Education: High School graduation or passage of General Education Development Test (GED), and successful completion of at least 24 semester or 36 quarter units of college level courses. (For purposes of this requirement, credit will be given for units recognized by POST in the completion of a Basic POST training course through an accredited institution or agency.) Additionally, credit will be given for a minimum of two years of Active Duty Military service; and
 
Physical: Must be at least 20.5 years of age and free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might interfere with the ability to perform the essential functions, as determined by the California Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) standards; and
  
Character: Must be of good character and reputation and not have been convicted of a felony crime or serious misdemeanor offense and must be able to pass a strict background investigation.

Knowledge of:

• Basic law enforcement terminology and concepts;
• Techniques for dealing with people of all socio-economic levels under hostile and emergency situations;
• Public relations in law enforcement.

Ability to:

• Learn principles, procedures, terminology, and operation of equipment used in law enforcement, crime prevention, and investigation;
• Read and understand course material offered while attending the POST Basic Academy;
• Retain course materials;
• Perform physical activities required at the Basic Academy;
• Observe accurately and recall names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places;
• Remain calm and controlling own emotions in tense situations;
• Learn and interpret laws, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Carry out oral and written directions;
• Make rapid, sound independent judgments within legal and procedural guidelines;
• Prepare clear and concise reports, records, and other written materials;
• Deal effectively with and control groups of people in stressful situations;
• Operate a variety of specialized police department equipment including computerized telecommunications and dispatch equipment;
• Establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the Academy at all levels.

Union Affiliation: The District's Police Association (PA) represents this classification. Wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment are covered in an agreement between the District and the PA. The probationary period for this classification is twenty-four (24) months, which includes the time served under the classification of Police Officer Recruit and then Police Officer.

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user on the system. If you have previously applied to a recruitment on GovernmentJobs.com, be sure to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have any problems while applying online, please contact the NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.

Notification: All applicants will be notified of their application status via email, generally within a month of applying. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications.

Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at 510-544-2154.