Full Notification

The Santa Clara Police Department will be initiating a recruitment for Community Service Officer (CSO) in the near future.  

What is a Community Service Officer?

CSO is a civilian professional role within the Department.

Entry-level CSO’s are preliminarily assigned to the Field Operations Division of the Police Department to support sworn Police Officers and departmental operations. An example of duties includes, but is not limited to, issue parking citations, enforce abandoned vehicle abatement ordinances, place the Department's radar trailer in response to citizen concerns, facilitate traffic control at fire scenes, crime scenes and traffic light malfunctions, prepare crime reports, process non-injury traffic accidents and other similar duties.

What Types of Calls Would a CSO Respond To?

CSO's are deployed throughout the City to help police officers by responding to calls and investigating lower priority calls for service. CSO's are not deployed to in-progress calls. This allows police officers to remain available to respond to higher priority emergency calls and have more time for proactive enforcement.

The types of calls CSO's respond to include:

- Parking violation (e.g. double parking, parking in handicap or red zone, blocking driveway, time zone parking, etc.)
- Abandoned vehicle abatement
- Non-criminal citizen concerns
- Road hazard
- Non-injury traffic collision 
- Vehicle theft with no known suspect and vehicle recovery
- Vehicle burglary with no known suspect 
- Petty theft 
- Barking dogs
- Vandalism
- Found property 
- Direct and controls crowds (e.g. crime scene, special events, traffic accident, etc.)
- Assistance with crime scene investigation

What are the Minimum Qualifications to Apply?

Graduation from high school or possession of a GED and one (1) year of full-time paid or volunteer work experience involving considerable contact with the general public.

What is a Typical Work Schedule?

The position requires outdoor work with light physical hazards. CSO’s work four, 10-hour days, including nights and weekends depending on the specific assignment.

CSO's bid on assignments by seniority.   

For example, a Patrol CSO's may work Monday - Thursday, Tuesday - Friday or Friday - Monday either 6 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. or similar depending on the Department's needs.

Is There a Required Uniform?

Yes. CSO’s wear light blue uniform shirts, a badge that says “Community Service Officer,” dark blue pants and a duty belt with a radio, pepper spray, flashlight and body worn camera. A uniform allowance is part of a CSO's benefit package.

What are the Salary and Benefits of a CSO?

$37.23 - $47.69 per hour
$77,444 - $99,194 annually, plus excellent benefits

The City of Santa Clara offers excellent benefits to employees. CSO's are in the Public Safety Non-Sworn Employees Association (Unit 10) and a summary of the benefits is available online.

Is Training Provided?

CSO’s proceed through an in-house field training program where the topics include criminal law and investigation, basic evidence collection, report writing, accident investigation, First Aid/CPR, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, etc.

NOTE: CSO’s do not attend the Police Academy, nor do CSO's carry a conducted electrical weapon or firearm.

What Opportunities are Available to Promote? 

With experience and positive performance evaluations, CSO’s have the ability to bid for specialized assignments and advance to the rank of Community Service Officer II ($87,644 - $111,734 annually) in specialized roles such as:

- Court Liaison (e.g. transport evidence, serve as court liaison, issue subpoenas, etc.)
- Crime Prevention (e.g. Community Engagement Program, crime prevention presentations at schools and citizen meetings, booth at city-wide special events, etc.)
- Evidence and Property (e.g. organization and handling of evidence, property release, pharmaceutical disposal program, etc.)
- Permits (e.g. authorized pedi-cab companies/drivers, massage establishments, mobile food trucks, licensed bingo organizations, solicitor/peddler applications, etc.)
- Police Building reception (e.g. greet the public, handle requests for police reports, etc.)
- School Services (e.g. adult crossing guard program, 5th grade safety patrol, etc.)
- Vehicle Coordinator (e.g. coordinate the maintenance and repair of vehicle and equipment, including transport of vehicles to auto shop, order and organize forms and supplies, etc.)

Subscribe to Receive the Job Announcement

The Santa Clara Police Department will be initiating a recruitment for CSO in the near future.

Individuals interested in learning more are encouraged to:

- Read the full Job Description https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofsantaclaraca/classspecs/843380?keywords=community%20service%20officer&pagetype=classSpecifications
- Subscribe to receive the job announcement when the hiring process opens
- Explore a virtual tour of the Police Department, hear from current employees about how they got into law enforcement and learn why individuals choose to spend their career with the Santa Clara Police Department on the new recruiting website at www.IamSCPD.org 
- Learn about the functions, programs and services offered by the Santa Clara Police Department at www.scpd.org
- Check out the City of Santa Clara website at www.SantaClaraCA.gov
- Ask your recruiting questions online at www.IamSCPD.org