Community Service Officer

Under general supervision, Community Service Officers perform a wide variety of technical support duties within various divisions and bureaus of the Police Department. Depending on assignments, incumbents may perform a range of field and office support duties in the areas of field services, jail facilities, property control, community services, and crime scene or traffic control. Assignments are subject to rotation.
Example of duties:

• Processes prisoners through the City jail, including advising of procedures and telephone rights, searching prisoners for weapons, drugs or other hazards and contraband, inventorying and releasing property, interviewing and assigning detention areas to prisoners for medical, psychiatric and other conditions, and releasing prisoners
• Prepares and distributes meals, dispenses medications, monitors prisoner safety and well being, and screens and refers requests for medical attention
• Prepares a variety of routine reports, which may involve burglary, theft, stolen vehicles, casualty, or missing persons and may be assigned follow up responsibility on these and similar investigations
• Operates computer systems and accesses data bases such as the California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (CLETS) to enter, search, confirm and retrieve a wide variety of information related to local, state and national criminal activity and investigations using established codes and screens, determines alternative approaches to locating information such as use of aliases and other name variations
• Assists officers or jail staff with booking prisoners, fingerprinting, and related tasks
• Collects identifies, preserves, examines and processes crime scene evidence, prepares reports, assists in criminal investigations, and provides support services in the form of specialized and technical crime scene processing, fingerprint identification, forensic photography, and documentation
• Testifies in court or at hearings on case records and investigative activities and in court proceedings regarding collection and preservation of evidence
• Administers first aid as necessary

Required Qualifications: Education
Equivalent of graduation from high school

Experience
Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience involving in-person, telephone and written public contact that demonstrates effective communication and customer service skills.

Previous volunteer or paid experience in law enforcement, emergency medical services, military service, probation, counseling or similar work requiring extensive public contact is highly desirable.

Other Requirements: Must successfully pass a background investigation, and psychiatric and medical evaluations; possess a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record; be willing to work evening, graveyard, weekend, and holiday shifts for the 24/7 operational schedule; be able to obtain the required Police Officer Standards and Training certification such as the Community Service Officer Academy, Jail Correction Course, which are conducted or recognized by the Berkeley Police Department; and be physically able to perform the work, including lifting heavy objects and controlling violent individuals.
Knowledge and Abilities: Knowledge of: General principles and practices used to establish effective police/community relations and Community Involved Policing philosophy; Principles, practices, and procedures of basic law enforcement operations, activities, and terminology; Procedures and techniques of evidence collection and processing, including maintenance of chain evidence; Procedures and methods of property preservation and storage, including inventory systems; Use and basic capabilities of computerized record and information systems; Safe work methods and safety regulations pertaining to the work; and General office practices, including filing and operation of common office equipment.

Ability to: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with other City employees, community and neighborhood groups, and all members of the public; maintain a professional, courteous demeanor under adverse, difficult, and confrontational situations; Interview prisoners, witnesses and victims to obtain information, often under hostile or emotionally charged situations; Collect and process crime scene evidence; Operate computer terminal keyboards to enter and query information; Prepare, maintain, file and index a variety of reports, records and other written materials; Prepare clear and concise reports, records, and other written materials; Observe and accurately recall places, names, descriptive characteristics, and pertinent facts and details; Operate various police related equipment such as a radio, mobile digital terminal, cameras and computer; Effectively communicate and work with those contacted in the course of work including diverse people of all socio-economic backgrounds regardless of ethnicity and sexual orientation; Make presentations to small groups; Understand and follow both oral and written instructions; Read and understand various types of maps; and Properly use self-defense propellants and a baton.
Application Process: Applicants must submit the following: 1. CITY OF BERKELEY EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION 2. RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE All materials must be received in our office no later than the closing date, at 5:00 p.m. PST. Postmarks, faxes and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes are not a substitute for a completed application. The examination process will consist of:

• Review of applications for minimum qualifications for the position and to ensure all materials have been submitted.
• Written Examination - Applicants possessing these requirements will advance to a multiple-choice written examination tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 5th or Saturday, December 7th, 2019. The examination will cover elements of the knowledge and abilities identified in this announcement.
• Performance Exam - Applicants passing the written exam will be invited to participate in the performance exam tentatively scheduled on Saturday, January 11, 2020.

Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring department(s) will use to conduct final selection interviews. Hiring Department(s) will contact applicants directly if selected to participate in their hiring/selection process. DISCLAIMER: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content. Components may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any particular assessment component or combination of components as needs dictate. All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency / disaster.

Exam Access Accommodation: In compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations, the City of Berkeley will employ and promote qualified individuals without regard to disability. The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must do so no later than the final filing date for receipt of applications, otherwise it may not be possible to arrange accommodations for the selection process. Such requests should be addressed to the Department of Human Resources | (510) 981-6800 | [email protected] | 2180 Milvia Street, 1st Floor, Berkeley CA 94704.

Alternative Application Formats: This application material is available in alternative formats upon request. Alternative formats include audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc. Please contact the ADA Coordinator, 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley | Phone: (510) 981-6300 | TTY: (510) 981-6347| [email protected] and allow 7-10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

The City of Berkeley is an EEO/ADA Employer.