Salary $61,297.60 - $78,228.80 Annually
Location Palmdale, CA
Job Type Full-Time
Job Number 2025.0702.2
Department Public Safety
Opening Date 07/03/2025
Max Number of Applicants 150
DESCRIPTION
The full salary range for this position is as follows: $29.47 - $37.61 . Expected hiring range is as follows: $29.47 - $32.48
The Community Services Officer performs a variety of community service duties in a non-sworn capacity in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; responds to calls-for-service, takes crime reports, enforces the California Vehicle Code, City ordinances, and regulations; issues citations and provides testimony in court; and educates the public about federal, state, and local laws and codes while providing outstanding customer service.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a full journey level classification. Incumbents perform a variety of responsible duties on behalf of the department operations with work generally reviewed upon completion and for overall results. Incumbents are required to possess previous related experience and are expected to be fully competent in performing assigned duties.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Receive and respond to citizen inquiries and requests for sheriff services in the field, at a public counter, and over the telephone.
- Conduct preliminary investigations at given locations including taking statements and gathering facts through observation.
- Make referrals to other agencies as appropriate.
- Assist in traffic control.
- Write crime and incident reports; prepare and maintain logbooks and other records.
- Operate assigned vehicle; ensure issued equipment is in proper order; inventory and maintain supplies such as citation books, envelopes, and other forms.
- Interact with the public on an ongoing basis; receive, listen to, and skillfully handle citizen issues and complaints and conduct research to respond to community concerns as necessary.
- Conducts routine patrols of city facilities and other designated locations.
- Assist the public by providing directions and answering a variety of questions regarding the Sheriff's Department and City programs, policies, and procedures.
- Enforce California Vehicle Codes, issue citations, and store or tow vehicles.
- Enforce provisions of the City's Municipal Code and Palmdale Zoning ordinances; issue administrative citations; educate the public about code and zoning ordinances.
- Prepare for, appear, and testify in criminal and civil court proceedings and at depositions as needed.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
One year of full-time, or the equivalent of part-time, experience working in a law enforcement or public safety capacity with substantial public contact.
Training:
High school diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent. College level coursework in law enforcement or related field is highly desirable.
Other Requirement:
Must successfully pass the background for the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as soon as practical.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of a valid California driver's license and legally required vehicle insurance and the ability to be insured with the City's insurance carrier required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
- Due process, constitutional rights, limitation of authority; legal remedies, and abatement strategies used in investigation of complaints.
- Appropriate safety measures for field investigations.
- City organizational structure/functions.
- Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
- Community/agency resources available to effect compliance/aid.
- Outside agencies’ jurisdiction.
- Rules and procedures of providing testimony in court regarding crime reports.
- Computer skills necessary to write reports, develop presentations, and collect data.
Ability to:
- Gather and analyze data.
- Prepare accurate and concise technical reports.
- Make sound decisions and recommend appropriate corrective action.
- Work safely in the field setting.
- Interact with residents, businesses, other City employees, Sheriff's Department personnel, and personnel of other government agencies both in the office and in the field.
- Communicate effectively with members of the public, other City employees, Sheriff's Department personnel, and personnel from other public agencies.
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with members of the public, other City employees, Sheriff's Department personnel, and personnel from other public agencies.
- Read, write, and speak clearly and effectively using the English language. Use proper English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Interpret and apply civil and criminal laws, the Penal code, Welfare and Institutional Codes, health and safety codes, vehicle codes, City codes, and radio codes.
- Work crime scenes as assigned and write reports.
- Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural and ethnic diversity of the community.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Physical Demands:
Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent driving, walking, standing, bending, squatting, and sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing.
Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.
Vision: constant use of overall vision; color and depth vision; frequent reading and close-up work.
Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.
Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; regularly works alone.
Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in both a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment, and outside in various types of weather.
Position is required to operate vehicles; may require occasional overtime; night and weekend work is required; travel is rare.
Employer City of Palmdale
Address
38250 Sierra Hwy
2nd Floor
Palmdale, California, 93550
Phone (661) 267-5400
Website https://www.cityofpalmdaleca.gov/290/Job-Opportunities