Salary : $114,850.06 - $156,295.62 Annually
Location : Santa Maria, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FY 27-00172
Department: Police Department
Division: Police - Administration
Opening Date: 10/24/2026
Closing Date: 11/16/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
OPPORTUNITYOpen Date: October 24, 2026
Close Date: November 15, 2026 at 5:00PM
Interview: To be determined
The City of Santa Maria is recruiting a
Police Business Manager for the Police Department.
The Police Business Manager will assume responsibility for budgeting, accounting, revenue and general administration responsibilities. This position requires a thorough understanding of municipal budgeting, statistical records, grant requirements, administrative policies, and State and Federal reporting practices.
THE POSITIONIn this role, you will lead the Police Department's administrative, financial, and personnel functions. You will oversee critical operations that ensure the department runs efficiently and effectively, supporting both day-to-day activities and long-term strategic priorities.
The Ideal Candidate will possess:
-excellent written and oral communication skills
-accounting/finance experience
-strategic/collaborative leadership
-fiscal planning
-local government/organization acumen
Full Job Classification Description: Police Business Manager (
Program Leader job classification)
REQUIRED SUBMITTALS- Up-to-date Resume
- Cover letter which explains how your experience and background align with this recruitment
DUTIESThe following describes the essential duties and responsibilities. The duties as shown below are not intended to show every job duty of the classification and instead are focused on the key concepts for the work at this level.
- Leading teams and/or significant departmental projects;
- Taking full leadership responsibility for assigned teams/projects;
- Designing and implementing customer- service solutions and initiatives;
- Ensuring high-quality customer service is delivered by subordinate staff;
- Developing and managing budgets;
- Setting team/project goals and measurements;
- Assuming full accountability for team/project outcomes;
- Obtaining and deploying resources necessary to manage team/project;
- Performs very complex technical, professional, and analytical work for a wide range of programs and department activities and may advise on policy decisions.
- Provides professional support or leads one or more core administrative functions/programs.
- Exercises consistent sound judgement in making decisions and recommending actions.
- Works strategically and effectively independently.
- Work is executed at a consistently elevated level.
Middle Manager:Incumbents should have a solid foundation of Individual Contributor and Front-line Supervisor core competencies identified by the organization, as well as the following core competencies identified as essential for
Middle Manager.
- 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSDepending on the level of the assignment incumbents may be required to possess some or all the following:
- Current technical/professional knowledge of the complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession,
- Possession of license(s) and/or certifications associated with the assignment,
- Educational degree in a specific area of study; and
- Mastery of some or all core competencies described, including those of Individual Contributor and Front-line Supervisor, depending on the assignment.
SELECTION PROCESSSUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION- This position will require completion of a pre-employment background check to the satisfaction of the City. This may include a thorough review of a Personal History Statement, and background investigation.
APPLICATION RANKINGThe complete application packet, which consists of the online application, resume, and cover letter, will be evaluated and scored. An applicant's final ranking on the eligibility list will be determined by their submitted application materials. The Hiring Department will interview selected candidates from the eligibility list who best meet its needs.
If you are experiencing any technical (computer-related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, call the NEOGOV helpline for assistance at 1-855-524-5627. 
