Salary : $138,798.40 - $226,033.60 Annually
Location : Police Department: 251 South C Street, Oxnard 93030, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 14227-PD-2609-AA
Department: POLICE
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 10/15/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description**This Employment Opportunity is only open to current City of Oxnard Police Department Employees.**The City of Oxnard Police Department is seeking a Police Commander. The Police Commander, under general direction, directs, coordinates, and supervises the activities and operations of one or more assigned activities within the Police Department; coordinates activities with other police divisions, City programs, and outside agencies or organizations. The Police Commander also performs highly responsible and technical staff assistance and performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The
Police Commander is the mid-management level class responsible for administrative, supervisory and technical work in leading and guiding the activities of programs of the Police Department. Employees in this position command an operational division or assigned patrol shift, and lead, guide and coordinate important police investigative and administrative activities. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Assistant Police Chief which is responsible for an operational bureau and may assume the command of the Police Program in the absence of the Police Chief. A Police Commander assumes command of a major division in the absence of the Assistant Police Chief.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:General direction is provided by an Assistant Police Chief or the Police Chief. Responsibilities include direct, functional and technical supervision of sworn and non-sworn personnel.
Essential FunctionsMay include, but are not limited, to the following
- Accepts management responsibility for activities, operations and services of an assigned Department division including field operations, administration and criminal investigations.
- Oversees and/or participates in the development, implementation and maintenance of the activity goals, objectives, policies and procedures; ensures that goals are achieved.
- Plans, coordinates and reviews the work plan for assigned projects and responsibilities provides administrative and technical direction to sworn and non-sworn staff in assigned areas.
- Coordinates the selection, orientation, training and evaluation programs for personnel in an assigned activity; provides or coordinates staff training; identifies and resolves staff deficiencies; fulfills discipline procedures; prepares staff reports, presentations, and agenda items; reviews the work of team members to ensure compliance with the organization's policies and procedures, local and federal laws and case law.
- Responsible for upholding and furthering the Police Department's Mission Statement and Core Values; responsible for meeting, furthering, and promoting the Police Department's organizational goals, objectives, and priorities.
- Responsible for engaging the public through a variety of ways, including (but not limited to) in person, social media, and virtual/online meetings. Reviewing material from his/her area of responsibility that is being shared with the public.
- Strategically plans, leads and supports the activities of patrol, traffic, records, dispatch and booking personnel on an assigned shift.
- Responsible for monitoring security of station and monitoring of detention facility.
- Plans, leads and supports the crime prevention and crime analysis unit; coordinates investigation activities with regional law enforcement agencies as needed.
- Leads, coordinates and facilitates development and administration of special planning and research and law enforcement assistance grant projects and other studies designed to improve the agency's operating efficiency and effectiveness in community policing and problem-solving crime prevention, intervention and enforcement.
- Receives complaints or reports of emergencies and determines the need for police action. Assists, improves and participates in the preparation and maintenance or reports and records.
- Assists and participates in administrative responsibilities related to the program purchasing, personnel and community policing functions.
- Develops and conducts training programs in a variety of police activities.
- Serves as a liaison between the Police Department programs and the news media; provides appropriate information and press releases. Responsible for employing quality control in such work product.
- Represents Police Department interests, participates and provides leadership to various committees, task forces and other intra-city and community projects.
- Oversees the maintenance and upkeep of program equipment and facilities; reports needed improvements or corrections as required.
- Periodically reviews and evaluates program systems, equipment, policies and procedures for appropriateness; makes recommendations for changes as needed.
- Responds to the most difficult inquiries and requests for information.
- Oversees and/or participates in the development of the budget for an assigned activity; participates in the forecast of necessary funds for staffing, materials and supplies; discusses and resolves budget issues with appropriate staff; implements adjustments as necessary.
- Serves as a resource for the assigned program activity; coordinates operations with other City programs and law enforcement organizations; provides information and resources to City officials, the public and other organizations as is appropriate.
- Provides staff assistance and technical support to an assigned activity and other City programs; conducts financial, organizational and operational service delivery studies; makes recommendations to address and resolve identified service delivery issues.
- Attends and participates in organizational and community meetings as necessary; stays current on issues relative to the field of law enforcement.
- Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary documents or correspondence to appropriate boards, groups and/or committees.
Minimum QualificationsThe following are the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:
Experience:- Possess the equivalent of two (2) years as a Police Sergeant with the City of Oxnard.
Education:- A Bachelor's degree in police science, business, public administration or related field. (Must be attached to your application)
License, Certification and Other Requirements: - Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid class C California driver's license.
- Possess a valid POST Supervisory Certificate (Must be attached to your application)
- Current City of Oxnard Police Department Employee
General InformationAPPLICATION PROCESS: (subject to change)
- October 15, 2026, 1700 hrs: Deadline to submit NEOGOV/GovernmentJobs on-line application and 10 copies of your resume to Assistant Chief Rocky Marquez
- October 20, 2026, 1000 hrs: Written project assigned (10%, blind review, also provided to panels, and incorporated in their scoring)
- October 22, 2026, 1000 hrs: Written project due
- Week of October 26, 2026: Oral Interviews (Internal Panel is 60% and External Panel is 30%)
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.
This recruitment will be used to create an eligibility list. The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, and temporary assignments.
Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough reference check and background investigation. Some positions that work with or have access to the Police Department may require a polygraph exam. Select positions may require candidates to undergo a pre-employment medical and/or psychological evaluation.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: Positions in this classification are represented by Oxnard Public Safety Manager's Association (OPSMA).
NOTE: For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools. Candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with ongoing work.
Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.
Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.
This position requires a 12-month probationary period.
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.
If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered
Retirement: The City participates in California Public Employees' Retirement System which offers pension benefits upon retirement.
Annual Leave: Depending on years of service, biweekly annual leave accruals range from 10.85-11.78 per pay period.
Health and Dental: The City contributes $279.99 a month for health and $66.80 a month for dental. Unused premium money is paid to the employee. The City also contributes $136.00 per month in PEMHCA contributions which is paid to CALPERS.
Tuition Reimbursement: The city will reimburse 75% of the cost of tuition provided the employee attends an accredited institution and passes with a C or better.
Holidays: 11 days per year.
01
Do you possess two (2) years of experience as a Police Sergeant with the City of Oxnard?
02
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in police science, business, public administration or a related field?
03
Do you possess a valid POST Supervisory Certificate?
Required Question
