Police Officer - LATERAL ***$15,000 Hiring Incentives***

Salary : $117,451.76 - $150,024.33 Annually
Location : 1541 Second Street, Napa, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-PD01-LAT-08
Department: Police
Opening Date: 09/09/2026

DESCRIPTION
***CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT - OPEN UNTIL FILLED***
HIRING INCENTIVES FOR LATERAL CANDIDATES:

$15,000 APPOINTMENT INCENTIVE
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

VACATION ACCRUAL CREDIT

(see below for additional information)

Hiring Incentives for Laterals: The $15,000 incentive will be paid to hired candidates on the first paycheck following their hire date. The relocation reimbursement may apply to eligible candidates for moving expenses as defined by IRS rules. Vacation accrual credit includes 80 hours that may be granted at time of hire, and then upon successful completion of probation a new employee may move to the appropriate vacation accrual tier based on their total years of service as a peace officer. Hiring Incentives are available for up to five (5) positions until filled. APPLY TODAY!
The City of Napa has immediate vacancies within the Police Department for Police Officers.

Laterals: We are searching for gifted individuals of unquestionable integrity who can demonstrate sound judgment and decision-making skills under all conditions. Consideration as a Lateral Police Officer is available to applicants with one year of experience in a sworn law enforcement position in the State of California (as defined in Penal Code Section 830.1) and possession of a California POST Basic Certificate.

Laterals (Outside of California): One year of experience in a sworn law enforcement position and successful completion of the California POST Basic Course Waiver Process is required by time of hire.

Academy Graduate: Possession of a current California POST Basic Police Academy Certificate is required at time of application.

This recruitment and examination is being conducted to fill current and future Police Officer vacancies as they occur during the active status of the employment list. The active status of this employment list will be at least 6 months unless abolished sooner or extended beyond that date in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.

Ideal candidates for the Police Officer - Lateralrole will have a record of successfully demonstrating the following competencies:

• Technical Professional/Knowledge and Skills - Achieved a satisfactory level of technical, functional, and/or professional skill or knowledge in position-related areas; kept up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise.
• Building Trust - Interacted with other departments and divisions in a way that gives others confidence in their intentions and those of the organization.
• Interpersonal Communications - Clearly and succinctly conveying information and ideas to individuals and groups in a variety of situations; communicating in a focused and compelling way that drives others' thoughts and actions.
• Decision-making - Identified and understood issues, problems, and opportunities; compared information from different sources to draw conclusions and develop appropriate solutions.
• Resolving Conflict - Helped others deal effectively with an antagonistic situation to minimize damage to the relationships and promote shared goals; used appropriate interpersonal methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people and facilitate agreement.
• Stress Tolerance - Maintained stable performance under pressure or opposition (e.g., experiencing time pressure, conflict, or job ambiguity); handled stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and to the organization.
• Initiating Action - Taking prompt action to accomplish work goals; taking action to achieve results beyond what is required; being proactive.
• Managing Work - Effectively handled one's time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently.

*** PLEASE NOTE: You must attach a copy of your California POST Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced Certificate to your application. Failure to attach required documents will result in candidate disqualification***

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: (Certificates must be attached to your online application. Certificates sent via fax, e-mail, U.S. mail, or delivered in person will not be accepted.)

1. Completed Employment Application (only online applications will be accepted)
2. Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
3. California POST Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Certificate
4. Acknowledgement of your ability to comply with the standards set forth in the Police Department Recruitment and Selection Standards document. Refer to the supplemental questionnaire (Questions #7-#8) for the candidate acknowledgment.

TYPICAL TASKS
Depending upon assignment, duties may include:

• Patrols an assigned area of the city by vehicle, foot or as designated by the supervisor to ensure the security of life, property, public order, to protect the constitutional rights of all citizens and to observe situations and deter crime.
• Identifies problems in a beat or in the community, develops tactical action plans and recommends solutions or strategies to supervisory staff.
• Maintains law and order; enforces state, local and federal laws and ordinances; responds to suspicious activities and answers emergency calls for service.
• Investigates traffic accidents; gives assistance and/or first aid to injured citizens and requests additional responses as necessary; provides traffic and crowd control as necessary; issues citations to traffic violations.
• Investigates criminal activity and incidents as the responding officer; coordinates crime scene control and investigation, including interviews and interrogations and identification of witnesses; oversees collection and preservation of physical evidence; seeks to locate law violators.
• Issues verbal warnings or citations; prepares search and arrest warrants; serves subpoenas and warrants; apprehends suspects and makes arrests.
• Interrogates suspects, interviews victims, complainants and witnesses; searches, transports and guards prisoners.
• Prepares and documents cases; testifies in court; completes reports and records; prepares and maintains other logs and records.
• Retrieves, identifies and returns found property and/or evidence to owners; searches for stolen property and lost persons.
• Maintains contact with the public regarding potential law enforcement problems and to preserve good relationships with the public; interacts with other agencies in the collection of information, identification of criminal offenses and recovery of stolen property.
• May perform work in a specialty assignment as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and ability would be qualifying. A typical way to gain the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position would be:

EXPERIENCE: One year of experience in a sworn law enforcement position in the state of California as defined in California Penal Code Section 830.1.

CERTIFICATION: Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a California POST Basic Certificate is required. Lateral applicants from outside California are also encouraged to apply! For those interested, you must show proof of the California POST Basic Course Waiver application to apply and must obtain a California POST waiver letter prior to becoming eligible to be hired.

KNOWLEDGE OF: Law enforcement terminology and concepts; techniques for dealing with people of all socio-economic levels under hostile and emergency situations; safety practices and precautions related to the work; basic English grammar, composition, spelling and punctuation; basic mathematics; effective communication techniques; effective problem solving techniques; basic computer operating systems and software applications related to the work.

ABILITY TO: Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; learn, understand and interpret laws, regulations and equipment used in law enforcement and crime prevention and investigation; implement and enforce laws, policies, regulations, guidelines and orders concerning the protection of life, property and the maintenance of law, order and peace; observe and accurately recall names, faces, numbers, incidents and places; think and act quickly in emergency situations; analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action; exercise sound judgment, often under pressure; understand and carry out written and oral directions; write at a fast rate of speed to prepare accurate and factual written reports; prepare clear and concise reports, records and other written material; perform basic math computations; safely operate motor vehicles in high speed and emergency situations; establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, supervisors, public officials and representatives other agencies; utilize computers and computer software, as required; learn to meet the minimum standards of use with department-issued or approved lethal and non-lethal weapons.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Due to the varied and unpredictable nature of police work, incumbents may also be required to perform the following: Measure distances using calibrated instruments such as when investigating traffic accidents or processing crime scenes; make precise arm-hand positioning movements and maintain static arm-hand position such as when sighting and shooting a firearm; direct traffic which requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand movements; use sufficient strength to enable the incumbent to sprint, jump, or physically overcome resistance when chasing or apprehending suspects; coordinate the movement of more than one limb simultaneously such as when using a hand radio while driving a vehicle or searching a building with firearm drawn, flashlight on and opening and closing doors; bend or stoop repeatedly and continuously over time such as getting in and out of a patrol car or gathering evidence at crime scenes; patrol officers wear a 15 pound utility/gun belt which requires the continuous support from stomach and lower back muscles; a patrol officer typically spends 7 - 8 hours per day driving a vehicle which requires the continuous support of lower back muscles; climbing ladders and searching rooftops requires lifting arms above shoulder level and working at heights greater than ten feet; searching for suspects or lost persons may require walking over rough, uneven, slippery or rocky surfaces including fields, parks, hillsides and creeks; an officer is required to listen for alarms, screams, breaking glass or other suspicious and unusual noises that may require investigation; move heavy objects such as equipment (50 pounds and more), and lift and carry injured or intoxicated persons short and long distances; work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements; tolerate very hot and very cold temperatures; sit for extended periods of time and may or may not be able to change positions such as when sitting in a patrol vehicle, or performing surveillance; foot beat and search activities require walking for extended periods of time, unable to stop, sit or rest at will; crowd and traffic control duties require standing for extended periods of time, unable to sit or rest at will.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of California Class "C" Driver's license is required at the time of appointment. Incumbents must be willing to work any shift, including night, evening, holiday and weekend shifts and must be willing to work scheduled and emergency overtime. Incumbents must wear and maintain a uniform. Incumbents are expected to maintain high moral character and integrity and demonstrate a high desire for self-improvement. Bilingual skills are desirable.

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