Police Officer Trainee

Salary : $78,350.76 - $95,235.96 Annually
Location : Novato, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-14
Department: Police
Opening Date: 05/11/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Job Description

POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE

Application Deadline: Continuous Until Filled
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
PURPOSE

The Police Officer Trainee is a non-sworn, full-time, benefited position within the Novato Police Department. The employee in this position is preparing for, or currently participating in, a full-time California Basic Police Academy authorized and certified under the guidelines of the California Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).
This is an entry-level classification designed to allow for the assessment, hiring, and training of suitable candidates for the position of Police Officer. The Police Officer Trainee is expected to prepare for, attend, and successfully pass, at all stages, a P.O.S.T. certified Basic Police Academy program selected by the Department. Failure to make satisfactory progress before, during, or after the Basic Police Academy may be cause for release from employment. Duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with municipal codes, ordinances, city policy, and related regulating entities. Upon successful completion of the Basic Police Academy program, the incumbent may be appointed to the Police Officer position and will serve an 18-month probationary period.

The Novato Police Department is looking for dependable and diverse problem solvers. Our approach empowers each employee to have a voice in a collaborative, adaptive work environment. We think creatively and strategically together as a team.

Example of Duties
ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS - Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:

• Attends a basic POST certified academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system, including knowledge of laws, police procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid, and physical fitness.
• Undergoes training to develop an awareness of the functions and responsibilities of Police Officers and how they relate to field operations.
• Academy includes classroom and outdoor instruction, demonstration, testing, and practical exercises in activities such as:
  • Instruction and testing on California Penal Code sections.
  • Conducting criminal investigations.
  • Crime scene preservation and gathering; preserving, documenting and cataloging evidence.
  • Physical fitness training and arrest and control tactics instruction.
  • Wellness and healthy lifestyle training.
  • Training on interacting with people experiencing crisis.
  • Narcotics, criminal street gangs, organized crime enforcement.
  • Education on community policing and hate crimes.
  • Instruction on proper handling and firing of firearms with range qualification.
  • Instruction and testing on traffic enforcement, driving under the influence (DUI) enforcement, and the California Vehicle Code.
  • Instruction on the use of police radios and radio codes.
  • Overview of the court system, including court preparation and testimony.
  • Handling calls for service and dispensing public information.
  • Basic police report writing and editing, which may also include instruction in grammar, spelling, police and legal terminology.
  • Observing law enforcement activities such as maintenance of order, crime prevention and protection of citizens and property.
  • Review of standard public safety rules, regulations, and procedures
  • Training and evaluation on emergency vehicle operation, including defensive driving, maneuvering, low speed driving, high speed driving, pursuit driving and other law enforcement driving skills.
• May be tasked to perform police support assignments such as answering telephone calls, providing advice, and assisting community members at the police department.
• As a police department employee and city emergency worker, trainees may be utilized as needed during emergency situations which may include wildfires, floods, earthquakes, civil unrest, or other unforeseen emergencies.

Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• As an entry level position, Police Officer Trainees will have little to no knowledge regarding the actual job tasks and functions of a police officer. During the Police Academy, Police Officer Trainees must learn, retain, and possess:
  • Modern police methods and procedures, including patrol, crime prevention, traffic control, investigation and identification techniques, standard radio broadcasting, compiling information and authoring police reports.
  • Criminal law, including apprehension, laws of arrest and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies.
  • Rule of evidence pertaining to the search, seizure, and preservation of evidence in traffic related and criminal cases.

Ability to:

• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
• Think and act quickly in emergencies, and judge situations accurately.
• Communicate with, organize and work cooperatively with diverse communities.
• Handle conflicting priorities.
• Understand and interpret laws and regulations.
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written reports.
• Become proficient in self-defense techniques, and in the care and use of firearms.
• Successfully complete Police Academy requirements including the POST-developed Work Sample Test Battery (WSTB), or an equivalent physical abilities test approved by POST.
  • Run a 99-yard obstacle course consisting of several sharp turns, several curb-height obstacles, and a 34-inch-high obstacle that must be vaulted

Experience and Training - Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Minimum age is 21 years of age at time of appointment as a Police Officer.

Must have successfully completed all requirements, testing, and selection processes for appointment as a probationary police officer.
Experience:

Although no law enforcement or public safety experience is necessary for this entry-level position, the candidate must demonstrate the life-experience and problem-solving skills necessary to achieve a satisfactory score from assessors on the initial interview panel.
Training:

Equivalent to completion of twelfth grade. Though not required, completion of some college is desirable. Proof of education is a copy of one of the following: a high school diploma, a college degree, a high school transcript, a college transcript or, if applicable, a GED certificate.
License or Certificate:

Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license with a satisfactory driving record. Must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.

Additional Information
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

To be considered for this recruitment, you must have already taken the POST Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) and received a T-score of 42 or higher within the last twelve (12) months. If you do not already possess a valid T-score, please visit the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) website at for upcoming test dates and locations for the POST Pellet B: POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery.
IMPORTANT: You must attach your T-Score letter with a score of 42.0 or higher, dated within the last 12 months, to your application at the time of submittal.
Working Conditions:
Environmental Conditions:

Police Academy environment; travel from site to site; exposure to potentially hostile environments (emergency driving course, firearms range, scenario village, obstacle course, and mat room for defensive tactics instruction). Instruction in multiple locations, indoors and outdoors, including during various weather conditions.
Physical Conditions:

Maintain physical ability and stamina to meet police and safety standards including: see well enough to drive vehicles, make valid identifications, use firearms, write reports; and, hear well enough to converse on the radio, telephone, and in person over incident noise, to be alert to situations of danger; and, bodily mobility to make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods, stamina and endurance necessary in the apprehension of suspects, use of hands and fingers to write, to utilize safety gear, and drive vehicles; and, must be able to lift equipment as necessary.

Fully Paid Police Academy:

• Support and training to meet physical fitness, arrest & control, and firearms training requirements.
• Non-residential academy means you go home at the end of the day.
• Pre-academy orientation to make sure you can maximize your experiences.
• Academy uniforms and equipment provided by Novato Police Department.
• During the Academy, a department mentor will partner with the Police Officer Trainee to provide support and assistance.
• Salary and Benefits apply while attending the academy.

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Health Insurance (Including Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for dependent care and/or out-of-pocket health care costs. Employee paid.
• Wellness Program; including workout-on-duty, mental health counseling, peer support team.
• Department gym, wellness room, and on-site chiropractic services.
• Mentoring Program.
• Employee Assistance Program - Available for employees and members of their household at no cost to employee.
• Varied Special Assignments and career advancement opportunities.
• Educational expense reimbursement.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program. Employee paid.
• California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability - Employee paid optional benefit plan.

The City participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). In compliance with AB 340, CalPERS retirement formula is 3% @ 55 retirement for Classic Safety employees and 2.7% @ 57 retirement for New Safety employees. The City provides a specific dollar amount to each employee based on the employee's benefit enrollment level to apply to medical, dental, life and disability insurance. The dental program and life insurance policy are mandatory. Health, vision and disability options are available. Employees who do NOT enroll in a healthcare plan through the City will receive $250 per month as an addition to their gross earnings. This is taxable income.

Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare. An equal amount is paid by the City.
The City does not participate in Social Security.

Salary:
Starting salary is generally the first step of the range listed; however, advanced step appointments may be approved based upon qualifications when warranted. Subsequent salary increases within the range are scheduled yearly and may be granted based upon satisfactory service.

Paid Time off Includes:
Vacation: A minimum of 80 hours per year are provided at the time of hire. If you are currently working for another agency (state, federal or local), your vacation rate may be adjusted to account for years of service with that public agency.
Sick Leave: 40 hours provided at time of hiring. Accrue one day of sick leave per month.
Paid Parental Leave: 320 hours, after 12 months of employment.
Leaves:
The City offers 14 paid holidays; 88 hours of vacation after 1 year (graduates to 184 hours for 20 years of service); New employees will receive 40 hours of sick leave on their start date (unused sick leave applied to service credit at retirement).

Applicants are screened for relevant education, experience and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. Those persons most qualified may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral, performance and/or assessment center examinations. Candidates who successfully pass the examination process are placed on the eligibility list.

To apply for this position, please visit ovatojobs.gov

ACCOMMODATIONS: Applicants with a disability who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing hr@novato.org upon submittal of application.
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