Salary : $133,133.52 - $161,824.52 Annually
Location : Police Department, 215 E. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Unclassified
Job Number:
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/18/2026 4:30 PM Pacific

DESCRIPTION
POLICE RECORDS SPECIALIST
$133,133 - $161,824 ANNUALLY
(Salary Range is Currently Under Review and May be Adjusted)
THE POSITION
The City of Santa Barbara Police Department is seeking a knowledgeable and experienced Police Records Manager. Under administrative direction, this position manages and coordinates the daily operations of the Records Bureau of the Police Department; including arrests, booking and criminal history records; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; serves as system administrator for the Department's records management system (RMS); is the Custodian of Record for the department; and performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. Incumbents will organize and oversee the work of police records supervisory personnel. Additionally, this position plans and reviews data provided in major crime activity reports and ensures division compliance with reporting standards.
This position is designated as "at will" serving at the pleasure of the department Director and subject to discharge without cause and the right of appeal.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Police Records Manager has broad responsibility for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and reliable criminal records database that can be effectively used by the department to prosecute crimes and meet City and statutory reporting requirements. The Police Records Manager is distinguished from the Police Business Manager and Police Information Technology Manager by its specialized knowledge of police records databases and their uses by law enforcement agencies and the Court system. The Police Records Manager has a broader scope of supervision, conducts or leads specialized research, and has a more comprehensive understanding of uniform reporting requirements than the Police Records Supervisors.
BENEFITS
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:

• Federal and state laws and regulations, Court practices, local ordinances, and departmental procedures relating to records management information systems such as the proper handling of subpoenas, warrants, evidence, and trial proceedings, privacy protections and handling of criminal records
• California Public Records Act and response requirements
• Uniform Crime Reporting Standards in the use of information by local and state law enforcement agencies, and other federal and state authorities
• Police records filing, coding, data entry and record keeping practices; police records management systems, including CLETS
• Project administration and program administration
• Principles of employee supervision, selection, training, work evaluation and discipline
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Basic math

Skills:

• Operate computer hardware and use information systems and related word processing, database, and spreadsheet software programs; operate a calculator
• Operate a motor vehicle

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of complex, difficult, and sensitive recordkeeping assignments while maintaining the confidentiality of information, as prescribed by law
• Analyze how individual records cases should be handled based on statutes and departmental policies
• Plan, organize, and implement division goals, projects, policies, and practices and meet established deadlines
• Analyze and solve problems; analyze, interpret and apply complex legal requirements and standards
• Plan, oversee, coordinate, and evaluate the work of supervisory staff
• Exercise independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines
• Assemble data and prepare clear, concise, and complete reports and correspondence
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with staff, management, other law enforcement and Court officials, the general public, and others encountered in the course of work
• Exercise courtesy and tact in responding to records requests, and explaining legal and departmental standards to requesting parties
• Work independently

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINESAny combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:Five (5) years of increasing responsible police records management experience, including one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience is highly desirable.

Education and/or Training:Associate degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Science or a closely related field or POST related training and coursework in police records management and information systems.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

• Completion of certification and training as Police Records Supervisor and Records Specialist with POST is desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Police Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your account to view these emails.

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 PM ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026.
STEP INCREASES, through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews.

THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to change:
Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• Cell Phone Allowance of $50 per month will be provided to those applicable employees who do not have a City issued cell phone.
• Deferred Compensation (457) Savings Plan is available.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A City-paid Employee Assistance Program is available for employees and family members.
• Flexwork/Telecommuting is available.
• Health Insurance including medical, dental, and vision benefits is available. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: Management Unit 2, 22, 32 Rate Sheet.
• Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid term life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance (2x annual salary) is provided. Employee-paid supplemental life insurance is available subject to a health application if coverage is not elected during the new hire guarantee issue period.
• Holidays: 12 holidays are observed / year.
• Management Leave: 64 hours are provided each July 1st (pro-rated the first year).
• Personal Leave: 32 hours are provided each July 1st (pro-rated the first year).
• Medicare: Employee pays 1.45% of salary towards future Medicare benefits.
• Retirement: The City does not participate in Social Security.
  
  • PERS Miscellaneous Formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 8% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
  • PERS Police Safety Formula: "Classic" members: 3% @ 50; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 9% of salary. "New" members: 2.7% @ 57; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 14% of salary.
  • PERS Fire Safety Formula: "Classic" members: 3% @ 50; City contributes 27.8% and employee contributes 10.5% of salary. "New" members: 2.7% @ 57; City contributes 14.72% and employee contributes 14.5% of salary.
• Short Term Disability Insurance: Optional employee-paid coverage is available.
• Long-term Disability Insurance: City-paid coverage is provided.
• Sick Leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• The City is an employer-member of the Coastal Housing Partnership which offers regular employees with home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
• Vacation is accrued at 120 hours / year, increasing with City service.

Revised 5/27/2025
01

Describe your experience with the California Public Records Act.
02

Describe your experience in preparing and processing law enforcement reports.
03

Describe your supervisory experience, skills and approach in developing a "team-building" environment.
04

Describe your experience reading and interpreting codes such as the Penal Code, Government Code and Vehicle Code.
05

Describe your knowledge of the following computer applications: Word, Excel, Windows XP, CLETS and the Internet.
Required Question