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California, United States
Onsite
Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site:
www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs. Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted.
Applications and supplemental questionnaires will be accepted on a continuous basis. Applications will be reviewed weekly, and candidates are encouraged to apply early for immediate consideration. This recruitment is open until filled.
WHY JOIN THE VENTURA POLICE DEPARTMENT?
Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including paid on-duty workouts
3 days on, 4 days off patrol schedule
State-of-the-art training and equipment
A supportive team environment with strong civic engagement
Coastal community with endless opportunities for career growth and advancement
About the Opportunity
The City of Ventura is now accepting applications for lateral Police Officer opportunities, even if you are an out-of-state lateral officer. We are seeking experienced, dedicated, and service-minded law enforcement professionals who are committed to protecting and serving our vibrant coastal community. Known for its strong team culture and commitment to public safety, the Ventura Police Department offers an environment that values innovation, ongoing training, and teamwork. If you're looking to grow your law enforcement career in a supportive and forward-thinking agency, this is your opportunity.
Police Officers work under general supervision and perform regular law enforcement, criminal investigation, crime prevention, and traffic control and enforcement duties. Police Officers may perform duties in specialty assignments such as motorcycle officer, K-9, major crimes investigations, special investigations, SWAT, and field tactical units. This position requires wearing a uniform and working rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and is subject to call-back.
POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS
Police Officer – Lateral or Academy Complete (for California POST-certified applicants): This opportunity is available to individuals currently employed as peace officers in California or who have completed a California POST-certified Basic Academy. Applicants must meet all California POST requirements. For in-state CA POST-certified applicants.
Police Officer Trainee – Lateral/Pre-POST Certification (for applicants without California POST certification): This option is for applicants who have completed a basic law enforcement academy equivalent to California POST standards. Out-of-state laterals must complete the California POST Basic Course Waiver process upon hire with the City of Ventura to obtain California POST certification. Applicants with prior California law enforcement employment must complete the Three-Year Requalification. Upon successful completion of California POST requirements and all department and state-mandated standards, lateral trainees will transition into a sworn Police Officer position. Those applicants meeting the criteria above who are hired will be paid to attend the 160-hour POST qualification/requalification course if that component is not yet fulfilled. The department will cover all costs for tuition, course materials, and any necessary hotel expenses during attendance.
Pay
Police Officer – Lateral or Academy Complete (for California POST certified applicants) – Step A $50.80 – Step E $61.75 Hourly DOQ
Police Officer Trainee -Out of State Lateral/Pre-POST Certification (for non-California POST-certified applicants without POST certification) - $47.92 Hourly | $8,306.13 Monthly.
Employee Referral Program
This position has been designated “hard to fill” and is eligible for the employee referral program. If you have been referred to apply for this position by a current City of Ventura staff member, please indicate their name as the person who referred you in the supplemental question.
Benefits
Police Officer: Represented – (Ventura Police Officers’ Association - Refer to the MOU for more detailed information).
Medical Insurance: Up to $1,100 monthly towards a selection of plans. Employees are eligible to participate in the City’s medical insurance program. The City contributes up to the monthly maximum toward a selection of available plans. Insurance is effective the first of the second month after date of hire.
Optional Benefits Program: $462 monthly, which may be applied toward medical insurance premiums. Cash-out option is not available.
Dental & Vision Insurance: City-paid coverage is provided for employees and eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first of the second month after date of hire.
Deferred Compensation: The City will match an individual employee's contribution to a 457 deferred compensation plan in an amount up to $949 per year.
Life Insurance: Eligible for a $50,000 basic term life insurance policy for each employee and dependent life insurance of $5,000 for each eligible dependent.
Retirement: Employees are covered by the CalPERS retirement system. If you are a CalPERS retiree, please contact CalPERS to discuss the impact that employment in this position would have on your pension benefit.
Tier I - 3% @ 50/Single Highest Year of Compensation Period for Classic CalPERS members who were hired prior to July 24, 2011, or who worked for the City prior to July 24, 2011 and are returning to City employment. Employees make a 4.5% member contribution and 4.5% of the employer's share, and may be subject to compensation limits per Section 401(a)(17) of the IRC. The City will contribute 4.5% of the member contribution and report the value to CalPERS as pensionable income.
Tier II - 3% @ 55/Single Highest Year of Compensation Period for employees hired on or after July 24, 2011 and prior to January 01, 2013, and for employees hired on or after January 01, 2013 who are considered Classic CalPERS members with less than a six-month break in service from another CalPERS or CalPERS'-reciprocal agency. Employees make a 4.5% member contribution and 4.5% of the employer's share, and may be subject to compensation limits per Section 401(a)(17) of the IRC. The City will contribute 4.5% of the member contribution and report the value to CalPERS as pensionable income.
Tier III - 2.7% @ 57/ Highest Three Consecutive Years of Compensation for employees hired on or after January 01, 2013 who are considered, "New Members." Employees will pay an 11.5% member contribution in accordance with Government Code Section 7522.30, and are subject to compensation limits per Government Code Section 7522.10. Additional details regarding the City's retirement plan will be provided to candidates during the job offer process.
Social Security: CalPERS members do not participate in Social Security retirement so there is no payroll deduction. Receiving a CalPERS benefit may affect your Social Security upon retirement. For further information contact a Social Security office or www.socialsecurity.gov/form1945.
Employees participate only in the Medicare portion of Social Security. There is a 1.45% payroll deduction for this benefit.
Holidays: Due to employees working in positions that require scheduled staffing without regard to holidays, employees will receive holiday pay and may cash out hours of holiday time annually.
Vacation: Lateral Police Officers will accrue vacation semi-monthly, based on their years of service. (Refer to the VPOA MOU for detailed information.)
Personal Leave: 35 hours per calendar year.
Sick Leave: 8 hours accrued per month, up to 1,440 hours (25% will be paid out at retirement with 10 years of service).
Educational Incentive: After completion of probation, 5% of base pay for an AA/AS degree or intermediate POST certificate or 10.24% for a BA degree or Advanced POST certificate.
Tuition Reimbursement: $2,500 per fiscal year for tuition and books for courses taken at an accredited institution after completion of the probationary period.
Uniform Allowance: $550 per year. All uniforms, including safety vests, are provided.
Bilingual Pay: $100 per pay period for demonstrated proficiency in a second language.
Student Loan Forgiveness: The City currently qualifies as an eligible employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Officers in Field Services work 12 hours per day, 3 days per week.
Wellness Program: A comprehensive program is available that includes an on-site gym, paid workouts, exercise classes, a comfort therapy dog, critical incident debriefings, mandatory mental health check-ins, and more.
Professional Development: The City of Ventura is a LinkedIn Learning organization. LinkedIn Learning online classes are available with a library of more than 13,000 courses taught by real-world experts. Users can download certificates and customize learning paths that match their roles and competencies.
Minimum Qualifications – Required
A combination of education, training, and experience equivalent to completion of high school. College coursework in behavioral or social science, criminal justice, or a related field is desirable, and the following requirements must be met:
LATERAL applicants: Must possess a California POST Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Certificate and have one year experience as a Police Officer with a California agency.
ACADEMY-TRAINED applicants: Must have successfully completed a California POST Certified Basic Academy.
ACADEMY-IN-PROCESS applicants: Must be currently enrolled in a California POST Certified Basic Academy program and be within three months of graduation.
Certificate: Possession of a California POST "Basic" certificate is required at time of hire.
License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record are required at time of hire.
OUT OF STATE LATERAL and Applicants with prior California law enforcement employment without CA POST certification – Must successfully complete the California POST Requalification Course, and all other requirements and prerequisites required to obtain either the Three-Year Requalification (applicants with prior California law enforcement employment) or the Basic Course Waiver Assessment Process (out-of-state applicants).
License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record are required at time of hire.
How to Apply
Submit a city application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted on a continuous basis.
It is important that your city job application show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire, may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.
After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail. Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.
Selection Process
All applicants meeting the minimum requirements will have their names certified to the eligibility list and forwarded to the Police Department for further consideration.
Additional selection and hiring components include department selection interview, physical agility assessment*, polygraph, background investigation, post-offer psychological and medical examinations.
The physical agility assessment* consists of the following components:
Agility Run: Run a 99-yard course with abrupt changes in lateral and vertical movement
Dummy Drag: Lift and drag a 165-pound dummy 32 feet.
Fence Climb/Run: Run 5 yards, climb a six-foot-high chain-link fence, continue running 25 yards.
Fence Climb/Run: Run 5 yards, climb a six-foot-high solid fence, continue running 25 yards.
500 Yard Run: Run 500 yards with no obstacles.
Additional Information
For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing here Police Officer Lateral or Police Officer Trainee (Lateral-Pre-POST Certification).
Questions? Contact the Recruitment Team:
recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov
(805) 654-7802
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!