SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, assist the public, sworn, non-sworn and other staff by performing a variety of public relations, technical, clerical, and law enforcement functions including, receipt and processing of non-emergency calls, report services not requiring a sworn officer and perform other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in this class are non-sworn civilian positions in the Sheriff's Office. These positions are distinguished from the Deputy Sheriff class in that it does not require peace officer status, training or responsibility, and officers in this class do not carry firearms. This class is distinguished from the Sheriff's Security Officer class by the responsibility for handling law enforcement non-emergency requests for service, providing complex information on a wide variety of law enforcement-related topics, conducting investigations, and report writing.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Assist the public by telephone in providing comprehensive information in response to non-emergency requests for service;
• Advise public of regulations, procedures and issues relating to civil, criminal, municipal and state codes;
• Make referral to appropriate divisions within the Sheriff's Office, other government entities, community, and private services as appropriate;
• Obtain and provide information related to the completion and processing of complaints or law enforcement reports;
• Process citizen reports, inquiries and calls for service in accordance with procedural requirements;
• Conduct interviews with victims and witnesses; may appear in court to provide testimony regarding case evidence and statements obtained;
• Ensure forms, documents and reports are complete and conform to regulations;
• Compile data from multiple sources to complete and process forms, documents, and reports in accordance with procedures;
• Research problems and devise appropriate solutions based on Community Policing models;
• Conduct criminal investigations in cases that do not require the intervention of a sworn peace officer and do not involve suspect contact;
• Receive, transport, and process property and evidence; may testify in court on the chain of custody records on property held as evidence;
• May deliver non-hazardous subpoenas;
• Perform clerical and maintenance support as needed;
• May enter or retrieve information and prepare periodic or special reports using a personal or on-line computer system;
• May conduct meetings and make presentations to community and school groups, write articles and press releases, prepare pamphlets and brochures related to law enforcement and crime prevention activities.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Functions, organization, purpose, operation, and procedures of law enforcement and related government agencies.
• Techniques for dealing with people of diverse socioeconomic levels and cultural groups in tense and verbally abusive situations.
• Report writing in a law enforcement agency.
• Interview and interrogation procedures.
• Basic factors that influence human behavior.
• Operation of communication equipment used in the course of work, such as radios, telephones, pagers, and associated systems.
• Basic techniques for eliciting and providing information telephonically.

Ability to:

• Learn and apply applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to inform members of the public of processes and procedures.
• Successfully complete a Community Service Officer Academy with a minimum of 120 hours of training within six months of appointment.
• Communicate effectively with members of the public in stressful situations.
• Follow written and oral instructions and make decisions in routine procedural matters without immediate supervision.
• Exercise good judgment, reason, and discretion in analyzing and resolving problems.
• Prioritize matters appropriately.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and documents.
• Read, understand, and interpret standard official legal documents.
• Operate standard office equipment including personal and on-line computers.
• Locate streets and other geographical points using a map.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with sworn personnel.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with a variety of individuals who may be emotional, hostile, or irate and from varying cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Adopt quick, effective, and reasonable course of action under adverse and/or emergency conditions.
• Obtain information through interview, interrogation, and observation.
• Stand and walk for extended periods of time up to 8 hours.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Graduation from high school or attainment of a satisfactory score on a G.E.D test.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS:

• License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License.
• Training: Incumbent must attend a Community Service Officer Academy with a minimum of 120 hours of training within six months of appointment. Incumbent must also successfully complete computer dispatch training.
• Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation.
• Special Working Conditions: Exposure to individuals who may be hostile and abusive.
• Other Special Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment; must be available to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None

Benefit Status: 41
EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 01
Workers' Comp Code: 0053