Community Services Officer

Description

COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICER

Regular Full-Time Employment Opportunity

The final filing date is Monday, January 26, 2026 by 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and completed applications, whichever is first.

The City of Sunnyvale is currently recruiting for a Community Services Officer vacancy in the Department of Public Safety.

The recruitment process for positions in the Department of Public Safety will require a comprehensive background investigation.

Under general supervision provides a wide variety of field and office law enforcement support duties, which includes: issues citations or verbal warnings for municipal code violations; writes reports; reports criminal code violations to sworn Public Safety Officers; performs low risk investigations, including interviews and evidence processing; assists with traffic control; performs public contact work in crime prevention and neighborhood resources; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This classification is distinguished from the Public Safety Officer classification in that it is a non-sworn position and does not carry a firearm. The purpose of the Community Service Officer classification is to provide assistance to sworn Public Safety Officers by performing a variety of low risk, field and office Department of Public Safety support functions. This is a journey-level and generalist classification and incumbents are expected to be able to perform the full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance within a relatively short period of time.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Assists Public Safety Officers in field duties and community presentations and neighborhood outreach events.
• Presents crime prevention and neighborhood resources information to citizen groups, schools and businesses.
• Receives and answers requests for information from the public; receives complaints; and, obtains information requested by the public.
• Takes/investigates crime and traffic reports which are low risk in nature and are not in progress.
• Identifies, preserves, collects and analyzes evidence associated with low risk criminal incidents.
• Coordinates documents and organizes investigative information and evidence for subsequent prosecution and laboratory analysis.
• Performs computer data entry.
• Handles re-contacts on crime reports to obtain further information.
• Reports problems to or calls for assistance from the Department of Public Safety, as appropriate.
• Enforces municipal code violations; gives warnings; issues citations for violations of local ordinances.
• Assists department personnel, City staff and the public by processing registrants, processing livescan applicants, answering questions and providing information.
• Directs and controls traffic at accidents or special events; may perform non-hazardous crowd control duties.
• Checks security of buildings; detects fire and liability hazards
• Appears in court, as necessary.
• Transports victims, witnesses andjuveniles as needed.
• Transports public safety vehicles, as necessary.
• May assist with parking control and enforcement; may assist with marking and tagging of abandoned vehicles.
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when meeting with the public and conducting investigations. The position also performs duties outside of the office environment, and is subject to inclement weather conditions such as wet, heat and cold. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, books, documents and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

An Associate's degree or 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public safety, emergency management, criminal justice, public administration or a related field; AND

Two years of experience working for a public agency, a private security company or related work experience performing customer service duties.

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of criminal justice.
• Principles and techniques of customer service.
• Office methods, procedures, software and equipment.
• Principles and practices of public agency organization.

Ability to:

• Write clear, concise and accurate reports.
• Gather and coordinate data.
• Operate a computer using word processing and business software and other office equipment.
• Compile and maintain accurate records.
• Read maps and mapped information.
• Understand, appropriately apply and clearly explain regulations, codes, ordinances, policies and procedures.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Tactfully and effectively interact with people of ethnic and cultural diversity.
• Think and act quickly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Establish and maintain and promote positive and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.
• Work independently and as a team member; recognize and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Promote the mission, values and standards of an effective public organization, particularly in the area of customer service.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Operate assigned vehicle safely.
• Learn to diagram, photograph or video crime scenes.
• Learn standard broadcasting procedures of a public safety radio system.

Willingness to:

• Work variable shifts and irregular hours, accessible any time of the day or night, weekends or holidays.
• Wear a uniform.
• Attend required training.
• Finalists must pass comprehensive background investigation, psychological exam and medical examination, including an alcohol/drug screening.

Licenses/Certificates:

Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license and a safe driving record.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience or education related to law enforcement or criminal justice
• Bilingual in Spanish

Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources no later than 5:00 pm on Monday, January 26, 2026. Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted on-line through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. If you are interested in this position, only the first 100 qualified and complete applications will be considered.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of a written examination scheduled for the week of February 2, 2026 and an oral examination scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026 and Thursday, February 19, 2026 ( Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources). The oral exam will take place in-person, please plan accordingly.

The recruitment process for positions in the Department of Public Safety will require a comprehensive background investigation.

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in a selection interview with the Department of Public Safety . Selection interviews will typically take place in-person, please plan accordingly.

Any candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a comprehensive background investigation, as well as medical exam(s) administered by a City-selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate’s expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees Association SEA

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees on the basis of actual or perceived race, religion (including religious dress or grooming practice), color, sex (includes gender, pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to breastfeeding), gender identity and/or gender expression, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, family relationship, age, cancer or HIV/AIDS related medical condition, genetic characteristics and/or genetic information, and physical or mental disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.

Summary of Sunnyvale's Employees AssociationSEA

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 1/26/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Sunnyvale

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