Police Cadet

Summary

Job Title

This classification performs a variety of routine technical and field assignments/activities in support of the total Police Department function.

Work is performed under supervision within established procedures and policies and is reviewed by a supervisor during process and upon completion.

Application and selection process: Applications must be completed and submitted on-line. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice, therefore prompt application is encouraged. Candidates are requested to provide specific information on their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. Do not include text or attached resumes, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process. Based upon the information presented on the application, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include, but is not limited to the following components: application review and evaluation, written examination or exercise, physical examination, practical exercise and interview evaluation. It is recommended you use a personal email address on your application instead of a work email address. Notifications during this recruitment will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the on-line application process). Notifications will be sent to the email address that is listed on your on-line application.

All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process which may include, but is not limited to: comprehensive background check, criminal history check (livescan fingerprint check), polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation and post-offer medical evaluation (may include drug screen).

Essential Functions

Inventories, impounds and stores abandoned vehicles. Stores and releases property and evidence. Enforces parking ordinances and issues parking citations. Assists at front desk in reception, including report taking, computer data entry, fingerprinting, and filing. Assists in preparation of community programs. Organizes and distributes informational pamphlets and handouts. Processes discovery requests for the District Attorney's office. Stocks and maintains inventory for CSI supplies. Transports Police Department vehicles for general maintenance. Conducts errands and makes deliveries to various off-site locations in a City vehicle. Conducts tours of Police Facility. Maintains equipment carried in Police Department vehicles. Maintains Fire protection equipment. Performs other duties as required.

Qualification Guidelines

Education, training and/or experience: Eighteen (18) years of age by date of application. Graduation from high school or equivalent. Current enrollment in an accredited college or university with six or more units of study with an emphasis in political science, social sciences, or related field is highly desirable. Public safety/law enforcement agency experience is highly desirable.

License and/or certificate: Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

Requisite abilities: Police Aides must meet medical and general physical standards prescribed for Police Officer. Ability to learn a variety of laws, policies and procedures involving Police operations. Ability to analyze problems quickly and objectively and determine the proper course of action. Ability to cope with situations correctly, courteously and tactfully and with respect for the rights of others. Ability to understand and execute complex written and oral instruction. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, and to prepare effective written and oral reports Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other law enforcement personnel and the public.

Supplemental Information

Public employee disaster service worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster. Physical tasks and environmental conditions: Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification. Employee accommodations for physical and mental abilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits

To view 2026 benefit information for all groups, Click Here Part-Time employees are appointed by and serve at the will of the Department Director. They are reviewed for merit salary advancement on a periodic basis. Generally, part-time employees are limited to no more than 1,000 hours of work per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Certain part-time employees, however, are permitted to exceed this limit. Part-time employees participate in either the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) or the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) depending on eligibility. Employees enrolled in PARS contribute 3.75% of salary with a matching City contribution. Employees enrolled in CalPERS contribute 7.5% - 10.469% of salary depending on eligibility. Part-time positions are eligible to receive general leave benefits. General leave can be used for sick, vacation, or holiday time. The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires all new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.

Job Description

Job Title

This classification performs a variety of routine technical and field assignments/activities in support of the total Police Department function.

Work is performed under supervision within established procedures and policies and is reviewed by a supervisor during process and upon completion.

Application and selection process: Applications must be completed and submitted on-line. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice, therefore prompt application is encouraged. Candidates are requested to provide specific information on their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. Do not include text or attached resumes, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process. Based upon the information presented on the application, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include, but is not limited to the following components: application review and evaluation, written examination or exercise, physical examination, practical exercise and interview evaluation. It is recommended you use a personal email address on your application instead of a work email address. Notifications during this recruitment will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the on-line application process). Notifications will be sent to the email address that is listed on your on-line application.

All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process which may include, but is not limited to: comprehensive background check, criminal history check (livescan fingerprint check), polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation and post-offer medical evaluation (may include drug screen).

Essential Functions

Inventories, impounds and stores abandoned vehicles. Stores and releases property and evidence. Enforces parking ordinances and issues parking citations. Assists at front desk in reception, including report taking, computer data entry, fingerprinting, and filing. Assists in preparation of community programs. Organizes and distributes informational pamphlets and handouts. Processes discovery requests for the District Attorney's office. Stocks and maintains inventory for CSI supplies. Transports Police Department vehicles for general maintenance. Conducts errands and makes deliveries to various off-site locations in a City vehicle. Conducts tours of Police Facility. Maintains equipment carried in Police Department vehicles. Maintains Fire protection equipment. Performs other duties as required.

Qualification Guidelines

Education, training and/or experience: Eighteen (18) years of age by date of application. Graduation from high school or equivalent. Current enrollment in an accredited college or university with six or more units of study with an emphasis in political science, social sciences, or related field is highly desirable. Public safety/law enforcement agency experience is highly desirable.

License and/or certificate: Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

Requisite abilities: Police Aides must meet medical and general physical standards prescribed for Police Officer. Ability to learn a variety of laws, policies and procedures involving Police operations. Ability to analyze problems quickly and objectively and determine the proper course of action. Ability to cope with situations correctly, courteously and tactfully and with respect for the rights of others. Ability to understand and execute complex written and oral instruction. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, and to prepare effective written and oral reports Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, other law enforcement personnel and the public.

Supplemental Information

Public employee disaster service worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster. Physical tasks and environmental conditions: Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification. Employee accommodations for physical and mental abilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits

To view 2026 benefit information for all groups, Click Here Part-Time employees are appointed by and serve at the will of the Department Director. They are reviewed for merit salary advancement on a periodic basis. Generally, part-time employees are limited to no more than 1,000 hours of work per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). Certain part-time employees, however, are permitted to exceed this limit. Part-time employees participate in either the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) or the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) depending on eligibility. Employees enrolled in PARS contribute 3.75% of salary with a matching City contribution. Employees enrolled in CalPERS contribute 7.5% - 10.469% of salary depending on eligibility. Part-time positions are eligible to receive general leave benefits. General leave can be used for sick, vacation, or holiday time. The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires all new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.