To become a Public Safety Officer (PSO) requires a level of dedication to success not required of most careers. A Public Safety Officer performs the role of Police Officer, Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), something accomplished by separate departments in most municipalities. The role of a Police Officer in society is not to be taken lightly, it is a personal commitment that one must make to live a life that is beyond reproach. A firefighter’s job requires a high level of bravery and skill to accomplish a dangerous mission. EMT's need the motivation and interest to care for people in distress during their most difficult moments in life. The job is a serious one, and requires a level of dedication that is sustained throughout your career.

Basic training includes a strenuous 28-week Police Academy, 18 weeks of in-field police training, a 10 week Fire Academy, and four weeks of an EMS academy. This training includes schooling, training, and physical preparation that culminates into one of the most rewarding careers that you can obtain. If you think that you are up for it, read more about the process and how you can get started!

The first step to a Public Safety career is to do your research. Is this something that you really want to do for the next 30 years? Start by carefully investigating what the job of a Police Officer involves. Talk to friends and family members. Do you know anyone who is or was in law enforcement? 

Next, look into the Department of Public Safety. Have you ever considered becoming a volunteer at the Department? Perhaps a Public Safety Cadet while you are attending college? Not only does this give you a chance to get to know the agency and its culture, but it will open your eyes to the opportunities that exist in the many fields of public service.

Once you have made the decision to proceed further, arrange to participate on a citizen ride-a-long on patrol and make plans to visit a fire station. Ask questions - be informed. Meet the staff in the Recruitment and Selection Unit and introduce yourself. Ask what is expected of you and then:

1. Contact the City of Sunnyvale Department of Human Resources and express your interest in the position of Public Safety Officer. Find out when the next selection process will begin and formally apply for the position within the required time frame.
2. Participate in the testing process. Be punctual, dressed appropriately, and ready to spend two to three hours at the testing site that day.
3. If successful in the first phase, continue in the process. You will be given instructions for each step along the way. An oral board, psychological and polygraph examination, background investigation and candidate physical agility test (CPAT) lie ahead.

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This is a non-sworn, training-level classification in the City's Public Safety Officer series. Incumbents are hired as out-of-state peace officer laterals that have been evaluated and deemed by POST as being eligible to participate in the POST Basic Course Waiver (BCW) Examination process. During the period of time that incumbents are attending the POST Basic Course Waiver examination certification workshop, incumbents do not have peace officer powers in the State of California and are subject to the rules and regulations of the City of Sunnyvale, Department of Public Safety and the POST Basic Course Waiver examination certification workshop attended. Public Safety Officer I – Trainee incumbents may be assigned to non-safety duties in the Department of Public Safety, such as assisting in records, collection and data, community policing and/or patrol; and, transporting people and materials, etc.

Public Safety Officer I – Trainee incumbents are expected to successfully complete the POST Basic Course Waiver Examination certification process within six months of appointment and promote to the next higher, sworn, training-level classification of Public Safety Officer I. Upon promotion to the Public Safety Officer I position, incumbents participate in field training for police work, attend a fire academy, attend EMT certification classes and, may be assigned to assist with peace officer and emergency response duties within the Department of Public Safety.

This classification is distinguished from the next lower classification of Public Safety Officer – In Training in that the latter is a non-sworn, training-level classification that requires successful completion of a police academy in order to be promoted to the next higher, sworn, training-level of Public Safety Officer I.

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• Equivalent to an Associates of Arts/Science degree from an accredited college or university; and
  
• Two years of paid experience as a California peace officer, such as a sheriff deputy or police officer

• At least 21 years of age at time of appointment.
  
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or have applied for U.S citizenship before time of application for Public Safety Officer I – Trainee.

• Physical health, strength and agility necessary to meet the physical demands of police and fire work, as determined by a physical ability test (CPAT) and a medical exam (based on current California POST Commission guidelines).
• Corrected vision of 20/20 for both eyes together. If vision is less than 20/50, individuals who have successfully worn soft contact lenses for at least one year are also acceptable. Current POST vision guidelines must be met, including those for color binocular and peripheral vision.

• Willingness to attend and participate in a POST Basic Course Waiver Examination workshop located in the State of California.
• Psychological suitability for police work (determined by a psychological exam as required the California POST Commission guidelines).
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background investigation which includes polygraph examination, credit history, driving record, criminal history, military and employment records, and character references, (in accordance with the minimum standards for employment issued by the California POST Commission guidelines).

• Learn, understand, interpret and apply State and local laws and regulations, departmental policies and procedures, and other technical literature pertaining to California law enforcement.
• React quickly and calmly in emergency or hazardous situations and adopt an effective course of action.
• Make sound decisions within established guidelines.
• Learn more complex principles, practices, techniques and regulations pertaining to assigned duties.
• Observe and remember facts and details of incidents.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.

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

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If you are interested in this opportunity, please read the application and selection process section carefully, as all instructions must be followed exactly. Failure to follow these directions may jeopardize potential candidates from continuing in the recruitment/selection process.

This is a multiple step process. Before you may apply with the City of Sunnyvale for Public Safety Officer I – Trainee opportunity, you must have your training and experience requirements evaluated by California Commission on Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) and be considered eligible to participate in the Basic Course Waiver Examination (BCWE).

Basic Course Waiver (BCW) is a multiple step process for evaluating prior law enforcement training, and testing knowledge and skill levels. For more information, please click here: Basic Course Waiver Process

If POST determines that the applicant meets the training and experience requirements of the BCW process, POST will send an eligibility letter with instructions for requesting the Basic Course Waiver Examination (BCWE). The BCWE must be taken within 180 days (six months) of the eligibility letter date.

After you have received the eligibility letter from POST, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and response(s) to the supplemental question(s) to the Department of Human Resources (faxes are not accepted).

City application forms, completed in full, are required, as well as response(s) to the required supplemental question(s). 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 jobs.inSunnyvale.com or application materials may be submitted to: Department of Human Resources, 505 West Olive Avenue, Suite 200, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum requirements of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, successful candidates will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City’s Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies
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Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, a polygraph exam, as well as medical exam(s) and psychological evaluation administered by 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.

Full-time positions in this job classification are represented by the Public Safety Officers Association (PSOA) and are subject to agency shop provisions.

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

If you have any questions regarding the duties of this position, please contact the Department of Public Safety Recruitment Unit at (408) 730-7195.

If you have questions, comments or concerns about the recruitment, hiring or selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 730-7490.

The City of Sunnyvale is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Sunnyvale not to discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, or disability. Applicants needing special accommodations for testing should submit a request to the Department of Human Resources at time of application.