At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here. 

The mission of the Police Department is to operate under a community-oriented policing philosophy, create and maintain a safe community where people can live in peace without the fear of crime. The Records Division strives to provide excellent customer service to our community, allied agencies, and our police department with organized solutions for the preservation and accessibility of police records, for all police records inquiries, in adherence with federal, state, and municipal law. Read more about the Police Department here.

The City of Santa Barbara Police Department is seeking a enthusiastic, customer service oriented Police Records Specialist. Under general supervision, this position performs a wide variety of highly responsible professional functions related to the maintenance and preservation of police records, and support duties in the Police Records Bureau. 

Responsibilities include entering data into the records management system including arrest and crime information, traffic accidents, property and evidence, records, fingerprints and booking identification, restraining orders and subpoenas into local and/or State and National computerized files; inputs corrections and updates; verifies data for accuracy and completeness; maintains a variety of statistical records; purges information as necessary. Incumbents answer telephone and computer inquiries, assist at the public service counter; take and record crime information; provide information on City policies/procedures and legal statutes/requirements pertinent to law enforcement; receive found property or evidence; verify ownership and release towed vehicles. Complete a variety of reports, forms, and logs; file, copy, and distribute reports; participate in the maintenance of a complex filing system; perform various clerical administrative duties in support of assigned functions. Calculate and collect fees for fingerprinting, reports, clearance letters, photographs, etc. Operate a variety of office equipment including computer/printer, cash register, copier, FAX, scanner, Live Scan fingerprint machine, microfilm reader/printer, input and retrieve data and text. Process the mail including receiving, sorting, and distributing incoming and outgoing correspondence. As necessary, perform clerical support work for Police personnel as needed. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Work Schedule: Records is open 6:00 AM – 6:30 PM, 7-days a week. Shifts rotate about every 4-months.

Knowledge of: Ordinances, codes, policies, and procedures related to the release and maintenance of police records; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; modern office practices and methods, including personal computers and auxiliary equipment; principles of manual and automated file retrieval and maintenance; basic math; familiarity with Word and Excel.

Ability to: Operate a computer and auxiliary office equipment standard office equipment used in assigned duties. Type at speed necessary for successful job performance; approximately 35 42 or more words a minute. Proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, and Excel, and Outlook. Perform administrative and support duties in related areas; understand the organization and City operations; perform responsible work involving the use of independent judgement and personal initiative; independently prepare correspondence, communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including police dept. personnel, outside agencies and the public. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Interpret and explain City policies and procedures. Maintain records and prepare reports. Work various shifts as assigned.

Experience/Training: Clerical Office experience including public contact, familiarity with Word, Outlook and Excel. Computer useage. Customer service in any setting.

License Requirements: Possession of, or ability to obtain, CLETS/NCIC certification within one year; completion of P.O.S.T. training within one year of employment. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

It is important that your application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire show all of your relevant experience, training, and/or education that qualify you for this position. Applications and questionnaires may be rejected if incomplete. Applications and responses to the supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the selection process.

Candidates must successfully complete each phase of the selection process in order to be scheduled for subsequent phases. Candidates must qualify in all phases in order to be eligible for appointment.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time.