What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Service Officer position at City of Berkeley?
Join us as a Community Service Officer (CSO) in the Berkeley Police Department! In this role, you will have the opportunity to perform a wide range of duties, both in office support and in the field, to support various police functions. Assignments may include field services, jail facilities, property control, community services, crime scene, or traffic control.
Community Service Officers are essential non-sworn members of BPD. By maintaining positive working relationships with City staff and the public, CSOs help build trust in our community. With their ability to work with people of all backgrounds and stay calm under pressure, CSOs provide invaluable contributions to the Department in their everyday work.
See the full job description here: Community Services Officer Job Classification
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:Equivalent to graduation from high school and two years of progressively responsible work experience involving public contact and utilizing in-person, telephone, and/or written communication skills. Previous volunteer or paid experience in law enforcement, emergency medical services, military service, probation, counseling or similar work requiring extensive public contact is desirable.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must successfully complete a psychiatric evaluation and a Police Department background investigation and medical evaluation. Must possess a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record. Must be willing to work evening, graveyard, weekend, and holiday shifts for the 24 hour/day operational schedule. Must be able to obtain required Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification such as the Community Service Officer Academy, Jail Correction Course, which are conducted or recognized by the Berkeley Police Department, and accept and apply the principles learned in training. Must be physically able to perform the work including lifting heavy objects and controlling violent individuals, and possess the knowledge, skills and abilities for the successful completion of duties assigned to the position."
Applications must be received by July 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM Pacific and must include a completed application with responses to any supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to ada@berkeleyca.gov. Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.
- Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the administrative review date)
- Competitive review of Supplemental question screening
- Written Exam (Multiple Choice and Writing Exercise) & Performance (Physical Agility Test) Exam held on same day Saturday, September 26, 2026
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.
Salary : $85,271 - $99,329