What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Officer (Lateral/Pre-Trained) position at City of South Lake Tahoe, CA?
Description
The City of South Lake Tahoe is seeking dedicated, community-oriented individuals to join our Police Department as full-time Police Officers. This is an exciting opportunity to serve in a dynamic, mountain resort community where public safety and community engagement are top priorities. Our officers play a critical role in protecting life and property, preventing crime, and building trust through strong community partnerships. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in one of California’s most scenic and vibrant environments. If you are committed to integrity, service, and excellence, we invite you to apply and be a part of our team.
The first review of applications will take place on October 9, 2025. Applications will be reviewed as they are received thereafter.
Incentive pays includes:
- POST Certificate (Int/Adv) to a max of 5%
- Degree pay to a max of 7%
- Longevity up to 10%
- Detective Pay 5%
- ICI Certificate 5%
- Patrol works a compressed work week of 3/12
- CalPERS varies with Classic or PEPRA member
- Medical/Dental/Vision
- Tuition reimbursement
For additional information on benefits and compensation, please refer to the Police Officers’ Association MOU
The City of South Lake Tahoe is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity. To continue to provide the best service to our community, we are looking for candidates who are compassionate, professional, accountable, and possess a passion for Public Service. Candidates who are fluent in Spanish are highly desired.
Copies of the following applicable required documents must be attached online to your online application before submission of your online application (failure to attach applicable required listed documents will result in disqualification):
1) Proof of current enrollment in a full time or extended CA basic POST Police Academy with an anticipated graduation date within 6 months of the date of your application.
2) CA Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate OR a Graduation Certificate from a P.O.S.T accredited Peace Officer Basic Law Enforcement Academy, that will still be "Active" at the time of hire.
3) Basic P.O.S.T. Certificate from another State and proof of current enrollment in the CA Basic P.O.S.T. Academy Course Waiver Process (email/letter from CA POST will suffice).
Minimum qualifications for current openings include the following-
California Lateral Police Officers- Candidates who are, or who have been, employed as a full time law enforcement officer for at least one (1) year with a California law enforcement agency and who still possess a valid, active P.O.S.T Basic Certificate.
Out-Of-State Lateral Police Officers-Candidates who are currently employed as a full time law enforcement officer having at least one (1) year tenure with an out-of-state law enforcement agency (agency other than a California agency), and having successfully completed an out-of-state P.O.S.T basic academy or a California P.O.S.T basic academy, and, have completed or at the time of application for this recruitment have enrolled in a California P.O.S.T Waiver Course Process.
California Pre-Trained- Candidates who have successfully completed and graduated from a P.O.S.T. certified Basic Course and possess a valid CA POST Academy Certificate.
Persons currently attending a full time or extended California Basic POST Police Academy scheduled to graduate within 6 months of the date of application may apply. Applicants attending an academy at time of application will only be eligible for hire as a "Lateral/Pre-trained" Police Officer after successful completion of the Police academy and award of Basic Academy training certificate.
To view the full job description and duties, please click here.
Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training/Experience/P.O.S.T.:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
UNTRAINED - Persons selected from this group will be appointed as a Police Trainee. Upon satisfactory completion of a P.O.S.T. required Police Basic Course, the police trainee will be appointed to the position of Police Officer while on probation for 18 months.
PRE-TRAINED - Successful completion and graduation from a P.O.S.T. certified Basic Course or be deemed by P.O.S.T. to have satisfactorily completed a California P.O.S.T. equivalent training course and must be appointed as a peace officer within three (3) years from the completion date of the basic course. Should the applicant have a three (3) year or longer break from the basic course completion date, the applicant must successfully complete the basic course waiver process as defined by P.O.S.T.
LATERAL - Current or previous employment within the past three (3) years as a full-time California peace officer and satisfactory completion of P.O.S.T. Basic Course requirements.
Should the applicant have a three (3) year or longer employment break as a California peace officer, the applicant must successfully complete the basic course waiver process as defined by P.O. S. T.
License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid California or Nevada driver's license.
Supplemental Information
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Standard office setting with some travel to various locations to attend meetings or respond to emergency scenes, disasters, or critical incidents; the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and wet and/or humid conditions; occasionally works in high, precarious places; occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and vibration; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level is occasionally very loud due to sirens, etc; wear protective apparel including goggles, face protector, aprons, safety shoes, and self contained breathing apparatus; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; walk, stand, or sit for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; occasionally climb and balance; regularly push, pull, lift, and/or carry light to moderate weights; frequently lift and/or move moderate to heavy weights; occasionally lift and/or move heavy weights; operate office equipment including use of computer keyboard; requires a sense of touch, finger dexterity, and gripping with hands and fingers; ability to speak and hear to exchange information; ability to operate a vehicle to travel to various locations; ability to operate and use specialized vehicles and equipment.
Vision: See within the normal range of vision with or without correction; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
FLSA Designation: Exempt
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
The City of South Lake Tahoe is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans’ status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
Disaster Service Worker
All full-time, permanent City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
