Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee)

Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee) Salary $72,654.40 Annually

Location: Oxnard 93030, CA Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 14211-PD-2601-AA Department: POLICE Opening Date: January 6, 2026 Closing Date: Continuous

Benefits --------

Questions --------

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking candidates to establish an eligibility list for the position of Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee) with current vacancies to fill!

Pay Rates ---------

• Entry Level Police Officer: (during the academy) $34.9343 hourly
• Successful Police Academy Graduates: $45.1938 - $67.7063 hourly, approximately $94,003.10 - $140,829.10 Annually

Upcoming Exam Dates -------------------

• Friday, January 9, 2026
• Friday, February 6, 2026
• Friday, March 6, 2026
• Friday, April 3, 2026
• All sessions will offer a morning session and an afternoon session. Dates may be subject to change. You will receive an email communication inviting you to the written exam with the exact test dates. Personal History Statement and a No Feedback Waiver must be completed and turned in during your testing session.

To learn more about the Police Department, we welcome you to view our departments video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8eWAntFN70

We also encourage you to visit our website at: https://www.oxnard.org

Essential Functions -------------------

Candidates selected for hire will enter into a 23-week Police Academy as a Public Safety Trainee. As a trainee, you will attend a POST-certified Police Academy designed to provide an overview of the criminal justice system, train in various laws and procedures, law enforcement techniques, first aid, physical fitness, and related duties.

Upon successful completion of the Police Academy, trainees enter the Oxnard Police Department field training program and are assigned to the Patrol Division in a probationary status.

Minimum Qualifications ---------------------

• Age: Must be 21 years of age at time of application.
• US Citizen: In accordance with Government Code Section 1031, effective January 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. There are no specific citizenship requirements.
• High School Grad/GED: High school graduate, pass the General Education Development (GED) Test indicating high school graduation level, California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from a college or university.
• Drivers License: Valid California driver license or ability to obtain one at the time of hire.
• Ability to Read/Speak English: Required.
• Vision: Must meet vision requirements per California POST Medical Standards.
• College: Highly Desirable.
• Prior Experience: No experience required.

Additional Requirements ----------------------

• Convictions: Must be of good moral character, with no felony convictions.
• Medical: Must meet California POST medical and psychological standards.
• Other: Candidates are required to undergo an extensive background investigation, polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation, and post-offer medical examination, including screening for drugs and alcohol.

Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Review ------------------------------------------------

A review of application and supplemental questionnaire will be conducted, and applicants meeting the minimum qualifications and desired background experience for successful performance as a Public Safety Trainee will continue in the next step of the process.

Written Examination ------------------

Applicants must successfully meet the written examination requirement and submit qualifying POST PELLET-B exam results with their application or FrontLine National Written examination test results through National Testing Network (NTN).

• Both the POST Pellet-B exam results and NTN test must have been administered within one year of application submittal.
• To view information on the POST Pellet-B test, click on this link: https://post.ca.gov/portals/0/post_docs/publications/po
• FrontLine National Testing Network (NTN) Exam: There are three components to the written examination: a video-based human relations test, a reading ability test, and a written language ability test. Testing takes approximately 2 ½ hours.

Upon completion of the written examination, NTN will provide applicant scores to the City of Oxnard Human Resources Department. Applicants who attain a passing score on the written examination will be placed on the City's eligibility list.

Eligibility List -----------------

Applicants that meet the written examination requirement by providing NTN test scores or passing the NTN written examination will be certified to an eligibility list, which will be sent to the Police Department for further consideration.

Personal History Statement Completion -----------------------------------

All applicants certified to the eligibility list are required to complete the POST Personal History Statement (PHS). Applicants will be notified by the Police Department via e-mail with instructions and a deadline for the Personal History Statement. Applicants should not submit a Personal History Statement until they are requested to do so. If an applicant fails to return the PHS by the required deadline, they will be eliminated from continuing in the recruitment process.

Department Selection Interviews -----------------------------

Upon review of the completed Personal History Statement, candidates may be invited to an interview with the Police Department.

Physical Agility Test ---------------------

Applicants who are successful in the department selection interview may be invited to participate in the physical agility test. The Physical Agility Test consists of the following components:

• Agility Run: Run a 99-yard course with abrupt changes in lateral and vertical movement in 34 seconds
• Dummy Drag: Lift and drag a 165-pound dummy 25 feet in 10 seconds
• Fence Climb/Run: Run 5 yards, climb a six-foot high chain-link fence, continue running 25 yards in 15 seconds
• 1 Mile Run: Run 1 mile with no obstacles in 10 minutes
• Push-Ups: Complete 15 push-ups in 1 minute

Final Selection and Hiring Components --------------------------------------

The final selection hiring components include:

• Polygraph
• Background investigation
• Post-offer psychological and medical examinations

Equal Opportunity -----------------

The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability, or sexual orientation.

Reasonable Accommodation -------------------------

The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodation for people/individuals with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

Legal Requirement -----------------

On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.

For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify

For questions, please contact: Annette Adams at annette.adams@oxnard.org

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Retirement Contributions -------------------------

During academy: New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2% @ 62; "Classic" members 2% @ 55. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement depending on their relevant MOU. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.

After academy: New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2.7% @ 57; "Classic" members 3% @ 60.

Vacation Accrual Rates -------------------------

Full time employees accrue vacation leave at a rate of 4.39-8.08 hours per pay period based on years of service.

Sick Leave Accrual Rate -------------------------

Full time employees accrue sick leave at a rate of 3.70 hours per pay period.

Deferred Compensation ---------------------

The City offers a number of deferred compensation programs that employees may participate in.

Health and Dental -----------------

Employees can choose from a variety of medical plans provided by the City. The Citys contribution to medical coverage is outlined below:

• Level One - For employees hired before January 1, 2023, the City contributes $1,543.00 per month toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $74.21 per month toward dental insurance premiums. Employees will receive cash back if the medical plan they choose is less than the Citys monthly contribution of $1,543.00 per month. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive cash back in the amount $1,243.00 per month provided they provide proof of other qualifying coverage. Any unused dental premium monies are paid to the employee.
• Level Two - For employees hired on or after January 1, 2023, the City will contribute $1,956.00 towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back provided they show proof of other qualifying