Community Service Officer

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.

• 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.

• Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the application close date)
• Competitive review of answers to supplemental questionnaire
• Written Exam (Multiple Choice and Writing Exercise) & Performance (Physical Agility Test)
• Exams held on same day:
  Saturday, September 26, 2026

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate.

Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

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 at the time of application.