Public Safety Specialist

DESCRIPTION

The full salary range for this position is as follows:$32.48 to $41.48. Expected hiring range is as follows: $32.48 to $35.82.



The Specialist performs a full range of varied responsible advanced level para-professional technical work in the administration of their respective department. Coordinates, monitoring and reporting on various departmental activities of a routine and recurring nature and provides highly responsible administrative staff assistance including conducting research and analyses of a wide range of policies involving organization, procedures, and budgeting as it relates to their department or division.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Specialist

Working under general supervision, the position is the journey level in the series. Employees at this level require specific experience and less supervision and review to complete assignments. Positions are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower level, or if filled from the outside, require prior related experience.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Establish positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public.

• Provide para-professional technical assistance in formulating program policy, goals and procedures; and collect and compile relevant data supporting recommendations.

• Compile materials and assist in the preparation of reports, manuals, and publications.

• Assist in the development of new program elements and program modifications to meet stated goals and objectives.

• Perform administrative detail work and maintain appropriate records and statistics.

• Coordinate clerical pool staff; coordinate assignment with department staff; and evaluate staff.

• Assist professional staff in performing and conducting studies, special projects and administrative functions; perform data collection and analysis; prepare draft reports and technical documents.

• Assist the public, giving information on the policies and procedures of the department and of the assigned program.

• Assist in compiling annual budget requests; recommend expenditure requests for designated accounts; and track department fiscal activities relative to budget projections.

• Perform a wide variety of responsible and confidential clerical duties.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Example Of Essential Functions When Assigned To:

Public Safety

• Develop, organize, and present public outreach activities and programs related to Public Safety and emergency preparedness; serve as a liaison among the community, City departments, and the Sheriff’s Department.
• Make recommendations, attend meetings, and monitor compliance for the Public Safety Through Environmental Design (CPTED) program.
• Oversee and implement the Business Watch program to educate businesses about crime awareness, prevention, and safety.
• Prepare and make in-person presentations to retail and commercial businesses, business organizations, employers, and employees on issues such as workplace safety, customer safety, and prevention of common business or retail-related crimes. Attend meetings and act as liaison between retailers and law enforcement.
• Provide responsible professional and technical assistance in the development, administration, and implementation of the tobacco program and neighborhood compliance program.
• Provide education for the schools, local businesses and community about the legal use and sale of tobacco products and other community compliance related programs.
• Assist in the development of new program elements and program modifications in order to meet stated goals and objectives; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of Neighborhood Compliance and changes in applicable laws and legal procedures affecting Neighborhood Compliance operations.

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two to five years of increasingly responsible full-time experience related to department or division.

Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a related field, unless noted below.

• City Clerk: High school diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent
• Finance: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by course work in accounting, business, or a related field.
• Human Resources:Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college, with course work in business or public administration, or liberal arts.
• Public Safety: Equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, administration of justice, or a closely related field.Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education on a year for year basis.

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license and the ability to be insured with the City's insurance carrier is required.

Incumbents in these classes may be required to work during irregular business hours and travel on an occasional basis except for positions within Parks and Recreation, where they will be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles of personnel management.
• Budget preparation and administration.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Principles of employee supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; and business letter writing.
• Computer software, including word processing, database, spreadsheet, and accounting applications. Knowledge of Excel is desirable.
• Standard office procedures, methods, and computer software.
• Principles of customer service.

Ability to:

• Perform a high volume of work effectively and meet strict, recurring deadlines.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, database, and accounting applications.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Analyze situations accurately and develop effective course of action.
• Recommend improvements in operations, procedures, or methods.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Learn the organization, operation, and services of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Learn to correctly interpret and apply general administrative and departmental policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent walking (potentially on uneven terrain), standing and sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, reaching, stooping, kneeling, bending, and squatting.

Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 - 50 pounds.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise. Potential for frequent exposure to chemicals, biohazards, fumes, and other environmental substances. If work performed outside, may work with machinery, in water, and on slippery and uneven surfaces.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment.

If position includes work performed outside, subject to an outdoor environment with year-round exposure to varying weather conditions. Work is subject to construction noise.

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

*Benefits can change at any time.

Closing Date/Time: 8/4/2025 12:00 AM Pacific

• 

• City of Palmdale

Show more