Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee)

Job Description

Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee)

The Oxnard Police Department is actively seeking highly motivated candidates to establish an eligibility list for the position of Entry Level Police Officer (Public Safety Trainee). We currently have vacancies to fill and invite you to join our dedicated team.

To learn more about the Oxnard Police Department and our mission, we welcome you to view our department’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8eWAntFN70. We also encourage you to visit our website for more information: Join the Oxnard Police Department.

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

We have multiple sessions scheduled for the written exam. Please note that dates may be subject to change. You will receive an email invitation with exact test dates.

• Friday, January 9, 2026
• Friday, February 6, 2026
• Friday, March 6, 2026
• Friday, April 3, 2026

All sessions will offer both a morning and an afternoon option. A Personal History Statement and a No Feedback Waiver must be completed and turned in during your testing session.

About the Role: Public Safety Trainee

Candidates selected for hire will embark on a rigorous 23-week Police Academy as a Public Safety Trainee. During this period, you will attend a POST-certified Police Academy designed to provide comprehensive training including:

• An overview of the criminal justice system
• Training in various laws and procedures
• Law enforcement techniques
• First aid
• Physical fitness
• And related duties

Upon successful completion of the Police Academy, trainees will enter the Oxnard Police Department’s field training program and be 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: Must be a high school graduate, possess a General Education Development (GED) Test indicating high school graduation level, pass the California High School Proficiency Examination, or have attained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from a college or university. The high school must be a United States public school, an accredited United States Department of school, or an accredited or approved public or non-public high school.
• Driver’s License: Valid California driver’s 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 Selection Process

NOTE: After you apply, all future correspondence from the City will be via e-mail. Please check your messages, including your spam, regularly and be sure to update the contact information contained in your on-line application.

1. Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Review

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

2. Written Examination

Applicants must successfully meet the written examination requirement by submitting 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 here: POST Pellet-B Practice Test
• FrontLine National Testing Network (NTN) Exam: This exam consists of three components: a video-based human relations test, a reading ability test, and a written language ability test. Testing takes approximately 2 ½ hours. Upon completion, NTN will provide scores to the City of Oxnard Human Resources Department. Applicants attaining a passing score will be placed on the City’s eligibility list.

Applicants are encouraged to take the written exam and submit an application as soon as possible, as recruitment may close at any time.

3. Eligibility List

Applicants who 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 then be sent to the Police Department for further consideration.

4. 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 submission. Applicants should not submit a Personal History Statement until requested to do so. Failure to return the PHS by the required deadline will result in elimination from the recruitment process.

5. Department Selection Interviews

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

6. Physical Agility Test

Applicants who are successful in the Department Selection Interview may be invited to participate in the Physical Agility Test, which 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, then 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.

7. Final Selection and Hiring Components

The final selection hiring components include:

• Polygraph examination
• Extensive background investigation
• Post-offer psychological evaluation
• Post-offer medical examination

Equal Opportunity & Accommodation

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 (E-Verify)

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. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify.

For Questions

Please contact: Raul Almanza at 805-200-5446.

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.