Entry Level Traffic Control Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $21.00 - $28.00 Hourly
Location : Central Marin Police Authority, 250 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA 94939, CA
Job Type: Part-Time
Job Number: 00118
Department: Central Marin Police Authority
Division: CMPA Support Services
Opening Date: 05/19/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
The Central Marin Police Authority is seeking motivated, community-oriented individuals to join our team as Police Cadets.
This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in law enforcement and serving the community with professionalism and integrity. Cadets assist with a variety of administrative and field duties, develop valuable public safety skills, and receive mentorship from experienced officers. Ideal candidates are responsible, eager to learn, and committed to making a positive impact.
*This role is an excellent stepping stone for those interested in a future career in law enforcement*
DEFINITION
This is an entry level, non-safety position within the Central Marin Police Authority. Under direct supervision, Individuals work on a part-time and/or as needed basis and perform a variety of civilian field and office law enforcement work in direct support of safety and non-safety personnel, including providing general information and referral assistance to the public in person or on the telephone and routine data entry and filing duties.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This class is designed for entry level, civilian employees who are learning about the law enforcement profession and public safety in general. This class is designed to provide a pathway to become a police officer in this agency. Police cadets may be hired as Police Trainees who attend an area police academy and upon graduation, become probationary police officers. This is a uniformed, civilian position which does not require peace officer status.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from the assigned supervisor. This position does not supervise other staff.
Examples of Duties
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Perform administrative tasks that support the police department.
• Staff the police agency's front counter providing general information and referral assistance to the public.
• Operate the telephone system to take or relay information.
• Deliver interoffice and interdepartmental mail, including delivery and pick up of court documents.
• Assist in maintaining and filing police records.
• Maintain records and retrieve information.
• Take police reports for minor crimes.
• Update department information sheets for routing.
• Completion of small ad hoc projects as needed.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Assist the Traffic Division during various activities, including enforcement checks, marking and towing abandoned vehicles, traffic control at major events, traffic accidents and crime scenes.
• Enforce parking regulations by issuing traffic citations Perform Live Scan fingerprint checks.
• Participate in crime prevention and community policing activities involving interaction with the public.
• Attend weekend and/or evening training sessions as needed.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
• Respond to inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
• Provide staff assistance to higher-level management staff; participate on and provide staff support to a variety of committees, boards, and commissions; prepare and present staff reports and other correspondence as appropriate and necessary.
• Analyze federal and state laws and regulations as they relate to assigned programs and develop and implement changes.
• Customer service-related duties.
• Perform duties as a designated official Disaster Service Worker as needed during a manmade or natural disaster in compliance with California state law per Government Code, Title 1, Section 3100-3109.
• Perform related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications
JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Basic office practices and procedures.
• Techniques for dealing with the public in a tactful, but firm manner.
• Principles and practices associated with report writing, records organization and filing, including alphabetic and numeric filing systems.
• Department goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Effective oral and written communication methods.
• Proper English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Proficient computer skills and Microsoft Office suite of programs.

Skill to:

• Apply laws and ordinances to situations involving parking and traffic duties.
• Read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

Ability to:

• Work evenings and weekends.
• Work independently in the completion of assignments.
• Analyze and evaluate data.
• Prepare and present clear and concise reports, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Learn the organization and functions of a police department.
• Learn and apply applicable laws, ordinances, policies, practices and methods.
• Work courteously with the general public on the telephone and in person.
• Deal with the public firmly, courteously and tactfully.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions, including written text, diagram and schedule form.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Make arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately.
• Process and file documents.
• Analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action.
• Effectively plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to write reports in a clear, concise and logical manner.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from the general public.
• Operate a vehicle safety and according to current traffic laws, rules and regulations.

Experience and Training Guidelines:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to a High School diploma or General Education Diploma (GED), preferably supplemented by college level coursework. Some related experience is preferred.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien with an application for citizenship completed at least one year prior to application.
• Must be a minimum of age 18, have a satisfactory driving record and be free of felony convictions.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment, and maintained thereafter for duration of employment.

Supplemental Information
Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
Meet vision requirement of not less than 20/100, correctable to 20/30. Acute hearing sufficient to accurately understand information transmitted orally in person or by radio, telephone or other electronic device. Ability to work in a standard office environment; requires the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area of the office to another; requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing, filing, data entry, and/or use of calculators, ten-key adding machine, or other office equipment or supplies; may involve extensive VDT exposure. Ability to work in a field environment with exposure to weather, noise, dust, pollens, odors, vehicle exhaust and other environmental conditions. Ability to stand and sit for extended periods of time. Ability to walk, run, kneel, crouch, bend, twist, and reach for short periods of time as needed. Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds on occasion. Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and in compliance with applicable traffic laws, rules and regulations.
APPLICATION PERIOD: Open, continuous recruitment
TO APPLY: Complete the online application for Police Cadet at
Applicants are encouraged to submit a current resume and cover letter detailing their interest in the position, but this is optional. If you choose to submit such documents, do so under the Attachments section of the online application. Applicants should detail related education and experience on the application since this information will be used to determine who will be invited to participate in the next phase of the selection process. Best Qualified applications will be invited to an oral interview before a panel of raters.
Applicants experiencing any technical difficulties with the online application system should contact Customer Support at The Central Marin Police Authority accepts no responsibility for technical issues related to online submittal of application materials.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications will be reviewed on at least a monthly basis and best qualified applicants will be invited to an oral interview before a panel of raters familiar with the role of a Police Cadet at Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA). The oral interview is designed to measure the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities deemed critical to successful job performance. Candidates whose names are placed on an eligibility list must undergo an additional hiring interview to receive a conditional offer of employment. Candidates will also undergo an extensive background investigation and Live Scan fingerprint check for criminal history prior to appointment. Candidates may be required to submit to a polygraph, voice stress analyzer, or similar type of process prior to hire. All applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions of the position, as determined by a thorough pre-placement medical examination and drug screening.
Inquiries may be directed to Human Resources Analyst, Jennifer Alcantara at
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA
Qualified applicants are considered without regards to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, age, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, marital status or disability.
In accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if reasonable accommodations are necessary at any stage of the selection process, applicants must notify Human Resources Analyst Jennifer Alcantara of the need for a reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be made at the time of application by emailing Medical certification or documentation of the disability must be provided upon request by a CMPA representative.
THE COMMUNITIES SERVED BY CENTRAL MARIN POLICE AUTHORITY
The Central Marin Police Authority serves a population of approximately 35,000 residents in the communities of City of Larkspur, Town of Corte Madera, and Town of San Anselmo. These communities are located in the central part of Marin County, CA approximately ten miles north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Located at the base of Mount Tamalpais, these communities enjoy a small town atmosphere and outdoor lifestyle.
This position is not eligible for benefits.
01
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Some college
• 60 units
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degree
• Doctorate degree

02
Do you have a valid California driver license?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you meet the following requirements: at least 18 years of age, possess a satisfactory driving record, and have no felony convictions?

• Yes
• No

04
Are you able to work a flexible work schedule that includes nights, weekends, holidays, and includes varying shifts?

• Yes
• No

05
Briefly describe your experience in customer service and working with the public.
Required Question