Harbor Patrol Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $63,368.57 - $97,369.68 Annually
Location : Oxnard, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 1734HAR-26AA (MA)
Department: Harbor Department
Opening Date: 07/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/6/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
The Harbor Department
The Harbor Department operates Channel Islands Harbor, the "Gateway to the Channel Islands," as a recreational and business facility. The Harbor consists of approximately 310 acres of land and water. Immediately adjacent to the Harbor are two miles of County-owned public beaches and the State-owned La Janelle Shipwreck and Beach, which are also managed by the Harbor Department, providing lifeguard and maintenance services. The Department oversees 31 master leases with private sector businesses, as well as a County fuel dock, small boat and commercial fishing marinas, a public launch ramp, and several public parks and docks. The Harbor Patrol works rotating shifts, covering a 24-hour a day, 7-day a week operation.
For more information, please visit the County of Ventura Harbor Department website at and the Channel Islands Harbor website at
The Position
Under immediate (Trainee), direct (I), or general (II) supervision, patrols the harbor including waterways, beaches, and parking areas; enforces local, state, and federal laws and ordinances, regulating boat operations, public safety, and facility usage.
Harbor Patrol Officer Trainee is the training classification in which incumbents complete required training, obtain required certifications, and learn the rules and regulations involved in harbor operations to prepare for advancement to Harbor Patrol Officer I. Trainees are assigned routine duties and are expected to operate the boats except in those instances requiring a fee for services rendered.
The Harbor Patrol Officer I is the entry-level classification and performs a wide variety of duties under direct supervision and serves rotating shifts patrolling the harbor area.
The Harbor Patrol Officer II is the journey/lead level and performs a wide variety of complex duties under general supervision.
Sea Service Verification Requirements
To be considered for this recruitment, applicants must provide documented proof of at least 200 days of verifiable boat operation or sea service. Acceptable documentation includes one of the following:

1. Sea Service Form
   • Must be signed by an authorized individual.
   • If the authorized signer is someone other than the applicant, the signature must be notarized.
   • If the applicant is both the boat owner and the signer, proof of vessel ownership (e.g., vehicle registration) must be included.
2. DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
   • Must clearly detail sea service under the "Record of Service" section.
3. Active Captain's License
   • May be submitted in lieu of a Sea Service Form or DD214.

Applicants who do not submit a completed and signed Sea Service Form (with notarization if required), a qualifying DD214, or a valid Captain's License will be disqualified and will not advance to the next stage of the selection process.
APPROXIMATE SALARIES
Harbor Patrol Officer Trainee: $30.47 per hour
Harbor Patrol Officer I: $33.11- $42.89 per hour
Harbor Patrol Officer II: $34.94- $46.81 per hour
EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.
VETERANS' POINTS
The Harbor Patrol Officer Trainee is a trainee-level classification, and Veterans' Points may apply to eligible applicants.
DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Ventura County Harbor Department
Harbor Patrol Officers are represented by Ventura County Professional Peace Officers Association (VCPPOA) and are eligible for overtime compensation.
NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, an incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: Friday, July 10. 2026
CLOSING DATE: Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
APPLICATION REVIEW COMPLETE: Friday, August 7, 2026
PERFORMANCE EXAMINATION: The swim test is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Examples Of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Patrols county-owned harbor, including waterways and beaches, and on land via vehicles such as cars and trucks, including beach and parking areas to ensure safety of personnel and property;
• Enforces local, state, and federal laws and ordinances regulating harbor district boating operations, public safety, and facility usage; and issues citations for illegal activities;
• Monitors radios and responds to emergency calls, including fires, boats, and passengers in distress, law enforcement, and medical emergencies in the county-owned harbor;
• Responds to pollution issues and handles hazardous materials;
• Summons assistance from and reports criminal activities to law enforcement agencies, fire, or other appropriate agencies when received;
• Provides information and assistance to visitors; issues permits and collects fees for use of facilities; writes reports and maintains daily logs;
• Performs maintenance and minor repairs on specialized equipment and facilities.

Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE
Harbor Patrol Officer Trainee:

• Requires 200 days of verifiable boat operation/sea days, via a notarized Sea Service Form or DD214 with sea service detailed under Record of Service. The Sea Service Form requires the authorized signature to be notarized if it differs from the individual submitting it. If the applicant is the boat owner and signs as the authorized individual, proof of ownership of the vessel must be included, such as a vehicle registration. An active Captain's license is acceptable in lieu of the Sea Service Form or DD214.
• Completion of the following is mandatory within twelve (12) months of hire as a Trainee and for advancement to Level I. These requirements will be fulfilled as part of a regular shift and the trainee will be reimbursed upon successful certification or completion of the course:
  • Basic law enforcement (PC832) courses offered by the community college district or their equivalent;
  • Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification;
  • A valid U.S. Coast Guard Motorboat Operator's License with towing certificate;
  • Emergency Medical Technician-B (EMT) certification

Harbor Patrol Officer I:

• Must possess a United States Coast Guard Captain's license with towing endorsement, i.e., Merchant Mariner Credential, which requires 360 days of verifiable sea service.
• Advancement to the Harbor Patrol Officer I from the Trainee requires completion of the department provided training program, required certifications, and all other required training.

Harbor Patrol Officer II:

• Considerable experience in harbor operations which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities and possession of a United States Coast Guard Captain's license with towing endorsement, i.e., Merchant Mariner Credential OR two (2) years of experience as a Harbor Patrol Officer I for the County of Ventura or equivalent. The required knowledge, skills, and abilities may typically be obtained with at least three (3) years of progressively responsible harbor patrol experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbent is required to work rotating shifts and periodically conduct aquatic rescue missions under adverse weather conditions.
• Incumbent is required to wear a specified uniform during working hours.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver License.

Recruitment Process
FINAL FILING DATE
Applications must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
To apply online, please refer to our website at If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.
LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.
Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire, if applicable, to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above sections; however, it may not be substituted in lieu of the application.
SEA SERVICE FORM - qualifying
A Sea Service Form or DD214 verifying a minimum of 200 days of verifiable boat operation/sea days must be submitted with the application prior to the closing of the recruitment to qualify for continuance in the selection process. If the Sea Service Form is signed by someone other than the applicant, it must include a notarized authorized signature. Applicants who are vessel owners and sign as the authorized individual must also provide proof of ownership, such as vehicle registration. An active Captain's license is acceptable in lieu of the Sea Service Form or DD214. Applicants who fail to provide a completed, signed, and notarized Sea Service Form, a valid DD214, or an active Captain's license verifying the required 200 days of boat operation/sea days will be disqualified from further participation in the recruitment process.
Applicants may access the Sea Service Form online at:
To receive a hard copy of the Sea Service Form by mail, contact the recruiter at (805) 477-7260.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the removal of the application from further consideration.
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to the performance examination.
PERFORMANCE EXAMINATION - (PASS/FAIL) - 100%
Candidates will be required to participate in 500-meter ocean swimming and powerboat handling components. As noted above, the swim test is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026; those who pass the swim test will be scheduled for the boat handling exam at a later date. Candidates must pass both components to continue in the examination process.
Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for one (1) year.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary, Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies in the Harbor Department. There are currently two (2) Regular vacancies.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
A thorough pre-employment, post-offer background investigation, which may include an inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record, may be required for this position.
For further information regarding this recruitment, please contact Michelle Antonetty by email at michelle.antonetty@ventura.org or phone at (805) 477-7260.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYThe County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE
Ventura County Professional Peace Officers' Association
(VCPPOA)
To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• or you may call (805) 654-2570.

Union Codes: PVP, PVT
01
Describe where and when you received your experience in boat handling. Include the types of vessels involved and your experience operating them.
02
List all courses and/or training in boating safety you have completed.
03
Describe your experience with maintaining or repairing boats, engines, or other mechanical equip