Investigator Trainee Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $86,029.59 Annually
Location : City of Placentia, Police Station, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2025 - 00042
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/01/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
DESCRIPTION
THE CITY OF PLACENTIA IS NOW RECRUITING FOR THE POSITION OF
POLICE ACADEMY TRAINEE (ACADEMY ENROLLED)
Don't miss out on this exciting and rewarding opportunity to join the City of Placentia Police Department! We currently have vacancies for the position of Police Academy Trainee. Applicants must currently be enrolled in a California P.O.S.T. approved police academy. An eligibility list will be created from this recruitment to fill vacancies as they occur.
This recruitment will be open continuously and may close at any time without advance notice. You are encouraged to apply immediately.
Under the direction of the Police Training Officer and Police Sergeant, the Police Academy Trainee attends and successfully completes Police Officer training at a police academy. This is a non-sworn position.
THE ORGANIZATION: At the City of Placentia, we strive to make a difference by continually developing our progressive and innovative workforce. Our team collaborates to create an environment that promotes diversity, creativity, and respect for all opinions, ensuring better outcomes for the community we serve. The City adheres to a philosophy of continuous improvement and strives to offer employees various professional development opportunities, including citywide leadership academies, Departmental Retreats, professional coaching, and more. If you are interested in a public sector career with an established agency dedicated to improving the way its employees work, develop, and thrive, this position would be an excellent opportunity for you. Don't Wait; Apply Today!
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The following list of functions, duties, and tasks is typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform other closely related or department-specific functions, duties, and tasks from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Receives police officer training in areas such as federal, state, and local laws enforced by Police Officers, court decisions governing police officer actions, patrol procedures and techniques, arrest and booking procedures, physical restraint of persons, and related subject matter.
• Receives police officer training in traffic enforcement methods, such as observation methods, citation practices, and accident investigation procedures, and related subject matter.
• Receives police officer training in investigation techniques, report writing, court testimony procedures, and related subject matter.
• Performs academic activities and physical fitness exercises.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Performs other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit and the City.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
A high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and currently attending a BASIC Peace Officer Standards.
LICENSE(S) REQUIRED:
Valid, current driver's license.

• The City reasonably expects driving to be one of the job functions for the position, and the City reasonably believes that using an alternative form of transportation would not be comparable in travel time or cost to the City.

CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING REQUIRED:

• Training Commission (POST) certificate and police academy

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
(Must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations)

• Training positions are usually done in a classroom environment. However, it does require field training in realistic conditions, such as outside weather conditions, in a patrol unit, and operating specialized equipment
• Training may involve exposure to extreme heat, smoke, dust, fumes, and inclement weather, as well as loud noises such as, but not limited to, sirens, alarms, and diesel engines
• Requires the use of safety helmets, armored vests, earplugs, and other specialized equipment, as well as certification in protective and lifesaving equipment
• Frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls
• Reach with hands and arms
• Climb or scale walls, ladders, or steps; carry police safety gear
• Stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, squat, or crawl, as well as walk, sit, and run
• Talking, hearing, and using smell
• Must be able to pull and carry persons in emergency situations, administer first aid, and fight in self-defense
• Grasp and carry power and hand tools, and lift, carry, and move persons, equipment, and push, pull, or drag objects weighing up to 100 pounds or more

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Applicants must file a concise and complete City application regarding their qualifications for the position online through the Human Resources Department webpage atas soon as possible. Applications may be accompanied by a resume that describes experience, education, and training in relation to the position's requirements; however, a resume will not be accepted in lieu of a City employment application.
All applications will be reviewed, and only those candidates deemed most qualified based on their education, training, and experience, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to oral interviews and/or written exams, performance tests and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment-eligible list from which hires may be made. The list is valid for up to one year, or until an insufficient number of candidates remain, unless exhausted sooner.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Placentia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, other non-job related physical or mental disability, medical condition, or other functional limitation in employment or the provision of service. The City is committed to making its programs, services, and activities accessible to individuals with qualified disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete the employment application and/or participate in the testing process, please get in touch with the Human Resources Office at (714) 993-8141 before the filing deadline. We will attempt to accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request, as reasonably possible.
The City of Placentia's Drug-Free Workplace Policy requires that all applicants undergo substance abuse testing prior to employment.
The City of Placentia will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history, in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the City is concerned regarding a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting
In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Placentia employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.
Retirement - PERS 3% at 50 CalPERS with a 9% employee contribution (classic); 2.7% at 57 CalPERS with a 11.5% employee contribution (new members). The City of Placentia does not participate in Social Security.
Health Insurance - The City provides up to $2,076 per month to purchase health insurance through the CalPERS Health Benefits program. Medical Opt Out is available for up to $400 per month to employee.
Dental & Vision Insurance - Fully paid plan for dental and vision insurance.
Life Insurance - Fully paid life insurance policy of $50,000. Additional life insurance may be purchased with the employee paying for the premium.
Disability Insurance - Fully paid short-term and long-term disability insurance policies.
Flexible Spending Account - Employees may contribute to a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account on a voluntary basis.
Deferred Compensation - Employees may contribute to a deferred compensation plan on a voluntary basis.
Holidays - 12 paid holidays per year.
Paid Time Off (Vacation) - Accrual rate of 80 hours per year.
Alternative Health & Wellness (Sick Leave) - 96 hours per year; this program includes an incentive of up to $1,250 per fiscal year.
Assignment Pay - An additional 5% is paid for Canine Officer, Detective, Field Training Officer, Motor/Traffic, and School Resource Officer.
Bilingual Pay - An additional pay of $165 per month or $250 for advanced.
P.O.S.T/Educational Incentive - For those who possess P.O.S.T Certificates; an additional 2.5% for Basic P.O.S.T., 4.5% for intermediate P.O.S.T./AA., and 7% for Advanced P.O.S.T./B.A.
Shift Differential Pay - For night watch, an additional pay of 2.5%
Marksmanship Incentive - $100/$150 per year available.
Range Staff - Those assigned to Range Staff are eligible for an additional 2.5%
Finder's Fee - Upon successful completion of the FTO program both the employee who referred and the new Police Officer will each receive $1,000.
Educational Tuition Reimbursement - Available upon request and approval
Holiday Closure - In addition, subject to City Council approval, City Hall and most City Services observe a Holiday Closure annually for two weeks at the end of December/beginning of January, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day (paid time off varies per year, assignment and Bargaining Unit; City will provide additional holiday hours during this closure period.
01
The following Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination for this position and will be used to evaluate your qualifications. You are required to answer ALL of the supplemental questions as truthfully and accurately as possible. Based upon the application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the best-qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the recruitment process. Failure to fully detail all experience or stating experience in response to the supplemental questions but not listing the experience in the application, copy/pasting information, or responses such as "See Resume" or "See Application" will result in your application not being considered. You will not have an opportunity to provide additional information if your application is not selected to proceed in the recruitment process, so you should be sure to detail all relevant education and work experience within your application and supplemental questionnaire. Do you understand this statement?

• I acknowledge receipt of this information and understand the instructions.

02
Do you possess a High School Diploma or G.E.D. Equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03
The position of Academy Trainee requires the candidate to be 21 years of age or older at time of graduation or appointment to the position of Police Officer. Will you be at least 21 years of age at time of graduation?

• Yes
• No

04
Are you currently enrolled in a California P.O.S.T approved Police Academy?

• Yes
• No

05
If you answered yes, please list which Police Academy you are enrolled in and your expected date of graduation. If answered no, please type N/A.
06
Have you ever worked for a Police or Sheriff's Department? (Including as an Police Explorer, Intern, and Volunteer)

• Yes
• No

07
If you answered yes, please explain in detail. If no, please write 'N/A'.
08
I understand that as part of the qualifying procedure for Police Academy Trainee, I may go through a thorough background process, which includes a comprehensive investigation, fingerprinting and polygraph examination. Recent drug usage, theft, or illegal activity may disqualify me. Record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and excessive traffic violations. Any falsification, or failure to meet the standards listed above, will result in my disqualification.

• By clicking here, I submit electronic signature acknowledging that I have read and understand the qualifying process for Police Academy Trainee.

Required Question