Small Town Police Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $107,779.63 - $137,557.15 Annually
Location : Police Department - 2745 Walnut Avenue, Signal Hill, CA
Job Type: Full-Time (Exempt)
Job Number: 2026-0006
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Position Description
THE CITY OF SIGNAL HILL INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF
POLICE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES MANAGER
First review of applications will take place on August 3, 2026
This recruitment will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications is received.
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.
The City of Signal Hill is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Police Administrative Support Services Manager. This non-sworn management position plays a vital role in supporting the Police Department's mission through effective leadership, operational excellence, and strategic administrative oversight.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished professional with exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. They are a proactive problem solver who thrives in a dynamic environment, embraces innovation, and inspires teamwork. This individual is an organized, results-oriented multitasker who values collaboration, continuous improvement, and delivering outstanding public service.
CITY OF SIGNAL HILL POLICE DEPARTMENT IS THE PLACE TO WORK! The City is not only a small 2.2-square-mile city, it is also a tight-knit and peaceful community that recognizes and appreciates the value of its Police Department. The Signal Hill Police Department has state-of-the-art technology, new facility and equipment, strong employee rapport, excellent benefits, and a great relationship with the community, making us THE PLACE TO WORK in Los Angeles County.
THE POSITION
Under the general supervision of the Police Captain, this position is accountable as a team member of the Police Department to achieve results in support of the City's mission, goals, policies and objectives. As a member of the management team, this position assists the Police Chief and Police Captain in the administration and management of the Police Department; establishes division and program priorities, policies and procedures; manages civilian supervisory, technical and professional staff; participates as a member of the Police Department Command Staff; provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Police Chief and Police Captain; performs work under general instructions, but within established policies and procedures; and performs related duties as required to achieve successful results in support of the City's mission, goals, policies and objectives.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a non-sworn member of the management team who assists the Police Chief and Police Captain in the administration and management of the Police Department. This mid-management level class is responsible for planning support service, public service, and administrative support activities, including assisting the Chief in formulating policy, developing goals and objectives, conducting audits, and administering the department's budget.
Example of Duties
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include, but are not limited to the following characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills and other characteristics.
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Plans, implements, directs, and coordinates the programs and activities of the Police Department's Administrative Services Division including the Communications Unit, Records, Property and Evidence Unit, and other Support Services Bureau programs and activities as assigned.
• Directs the design, maintenance, and administration of police communications, records and related automated systems; works collaboratively with the City's Information Technology Department to maintain and update system requirements; recommends improvements, equipment upgrades and system enhancements.
• Provides initiative as a leader to achieve positive, timely results for the organization.
• Supervises plans, prioritizes, assigns and evaluates the work of personnel.
• Assists in the preparation and administration of the Department budget; reviews, evaluates, develops and coordinates programs, policies and procedures for Department operations.
• Works closely with the City's Human Resources Division on Police personnel recruitments and hiring processes.
• Supervises, schedules, plans, trains and coordinates shift personnel and unit activities to ensure the safety of the public and outstanding internal and external customer service; ensures the equitable implementation of laws, policies and procedures and performance standards.
• Conducts research on a variety of law enforcement and administrative issues; develops organizational and operational studies, audits and inspections of personnel, programs and equipment.
• Prepares or coordinates the application of grant proposals for various programs and projects; administers grant contract provisions.
• Oversees contract administration and negotiation activities; coordinates contract provisions with staff, vendors, consultants and other groups.
• Develops and prepares staff reports, ordinances, complex analyses, and investigations; prepares and presents reports to City Council, community groups and other agencies.
• Attends City Council, Commission, community and Department meetings and represents the Department and City as assigned; makes presentations at Command Staff and City Council meetings, and speaks at public events.
• Works irregular hours including days, evenings and nights, including weekends and holidays; must be available for call- back and automatic return to work with a reasonable response time during off-duty hours for major emergencies, disasters, critical incidents and as otherwise required.
• Responds to major incidents, reported to the Police Department; comprehends and supports the Incident Command System/ Standardized Emergency Management System (ICS/ SEMS); ensures the safety of Administrative Services Division personnel for the achievement of the incident objectives and the efficient use of Department resources.
• Performs duties in conformance with Federal, State, County and City laws and ordinances and takes appropriate action; interprets and applies laws, regulations, policies, procedures and precedents firmly, courteously, tactfully and impartially to achieve successful results in support of the Department' s mission, goals and objectives.
• Communicates effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and works cooperatively with co-workers, other members of the management team, City staff and the community.
• Understands and follows directions; coordinates activities with supervisors, coworkers, other City departments, the courts and other law enforcement and government agencies; maintains liaison with community groups.
• Coordinates and develops training programs; instructs, motivates, mentors and develops Department personnel.
• Holds co-workers accountable for doing their jobs and celebrates accomplishments and successes.
• Recommends, implements and maintains discipline and ensures adherence to Police Department and City rules and policies through coaching, counseling and mentoring.
• Delivers outstanding internal and external customer service while solving problems and proactively creating sustainable solutions to issues.
• Conducts duties, responsibilities, tasks and assignments with a constructive, cooperative, positive, professional attitude and demeanor.
• Exercises tact, self-restraint and good judgment; takes initiative to achieve positive, timely results for the organization with diplomatic skills and ethical conduct; acts with courtesy and independent judgment; provides sound decision-making skills and critical thinking to provide professional recommendations, decisions and completed staff work.
• Supports the City's mission, goals, policies and objectives; delivers outstanding internal and external customer service; solve problems and communicate effectively with the public and fellow employees.
• Supports the City' s corporate values of: openness and honesty; integrity and ethics; accountability; outstanding customer service; teamwork; excellence; and fiscal and environmental responsibility.
• Provides effective leadership to accomplish the administrative objectives of the City Manager and the policy goals of the City Council.
• Conducts regular performance evaluations of personnel, giving frequent and specific feedback about personnel performance; holding employee accountable for doing their jobs and celebrating accomplishments and successes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education, training and work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess:
Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration or a related field.
-AND-
Experience: At least three (3) years of recent full-time paid experience with a law enforcement agency in a supervisory capacity. Additional occupationally related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis up to four (4) years.
HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• A master's degree in a relevant field is highly desirable.
• The ideal candidate will have a solid knowledge base in the operational activities and functions of a records unit and strong supervisory skills.
• Success in this role will require the candidate to have a thorough knowledge of budgeting in the public sector; technical research and methodologies; and project management.
• Relevant knowledge and experience in some or all of the following areas are desirable: Budget management, recruitment, finance, contract and grant administration, records management, technology, communications, human resources, property and evidence management;

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: Valid Class C California driver's license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
The position requires computer literacy with knowledge in the use of Microsoft Office; the ability to communicate using email programs; and an understanding of and adherence to City policies for information technology.
The position's expected competencies are sound decision- making skills; critical- thinking ability; problem solving and innovation skills; drive for results; analytic skills; interpersonal, customer service and diplomatic skills; ethical conduct; and proven top performances.
The position requires meeting the physical employment standards for the position. Job description statements describe the general nature and levels of work performed by employees and are not intended as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.
Knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Policies, rules, and regulations governing the conduct and safety of police administrative programs.
• Principles and practices of public sector administrative management, including, personnel rules, performance management, payroll, procurement, contracting, and project management.
• Techniques and practices for efficient and cost effective management of resources.
• Procedures for the management of official documents and confidential records.
• Business computers, and specialized software applications for police records systems.
• Current legislative, political, and economic trends in municipal government issues.
• Research methods, report writing techniques, statistical concepts and methods, principles and techniques of project management.
• Applicable Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Skill in:

• Managing the SHPD administrative program and operations.
• Analyzing technical issues, evaluating alternatives, and making recommendations based on findings.
• Explaining Federal and state rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Managing staff, delegating tasks and authority, and evaluating staff performance.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Dealing tactfully and courteously with the public and other criminal justice agencies.
• Following and enforcing verbal and written instructions and procedures.
• Evaluating workflow, and assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with City employees, elected officials, and representatives from other regional agencies.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to:

• Manage and oversee an administrative unit; make decisions under pressure.
• Supervise subordinate personnel, including supervisors, technicians, and sworn professional staff.
• Develop and implement police service-related strategic plans, policies, and procedures.
• Develop, recommend, administer, and control moderate-sized budgets.
• Read and interpret complex laws and regulations regarding police-related services.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, public/private agencies, and the general public on a variety of issues.
• Prepare complex narrative and statistical reports, correspondence, and other documents.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this ann