Job Details

Salary : $73,015.56 - $88,750.92 Annually
Location : Arroyo Grande, CA
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Number: 2026-PD-001
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 02/10/2026
Closing Date: 2/28/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description

OPPORTUNITY
Applicants for Police Trainee have not yet been to a Basic California Law Enforcement Academy. Successful candidates may be sponsored by the Arroyo Grande Police Department to attend the as a Sponsored Recruit.

Recruitment process includes Physical Agility and PELLET B testing, followed by an oral interview.

Interested applicants may contact Sergeant Jeremy Burns at 805-###-#### or email with questions about the role.

JOB DESCRIPTION

To attend, participate in and successfully pass all required classes in a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) certified academy, which requires basic law enforcement training in academics, leadership, tactical skills, general performance and physical ability. Upon successful completion of the academy, incumbents will be promoted to the position of Police Officer.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a trainee level, non-sworn position in which incumbents will be learning the duties of a Police Officer. In this position, incumbents do not have Peace Officer status. Failure to graduate from the P.O.S.T. Academy training program within the prescribed Academy schedule will be grounds for termination.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from higher level law enforcement staff.
Essential Function Statements
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

• Attend a P.O.S.T certified police academy and participates in all required classes and training exercises.
• Successfully complete and pass all required classes.
• Maintain, operate and safely store all specialized police equipment necessary for the Academy.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required by the Police Chief, Police Commander and/or Police Sergeant to meet the needs of the Police Department.
• Responsible for self-compliance with regulations, policies and procedures.
• Accept responsibility and exercise reasonably appropriate discretion in matters not specifically defined or described in the Police Department regulations, policies, procedures, and job description.
• Consistently demonstrate exemplary courtesy, initiative, diligence, truthfulness, attention to duty, and observance of proper personal discipline in accordance with Police Department standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Basic verbal and written English language, grammar and spelling to be able to reasonably communicate information with the public and/or complete relevant written documentation required by job activities.
• Basic math and calculations.
• Operational characteristics and use of modern equipment including office equipment, computers and supporting word processing applications.
• Upon completion of the Academy, ability to demonstrate knowledge of basic laws, procedures and techniques related to policing.
• Principles and practices of exceptional customer service.

Ability to:

• Complete and pass the P.O.S.T. certified Police Academy.
• Prepare and write clear and concise reports.
• Interpret, explain and apply federal, state and local laws and Lexipol policies, procedures and regulations by graduation of the Academy.
• Effectively and proficiently use and care for a firearm by graduation of the Academy.
• Participate in all required classes.
• Analyze situations and adopt a quick, effective and reasonable course of action.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Comprehend and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work independently in the absence of direct and immediate supervision.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing applications.
• Operate a vehicle safely, under normal and emergency conditions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

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

Experience:
No experience is required.

Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, e.g. a high school diploma or a GED.

License or Certificate:
Possession of and ability to maintain a valid California driver's license throughout employment.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, valid CPR and First aid certificates.

Other:
Minimum 21 years of age upon successful graduation from the Academy.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
Exposure to indoor and outdoor classroom and field training conditions; outdoor weather conditions; loud noises; working with explosives; moving objects/persons/vehicles.

Physical Conditions:
Job duties and responsibilities may require maintaining physical condition necessary for bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, running, standing, sitting or walking for prolonged periods of time; carrying up to one hundred pounds; the ability to discharge a firearm; and operate vehicles in a reasonably safe manner.

ACADEMY MANDATES FOR ALL RECRUITS
You may not enter or start the academy unless you are on a FULL DUTY status.

• You cannot start the academy on a "light duty" status.
• You cannot start the academy if you have any physical limitations.

On the first day of the academy, arrive in PT gear. At 8 am, a physical fitness assessment test will be administered, which will consist of:

• Pull-ups (recruits are expected to do at least one pull-up)
• Sit-ups (2-minute time limit, recruits must do at least 35 sit-ups)
• Push-ups (no time limit, recruits must do at least 25 push-ups)
• 1.5-mile run (recruits must complete the run in 15 minutes or less)
• Beep test (recruits must reach stage 3)
• Failure to meet the above standards b-e, may determine the recruit's ability to continue in the academy

01

Have you reviewed the Job Bulletin Minimum Qualifications for this position and acknowledge the California Driver's License and minimum age requirement for this position?

• Yes
• No

02

Have you completed a Physical Agility test for law enforcement? (if yes, please provide a copy of your score as an attachment to this application)

• Yes
• No

03

Have you completed the PELLET B examination? (If yes, please attach a copy of your exam score to this application)

• Yes
• No

04

What is your highest level of education?

• Some high school
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• AA Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

05

Describe how your previous employment, experience and education have provided you the ability to exercise seasoned judgment under stress. Please provide at least one example.
06

Are you currently going through the recruitment process with any other agency?

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered Yes, to the previous question, in which stage of the process are you?
08

Are you able to communicate effectively in Spanish at a basic level?

• Yes
• No

09

Have you applied for a position at the City of Arroyo Grande in the past?

• Yes
• No

10

Have you applied for this position within the past 12 months?

• Yes
• No

11

I have read and understood the contents of the AGPD Policy 1042 (Personal Appearance Standards) and if appointed, I agree to comply with the standards as presented.

• Yes
• No

12

Please list how you heard about this recruitment.
13

I acknowledge I will need to successfully pass a background investigation including polygraph, physical examination and medical examination prior to hire.

• Yes
• No

14

I will be age 21 or older prior to December 2, 2026.

• Yes
• No

Required Question