Navigating the transition from military service to a civilian career can be challenging, but the City of San Diego is committed to making it easier for veterans and transitioning service members. This job search resource is designed to help you explore career opportunities within the City, offering guidance on applying, translating military experience into civilian qualifications, and accessing veteran hiring preferences. Whether you're seeking stability, growth, or a way to continue serving your community, this tool will help you take the next step with confidence.
Police Dispatch Supervisor
Under direction, a Police Dispatch Supervisor oversees the work of dispatchers in the Police Department Communications Center, ensuring accurate communication between citizens, dispatchers, and police units, and handling complex calls and critical incidents. Minimum qualifications include two years of full-time experience as a Police Radio Dispatcher, with at least one year in the San Diego Police Department, and successful completion of required dispatcher training phases.
Under general supervision, a Police Dispatcher in the Police Department Communications Center uses a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to monitor radio frequencies and dispatch police units to crime scenes and emergencies. Minimum qualifications include high school graduation, G.E.D. test passage, C.H.S.P.E. passage, or possession of a college degree.
Police Investigative Service Officer I
Under general supervision, a Police Investigative Service Officer I reviews and analyzes misdemeanor arrest reports and citations, performs routine community service and non-hazardous police functions, and conducts investigations to enhance misdemeanor crime cases. Minimum qualifications include one year of relevant experience, specific coursework in Criminal Justice, or completion of certain P.O.S.T. certified courses, along with a valid California Class C Driver License and the ability to type 30 words per minute.
Police Investigative Service Officer II
Under direction, a Police Investigative Service Officer II reviews and analyzes misdemeanor and felony arrest reports and citations, performs complex community service and non-hazardous police functions, and conducts investigations to enhance high-solvability crime cases. Minimum qualifications include one year of experience as a City of San Diego Police Service Officer, completion of specified P.O.S.T. certified courses, or one year of relevant public assistance experience combined with specific college coursework, along with a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Under general supervision, a Police Lead Dispatcher monitors and coordinates dispatch functions in the Police Department Communications Center, overseeing crime in progress calls, critical incidents, and ensuring police unit availability. Minimum qualifications include one year of full-time experience as a Police Dispatcher with the San Diego Police Department and successful completion of Police Phone Dispatcher and Police Radio Dispatcher Phase Training.
Under direction, a Police Lieutenant commands or assists in commanding a departmental unit or shift, supervising police officers, managing specialized sections, and coordinating criminal investigations. Minimum qualifications include possession of a California Advanced P.O.S.T. Certificate or completion of 90 semester/135 quarter college-level units, and two years of full-time experience as a Police Sergeant with the San Diego Police Department.
Under immediate supervision and as part of a training program, a Police Officer I performs law enforcement and crime prevention duties, including responding to emergency calls, patrolling, investigating incidents, making arrests, and preparing reports. Minimum qualifications include being 21 years old at the time of hire, a high school diploma or equivalent, graduation from a California P.O.S.T. approved Police Academy or possession of relevant P.O.S.T. certifications or recent law enforcement employment, and a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Under general supervision, a Police Officer II patrols assigned areas to enforce laws, prevent crime, respond to emergencies, investigate incidents, make arrests, and prepare reports. Minimum qualifications include being 21 years old at the time of hire, two years of full-time paid experience as a sworn peace officer, high school graduation or equivalent, completion of 30 semester/45 quarter college-level units, graduation from a California P.O.S.T. approved Police Academy or possession of relevant P.O.S.T. certifications, and a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Under general supervision, a Police Officer III performs difficult, sensitive, and specialized law enforcement functions, acts in a lead capacity, and responds to complex field problems, ensuring officer safety and providing technical expertise at major crime scenes. Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or a related field, or possession of a California Advanced P.O.S.T. Certificate, and twelve years of full-time paid experience as a sworn peace officer with the San Diego Police Department.
Police Property and Evidence Lead Specialist
Under general direction, a Police Property and Evidence Lead Specialist leads, trains, and participates in the work of specialists handling property and evidence in the Police Property Room or Narcotics Vault, including managing evidence disposal, maintaining chain of custody records, and responding to emergency call-backs. Minimum qualifications include one year of full-time experience as a Police Property and Evidence Specialist with the City of San Diego or two years of similar experience in a law enforcement agency, and a valid California Class C Driver License.
Police Property and Evidence Specialist
Under general direction, a Police Property and Evidence Specialist receives, processes, and stores impounded property and evidence in the Police Property Room or Narcotics Vault, maintaining records and ensuring proper chain of custody. Minimum qualifications include six months of experience in a law enforcement property room or one year of experience in warehouse inventory control, customer service, or retail sales, along with a valid California Class C Driver License.
Police Property and Evidence Supervisor
Under direction, a Police Property and Evidence Supervisor oversees the activities of property and evidence storerooms, supervises staff, develops tracking and record-keeping procedures, and ensures compliance with laws and policies related to evidence storage and safekeeping. Minimum qualifications include two years as a Police Property and Evidence Specialist or one year as a Lead Specialist with the City of San Diego, or three years in a similar role in a law enforcement agency, and possession of a valid California Class C Driver License.
Police Property and Records Administrator
Under direction, a Police Property and Records Administrator supervises the centralized property and records section of the Police Department, overseeing records retention, evidence management, and policy formulation. Minimum qualifications include two years of full-time second-level supervisory experience in a law enforcement records, property, or evidence division, and possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Under general supervision, a Police Records Clerk performs specialized clerical work in a centralized police records center, including conducting computer searches for criminal history, processing records, and applying information release policies. Minimum qualifications include one year of full-time clerical experience, completion of the San Diego Police Department's Police Records Clerk Phase Training Program, and the ability to type 30 net words per minute on a computer keyboard.
Police Records Data Specialist
Under general supervision, a Police Records Data Specialist enters and updates data from various source documents using online terminals in a production-oriented police data entry section, ensuring accuracy and adherence to established production standards. Minimum qualifications include six months of full-time production experience entering alpha/numeric data utilizing a reverse 10-key data entry keyboard and/or a data entry programmed keyboard.
Police Records Data Specialist Supervisor
Under general supervision, a Police Records Data Specialist Supervisor supervises and coordinates the work of subordinates in a high-volume police data entry section, establishing work priorities, ensuring adherence to production standards, and developing training programs. Minimum qualifications include two years of full-time production experience entering alpha/numeric data using various data entry keyboards and possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Under immediate supervision, a Police Recruit attends the Police Academy in preparation for a professional law enforcement career, participating in classroom lectures, physical conditioning, self-defense exercises, and firearms practice. Minimum qualifications include being 20 years old at the time of application and 21 by Academy graduation, high school graduation or equivalent, or possession of a higher degree, and a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Under general supervision, a Police Sergeant supervises a squad of law enforcement officers in crime prevention and law enforcement activities, coordinates community relations programs, oversees volunteer recruitment, and responds to emergencies. Minimum qualifications include 60 college semester units or possession of a California Intermediate P.O.S.T. certificate, and four years of full-time paid experience as a sworn peace officer, with two years served in the San Diego Police Department.
Under immediate supervision and in a training capacity, a Police Service Officer I performs routine community service and non-hazardous police functions, such as responding to requests for non-hazardous police services, taking misdemeanor reports, directing traffic, and assisting with crime scene protection and evidence collection. Minimum qualifications include high school graduation or equivalent, possession of a valid California Class C Driver License, and the ability to type at a corrected speed of 30 words per minute.
Police Service Officer II
Under general supervision and at the journey-level, a Police Service Officer II performs complex community service and non-hazardous police functions, including investigating property crimes, processing crime scene evidence, responding to non-hazardous police service requests, and providing crime prevention information. Minimum qualifications include three years of full-time experience in community service and non-hazardous police functions and possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Police Special Projects Manager
The Police Special Projects Manager oversees the Police Department's Special Projects Unit, managing construction and capital improvement projects, administering police services contracts, and coordinating with various agencies and vendors. Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree and four years of professional experience in project administration, including budget management, team direction, and contract negotiation, with at least one year in a lead role.
Under immediate supervision and in a training program, a Polygrapher I conducts simple interviews and interrogations using psychophysiological devices to determine truthfulness, prepares written reports, and may testify in court regarding findings. No specific education or experience is required for this position.
Under general supervision and in a training program, a Polygrapher II conducts routine interviews and interrogations using psychophysiological devices to determine truthfulness, prepares written reports, and may testify in court regarding findings. Minimum qualifications include successful completion of an American Polygraph Association (APA) accredited polygraph training course and one year of full-time experience administering polygraph examinations.
Under direction, a Polygrapher III conducts complex interviews and interrogations using psychophysiological devices to determine truthfulness, provides expert testimony in court, and performs special investigative or research work. Minimum qualifications include successful completion of an American Polygraph Association (APA) accredited polygraph training course and two years of full-time experience administering polygraph examinations.
Under immediate supervision, a Pool Guard I serves as a swimming pool lifeguard, ensuring patron safety, enforcing pool regulations, performing rescues and first aid, assisting in aquatic activities, and maintaining the pool area. Minimum qualifications include being at least 16 years old and possessing valid American Red Cross Lifeguard/First Aid, CPR/AED for Lifeguard, and First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22) certificates.
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