Police Cadet (As-Needed)
Salary
$22.50 Hourly
Location
City of Santa Monica, CA
Job Type
Part-Time Temporary
Job Number
269016-01
Department
Police
Division
Criminal Investigations
Opening Date
06/08/2026
Closing Date
6/29/2026 5:30 PM Pacific
Job Summary
Elevate your college experience by joining the Santa Monica Police Department as a Police Cadet!
This unique opportunity allows you to be part of a dynamic law enforcement team while pursuing your education. As a student in good standing at an accredited college or university, you can apply if you have a minimum of nine semester units. Maintain full-time student status while gaining valuable real-world experience with no prior experience required.
As a Police Cadet, youll play a vital role in supporting law enforcement initiatives, contributing to community safety, and building essential skills for your future career. Plus, with the chance to work alongside seasoned professionals, youll gain insights into the world of policing that go beyond the classroom.
If youre at least 18 years old and have a valid Class C drivers license, this is your opportunity to positively impact on the community while growing both personally and professionally.
Please note that this position does not include benefits, but the unparalleled experience gained will undoubtedly set you on a path towards success. Apply now and be a part of something meaningful!
DEFINITION
Assists with a variety of routine, non-hazardous police work involving public relations, communications, clerical tasks and other support duties.
SUPERVISION
Works under the immediate supervision of a Police Sergeant and/or designee who outlines work, frequently reviews work in progress and carefully reviews completed work. No supervision is exercised.
Representative Duties
Receives and responds to in-person and telephone complaints and/or requests for information; responds to routine queries with regards to procedures and directions, and refers to appropriate source(s); takes messages.
Assists with writing police reports regarding minor incidents from citizens and the public.
Gathers, compiles, and organizes data for departmental studies and/or projects.
Prepares charts, tables and diagrams.
Receives, sorts and distributes mail and sensitive correspondence within the Department and to various locations throughout the City.
Performs a variety of clerical duties, including data entry, filing, maintaining and retrieving a variety of records and forms, and general office reception duties.
Copies and distributes reports, and memos.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Basic office practices and procedures
Business English, spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Effective customer service techniques
Ability to:
Follow oral and written instructions
Operate a variety of office equipment
Write clear and concise reports
Respond to inquiries in a tactful manner
Maintain confidentiality
Organize and maintain office files
Perform simple mathematical calculations
Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
Provide effective customer service
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees and the general public
Skill in:
Using a personal computer and applicable software applications
Reading and writing messages and documents at an appropriate level
Performing data entry
Basic mathematics
Working effectively with persons from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent. Must be a student in good standing at an accredited college or university with a minimum of nine (9) semester units or the equivalent. Must maintain full-time student status (minimum 9 semester units) at an accredited college or university. Must be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment.
Experience: No experience required.
Employment is limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week and a duration of not more than 4 years from the date of hire. A Police Cadet assignment may be extended for up to six months beyond the termination of full-time student status provided the individual is a candidate for a full-time position with the Santa Monica Police Department and is awaiting completion of a background investigation.
Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a valid Class C driver license.
Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must file a clear, concise, completed on-line City application with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline.
SELECTION PROCESS: An on-line City application and required supplemental questionnaire must be completed to be considered for this position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified for the position on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process be subject to a thorough background investigation.
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!
REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS: Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246 (Hearing Impaired Only).
Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed primarily in an office environment using a computer. Office work may require sitting for prolonged periods of time and using a computer keyboard, mouse, and screen. May be required to drive a vehicle to various locations to facilitate department business. The incumbent may be required to lift heavy weight. Irregular work hours are occasionally required.
This is a temporary hourly position without benefits. The City of Santa Monica provides a deferred compensation (457) retirement plan for its as-needed (temporary) employees who are not eligible for coverage under the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The City and as-needed employee are each required to contribute 3.75% of wages to the deferred compensation plan. As-needed employee contributions will be deducted from paychecks on a pre-tax basis.
01
The position of Police Cadet (As-Needed) requires the following requirements be met:
02
Have you graduated from high school or obtained your GED?
03
Possession of a valid Class C driver license.
Do you meet this requirement?
04
Must be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment.
Do you meet this requirement?
05
Currently attending and in good standing (maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA) at an accredited college or university as a full-time student with a minimum of 9 semester units.
Do you meet this requirement?
(Note: Proof of class enrollment and GPA must be submitted upon application submission. You may upload a copy to your online application. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.)
06
Will you be graduating from an accredited college or university within the next 12 months?
07
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please enter your expected graduation date (Month/Year). Example: 06/2025. (Leave blank if you answered "No.")
08
The Police Cadet position requires enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited college or university. Do you plan to continue to attend a university full-time after graduation? (Leave blank if you answered "No" to question #6.)
Required Question
Employer City of Santa Monica
Address 1685 Main Street, Room 101
P.O. Box 2200
Santa Monica, California, 90401
Phone 310-458-8697
Website https://www.santamonica.gov/departments/human-resources