Police Division Commander

Police Division Commander

Salary

$176,014.28 - $289,571.88 Annually

Location

Santa Maria, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

FY 26-00150

Department

Police Department

Opening Date

06/29/2026

Closing Date

7/27/2026 8:00 AM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits

OPPORTUNITY

OPEN: 6/29/2026

CLOSE: 7/27/2026 8:00 AM

INTERVIEW DATE: TBD

Anticipated Hiring Range $176,014.28 - $205,000 annually (DOE/DOQ)

The City of Santa Maria Police Department is accepting applications for Police Division Commander. The Police Division Commander position is a Strategic Leader role that carries out the vision and provides direction to achieve department mission and goals. Their role enables the Santa Maria Police Department to provide the highest quality service and meet the needs of the community to ensure a safe place to live, work and raise a family.

WHO WE ARE:

The City of Santa Maria is a full-service City with a City Council/City Manager form of government with over 700 employees and serves approximately 108,000 constituents. The City of Santa Maria is located on the beautiful central coast of California and covers over 23 square miles. The City has a harmonious balance of maintaining coastal and agricultural lands while promoting business. Santa Maria has been recognized nationally as an All-America City by the National Civic League and offers reasonably priced housing, community festivals, quality schools, and is in close proximity to beaches, cultural arts, a local airport, wineries, and higher education institutions.

WHAT WE DO:

The Santa Maria Police Department strives to protect and serve all those who live, work, and/or visit Santa Maria. This is accomplished by working in cooperation with the community, promoting safety and enforcing the law. The Department offers a full range of professional police services that include patrol operations, investigations, traffic and parking enforcement, criminalistics, crime prevention, and many other services necessary to ensure the development of a safer community.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The ideal candidate exhibits the following qualities:

Team Player

Customer Oriented

Integrity and Ethics

Learning Agility

Communication Skills

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Motivated

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION:

Police Division Commander Broadband Full Pay Range: $176,014.28 - $289,571.88 Annually

REQUIRED SUBMITTALS:

Due upon application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

DUTIES

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization.

This position:

• Oversees and leads a division of the Police Department, and performs more complex administrative/operational work and has broad discretion and decision-making ability.
• Oversees and reviews the development and implementation of community policing strategies and programs.
• Studies crime and other reports to determine trends and makes recommendations for changes in organizational and operating procedures.
• Coordinates police activities with other departments, divisions and with outside agencies.
• Directs the selection, placement, training and supervision of other employees; reviews and evaluates performance and recommends personnel action.
• Represents the City at public events and may act as Chief of Police in his/her absence.
• Interprets the law and makes decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies.
• Develops and administers the department's annual budget and controls expenditures
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic Leader:

Incumbents should have a solid foundation of Individual Contributor, Front-line Supervisor and Middle Manager core competencies identified by the organization, as well as the following core competencies identified as essential for Strategic Leader (click the hyper link to see the full definition Strategic Leader Competencies):

• Mission Focus - Effective performers understand and support the organizations mission, believe in it, value it, and are committed to it.
• Visioning - Effective performers are imaginative, able to create a vision of a preferred future, and communicate it clearly and enthusiastically to others.
• Strategic Thinking - Effective performers act with the future in mind, understand the factors influencing strategy (e.g., core competence, community needs, and the organizations current strengths and limitations), and consider future impact when weighing decisions.
• Business Thinking - Effective performers see the organization as a series of integrated and interlocking business processes, understand general business concepts that govern these systems, and understand how change impacts the entire organization.
• Diplomacy - Effective performers work well within the organizations power network. They recognize personal agendas, balance internal politics, work well with elected officials and navigate the political environment effectively.
• Global Mindset - Effective performers see their city role in a larger context within the community, region and beyond. They value diversity and other points of view, identify partnership opportunities and exhibit coalition-building skills.
• Risk Taking - Effective performers have a history of, and propensity for, taking calculated chances to achieve goals. When they fail, they accept it, learn from it, and move on.
• Leadership Identification - Effective performers identify with the role of leader, and enjoy positions of responsibility and authority.
• Presentation Skills - Effective performers are comfortable and confident in front of an audience, deliver messages effectively to inform or persuade, and are adept at public engagement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Police Division Commander:

• Significant years of supervisory and leadership experience to perform the job effectively; and

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree in a public administration or a public safety related field;

• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• A Bachelor's Degree with graduate work is desired.

• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:

• Federal, State and local laws and ordinances, particularly with reference to arrest, rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure, and preservation and presentation of evidence.

• Administration, operations, budget, information technology and management.

• Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

• Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent), and project management principles.

• Use computer and other office equipment effectively.

• Desired licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment, such as.

• P.O.S.T. Advanced Certificate

SELECTION PROCESS

The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel of subject matter experts for an oral interview. Those applicants invited to an interview will be notified electronically at the email address provided by each candidate through the application process. Therefore, it is the applicants responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment. The oral board will recommend a limited number of candidates to the eligibility list from which the new Police Division Commander may be selected.

Prior to an offer of employment, applicants must pass a thorough background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.

If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.

The following benefits vary by bargaining unit. For full benefit information please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding or compensation resolution available at https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/human-resources/salary-group-agreements.

Retirement

The City of Santa Maria is a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Your benefit factor is determined by the retirement formula, age, service credit and final compensation. Based upon your bargaining unit and hire date the benefit factor will vary.

Health Insurance

Medical Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). There are four Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and three Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to choose from. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit. See Memorandum of Understanding for eligibility requirements.

The City has a medical insurance benefit program which provides either payment towards the premium for the employee and eligible dependents, or cash payment if you and your dependent(s) already have health benefits. Evidence of major medical health insurance coverage is required for those employees who receive the cash payment.

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance is provided to employees and eligible dependents through The Standard covering 100% of Preventive; 90% of Basic; and 60% of Major with a minimal deductible. The plan includes a Max Builder option rewarding insured employees and their dependents who use only a portion of their annual dental benefit maximum. The benefit amount varies per

bargaining unit.

Vision Insurance

Vision Insurance is available to employees and eligible dependents. Coverage is through VSP and covers an annual Well Vision exam and an allowance towards prescription glasses. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.

Life Insurance and AD&D Coverage

All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week are eligible for Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Supplemental life, spousal and dependent child options are also available. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

All employees working a minimum of thirty two (32) hours per week, excluding Sworn Police and Fire shall participate in the short-term and long-term disability plan with coverage up to 66 2/3% of salary. Sworn Police and Fire are covered through their respective bargaining unit.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

The City offers a flexible spending account option for Dependent Care and Health Care Expenses. With these plans, employees can choose to place a portion of their earnings into a personal reimbursement account on a pre-tax basis. Doing so lowers employees taxable income for the year and allows them to pay for their qualified dependent care and eligible health care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Employee Assistance Program

The City provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through AETNA for all full and part time employees and their eligible dependents. The confidential EAP program can refer employees to professional counselors and services that can help resolve emotional health, family and work-life issues, or provide help with childcare and eldercare assistance, financial and legal services, identity theft recovery services and daily living services.

Wellness Program

Offered to help employees gain knowledge, skills and motivation to improve the quality of their lives and well-being. The Citys Wellness Program includes ergonomic evaluations, flu shots, and Wellness Workshops during lunch and after work.

Access to the Paul Nelson Aquatics Center for employee and immediate family members.Access to the Weight room at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center for employee and immediate family members. Access to employee discounts and special offers on travel, entertainment, shopping, dining and services.

Mentorship Program

This professional development program of mentoring and job shadowing provides mentees with an opportunity to be mentored by experienced staff with the objective of developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the participants leadership skills and promote professional growth.

Succession Planning

The academies are offered to all employees including those that are not yet in a supervisory role, but are interested in becoming leaders within the organization as well as our executive management team who have an interest in honing their skills and helping to prepare our future leaders. In addition to multiple leadership academies, the City offers quarterly Speaker Series, a corporate Toastmasters club available for City employees, site tours of various departments, and more.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may participate in the Citys 457 Deferred Compensation Plan sponsored by either Empower or CalPERS Supplemental Income. The plan enables employees to save salary and earn interest on a tax-deferred basis. A City match is available based upon representation.

The City also provides an IRS approved 401(a) plan sponsored by Empower for managers represented by Non-Represented Full-Time Management & Confidential (NMAC).

Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP)

Based upon your bargaining unit the City may participate in a PEHP plan that will provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket cost of qualified medical expenses such as prescription drugs, doctor co-pays, eyeglasses and cover the reimbursement of medical insurance premiums upon separation or retirement.

Holidays

The City offers seven (7) paid holidays per year. In addition, based upon your bargaining unit a bank of floating holiday hours is available to be used at the employees discretion.

Vacation

The City initially offers two weeks of paid vacation per calendar year for all full time employees. Accrual rates increase thereafter based upon your bargaining unit.

Sick Leave

Sick leave shall accrue a rate of eight hours for each month of continuous service, or approximately two weeks per year for all full time employees. Employees may use up to half of their annually accrued sick leave for family illness and up to five days (40 hours) per calendar year for bereavement leave.

Management Leave

Management level employees may receive a prorated amount of management leave time each new calendar year.

Educational Incentive Program

In addition to regular pay when education is in addition to the regular requirements of the job specifications and is work related.

Tuition Reimbursement

Based on your bargaining unit, you may be reimbursed for tuition and book costs of approved job related courses. The maximum amount of tuition reimbursement in any calendar year will vary based upon your bargaining unit.

Auto Allowance

Management level employees may receive auto allowance based upon the need of the position.

Telephone/PDA Stipend

Management level employees may receive a telephone and/or PDA stipend based upon the need of the position.

Bilingual Pay

Bilingual pay is provided to employees who are required by their department head to use both English and Spanish in communicating with the public while performing the duties of his/her position and who demonstrate appropriate skills in both speaking and understanding the Spanish language shall receive compensation. The benefit amount varies per bargaining unit.

Employer City of Santa Maria

Address 110 East Cook Street, Room 1

Santa Maria, California, 93454

Phone 805-925-0951 ext. 2203

Website http://www.cityofsantamaria.org