Police Officer Trainee
Salary
$72,552.00 Annually
Location
Corona, CA
Job Type
Full-Time Benefited
Job Number
2026-32-07
Department
Police Department
Opening Date
07/06/2026
Closing Date
7/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DESCRIPTION
This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.
If you are interested in giving back to the community, the Corona Police Department has an exciting opportunity to join the team as a Police Officer Trainee. The Corona Police Department is made up of 250 employees which includes officers and professional staff. The department is comprised of three divisions: Field Services, Investigative Services, and Support Services. Our mission is to ensure the safety and security of our community while maintaining trust through transparency. The Police Officer Trainee is an entry level, non-sworn training classification.
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
There will be two informational meetings on Wednesday, August 19th at 5pm and 7pm. Attendance will not be mandatory, but it will provide a clearer understanding of the process and expectations of a Police Officer Trainee.
Offering Excellent Benefits
Upon successful completion of the P.O.S.T approved academy, a Police Officer Trainee may be appointed to the Police Officer classification. Below you will find an overview of the benefits not only for a Police Officer Trainee, but the changes you will see once appointed to the Police Officer classification.
BenefitsPolice Officer Trainee Benefits (Non-Sworn)Upon Promotion to Police Officer (Sworn)
Salary$72,552 annualized$96,312 annualizedBargaining GroupNot RepresentedCorona Police Employees AssociationCalPERSPEPRA Member 2% @ 62
Classic Member 2.7% @55PEPRA Member 2.7% @ 57
Classic Member 3% @ 50Annual Leave (1-5 years of service)3.23 sick hours and 3.23 annual leave hours per pay period.
168 hours of annual leave per year.8.08 annual leave per pay period.
210 hours of annual leave per year.
$1,646 per month - 2-party
$2,173 per month - Family$978 per month - Single Party
$1,646 per month - 2-party
$2,173 per month - FamilyMedical Opt Out$200 per month - Single Party
$400 per month - 2-party
$600 per month - Family$200 per month - Single Party
$400 per month - 2-party
$600 per month - FamilyLife Insurance5 1/2 times employees basic earnings to a maximum of $750,0005 1/2 times employees basic earnings to a maximum of $750,000Holidays13 Holidays13 HolidaysRetirement Health Savings$50 quarterly$1,250 quarterlyBi-Lingual PayNot Included4% of base pay Post Incentive PayNot IncludedIntermediate: 3% of base pay
Advanced: 8% of base payLongevity PayNot Included$2,320 annually, $89.23 per pay periodMarksmanship IncentiveNot Included$16.15 per pay periodUniform AllowanceNot Included$132.31 per pay periodSafety Vest ReimbursementNot Included$1,150 every 5 years.
Knowledge & Education
Skills/Abilities
Experience
Characteristics
This position is FLSA Non-Exempt eligible for overtime compensation.
To view the positions complete job description, click here.
TESTING PROCESS
The City of Corona is pleased to announce our new testing process! Please review the information and dates below.
Online Written Exam: Candidates who meet the minimum qualification will receive an email invitation to complete our online exam. The exam consists of 108 questions focusing on the following areas:
Candidates will have 3 hours to complete the exam and can take the exam at any time prior to the due date listed on your invitation email. We do not offer a study guide and will provide specific direction regarding the exam in the invitation email. Candidates must score a 70% or higher to be invited to continue on in the recruitment process.
Physical Agility, and Oral Board Interviews: Candidates who receive a 70% or higher on the written exam will then be invited to our single day testing process. The day will start with the physical agility exam.
The physical agility testing requires candidates to complete the following: climbing of 6ft. wall (solid), 25 push-ups in one minute, 30 sit-ups in one minute and complete 1.5 mile run in 13:30. The applicant must successfully complete each event in order to pass the physical agility. Those who pass the physical agility test will then be given an oral interview time, taking place the same day.
Oral interview and physical agility scores are combined, and top scoring candidates will be placed on an eligibility list. As positions open, the department will contact these candidates to begin the background process.
The next one-day testing is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026.
PLEASE NOTE: PER POST REGULATIONS, CANDIDATES CAN SUBMIT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TO WAIVE THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION PORTION OF OUR PROCESS.
IF THESE ITEMS ARE NOT SUBMITTED ALONG WITH YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION, YOU MUST TAKE AND SCORE HIGH ENOUGH ON OUR WRITTEN EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO CONTINUE ON IN THE PROCESS.
Those applicants with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing process must notify the Human Resources Department at least 72 hours in advance of the test.
Successful candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation, psychological exam, and medical exam with the Corona Police Department. Background investigation will include but is not limited to the following:
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted through Monday, August 27, 2026, at 11:59PM. Candidates that are selected to continue on in the process will be invited to complete the online exam and those who are successful in passing the exam will receive an invitation to our one-day testing process which will tentatively take place on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
COMMUNITY
A City whose heritage spans more than a century, the City of Corona, located in Riverside County, California, encompasses around 40 square miles and has a vibrant, culturally diverse population of approximately 168,100 residents. Residents of Corona enjoy a variety of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities that provide a first-rate quality of life for its residents and visitors. Within an hours travel time, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy such winter activities as snowboarding and skiing and such summer activities as surfing, boating, or simply relaxing on a beach. Coronas economy is strong and getting stronger; more than 84,000 people work here. Our retail, commercial, and housing areas are expanding, and office development continues to be strong.
THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Corona is a General Law city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. Policymaking and legislative authority is vested in the City Council, consisting of a Mayor and four Council Members. Members of the City Council are elected by District to a four-year term. The Mayor is selected by the Council and serves as the presiding officer for one year.
The City is organized into the following departments/organizational units: Community Services, City Manager's Office, Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal and Risk Management, Police, Planning & Development, Public Works and Utilities. Oversight of these departments is divided between the City Manager and two Assistant City Managers.
The
Citys total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026 is $422.7 million with a
General Fund operating budget of $231.3 million. Corona enjoys a workforce of
935 dedicated employees who provide high-quality services to its residents and
visitors each day.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To view all essential duties and responsibilities, click here.
QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
To view all qualifications guidelines, click here.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
To view all physical/mental demands and work environment, click here.
CORONA POLICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
CITY PAID BENEFITS
RETIREMENT: Employees are covered by the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The City does not participate in Social Security and the City pays the employees mandatory contribution to the Medicare Program.
The City offers two retirement formulas based on the employees current CalPERS membership status. The 3% @ 50 highest single year of service retirement formula will be applied to employees hired prior to January 1, 2013 and those current CalPERS members with no significant break in PERS-qualified employment. The 2.7% @ 57 three year average retirement formula will be applied to those employees with a significant break in PERS-qualified employment those who have not formerly been a member of CalPERS or another retirement program with which CalPERS has a reciprocal relationship.
All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA.
ANNUAL LEAVE:
Full-Time Employees: Each biweekly pay period, Annual Leave hours earned are posted to the account of each employee as follows:
YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE CITY: 1-5 Years
ANNUAL ACCRUAL: 210 hours
ACCRUAL PER PAY PERIOD: 8.08 hours
Completion of one year of service to completion of five years of service is the first level. (Please see full CPEA MOU for all of the levels)
ANNUAL LEAVE BUYBACK: The cash out or conversion of annual leave as either payment into deferred compensation, retiree health savings plan or taxable cash shall be at the employee's regular rate of pay, minus the medical insurance opt out/cash back: Conversion above 624 Hours:
At the end of the last day of the last pay period that ends in each calendar year, if an employee has accrued more than 624 hours of Annual Leave, the Annual Leave hours in excess of 624 hours will be converted to the monetary equivalent at the employee's regular rate of pay and the employee shall have the following choice:
1) to have the dollar value placed in the Nationwide Retirement Healthcare Savings Account on the employee's behalf; or
2) to have the dollar value placed in the employee's deferred compensation account (set up per IRS code section 457) or Roth IRA up to the maximum permitted by law. Any employee who chooses this option must advise Human Resources no later than December 1 each year. If the employee does not advise the City of this option by December 1, the value of the excess Annual Leave will be placed in the employee's RHS account.
HOLIDAYS: There are a total of 13 holidays for this unit. Specific days are listed in the MOU. For all City holidays, employees will either work (because it is their regularly scheduled workday or because they are working an additional shift) or be off work (because the holiday falls on their regular day off). Employees who are scheduled to work on a City holiday may request the day off and such request is subject to supervisor approval. If approved, the employee will receive holiday pay for the shift and may use annual leave or compensatory time to cover any hours scheduled above ten (10) for the shift.
DISABILITY & LIFE INSURANCE: Short-term and long term disability insurance is provided free to each employee.
LIFE INSURANCE: The City provides a term life insurance policy to each employee equal to 5 ½ times the employees annual basic earnings to a maximum, of $750,000.00.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The City currently offers a variet of HMO plans as well as several PPO plan through CalPERS.
For plan information, please view this link: Health Plan Information
The City contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) for the provision of medical insurance. All employees in the bargaining unit shall receive the CalPERS statutory minimum (i.e., the amount required under the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) which is $158.00/month for calendar year 2025 and a yet to be determined amount for subsequent calendar years). The City contracts with Delta Dental to provide Dental Insurance with both an HMO and PPO plan option available for employees to choose. The City contracts with EyeMed to provide Vision Insurance for employees to choose.
If the City desires to change dental or vision carriers, the Association agrees that it will meet promptly with the City to meet and confer regarding such changes. All employees in the bargaining unit shall receive the amounts below for the purchase of health insurance. This includes medical, dental and vision insurance. These amounts include the CalPERS statutory minimum as well as an additional amount provided under the City's Section 125 Cafeteria Plan.
(1) $978 per month for Members electing Employee only coverage;
(2) $1,646 per month for Members electing Employee plus one dependent coverage; or
(3) $2,173 per month for Members electing Employee plus two or more dependents coverage.
The City's provision of funds for health insurance is provided through the Cafeteria Plan. If a Member enrolls in health benefits that cost more than provided above, they will be responsible for payment of any additional dollars for the benefits chosen.
OPT OUT: In lieu of receiving the Medical Allowance, a Member may elect to receive a monthly allocation to the Cafeteria Plan according to the following schedule:
(a) $300.00 per pay period ($600 per month) for Employee + 2 or more dependents
(b) $200.00 per pay period ($400 per month) for Employee + 1 dependent
(c) $100.00 per pay period ($200 per month) for Employee Only
DENTAL INSURANCE: The City currently offers HMO and PPO dental insurance through Delta Dental and Delta Care. Dental insurance premiums are paid by the employee.
VISION INSURANCE: The City currently offers vision insurance through Eye Med. Vision insurance premiums are paid by the employee.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING PROGRAM: This is a comprehensive program designed to help employees and their family members find direction in solving personal and/or emotional problems.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING PLAN: Each employee may contribute to either a medical reimbursement account or dependent care account to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses and/or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. The flexible benefit plan is offered at the time of hire and at each open enrollment period.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION (457) PLAN: To supplement retirement, employees can make voluntary salary deferrals to a Nationwide plan. Employee contribution limits are defined by law.
RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS PLAN (RHS): To assist employees when they retire, the City offers a Retirement Health Savings plan through Nationwide PEHP. The plans allow retirees to get tax-free withdrawals from their account when used for reimbursement of qualified health care expenses. Employees hired on or after October 13, 2007 shall receive a Retirement Health Savings Account contribution of $1250.00 per quarter.
LONGEVITY PAY: In recognition of an employee's length of full-time service to the City of Corona, employees who qualify under the following schedule will receive one twenty-sixth (1/26th) of the following amounts paid biweekly as part of the regular payroll:
Police Officer
After five (5) years of service: $2,320.00
After ten (10) years of service: $3,720.00
After fifteen (15) years of service: $5,120.00
After twenty (20) years of service: $5,645.00
After twenty-five (25) years of service: $6,627.00
UNIFORM ALLOWANCE: Police Officers receive a uniform allowance of $132.31 per pay period. The City will reimburse members for the cost of a ballistic safety vest up to $1,150 every 5 years.
MARKSMANSHIP INCENTIVE: $16.15 per pay period, supplemental pay, for meeting the marksmanship proficiency standards established by the Police Department.
TUTITION REIMBURSEMENT: The City recognizes the value of an educated workforce and encourages employees to pursue higher education. This section provides reimbursement to unit members for tuition, e-books and textbooks for college courses leading to a job-related degree or certificate. Employees shall use their off-duty hours in the pursuit of education.
Subject to satisfaction of all criteria set forth in Article 17 for education plans approved in writing by the City after October 17, 2018, the City shall reimburse Members for the costs up to a lifetime maximum amount of $10,000 per employee. For education plans approved in writing by the City on or before October 17, 2018, the lifetime maximum shall not apply.
POST-INCENTIVE PAY: The City provides 3% over base pay for holding or attainment of Post Intermediate Certificate and 8% over base pay for holding or attainment of a Post Advanced Certificate.
BI-LINGUAL PAY: The City shall pay four percent (4%) of base pay to employees who demonstrate the ability to both understand and effectively communicate in Spanish or American Sign or another language other than English that the Police Chief deems appropriate.
To become qualified to receive this pay, an employee must be certified by the Human Resources Department after passing a certification test (an oral conversational test) established by the Human Resources Department. Employees who first become eligible for bilingual pay on or after January 1, 2022, must re-certify every three (3) years to continue to receive bilingual pay by passing the certification test.
Employees receiving this pay are required to speak the second language in the course and scope of their employment when it is necessary and may be asked to assist in translating.
OTHER SPECIAL COMPENSATION: In addition to the above mentioned special compensation, the City offers the following: Hazard and Assignment Pay and Court Assignment.
01
I acknowledge that the information provided in this job application, to include; supplemental questions, education/certification information, attachments and work history are complete and accurate and cannot be changed once the application is submitted. Please note "See Resume" is considered an incomplete response and your application will not be considered.
02
Are you at least 20.5 years of age?
03
Please indicate your highest level of education completed.
04
Please select the field in which you were awarded your degree.
05
If you selected "other field" for your degree, please indicate the field below:
06
Do you possess a valid California Class C Drivers License?
07
Do you have the ability to successfully complete a California POST Basic Academy?
08
If you are successful in completing the testing process, you will undergo a comprehensive background investigation, including fingerprinting, polygraph examination and credit check. NOTE: Recent drug usage, theft or other illegal activity may disqualify you. Record must be free from any felony conviction and/or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude and extensive traffic violations. I acknowledge this requirement.
09
Excluding juvenile convictions, arrests, detentions or court dispositions, have you ever been convicted of a felony or plead "guilty", "no contest", or convicted of any other criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation?
10
If you answered yes to the previous question, please provide specific details for each occurrence including: 1) Date; 2) Location; 3) Charge and a description of the offense; 4) Penalty/Disposition. If this is not applicable, please type "N/A" in the box below.
11
Are you currently out on bail or on your own recognizance pending trial for a recent arrest? (Omit convictions more than two years old for violations of Cal. Health & Safety Code Sections 11357(b) for (a), 11360 (c), 11364, 11365, or 11550 as they relate to marijuana before January 1, 1976, and their statutory predecessors.)
12
Have you previously applied for the position of Police Trainee with the Corona Police Department?
Required Question
Employer City of Corona
Address 400 S. Vicentia Ave.
Suite #215
Corona, California, 92882
Phone 951-736-2209
Website http://www.CoronaCA.gov