Police Records Specialist

Police Records Specialist

Salary

$46,904.00 - $55,307.20 Annually

Location

Police Department, 606 East Market Street, Charlottesville (22902), VA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

260800007

Department

Police Department

Division

Police Administration

Opening Date

08/11/2026

Closing Date

8/26/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

N/A

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Summary

This is a 24-hour operation which requires shift work and scheduling flexibility. As a Police Records Specialist, you will be responsible for handling skilled clerical tasks such as data entry, processing and records filing. The incumbent will act as the go-to person for police references, answering phone and in-person inquiries, handling non-emergency radio messages. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Management Services Supervisor and/or Law Enforcement Records Supervisor.

The sworn personnel rely on Police Records Specialists to provide accurate records and information that will help them achieve the police departments objectives, which include Prevention of Crime, Deterrence of Crime, Apprehension of Offenders, Recovery and Return of Property, Maintenance of Order. To learn more about the Charlottesville Police Department, please visit: https://www.charlottesville.gov/1741/Police

The preferred hiring range for this position is $22.55 - $26.59 (46,904.00 - $55,307.20), with starting pay based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following leave and retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).

• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly, approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.

• 13 Paid Observed City Holidays

• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)

• Choice of retirement plan:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.

• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Provides exceptional customer service to police personnel and citizens.
• Acts as a receptionist and police information person.
• Answers telephone inquiries relating to general departmental and City information as well as police procedures and policies.
• Relays and dispatches messages by radio and teletype as required to communicate with and respond to officers.
• Assists officers as requested, or "walk-in" individuals as needed by contacting appropriate social and community services to arrange for shelter, assistance or whatever can be provided by distressed, dislocated or victimized citizens.
• Operates Virginia State Police VCIN teletype system; files hard copies of records after computer entry has been done and checked.
• Enters and verifies a variety of reports and records in the police computerized records management system.
• Types, copies, distributes, files, and cross references a variety of police documents and reports.
• Inputs records from previous shift's activities and prepares file of latest information for handling by oncoming shift Sergeant.
• Expunges and purges records according to court order.
• Retrieves, assembles, and analyzes data in preparation of the generation of specialized reports.
• Runs "Outstanding Arrest Warrant Checks" as appropriate and locates the actual warrant, including contacting bailiff of individuals against whom warrants are outstanding.
• Codes and inputs warrants/protective orders based on order of importance, and codes reports for computerized and manual filing systems.
• Prepares/mails letters to individuals notifying them of outstanding warrants.
• Registers taxicab drivers per City ordinance.
• Reviews court dockets and ensures necessary paperwork is forwarded to the appropriate court.
• Receives, verifies, and deposits money received from the public (check, cash, and credit card) for copies of police reports and fingerprinting services to the Treasurers Office.
• Checks forms, records, reports, applications and other materials for accuracy, completeness and conformity in accordance with established procedures.
• Assists with cleanliness and order of records spaces and associated facilities.
• Processes incoming, outgoing, and intradepartmental mail.
• Maintains the highest degree of confidentiality and sensitivity with classified and delicate police information.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• High school diploma or GED.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must obtain and maintain State certification for VCIN and NCIC.
• Ability and willingness to work any shift or days off, including the ability to work extra shifts as needed. Willingness to accept periodic changes in work schedule.
• Must have not been convicted of any felony or serious misdemeanor or be a user of any controlled substances.
• Required to successfully pass an extensive criminal history pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred:

• College degree.
• Fluency in language(s) other than English.
• Some prior work experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Job Knowledge

• Familiarity with different types of records, computerized information systems, and other local and regional law enforcement agencies, relevant community resources, services and activities, regional geography, roads, and landmarks, and techniques for handling difficult people.
• General knowledge of basic radio communications procedures; General knowledge of various police communication systems; Proficient knowledge of Information and Management Services duties/procedures, including proficient keyboarding skills.
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, and terminology applicable to the job; including NCIC/VCIN and basic understanding of Virginia court system and the nature of how warrants and protective orders go through different systems and how they correlate with one another.

Reading

• Intermediate: ability read, understand, and interpret policies, procedures, newspapers, journals, multi-step instruction manuals, and reference materials, such as City ordinances, state and federal laws, police policies, court documents, spreadsheets, and reports. Reviews documents for professional, technical, and content errors.

Writing

• Intermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise reports, prepare business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech; such as computer records, written guidance regarding records and appropriate organizational methods. Ability to compose documents and reports that analyze, synthesize and convey complex information accurately and professionally.

Math

• Basic: ability to perform the four basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.

Communication Skills

• Basic: Establishes and maintain effective working relationship and rapport with co-workers, supervisors, citizens, and the public. Provides basic information to others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures, issues, or general policies with clarity. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Ability to deal courteously but firmly with individuals. Ability to evaluate what is being communicated to provide best information, advice and referrals in performing recordkeeping, data input, retrieval and relaying of information in precise, detail-oriented, thorough and consistent manner. Contact may require the consideration of different points of view to reach understanding and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas. Ability to provide information and guidance that assists others in making decisions.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.
• Makes decisions on what calls need to be transferred to City Emergency Communications and which calls can be answered by Records Division without further assistance. Serves as a resource to less experienced workers in matters of records and documents management. Demonstrates the ability to solve more difficult records and management problems under general supervision.

Technical Skills

• Basic: uses standard technical skills appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Ability to enter and retrieve data from computerized/teletype files accurately and at a reasonable rate of speed with accuracy. Possesses basic understanding of available technology. Demonstrates skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and departmental systems, software, and equipment.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary responsibilities. However, may handle monies and prepare/enter purchasing documents information for payment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

Other Characteristics

• Organization, detail-oriented, and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Effective customer service skills.
• Emergency response.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Tedious or exacting work.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Constant interruptions and requests for service.
• Work effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• Non-traditional work schedule. Position may be required to work weekends, nights, holidays, standby/on-call, emergency on-call, and/or weather-related emergency on-call.
• May be required to work additional hours outside normal schedule.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Work requires grasping, repetitive motions of wrists, hands, and/or fingers; typing; standing, pushing/pulling, and lifting. Requires adequate talking, hearing and seeing.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations;
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Updated February 9, 2026

Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.

1. LEAVE:

Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:

Years Worked

0 - <3

3 - <5

5 - <10

10 - <15

15 - <20

20 - <25

25+

Hours Accrued Biweekly

3.09

3.85

4.62

5.4

6.16

6.93

7.7

Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.

Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS

New Years Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Presidents' Day

Liberation & Freedom Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

1 Floating Holiday

Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.

2. INSURANCE:

Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Choose from two options:

• Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)

• Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)

• Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)

• Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)

Delta Dental Plan:

• Diagnostic and Preventative-100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
• Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50
• $1,500 Annual benefit maximum
• $1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

MetLife Vision Plan: (Optional)

• $2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.
• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay
• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.

Long-Term Disability: Upon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.

Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short-Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection

3. RETIREMENT:

Pension:

• Choose from two (2) options:

• A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5-year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees).

Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.

4. VOLUNTARY:

Wellness:

• Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)

• Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses

• Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program:

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

• Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.

01

Will you be at least 18 years of age by employment start date?

• Yes
• No

02

Please indicate your highest level of education: (Must be verifiable in reference to the Education History section of your online application)

• High School Diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree or higher
• None of the above

03

Are you willing and able to work any shift or days off, including the ability to work extra shifts as needed? (Please note that this is a 24-hour operation and includes day, evening, and/or overnight shifts)

• Yes
• No

04

Have you ever been convicted for any violation(s) of law, including moving traffic violations? *A conviction does not automatically disqualify you from all jobs. A conviction will be judged on its own merits with respect to time, circumstances, seriousness, and the extent to which it is related to the job for which you are applying.

• Yes
• No

05

If "yes" was selected to question #4, please provide the following: Description of offense, Statute or ordinance if known, Date of charge, Date of Conviction, and County, City, State of Conviction. If you answered "No" to question #4, please write N/A.

06

Are you fluent in another language?

• Yes
• No

07

If "yes" was selected to question #6, what other language or languages are you proficient? If your answer was "No," please write N/A.

08

To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.

• Yes
• No

09

I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Charlottesville

Address P. O. Box 911

605 East Main Street

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902

Phone (434) 970-3490

Website http://www.charlottesville.gov/jobs