Police Sergeant- Police Department

Job Description:

Police Sergeant- Police Department

Description

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at [email protected] .

About the Department

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and one of the top ten cities in which to live, work, and do business. Moreover, San José is the center of cultural, government and economic activity for the region. The employees of the City of San José have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Celebration. The mission of the San José Police Department is to create safe places to live, work and learn through community partnerships.

The San José Police Department is seeking individuals whose values align with the values of the City's employees.

Position Duties

Police Sergeants plan, direct and participate in the work of subordinate staff to ensure the protection of life and property of the City’s residents and visitors by serving as the first line supervisor. Police Sergeants review the work of assigned staff, ensure appropriate staff training, conduct evaluations, and implement personnel related actions.

Typical duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Ensures staff are informed of department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Communicates operational initiatives, legal issues and related matters through daily roll call briefings, written documentation, & team meetings.
• Investigates staff activities to ensure compliance.
• Maintains direct contact, and exchanges information with citizens to resolve problems and ensure good community
• relations.
• Supervises officers in their direct contact with citizens.
• Prepares memos, reports & other correspondences.

The total salary range for Police Sergeant classification is $177,049.60 - $215,196.80. This amount includes an approximate 3.75% ongoing non-pensionable crisis intervention training pay.

Minimum Qualifications

Current, permanent employment as a Police officer with the City of San Jose and:

Education: Completion of two (2) years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter units) from an accredited college or university.

Acceptable Substitution for Education Requirement:
Veterans and active military personnel may substitute this education requirement if they:

• Have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard AND
• Have completed four (4) years of active military duty AND
• Have received an honorable discharge from the United States Military.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience as a Police Officer with the City of San Jose

License/Certificates:

• Possession of a Basic Peace Officers Standard and Training Certificate.
• Possession of a valid driver's license authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in the State of California.
• As a condition of employment in some designated positions, possession of a valid State of California Class A or B driver's license with applicable endorsements may be required in the performance of job duties.

Other Qualifications

Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.
Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise-Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations. Knowledge of case law; statute law, including vehicle and penal codes; investigation; arrest; evidence; criminal law; court procedure; patrol methods

Building Trust - Communicates an understanding of the other person's interests, needs and concerns; identifies and communicates shared interests and goals; identifies and communicates differences as appropriate; demonstrates honesty, keeps commitments, and behaves in an appropriate manner.

Coaching - Provides guidance, opportunities, and motivation to develop and strengthen knowledge, skills, and competencies to improve employee’s capabilities.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts

Computer Skills- Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Conflict Management- Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to reduce tension or conflict between two or more people, by presenting the facts, analysis, and conclusions or solutions that show command of content and perspectives and interests of the audience.

Decision Making-Identifies and understands issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.

Initiative-Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Leadership- Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.

Meeting Ethical Standards - When confronted with ethical dilemmas, acts in a way that reflects relevant law, policy and procedures, agency values, and personal values.

Problem Solving- Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Supervision- Sets effective long and short-term goals based on a good understanding of management practices; establishes realistic priorities within available resources; provides motivational support; empowers others; assigns decision-making and work functions to others in an appropriate manner to maximize organizational and individual effectiveness.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills- Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process Overview
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the positions will be forwarded to the interview phase of the selection process, which will include a written exam, assessment center, and interview.

You must answer all job-specific questions and complete the Education/Work History section of the application in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
Please make sure to list your qualifying education and experience as a Police Officer (including the month and year you were promoted from Police Recruit to Police Officer).

Candidate Orientation:
The Candidate Orientation will be an opportunity for interested applicants to learn more about the Police Sergeant testing process prior to taking the oral examination. (See schedule below)

Exam:
The selection process will include a written multiple- choice examination, weighted 40%, and a structured oral examination and writing assessment weighted 60%.

Seniority Credits:
Seniority credit of 1/2 point per year of service in the qualifying class of Police Officer with the City of San Jose will be added to the scores of those candidates successfully passing the examinations. Time lost due to suspension, layoff or leave without pay will be deducted (except for authorized military leave taken prior to July 1, 1973). Service spent prior to a resignation from the City will not be used in the computation of seniority credit, except for those reemployed under Section 3.04.1530 of the Civil Service Rules.

Field Training Officer Incentive Points:
Field Training Officer (FTO) incentive points shall be added to the final score of the Sergeant and Lieutenant promotional examination. Officers shall receive one-half (0.5) point for each year of continuous service as an FTO, for a maximum not to exceed one and one-half points (1.5)

Oral Board:
The City may use more than one oral board for an examination. The examinees shall elect two raters from Lieutenants and/or Captains ranks in the San Jose Police Department and the Director of Human Resources shall appoint two additional raters whom can be any persons who he/she deems appropriate. A Human Resources Analyst, and/or an observer designated by the Police Officers' Association may be present during the interviews. In accordance with the Civil Service rules, the names of candidates who pass all phases of the selection process will be added to the eligible list in the order of their final scores.
Command staff may conduct selection interviews with candidates on the eligible list when vacancies are filled.

This is a class-based recruitment. Providing you meet the minimum qualifications and pass the required examination; your application will be added to a ranked eligible list that will remain active for up to two years.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Candidates will be notified of the written exam date and their oral examination date at least one week in advance. Every attempt will be made to conduct the oral/assessment examinations on the dates noted below; however, due to the difficulty of obtaining appropriate rooms for oral board testing, candidates are advised to be available two weeks before and after the dates noted below. This job announcement will be updated when firm dates are established.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION (MULTIPLE CHOICE):
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 2026
Time: TBD
Location: In person -TBD

KEY REVIEW:
Date: November 09th-10th, 12th-13th and 16th 2026
Times and locations will be determined and will be by appointment only: Signups to occur at written examination. Please note there will be no Key review on November 11th 2026 due to the observance of the Veterans Day Holiday.

PROTEST MEETING:
Date: Tentatively Scheduled for Wednesday, November 18th, 2026
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Location: Zoom (TBD)

CANDIDATE ORIENTATION:
Date: Tuesday, December 4th, 2026
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Location: Zoom (TBD)

ORAL EXAMINATION:
Date: Tentatively scheduled for January 11th-22th, 2027
Time: TBD
Location: San Jose Police Department Substation (Training Facility)
Please note no oral examinations will be conducted on January 18, 2027 due to the observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday closure.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through Cal Opps or any other third-party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website atwww.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.

If you have questions about the selection or hiring processes, please contact Eduardo Gonzalez at [email protected].

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email [email protected] and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 10/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$177,049.60 - $215,196.80 Annually