Job Description
JOB BULLETIN
FEMALES ONLY - this is a bona fide occupational qualification due to the position requiring employees to search female offenders.
Law Enforcement is at its finest here at the Buena Park Police Department. With new state-of-the-art facilities and a community-oriented proactive approach to crime, the City of Buena Park Police Department offers a work environment unmatched in Orange County.
Our elite law enforcement agency is looking for a qualified POLICE RECORDS CLERK. This is an exciting and rewarding career opportunity in our Buena Park Police Department. The ideal candidate for this position will possess excellent customer service skills, be able to multitask, have a strong work ethic, computer and communication skills, and a willingness to learn. Knowledge of Spillman software and other court systems programs is highly desirable. If you meet the qualifications described below - APPLY TODAY!
GENERAL PURPOSE
Under general supervision, enters, files, retrieves, copies, and provides authorized information contained in police records; works effectively with co-workers, management, other law enforcement representatives, and the general public in processing records requests in accordance with legal statutes and departmental procedures ; and does related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
The Police Records Clerk is responsible for organizing and completing tasks in priority order to meet statutory and non-statutory work deadlines. Employees are expected to follow state and federal laws and departmental procedures governing the proper identification and release of information to persons requesting police records information and to maintain confidentiality of all related work.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.
Enters, prints, copies, files, faxes, and distributes various police records and reports including criminal files, driving histories, vehicle registration, traffic collision reports, missing persons, property and vehicle loss reports, juvenile contact reports, court dispositions, supplemental and incident reports. When acting as the Court Liaison, prepares document packages for court bookings and filings and coordinates appearance of officers at hearings based on schedule and availability. Conducts criminal history checks and pulls rap sheets using local criminal history, the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer system. Performs pat down and strip searches of female adult and juvenile detainees as part of the required matron duties. Enters identification data regarding stolen or recovered vehicles and property. When acting as the traffic clerk, reviews traffic citations for accuracy and makes corrections as to appearance dates, violations, court location, and issue date of citation; enters accident reports into records management system; completes, copies, transmits, and files traffic complaints and citations. Types letters upon request. Provides assistance at the public counter including selling of police reports; accepts bail monies and counts cash. Completes records for registered offenders; enters voluntary gun registrations. Completes copies, transmits, and files traffic complaints and citations. Photocopies and distributes copies of daily logs.
QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES
Knowledge of:
Police records systems and entry, filing, and retrieval procedures; federal and state laws and regulations governing individual privacy rights and the release of criminal information and police records; effective customer service techniques; safety precautions when working with female prisoners.
Ability to:
Operate a personal computer and use police records systems; enter, retrieve and update police records at a net speed of 35 words per minute using police records programs; operate teletype equipment, calculator and standard office equipment; organize and complete assigned tasks in accordance with statutory and non-statutory work deadlines; file records alphabetically, numerically and chronologically; ensure confidentiality of police records and files; release specific police data only to authorized law enforcement representatives, court representatives and parties; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management, court officials, suspects, law enforcement representatives, and the general public; safely strip search female detainees.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is constantly required to sit, and occasionally to stand and walk. The employee must be able to talk and hear. The employee must be able to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate computer hardware and standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. The employee occasionally lifts and carries records and documents weighing less than 20 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data; thoroughly analyze and solve problems; exercise sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines; use math and mathematical reasoning; establish priorities and work on multiple assignments and projects concurrently; meet intense and changing deadlines given interruptions; and interact appropriately with staff, management, legal representatives, detainees, crime victims, court officials, other law enforcement representatives, and the general public.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
These employees work in an office environment, and the noise level is usually quiet, at or below 85 decibels level. Employees occasionally accompany prisoners into booking areas and follow safety protocols and also interface with victims, suspects, legal representatives, and other parties seeking to contact detainees. Employees may perform matron search functions, which includes the pat down and strip searches of female adult and juvenile detainees.
EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE
High School graduation or G.E.D. is required, preferably supplemented by training in the use of records management programs and standard office equipment. Two years of clerical or record keeping experience is required, preferably involving public safety work.
Ability to be assigned to rotating work shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends, and to work overtime as needed.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES/SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
An original typing certificate predated up to one year, must be submitted along with the completed application. The typing certificate must be for 35 wpm net (after errors) on a 5-minute timed test.
Acceptable typing certificates must meet all of the following requirements:
- A five (5) minute timed test including the gross speed and number of errors (gross speed - errors = net speed).
- Certification must be in writing and test taken within 12 months of submission to the Buena Park Human Resources Office.
- Certification must be verifiable and include a valid administrator's name, signature, address and telephone number.
A SELF-ADMINISTERED TYPING TEST THAT IS TAKEN OVER THE INTERNET OR ANY OTHER SELF-ADMINISTEREDTEST WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- A copy of the certification must be submitted with your official City application. You must submit the certificate in order to be considered for the position. For suggested locations and more information about the requirements, please CLICK HERE . (Download PDF reader)
APPLICANT INFORMATION/EXAM WEIGHT
Tentative Testing Schedule (dates subject to change):
MANDATORY INFORMATIONAL MEETING: Monday, September 8, 2025
WRITTEN EXAM: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
ORAL INTERVIEWS: Thursday, October 2, 2025
All applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web page at www.buenapark.com/hr . Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.
All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. An eligible list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.
The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.
Americans with Disabilities:
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (714) 562-3515 no later than 5 business days before the test date.
Fingerprinting:
Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.
Physical Examination:
Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense.
The City of Buena Park Alcohol and Drug Abuse Policy requires that all applicants undergo drug and alcohol testing prior to employment.
Below is a list of key benefits offered to employees of the City of Buena Park and is only a summary of benefits. They are not intended to replace or modify the legal plan documents on file in the Human Resources Department.
SALARY RANGE: Composed of six (6) steps - Entry step through E step (Except management positions). Each step represents an increase of approximately five (5) percent.
RETIREMENT: Provided through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Employee pays member contribution.
VACATION: Earned at the rate of ten (10) working days per year for the first five (5) years of service. Public safety employees receive a different but equivalent benefit. Additional vacation may be earned by employees after five (5) years of service.
SICK LEAVE: Accumulated on the basis of eight (8) hours per month with no maximum accumulation.
HOLIDAYS:An average of eleven (11) holidays per year.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Several plans (indemnity and HMO's) are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.
DENTAL INSURANCE: Three (3) plans are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium. The Employee may pay a portion of the insurance premium according at bargaining unit agreement and this benefit is voluntary.
VISION INSURANCE: One plan is available. The Employee pays the insurance premium and this benefit is voluntary.
LIFE INSURANCE: Amount of coverage is based on the employee bargaining unit. Premiums are fully paid by the City.
LONG TERM DISABILITY: Fully paid by the City. Police sworn personnel are not eligible.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to all City employees and their immediate families.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: The City offersone (1) plan administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions. This is a voluntary benefit with no City contribution.
WORK SCHEDULE:4/10 or 3/12 alternative work schedule depending upon the work location.
OC CREDIT UNION: Available to all City employees and their families.
CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: $100 per month, per child, is available to all Full-Time City employees with eligible dependents 0 - 5 years of age.
Closing Date/Time: 8/24/2025 11:59 PM Pacific