The Watsonville Police Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Officer Trainee. Candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process will undergo a comprehensive background investigation, which includes, but is not limited to, an oral interview, completion of a personal history questionnaire, a polygraph examination, a background investigation, a psychological evaluation, and a medical examination. Police Officer Trainees will attend a California POST-certified Police Academy, a 26-week training program. Upon successful graduation from the academy, trainees will be promoted to the position of sworn Police Officer and begin the Department's Field Training Program. Those who successfully complete both the Police Academy and the Field Training Program will advance to solo patrol officers.

Under direct supervision, attends an approved Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) basic police academy to be trained in technical knowledge, skills, and physical capabilities required to perform police service; performs related duties as required.

High School Diploma or GED equivalency; higher education preferred, valid California driver's license and a safe driving record, 21 years of age at the time of appointment, ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and communicate effectively orally, Spanish bilingual skills highly desirable, ability to skillfully and effectively deal with various racial, ethnic, and economic groups, ability to work under physical and mental pressure and in potentially hazardous situations as determined by a pre-employment psychological examination, willingness to work night shifts and weekends, physical health, strength, stature, and agility to meet the physical demands of police work as determined by a physical agility test and pre-employment physical examination, vision correctable to 20/30 in each eye with normal color acuity and unrestricted peripheral vision, use or possession of a drug classified as a hallucinogen within five (5) years prior to application for employment may result in disqualification, other illegal use or possession of drugs not mentioned above (including cocaine) within three (3) years prior to application for employment may result in disqualification, per SB 960, effective January 1, 2023, peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law but are not required to be U.S. citizens or applicants for citizenship, successful completion of the Physical Agility Exam (WSTB) – Work Sample Test Battery (may be waived), successful completion of the POST PELLET B written examination with a passing score of 44 or higher or submission of qualifying scores through the National Testing Network (may be waived), and within six (6) months of the date of hire, establish a bona fide residence within a reasonable distance of the Watsonville Police Department, with "reasonable distance" defined as within fifty (50) miles.