Job Description

Posting number: 277642P

Department: Police

Job classification: Police Captain

Posting type: Promotional

Categories: Public Safety, Law Enforcement

Summary

This is an internal promotional opportunity for current City of Reno Police Lieutenants who meet the minimum qualifications.

Under administrative direction, Police Captains assist in the administration and supervision of the Police Department. They direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate the activities and operations of an assigned Division within the Police Department. They will coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to their appointed Assistant Chief of Police.

Note: The salary and benefits associated with this position are subject to change at any time.

Examples of duties

• Provides leadership and direction for a major Police Department division, including strategic planning, program management, and operational oversight.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of Lieutenants, Sergeants, and other personnel to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Develops and implements division goals, policies, and procedures; monitors compliance and recommends improvements.
• Manages divisional budget, resource allocation, and staffing to meet operational and strategic objectives.
• Serves as liaison with other city departments, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and the public; represents the department in professional and community settings.
• Oversees major incidents, special events, and emergency response operations, ensuring appropriate coordination and resource deployment.
• Directs and participates in internal investigations, personnel performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions as required.
• Prepares and reviews reports, analyses, and presentations for executive leadership, boards, or court as necessary.

Qualifications

The following minimum qualifications of the position must be met by the date of examination (January 11, 2027).

Combinations of relevant work experience and education that are equivalent to the following are acceptable.*

Education/Training:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, police science, public administration, business administration, organizational leadership or a closely related field or completion of at least 120 semester credits (180 quarter credits) including 30 semester credits (45 quarter credits) in criminal justice, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

*Possession of a Nevada Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Supervisor Certificate or Management Certificate will satisfy the education requirement.

Note: In order for your education to be counted towards the minimum qualifications, an unofficial copy of your transcripts detailing your Bachelor's Degree conferred or 120 semester/180 quarter college credits earned must be attached to your online application or submitted to the Office of the Civil Service Commission by the closing date and time. No postmarks will be accepted.

Work Experience:

Four continuous years of full-time sworn law enforcement experience as a Police Lieutenant with the Reno Police Department.

License/Certification:

• Valid driver's license
• Valid Nevada Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Category I certification

Eligibility Requirements:

• Candidates must be actively employed as a sworn Police Lieutenant with the Reno Police Department from the time of application through appointment.
• Candidates must maintain all required certifications and employment eligibility from the time of application through appointment to this classification.

Supplemental information

To apply:

You must submit your completed application and attachments at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/reno by 11:00 a.m. PT on October 26, 2026. If a computer or mobile device is not available to you, suggested locations to complete an online application submittal include: computers available at the Reno Police Department, the City of Reno City Hall 2nd floor computer kiosk or the 5th floor Civil Service Offices, any locations of Nevada Job Connect or any local library or educational facility.

If you are having difficulty logging into your governmentjobs.com profile, please call the applicant support line at 855-524-5627. If for any reason, you are unable to complete and submit the required application by the deadline, you must contact Civil Service by phone (leave a message if after hours) or email prior to the deadline regarding the problem.

Application Preparation:

Applicants should prepare their application completely in a professional manner. Applications must show a clear and progressive work history with correct employment dates and a brief description of the tasks performed. Include academic experience which should demonstrate courses of study, verifiable university/college credits successfully completed or degrees earned, and provide supervisory and law enforcement training relative to this position. You may attach a resume (but not in lieu of a fully completed application).Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Examination Process:

The examination process for this recruitment will consist of an assessment center to include a variety of job related exercises weighted at 100% of the final grade.

The Assessment Center is scheduled for the week of January 11, 2027.

Each candidate will be scheduled on only one of the testing dates.

The scores of all assessment center exercises will be averaged together to create the candidates final score for the assessment center. Candidates must achieve an average final score of 70% or greater in order to pass the assessment center.

Notification:

Applicants are notified by email of their examination results. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will also be notified.

Testing Accommodation:

We strive to ensure equal access for all individuals. If you require accommodations due to a disability, we encourage you to inform the Chief Examiner by the closing date of this announcement. Your request will be handled with confidentiality and respect.

Contact and Demographic Information:

Applicants are responsible for keeping the Reno Civil Service Commission informed of all contact phone, email and mailing changes. Rule XV, Section 2.

Employee/Veteran Preference (In the Event of Tie Scores):

If two or more employees earn the same final score (including seniority points), veterans’ preference will be applied if any of the tied employees have submitted proof of an honorable military discharge. This preference is only used to break ties. If a tie still remains, it will be broken based on seniority in the current classification. Proof of honorable discharge must be submitted with the application.

Seniority Points:

Employees of the City of Reno Police Department shall receive seniority credit computed by adding to a passing score as follows:

Grade to be ranked will include seniority points that will be added to the final grade of the assessment exercises. For each full year of continuous service completed, 0.2 points will be added up to a maximum of ten (10) years...2 points will be the maximum. Rule VIII. Section 9. Seniority Credit.

Appointment & Certification:

Appointments to positions in the City's Civil Service system are made on the basis of examination. Scores resulting from a competitive examination are used in determining a person's rank on an eligible register. The current certification rule in effect at the time a request is received by the Civil Service Commission will be used to refer names. The department may hire any of the persons referred. The names of those persons not hired may be considered when the next vacancy occurs, for as long as that register is viable.

Probationary Period:

As the final step in the selection process, newly promoted employees serve a probationary period of fixed duration to show their ability to perform the work.

Questions/Updates:

Questions about the information on this announcement and updates to application information should be directed to Civil Service at cshelp@reno.gov or (775) 334-2223.

The City of Reno is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, retention, and disciplinary decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association, or any other protected class status applicable under federal or state law or City Charter.