Posting number: 202601711
Department: Police Department
Job classification: Police Sergeant
Posting type: Open
Categories: Law Enforcement
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.
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:
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.
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:
Experience Three (3) years of experience as a Police Officer with the City of San Jose
License/Certificates
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 at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers
If you have questions about the selection or hiring processes, please contact Eduardo Gonzalez at Eduardo1.Gonzalez@sanjoseca.gov
From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San José has been a leader driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San José stands as the largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley—the world's leading center of technology innovation. San José is the 10th largest in the U.S., and is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business, work, live, play and learn.
San José is located in Santa Clara County at the southern edge of the San Francisco Bay, about 50 miles south of San Francisco, 390 miles north of Los Angeles. The local weather is hard to beat with moderate year-round temperatures. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and an average annual temperature of 70 degrees.
The City of San José operates under the council-manager form of government, a system that combines the policy leadership of elected officials in the form of a city council, with the managerial expertise of an appointed city manager.
