Sergeant, California Highway Patrol
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under direction of a superior in the Department of California Highway Patrol, to (1) direct the work of a group of Officers, California Highway Patrol, in enforcing laws relating to the operation of motor vehicles, providing law enforcement services to State employees, officials, and the public; or (2) perform special staff assignments; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Monitors and supervises subordinate's activities in the field and provides technical support; directs and evaluates pursuits involving Officers; serves as the Incident Commander at major incidents by providing direction to allied agencies, fire departments, tow truck operators, coroner, and hazardous materials crews; conducts comprehensive citizen's complaint investigations; responds to citizen concerns regarding the conduct of Officers or regarding departmental policies and procedures; mediates disputes and dissension between individuals or groups of people; assesses subordinate's compliance with departmental policies, prescribed procedures, and occupational safety standards; conducts performance appraisals of subordinates based on personal observation and review of written work; provides guidance and feedback to employees regarding their issues affecting performance; identifies training needs of subordinates; conducts briefings and debriefing sessions; prepares daily and monthly work schedules; recommends personnel actions, such as commendations and disciplinary actions; encourages and promotes upward mobility; answers and responds to technical questions from the public; keeps superiors informed regarding activities and issues; may take enforcement action and perform public service activities on the road; and performs a variety of administrative tasks.
Minimum Qualifications
A minimum of 36 months of qualifying pay periods performing the duties of an Officer, California Highway Patrol, with 24 qualifying pay periods performing enforcement-related duties a majority of the time. Work hours expended during the break-in period do not qualify. Enforcement-related duties would include assignment to marked sedans, motorcycles, Mobile Road Enforcement (MRE) trucks, bicycles, horseback, and aircraft. Special duty positions which directly support enforcement (e.g., auto theft, commercial facilities, task forces, Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team [MAIT]) would be considered enforcement related. Any other position which regularly generates enforcement documents would also be considered enforcement related.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: The Department's mission, objectives, organizational values, professional values, and management philosophies; traffic, criminal, and juvenile laws; laws related to search and seizure, evidence, statements, testimony, the criminal process, rules of the court, and controlled substances; departmental policy and procedures regarding weapons, the use of force, responses to incidents, contact with suspects, the Incident Command System, civil disturbances, investigations, release of information, communication with individuals outside of the Department, personnel management, occupational safety, injury and illness, and documentation of activities; the legal responsibilities of allied agencies; subpoena, courtroom, and testimony procedures; the Standard Operating Procedures for the current assignment; departmental policy and procedures regarding written reports, memoranda, correspondence, record keeping, and confidentiality; correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence and paragraph structure; civil liability; techniques used to facilitate communication, understanding, and mediation; effective supervisory techniques; steps and procedures for progressive discipline and for employee substance abuse testing; the discrimination complaint process and the employee complaint process; laws, policies, and procedures regarding disabilities and reasonable accommodation; a supervisor's responsibility for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment; Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations, the Department's EEO Program, and the processes available to meet EEO objectives; the Peace Officer's Bill of Rights; and labor relations, and collective bargaining issues and unit contracts.
Ability to: Provide leadership through command presence, calm and effective handling of emergencies, setting a positive example, accepting personal accountability for own actions, adherence to departmental values and standards, and appropriate use of authority; effectively organize and assign the work activities of subordinates, maintain a high level of group confidence and enthusiasm, keep subordinates well-informed, motivated, and adequately trained, establish performance standards and procedures to monitor subordinates, evaluate work performance, reward exemplary performance, recognize performance problems and provide guidance to subordinates accordingly, and determine and take effective corrective training or disciplinary measures; recognize substance abuse and emotional distress; provide and accept constructive feedback; communicate clearly, accurately, and concisely, orally and in writing; provide technical information or instruction to a variety of individuals; review and edit the written work of subordinates; read and understand a variety of work-related documents; listen attentively; give and interpret nonverbal messages; interact effectively with a diverse population, including individuals who pose special problems (e.g., irate, abusive, hysterical); interact cooperatively with departmental personnel, members of allied agencies, the public, and news media; resolve conflicts between individuals and groups; balance diplomacy and candor, and respond appropriately to sensitive issues; think independently; use common sense; anticipate and identify problems and resolve them at the earliest possible stage; secure and evaluate relevant information and data; develop and evaluate alternatives; reach logical conclusions; make effective decisions; identify and apply policies and procedures; effectively and lawfully interrogate individuals; plan, prioritize, and manage time effectively; use a personal computer, a mobile digital computer, and law enforcement telecommunication systems; perform arithmetical computations; mentor peers in new assignments; maintain job-required physical conditioning; and provide equal employment opportunities and a working environment free of discrimination and harassment.
Special Personal Characteristics
Honesty, integrity, leadership, decisiveness, courage, loyalty, fairness, courtesy, tact, maturity, tolerance, patience, dependability, adaptability, responsibility, accountability, positive attitude, emotional control, motivation, professional demeanor, dedication to public safety and service, and personal appearance commensurate with departmental policy.
Additional Desirable Qualification
Education beyond the 12th grade.
