Employment

All SBPD jobs are officially advertised on the City's Job Opportunities Website Page. 

Click Here to view all current job openings and career opportunities within the SBPD.

You can pick up an application in person in the Human Resources office at Santa Barbara City Hall, 735 Anacapa Street, You may also contact City Hall by phone or mail at: Human Resources, City of Santa Barbara, Post Office Box 1990, Santa Barbara, California, 93102-1990 or by Phone at: (805) 564-5316

Applications must be filled out completely and show clearly that the employment standards listed on the front of the job announcement are satisfied. Information provided is subject to verification. All applications are reviewed and the most qualified applicants are invited to continue in the examination process.

An eligible list containing the names of all qualified candidates will be compiled for classified positions according to scores received in the examination process. A certification list, containing the top names of the eligible candidates, is sent to each department with a vacancy. An eligible candidate not selected may remain on the list and be certified to other vacancies as they occur. An open list is valid for six months, unless exhausted sooner, but may be extended to a maximum of two years.

Employment requirements include satisfactory completion of: a City-paid medical exam by a City designated physician based upon job-related physical standards; fingerprints; and a police record check. Designated positions require a psychological evaluation, polygraph test, drug screen, and a background investigation. Some positions are covered by the Department of Transportation (DOT) Drug & Alcohol Testing Program.

A probationary period must be satisfactorily completed for all classified positions. The probationary period is regarded as a continuation of the testing process, during which time an employee may be rejected at any time without cause and without the right of appeal.

• Animal Control Officer
• Business Office Specialist
• Cadet
• • Dispatcher
  • Evidence Technician 
  • Forensic Science
  • Information Technology
  • Office Specialist
  • Parking Enforcement Officer
  • Public Safety Dispatcher
  • Police Technician
  • Range Master 
  • Records Specialist
  • Station Officer

• Police Officer
• Reserve Police Officer

All Officers can be eligible for the various assignments and to move up through the ranks at the Department.

Examples of officer specialty assignments include:

• Co-Response (Mental Health Response)
• Detective / Detective Sergeant
• Drinking Driver Team Officer
• Field Training Officer
• Motorcycle/Traffic Officer
• Patrol Officer
• Professional Standards Sergeant
• Public Information Sergeant
• SWAT
• Special Enforcement Team (Fugitive Apprehension / Gangs)
• Street Crimes Unit (Bicycle Officer)
• Training Coordination Officer

• Chief
• Commander
• Lieutenant
• Sergeant
• Officer