Police Technology Specialist

Job Description:

Police Technology Specialist

Description

JOB SUMMARY

The City of Manhattan Beach is now accepting applications for the position of Police Technology Specialist. If you are interested in developing, maintaining, or operating s pecialized law enforcement systems and equipment, come join our most proud public safety team!

W ork by the beach and enjoy working at a state-of-the-art Police and Fire Safety Facility, housing the latest in public safety technology. MBPD employs approximately 65 sworn and 43 civilian full-time employees, and operates under two Bureaus - Administration/Investigations and Field Operations.

Under general supervision, the Police Technology Specialist performs maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, repair, and user support services for portable audio and visual equipment, public safety vehicle equipment, license plate reader systems, station cameras and systems, radio and telecommunications equipment, and other related public safety equipment as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

• Plans, directs and administers around-the-clock user support functions for all public safety automated systems to ensure operational effectiveness, immediate availability for emergency response, and accomplishment of the department's goals and objectives.
• Troubleshoots technical problems with the critical public safety systems and equipment within a critical emergency services environment, handling complex and critical problems. Responds to emergent system issues as required.
• Responsible for designing, implementing, and facilitating ongoing user training programs.
• Ensures compliance with CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) standards and cybersecurity best practices.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of state-of-the art technology trends for the public safety digital media and radio field and continuously evaluates the potential for upgrade of department systems. Analyzes department's automation needs and requirements.
• Recommends new technology as needed, including conducting cost comparisons, analyzing total costs of the system, and comparing alternatives. Evaluates and tests hardware and software.
• Researches and troubleshoots issues related to police system functionality; investigates, analyzes, and resolves a wide variety of system-related problems and re-establishes functionality to ensure business continuity.
• Coordinates activities with vendors, managed service providers, and contractors; maintains effective communication with users regarding vendor activities, problems, status, timelines, and other details.
• Manages upgrades and replacements of public safety systems and technology.
• Researches and evaluates solutions; recommends, plans, and assists with the procurement and implementation of new public safety equipment, systems, and technology.
• Prepares and maintains inventory records for hardware and software; identifies and prepares equipment for surplus.
• Investigates and identifies issues with systems, hardware, and software; troubleshoots errors; escalates issues to the appropriate teams and/or vendor support; researches corrective approaches and implements changes as needed to maintain systems in optimum working order.
• Installs, repairs, maintains and operates two-way radio communications equipment: including trunked radio systems, conventional radio systems, mobile radios, base radios, portables, paging controllers, mobile data, control/dispatch consoles, and related equipment.
• Repairs, maintains and operates police station security systems: including closed circuit television, alarms, recorders, motion detection devices, access control systems, card readers and associated components.
• Communicates with personnel to coordinate such activities as sharing equipment, scheduling system outages, performing radio communication end-to-end system tests, and analyzing radio equipment performance problems; implements repairs as needed.
• Works with management to ensure that policies and procedures related to portable audio/video recorders and mobile video systems comply with federal, state and local legislation and relevant case law.
• Prepares and maintains comprehensive documentation regarding all MBPD issued radio and body worn equipment; provides status and system reports.
• Ensures that all MBPD digital media is maintained in accordance with MBPD evidence policy and procedures.
• Ensures all MBPD digital media is stored, saved, archived, impounded, and purged per MBPD policy and procedures.
• Copies and redacts digital media materials as required.
• Testifies in court regarding MBPD digital media systems security and MBPD protocols.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Education/Training/Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in information technology, public safety, public administration or a related field is required.
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible technical experience working with digital media, communications and radio equipment, software applications and hardware is required.
• An additional two (2) years of experience working with public safety systems and equipment may substitute for a bachelor's degree
• Experience with public safety applications, including network systems, MS SQL servers, database management, and maintaining public safety equipment, is highly desirable.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements:

• A valid Class C California driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.
• The following certifications are required within the first year of employment:
  • CompTIA A+ or Network Certification
  • ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
• Ability to work extended hours, including weekends and/or holidays, in order to complete projects, attend meetings, and accommodate City needs.
• Ability to respond to emergent, vital equipment or network outages to maintain the essential operation of the Police Department.
• In accordance with California Government Code Section 3100, City of Manhattan Beach employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to protect the health, safety, lives, and property of the people of the State.

Knowledge of:

Law enforcement applications to include digital media management, computer aided dispatch, records management systems, and related systems; operations, services and activities of police programs; application and hardware troubleshooting, repair, installation, and preventive maintenance; pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and safety regulations; intergovernmental relations; project management practices; effective business communications and proper English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation; and report presentation techniques.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, coordinate, and prioritize service requests and projects and meet deadlines; manage projects and implementation of new hardware/applications; develop and manage project plans for new or updated technologies; repair, maintain, and operate two-way radios and communications equipment; operate specialized law enforcement systems and equipment; interpret complex rules and procedures involved in maintaining police records and files; remain organized and work well under extreme pressure; quickly and accurately relay information and/or dispatch law enforcement personnel in both routine and emergency situations using sound judgment; prepare clear and concise memos, reports, and records; organize, manage, and complete tasks within established deadlines; operate computer hardware and modern office equipment; use word processing, spreadsheet, and law enforcement software; communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, legal representatives, law enforcement agencies, and others in the course of work; maintain the confidentiality and security of records; train and instruct others in the technology of equipment and processes used in area of assignment; communicate with others and relay accurate information; carry out work duties in an accurate and thorough manner; handle multiple assignments efficiently and effectively; and handle and diffuse conflict in a professional and calm manner.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

Application filing deadline is Sunday, January 4, 2026.

All applicants will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements listed in this job announcement does not guarantee advancement in subsequent phases of the selection process. The selection process may be changed as deemed necessary by the City Human Resources Department.

The selection process will consist of the following component and weight: Oral Interview (100%)
The panel interview is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026.

* Final appointment in the Police Department is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of an extensive background investigation and a polygraph examination.

If you need special assistance in the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (310) 802-5258.

NOTE: A drug test may be administered as part of the pre-employment medical exam. The provisions of this brochure do not constitute a contract, express or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Manhattan Beach offers a generous benefits package to full-time and eligible employees including PERS medical plans, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, and more.
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To see detailed information about Teamsters bargaining unit benefits, please visit our benefit page on the City's official website.

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Part-time employees are enrolled in PARS (Public Alternate Retirement System). All part-time and seasonal employees contribute 7.5% each pay period on a pre-tax basis. If an employee reaches 1,000 hours within a fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th) or is already a CalPERS member, then they are enrolled in CalPERS (Public Employees Retirement System).

The City complies with California Labor Code 245-249 by providing paid sick leave for part-time hourly employees accordingly.

The City of Manhattan Beach does not provide medical/dental/vision benefits to part-time employees. Eligible employees enrolled in CalPERS may opt into a CalPERS medical plan.

Closing Date/Time: 1/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$90,972.00 - $116,124.00 Annually