CHP office to host job fair next Thursday

Local residents between the ages of 20 and 35 who are considering a career in law enforcement are invited to attend the California Highway Patrol Job Fair from 1 to 5 p.m. next Thurs., Nov. 13 at the Moorpark Police Services Center on Spring Road.

"In spite of the economy, the CHP has excellent jobs and benefits, and we do have openings in our academy," said Capt. Cliff Williams, who heads the East County CHP office in Moorpark.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with a recruiter to learn about the responsibilities and benefits of working with the state agency. The CHP handles traffic law enforcement on state freeways and unincorporated county roads.

In addition to enforcing traffic laws, CHP officers assist stranded motorists and provide security to all state offices. "There are a large variety of positions available with the CHP, said Williams. Potential jobs include patrol duty in squad cars or motorcycles, commercial vehicle enforcement and a few positions piloting airplanes or helicopters.

Cadets must be at least 20½ years old to enter the CHP's sixmonth livein academy in Sacramento. Participants receive a salary of $3,868 per month with free room and board and are entitled to full health and dental benefits for themselves and their families after their first month of training, Williams said.

Upon graduation, officers are assigned to various field offices throughout the state. Their salary increases to $4,740 per month for the first year of service, not counting overtime, stipends and an allowance for uniforms, with yearly raises thereafter.

"The greatest thing about the job is you can work anywhere in this beautiful state; the only caveat is that some areas take considerable seniority to get to," Williams said.

To qualify for the academy, applicants must pass a written test, oral interview, physical agility test and a background check.

The department's Forced Option Training Simulator truck will be on site in Moorpark during the event next week. The vehicle is equipped with a life-sized screen and a computer—operated by a person—to simulate potential deadly encounters involving the use of a weapon, said Williams.

For more information, call officer George Myers at (805) 5530800.

The Moorpark Police Services Center is at 610 Spring Road.