THE ORGANIZATION
The Port San Luis Harbor District is a subdivision of the State of California authorized under the Harbors
and Navigation Code section 6000 et seq. The District is an independent special district with five Harbor
Commissioners elected by about 70,000 residents of the southern portion of San Luis Obispo County. The
Harbor Commission adopts the Mission Statement, establishes goals, objectives and priorities, adopts an
annual budget, adopts ordinances, and approves policies of the District. The Harbor Commission appoints a
Harbor Manager who plans, organizes, coordinates and directs the activities of the District consistent with
Harbor Commission direction. The Chief Harbor Patrol Officer, Facilities Manager, and Business Manager
report directly to the Harbor Manager.
The Harbor District’s holdings include about 8,400 acres of water area and 125 acres of land. There are
currently 26 full-time staff members with an annual operating budget of over $4.9 million and a capital
improvement budget of nearly $1 million.
In addition, the Point San Luis Lighthouse was granted to the District in 1992.
With the help of the Harbor District, the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, a
not-for-profit corporation, was established to preserve, restore and open this
historical site, originally built in 1889, to the public. Their work is ongoing
with public access to the Lighthouse available through docent-led tours.
For more information on the Port San Luis Harbor District, please visit our
website at www.portsanluis.com.
THE POSITION
The Chief Harbor Patrol Officer reports directly to
the Harbor Manager, works as part of the
management team, and must have the ability to
work favorably with and relate to an elected Board
of Commissioners. This management position is
considered “at will” and is not represented by any
collective bargaining group. The Chief’s success
will be determined by the ability to work with
others. The Harbor Patrol Department includes one
Chief and five Harbor Patrol Officers.
THE COMMUNITY
Port San Luis Harbor District is located on
California’s Central Coast, approximately 185 miles
north of Los Angeles and 245 miles south of San
Francisco. The harbor is surrounded by the towns of
Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach,
Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano and Nipomo.
A central focus of the District
is the Harford Pier,
which was originally developed in the late 1800’s
and continues to serve a critical function in the
economy and identity of San Luis Obispo County.
In 1954, Port San Luis Harbor District was formed
as a result of the recognition by the citizens of
southern San Luis Obispo County of the importance
of the Harford wharf and surrounding facilities.
The Chief Harbor Patrol Officer:
 Manages the public safety functions of the Port;
 Leads and supervises the Harbor Patrol Officers,
seasonal Lifeguards, and the volunteer Camp and
Water Taxi Hosts;
 Works patrol shifts, either solo or with another
officer;
Port San Luis Harbor District
Mission Statement:
“To serve the public with an array of
commercial and recreational boating, fishing, and
coastal-related opportunities, while
ensuring an environmentally responsible, safe,
well-managed, and financially sustainable
harbor that preserves our marine heritage
and character.”
 Develops and implements enforcement programs
and policies;
 Provides landside and waterside patrol to the Port;
 Assists
in preparation and administration of
department budget;
 Acts as primary liaison to the County Office of
Emergency Services and related entities; and
 Is a uniformed, armed peace officer.
The Chief Harbor Patrol Officer will have the
ability to work well with multiple governmental
agencies, including both staff and elected officials
at the local, state and federal levels. This may
include public speaking, making presentations,
testifying before committees or commissions.
and Procedures (Penal Code 832 with firearms or
equivalent); POST Basic Certificate preferred
(Required within 12 months); Current OUPV
License - Operator, 6-passenger with Commercial
Assistance Towing as defined by US Coast Guard
(Required within 36 months).
The Chief will have proven supervisory experience
leading up to a position of this caliber, with a
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or
university in police science, law enforcement,
criminal
justice,
public
administration,
organizational leadership, or a closely related field
(preferred); or a combination of experience,
education, and training that would likely provide the
required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to
obtain the knowledge and abilities would be five
years of increasing responsibility in law
enforcement, Fire Department, Parks and
Recreation, Harbor Patrol or U.S. Coast Guard or
related environment.
Must be willing to work Saturdays, Sundays,
holidays and irregular hours and rotating shift work,
as well as being assigned to “on call” hours.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
See CHPO job description.
All completed
applications must include signed copy of the Chief
Harbor Patrol Officer job description.
It is
recommended applicants also review the job
description for Harbor Patrol Officer III.
THE COMPENSATION
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Current, valid California Class C Driver’s License
at time of appointment and maintain a driving
history acceptable to the District and its insurer;
current First Aid and CPR Certificates that meet the
requirements of Title 22 or equivalent (Required
within 12 months); Division of Boating and
Waterways Basic Boating and Safety Enforcement
Certificate (Required within 24 months); Current
law enforcement training at or above that which is
required in the Department’s Use of Force Policies
The position is unrepresented, and serves at the will
of the Harbor Manager. Due to the nature of the
position and the field and patrol work required, this
position is not considered “exempt” and is thus
eligible for overtime pay. The hiring range for this
opportunity is $6,407- $8,028 monthly, dependent
on qualifications, with excellent benefits including
CalPERS Retirement (New members: Safety 2.7%
@ 57; Classic members: Safety 2% @ 50);
medical, dental and vision insurance; sick leave;
vacation; 11 paid holidays; life insurance; and a cell
phone allowance. The District also participates in
Social Security.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit a cover letter, resume and completed
application by the application deadline. Postmarks,
faxes or e-mails are not accepted. Resumes will
not be accepted in lieu of a completed application,
but must be attached. All completed applications
must include a signed copy of the CHPO job
description. A job descr iption and application
may be obtained at www.portsanluis.com or at the
Port San Luis Harbor District Office, 3950 Avila
Beach Drive, Avila Beach, CA 93424. Office
hours are Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00
p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. All statements
made on the application are subject to verification.
False statements will be cause for disqualification
or discharge.
THE CRITERIA
Appointment will be based on best fit, competency,
education, training and experience as it relates to
the position of Chief Harbor Patrol Officer, and the
successful completion of a written examination,
swim test, oral interviews, boat operating test,
potential site visit, Peace Officer background
investigation in accordance with California Law,
employment credit check, medical examination,
drug screen and psychological evaluation. Before
starting
work,
applicants
must
present
documentation of their identity, authorization to
work in the U.S. and valid Driver’s License.
DATES
Application Deadline: October 28, 2016 at 4:30 p.m.
Written and Swim Tests:
By invitation only.
Tentatively scheduled for week of November 14th.
Oral Interview: By invitation only.
scheduled for week of December 5th.
Tentatively
Boat Operating Test and Second Interview: By
invitation only. Tentatively scheduled for week of
December 12th.
Anticipated Start Date: January or February 2017.
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a
contract expressed or implied and may be revoked
without notice.
The Port of San Luis Harbor District is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.
Send or deliver completed applications to:
Port San Luis Harbor District
Attn: CHPO Recruitment Committee
3950 Avila Beach Drive
P.O. Box 249
Avila Beach, CA 93424