Clutha-Taieri area response manager Senior Sergeant Alastair Dickie, of Mosgiel, said recent workplace safety changes meant the requirements for authorised officer positions had changed.
"They've stepped up the standards and now we have to train them properly.''
An authorised officer's role was usually to supervise or help with prisoner transport, and people were needed to fill such roles in the Clutha District.
Other duties could include assisting with perimeter control and guarding the scene at, for example, car crashes.
The officers were needed to relieve police if they were called out to a job.
"If we arrest somebody, we have to have someone supervise them and it's not ideal for the police to be doing that in the middle of the night,'' Snr Sgt Dickie said.
Authorised officers would also be required to monitor prisoners if police were called out.
Authorised officers could be called upon at any time, making work sporadic, he said.
Successful candidates would be required to complete a fitness competency test and would be fully trained and equipped for the role.
Snr Sgt Dickie said he was looking for people who were level-headed, able to use their initiative and who could be relied on when left alone.
The work was paid and those interested should contact Snr Sgt Dickie or Sgt Martin Bull at the Balclutha Police Station.
