Police Officer; Iowa Certified and Non-Certified

Overview

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to fill current openings for Police Officer with the City of Ames Police Department. Work involves the enforcement of law, maintenance of order, protection of life and property, and crime prevention. Work is in a 24/7/365 environment with shift assignment and occasional mandatory overtime.

• Patrol and enforce criminal and traffic laws, ordinances, and city regulations; monitor traffic signals and road conditions; direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic as required.
• Provide general assistance, respond to calls, conduct investigations, collect and preserve evidence, interview suspects and witnesses, and prepare reports; maintain surveillance when necessary; testify in court.
• Apprehend suspects; conduct accident investigations; perform field and investigative duties including searches, interviews, and the disposition of cases.
• Enforce traffic regulations; operate radar equipment; issue tickets; assist with community events and safety operations.
• Provide information to the public; engage in community policing; participate in ongoing training; build trust with community groups; serve as a department representative for relevant issues.
• May participate in specialty assignments (e.g., Community Resource, School Resource, Drug Task Force, Safe Neighborhoods Team) and may serve as juvenile officer or detective.

• Successful completion of high school, HiSet, or GED, plus 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Certification by a law enforcement academy may not substitute for any course credit.
• Must obtain a valid Iowa driver license upon appointment and demonstrate safe and conscientious regard for traffic laws.
• Must meet all state standards for Peace Officer certification, complete the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, and achieve certification within one year of appointment.
• Must exceed Iowa Law Enforcement Academy fitness testing standards and complete ILEA-based testing biannually.

• Understanding of the purpose of law enforcement and the criminal justice system; ability to observe and document factual situations clearly; strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse people, maintain integrity and fairness, react quickly and calmly in emergencies, and follow instructions accurately.
• Proficiency in firearms use, operation of motor vehicles and computer applications; sound judgment, problem-solving, and information gathering abilities; interviewing and interrogation capabilities.
• Ability to obtain valid information by interview and interrogation and to draw sound conclusions from facts and evidence.

• Required physical activities include climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, manual dexterity, and defensive tactics.
• Work requires exerting up to 50+ pounds occasionally; ability to perform under stressful conditions; vision: uncorrected 20/100 or better, corrected to 20/20 (color and night vision considerations apply).
• Environmental conditions may include extreme temperatures, noise, dust, fumes, and other hazards; exposure to various equipment and weapons used in law enforcement.

• Salary: starting annual salary is $66,794 ($32.30 per hour); annual salaries are based on a 2068-hour work schedule with step increases as outlined by the PPME bargaining agreement. Salaries may change with overtime.
• Hiring wage incentives:
  • Certified Iowa Officer or out-of-state certified Officer who gains certification through examination: $2,000 hiring incentive.
  • Non-certified Officer: $1,000 hiring incentive.
  • Incentive disbursement: 50% at hire, 25% after 6 months, 25% after probation or 12 months (whichever is later).
• Residency requirement applies as per bargaining agreement; see posting for details.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility information provided; see linked resources for details.
• Benefits package available; see City of Ames Benefits for details.

• Screening will begin February 20 with agility testing and POST exam for passing background candidates; phone interviews may occur the same afternoon. Future testing dates depend on the candidate pool and contingent offers.
• Applications will be accepted until positions are filled or until June 19, whichever occurs first.
• Applicants must submit online applications with complete supplemental responses; resumes in lieu of work history are not sufficient.
• Selection process includes application evaluation, background check, agility testing, POST exam, interviews (phone and oral board), Chief of Police interview, polygraph, psychological exam, and drug test. Finalists must sign a no-tobacco usage pledge.

• Minimum…