Police Officer ***Hiring Bonus Of Up To $20K For Lateral Hires***

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Police Officer, under general supervision, performs the full range of duties associated with municipal, traffic, and criminal law enforcement. Police officers are responsible for protecting and defending persons and property and the rights of members of the general public against injury, loss, or disturbance resulting from criminal or disorderly acts, accidents, and other hazards. The work involves interpretation, application, and enforcement of city, state, and federal laws within legally-recognized guidelines. Officers respond to calls for service and emergencies, investigate crimes, write reports, make arrests, and perform many other traditional law enforcement functions. The position includes daily contact with the public and outside agencies, frequently requiring tactful resolution of controversial situations and citizen complaints. Officers are routinely exposed to dangerous situations and are required to carry a firearm. Physical exertion is required at times to restrain or arrest citizens.

NOTE: This Recruitment is scheduled to be open for six weeks. A first review of applicants will take place February 13; a second review will take place February 27, and a final review once the job posting expires on March 12, 2024. This job posting may be removed prior to March 12 if a candidate is selected to be offered the position after the first or second review.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

* Engage in law enforcement patrol functions that include such activities and requirements as working rotating shifts, driving a vehicle, walking on foot patrol, and physically checking the doors and windows of buildings to ensure they are secure.

* Gather information in criminal investigations. Interview and obtain the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects, and confidential informers. Collect intelligence information on criminal activities and suspects.

* Respond to calls for service, conduct criminal investigations, and prepare investigative reports using appropriate grammar, symbols, and mathematical computations.

* Exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when and what level force may be used.

* Make physical arrests of suspected criminals, taking them into custody, subduing or restraining them as necessary.

* Subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and resort to the use of hands and feet and other approved weapons in defense of self or others.

* Pursue fleeing suspects, which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement vehicles; lifting, carrying, and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling up oneself over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches, and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.

* Issue traffic citations and warnings. Respond to and investigate motor vehicle crashes. Testify in court regarding contested citations.

* Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings, and large outdoor areas, which may involve feeling and detecting objects beneath clothing, walking for long periods of time, detaining people, and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.

* Conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.

* Perform rescue operations at accidents, emergencies, and disasters sites. This may include directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging, and carrying people away from dangerous situations, and securing and evacuating people from particular areas.

* Process and transport prisoners and mentally ill subjects using handcuffs and other approved restraints.

* Maintain proficiency in operations of all Department equipment such as vehicles, firearms, crime scene equipment, breath test instruments, and restraining devices.

* Safely operate a law enforcement vehicle during the day and/or the night and in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic, and on unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice, and snow. Safely operate ATVs, snow machines, or boats as required.

* Load, unload, aim and fire handguns, shotguns, and other agency firearms under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.

* Extinguish small fires using a fire extinguisher and other appropriate means.

* Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents and prepare and process such documents as citations, affidavits, and warrants. Interpret and understand these documents for testifying in court in furtherance of criminal prosecutions.

* Communicate over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.

* Serve as a school resource officer with local schools. Prepare and conduct presentations on law enforcement. Coordinate security for school events.

* Respond appropriately to inquiries regarding police matters from the public, media, and other community organizations. Coordinate police activities with other law enforcement agencies and render assistance as required.

* Interact effectively and tactfully with members of the public and with other public agencies.

* Conduct outreach programs with the community as directed by supervisor. Participate in crowd and traffic control for community events such as parades.

* Communicate and coordinate with others in a stressful environment.

* Demonstrate effective communication skills in court and other formal settings. Effectively communicate with people through active listening. Give information and directions, mediate disputes, and advise others of rights and processes. Exhibit high standards of integrity and ethics and a neutral and businesslike demeanor.

* Endure verbal and mental abuse from suspects and others encountered in an antagonistic law enforcement context.

* Attend Department training programs.

* Perform job duties with minimal or no supervision.

* Have regular, reliable, and predictable attendance at work.

* Perform other duties as assigned.

* Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.

* Possess a high-school diploma or equivalent.

* Possess or obtain a valid Alaska driver's license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a City vehicle. Applicants will be required to submit a Division of Motor Vehicles record upon request.

* The applicant (or employee after hire) must pass a drug screening test, medical examination, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, written and oral tests, physical fitness test, criminal background check, and other background investigations.

* The applicant (or employee after hire) must meet all requirements to be a Police Officer under Alaska Administrative Code (13 AAC 85.), and as a condition of continued employment with the City, a Police Officer is required to gain and maintain police certification as required under 13 AAC 85.

* To qualify for a pay range level above 21A upon hire, the applicant must be a law enforcement officer certified by the Alaska Police Standards Council or by an equivalent agency in another U.S. jurisdiction and must be willing to attend training to become certified in Alaska. Employees that are not certified will start at pay range level 21A, per the City pay plan.

* The employee must be available to work varying schedules, including weekend days and evenings, holidays, and shift extensions; the schedule is based upon a 40-hour work week, providing coverage twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, and may vary seasonally; the employee may be asked to respond to emergency call-outs when available.

NOTE: Applicants selected for an interview will receive an email requesting the applicant to complete the F-3 Alaska Police Standards Council Personal History Statement and a Physical Fitness Assessment.

In order to ensure that top quality candidates are selected, the Kenai Police Department uses a multi-step hiring process. Steps of the Police Officer hiring process include:

* Physical Fitness Assessment

* Job Interview

* Background Investigation

* Polygraph Examination

* Psychological Examination

* Medical Evaluation/Drug Screen

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

* Possess an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or experience as a police officer or other law enforcement-related employment experience.

* Previous work experience dealing with multiple tasks at the same time using effective time-management practices.

* Previous work experience showing success or potential for success in dealing with people involved in stressful situations.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT The work environment exposes the employee to dangerous and potentially dangerous situations and requires the employee to carry a weapon. Physical exertion is required to restrain disorderly subjects.

The employee must be able to do strenuous work in all kinds of weather (e.g., high temp., low temp., winds, snow, ice, fog, direct sunlight) and on surfaces at, above, or below floor level. Duties are performed indoors and outdoors in a varied working environment, day and night, and often in inclement weather and extreme temperatures. Inside work is usually in buildings, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. The employee may be exposed to dust and other irritants, and toxic/poisonous substances. The employee is required to drive a vehicle and perform work inside a vehicle, including operating radios and computer equipment. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS This position requires a high level of physical ability, including vision, hearing, speaking, flexibility, and strength. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers dexterously (e.g., operate computers, radios, speed detection devices, handcuffs and restraining devices, and other equipment, tools, and weapons, including discharge of a firearm); is regularly required to work both inside and outside in all types of weather as well as in confined spaces and ia vehicle; is required to climb ladders and stairs; is required to perform general duties that may include, but not be limited to, walking, running, climbing, pushing, pulling, reaching, dragging, carrying, jumping, balancing, and crouching; is required to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently; is required to work in stressful environments and make quick decisions under stress. The employee must be able to get in and out of vehicles, often quickly.

The employee will regularly be required to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time. The employee will be required to work long shifts. Specific vision requirements include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to judge distances and spatial relationships. The employee must be able to hear and to talk and communicate verbally in-person as well as on a radio and telephone.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION The City of Kenai is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.

* Upon initial appointment to a position, the employee will receive the minimum compensation for the position except in cases when unusually difficulty in filling the vacancy is experienced or when the appointee is exceptionally qualified. When an employee is exceptionally qualified, the City Manager may approve compensation at a level above the minimum but not more than the maximum range. An exceptionally qualified applicant will have multiple years of law enforcement related experience; or possess a degree in Criminal Justice or related field from an accredited college or university; or have advanced police training or other special skills related to law enforcement.