Police Officer - City of Ames

General Information

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for the position of Police Officer with the City of Ames Police Department. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

Police Officers perform work related to the enforcement of law, maintenance of order, protection of life and property, and prevention of crime; contributes to citywide problem-solving and performs related work as required. Work is within a 24/7/365 environment and subject to shift assignment and occasional mandatory overtime. Annual salaries for Police Officers are based on a 2068 hours worked schedule. Salaries may be subject to change according to worked overtime.

For more details on what it is like to work for the City of Ames Police Department, please view our video: Ames Police Department, A Wonderful Place to Work

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Patrols assigned area in various vehicles or on foot to prevent, discover, and deter the commission of crime; to enforce criminal laws, traffic laws, parking regulations, and City ordinances; and to check the functioning of traffic signals, and road conditions. Monitors and directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic as required.

Provides general assistance to persons in need; provides first aid for injured persons. Answers calls regarding complaints, misdemeanors and felonies; interviews persons with complaints or inquiries; attempts to make proper disposition or direct them to proper authorities. Apprehends suspects. Conducts investigations; searches for and preserves evidence; questions suspects and witnesses; takes written statements; maintains surveillance over persons and places; effects arrests and charges; creates reports; serves warrants. Answers calls involving automobile accidents; takes safeguards to prevent further accidents; clears scene of obstructions and/or wreckage. Conducts accident investigations; reports traffic control device malfunctions and obstructions of view; examines roadways and vehicles; takes various types of measurements associated with crime scenes vehicle crashes and other incidents. Enforces traffic regulations; operates radar equipment; issues traffic and parking tickets; directs traffic at community events. Assists other emergency personnel as needed; secures emergency scene. Testifies as a witness in court.

Books, fingerprints, and photographs prisoners; oversees well being of individuals in custody; follows and maintains detention facility rules and procedures.

Provides information to public in accordance with public reporting regulations. Engages in community policing, relationship building, and problem-solving. Embraces ongoing training to maintain professional competence. Builds trust with citizen groups.

Other Job Functions: May act in specialty assignments including Community Resource, School Resource, Drug Task Force or Safe Neighborhoods Team.

Transports individuals to and from detention facility. Reports equipment malfunctions and performs minor maintenance and repair. Acts as department representative providing formal and informal presentations on relevant issues to community groups, schools, etc. May serve as juvenile officer, performing a full range of preventative and investigative duties. May perform duty as a detective.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement, inspiring creativity and innovation, being customer driven, making data-driven decisions, championing employee involvement, striving for excellence, having fiscal stewardship, acting with honesty and integrity, exhibiting leadership, choosing a positive attitude, respecting one another, promoting safety and wellness, and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Successful completion of high school, HiSet, or GED., plus 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in an accredited college or university in diversified academic subjects. Not to be included are technical or occupation courses; however, technical or community college credits will be considered if credits are in criminal justice, liberal arts, or a closely related field. Certification by a law enforcement academy may not substitute for any course credit.

Licenses and Certificates: Must obtain a valid State of Iowa drivers license upon appointment. Must demonstrate a 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 to be eligible for hire; must complete ILEA based testing biannually.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Necessary to Perform Essential Functions: Some knowledge of the purpose of law enforcement and criminal justice system.

Working skill in observing factual situations analytically and objectively and to record them clearly and completely; working skill in verbal and written communication; some skill in following strict routines.

Ability to effectively communicate and work with a wide variety people and personalities. Ability to maintain a strong and visible commitment to integrity and fairness. Working ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies; working ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; working ability to handle situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and impartially; working ability to develop proficiency in the use of firearms and in the operation of motor vehicles and computer applications; working ability to use good judgment in evaluating situations, problem-solving and making sound decisions; working ability to gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence and to draw sound conclusions; some ability to obtain valid information by interview and interrogation.

Supplemental Information

Required Physical Activities: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, manual dexterity, shooting, restraining prisoners, defensive tactics.

Physical Characteristics of Work: Work requires exerting a negligible amount of force constantly; up to 20 pound of force frequently; and in excess of 50 pounds occasionally to move objects. Must be able to perform physical tasks under stressful conditions.

Vision Requirements: Vision of at least 20/100, correctable to 20/20; vision cannot be inhibited by color blindness or night blindness.

Environmental Conditions: The worker may be exposed to both inside and outside environmental conditions; extreme heat (above 100 degrees) or cold (below 32 degrees) for periods of more than one hour; noise; vibration; atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system (i.e. dust, fumes, gasses, odors); and hazards.

Equipment Essential to the Job: Patrol car, 2-way radio, base radio, portable radio, mobile telephones, keys, unlocking tools, radar/tuning forks, speedometer, emergency lighting, various firearms and other weapons, safety/locking devices, impact weapon, tear gas/launcher, chemical irritants, face mask, protective vest, handcuffs, flashlight, sirens, first aid kit, defibrillator, and resuscitator. Barricades, flares, noise meter, preliminary breath test, intoxilyzer, measurement devises/wheel, still camera, latex gloves and ticket books. Various computers, printers and related software. Telephone, paper forms, various types of recording equipment. Maps, headsets, alarm boards, fingerprint equipment, GPS, copy machine, warrants and warrant records, video monitors.

Other Equipment Used on the Job: Prisoner transport van, pickups, bicycle, taser, small equipment and tools, recording equipment, engraver, gun cleaning tools and equipment, latex or nylex gloves, various crime scene testing materials.

You MUST include a copy of your college transcripts with your application or send separately to Human Resources (fax: 515-239-5297 or e-mail: hr@cityofames.org) by the closing date of the posting period in order to be considered for this position.

The selection process consists of an evaluation of education/experience, a physical agility test, POST, oral board interview, an extensive background investigation (including criminal history, financial and employment verification, and driving record), polygraph, psychological exam (MMPI) and physical exam (including a drug test). Candidates must successfully pass each component to continue in the process. The physical agility test and POST will be conducted on Saturday, March 21, 2020. Finalists will also be required to sign a no tobacco usage pledge.

All employees governed by the PPME contract (which includes Police Officers) are required to reside within an area bordered by State Highway 65 on the east, County Road R-27 north of Boone and Des Moines River south of Highway 30 on the west, Story County line on the north, and Polk County Road F-22 on the south. Communities intersected by the borderlines shall be within the area.

All candidates will have a review of their driving records during a preliminary background check investigation. The violations that may disqualify a candidate from further consideration if the offense occurred within certain time frames are listed below. The listed disqualifying factors may not be all inclusive. A history of repeated disregard for traffic regulations, public safety and the level of offense, may also disqualify a candidate.

Violation (number of offenses to disqualify):

1. Reckless driving, careless driving, or similar offense (1 offense in the last 3 years or 2 offenses in the last 5 years)

2. Operating While Intoxicated, Driving Under the Influence (OWI, DUI) of any controlled substance, or driving with a suspended or revoked license (1 offense in last 5 years)

3. All moving violations as defined by state code (4 offenses in last 3 years)

4. Eluding or attempting to elude a police officer (1 offense in last 5 years)

5. Suspension (1 offense in last 2 years)

6. Revocation (1 offense in last 5 years)

7. Hit & Run - Failure to Give Information or Failure to Give Information and Aid (1 offense in last 10 years)

Applicants for Police Officer frequently have questions regarding the City of Ames testing process. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to answer some of the most commonly asked questions. If you qualify to participate in the initial testing, we will send you additional information within two weeks of the application close date.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications based on a review of the application, transcripts, and preliminary background check will be invited to take the physical agility test. The Human Resources and Police representatives will determine the candidate's eligibility to take the physical agility and written exams. All applicants will be notified by e-mail regardless of whether or not they are invited to test.

The physical agility test will be administered on Saturday, March 21, 2020. The written exam (POST) will also be administered on Saturday, March 21, 2020, after the agility test for those candidates who pass the agility testing and need to take the written exam.

Candidates should make sure they are in good physical condition for the physical agility test. PLEASE VISIT THE IOWA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY WEBSITE AT http://www.state.ia.us/ilea/ AND CLICK ON "Certification Questions" FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST REQUIREMENTS. Information regarding the test times and locations will be sent during the week of March 9, 2020, to those candidates who are invited to the physical agility test.

The state-mandated Police Officer Selection Test (POST), which is a written and multiple-choice test, will be given to those candidates that pass the physical agility test. The POST includes basic math, grammar and reading comprehension questions. It also tests your ability to write complete sentences in response to questions that are asked pertaining to a provided document. To prepare for the test candidates may access the following websites as resources. The City of Ames does NOT endorse any of the sites listed and is not responsible for any associated fees with test preparation.

https://www.applytoserve.com/Study/

http://www.tests.com/practice/police-test

The POST will be scored by March 21, 2020 and candidates will be notified if they qualify to participate in the oral board interview. The oral board interviews are scheduled to occur during the week of March 23, 2020 starting Monday. The POST and physical agility test will be Pass/Fail, which means that they must be passed to continue, but will not be included in the candidate's final Civil Service score.

The Civil Service score will be the oral board interview score. Candidates will need to score a 70% or higher in order to be considered for the Civil Service list, however up to the top forty (40) scoring candidates will be certified by the Civil Service Commission as eligible for hire. The oral board will consist of a series of questions designed to learn more about you, your background and your decision making abilities. It is recommended that you practice your interviewing skills with a friend or family member and be open and honest in your responses.

Candidates will be chosen from this certified list to attend an additional interview prior to making a hiring decision. A conditional offer of employment may be made after this additional interview, followed by an extensive background investigation, polygraph, psychological exam, and physical exam (including drug test) prior to an official start date with the Ames Police Department.

We will request a list of candidates that have a current POST score from Stanard & Associates, the company that maintains the POST records. You do not need to notify us of your POST score. If you have a current score within the previous 10 months, you will not be required to take the POST on March 21st. Candidates who are currently certified peace officers will also not be required to take the POST. Please check with ILEA on your certification status.

Due to the large number of applicants, and the number of staff required to administer the test, we are not able to make special arrangements for those unable to test on that day. All candidates must pass the physical agility test in order to continue to the written test.

Possibly. Candidates who have completed the ILEA qualifying physical fitness test with another police department within the previous 6 months to the March 21, 2020 testing date should send an e-mail to Human Resources (hr@cityofames.org) requesting that those scores be substituted for the Ames physical agility test AND include a certified copy of the scores. The request will be considered and, if granted, the candidate will be notified. In general, it is advantageous for candidates to complete this test with the Ames Police Department.

No. You will be responsible for all of your personal expenses related to the selection process.

Candidates will be hired from the Civil Service list as positions become vacant. The list will remain valid for up to 12 months from the date the City of Ames Civil Service Commission approves the list, and will be used by the Ames Police Department to fill vacancies occurring during that period.

If you have a question that is not answered above requiring an immediate response, you may contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199. You can also email Human Resources at hr@cityfoames.org.

The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents as soon as possible after the job offer has been made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.

NOTE: Persons with disabilities must submit requests for ADA testing accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the application deadline.

The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.