Police Officer ***Hiring Bonus of up to $15,000 for lateral hires***

Job Summary The City of Soldotna is seeking dedicated and motivated individuals to join our team as full‑time Police Officers. These positions remain open until filled. The role is performed under the general supervision of the Chief of Police or a designee and involves general police duties, enforcement of federal, state, and local laws, protection of life and property, and engagement with the public to provide educational, investigative, and related services. The goal is preventing crime, ensuring public safety, and developing positive police‑citizen relationships. Detailed Work Activities Enforces federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. Patrols the City on foot or in police vehicle to respond to citizens’ requests for assistance, enforce traffic regulations, detect crime, apprehend violators, and ensure public safety. Answers dispatched or citizen requests for police services and assistance at the scene of accidents, domestic disputes, peace disturbances, and other violations. Investigates illegal or suspicious activities, persons, and establishments and quells disturbances. Locates and searches, detains and arrests law violators following recognized police procedures. Identifies, interviews, and questions victims, witnesses, and suspects. Gathers and preserves evidence. Performs first aid and provides other assistance to accident and other victims. Directs and controls traffic and investigates causes and results of accidents. Issues written citations for traffic and other minor violations. Inspects public establishments requiring licenses to ensure compliance with rules and regulations. Operates police communication and computer equipment to obtain, disseminate, and report information. Maintains positive relationships with individuals, institutions, government organizations, other law enforcement agencies, as well as private business. Attends community meetings to discuss crime prevention activities and crime problems. Participates in continuous training to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the law enforcement profession and to enhance law enforcement skills including firearms proficiency, defensive driving skills, apprehension and arrest techniques, investigative skills, and general law enforcement skills. Writes detailed incident, investigation, activity, and other reports. Maintains confidentiality as required. Testifies in court; prepares and presents case evidence; responds to court subpoenas when off duty. Maintains the integrity, professionalism, philosophies, and values of the Police Department by ensuring that all rules and regulations are followed. Ensures timely responses to requests from coworkers, supervisors, management, and other law enforcement agencies. Additional responsibilities may include serving as a police instructor, field training officer, or school resource officer. Other job-related duties as assigned. Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ability to exercise independent judgement in the performance of all aspects of law enforcement duties. Responsible for decisions which may involve possible loss of life or destruction of property. Ability to act within the confines of the law, enforce the laws of the United States, State of Alaska, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the City of Soldotna in a fair manner. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Knowledge of department rules, regulations and policies. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to effectively coordinate and work with other law enforcement agencies. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before a variety of public groups. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. A good working knowledge of computers and necessary software for law enforcement work. Qualifications Must be at least 21 years of age by date of hire. Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). Must have or be able to obtain a valid, unrestricted Alaska driver license within thirty (30) days of employment and prior to operating a city vehicle. Must have and maintain a good driving record. Applicants will be required to submit a driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles upon request. Must pass a drug screening test, medical examination, polygraph test, psychological evaluation, written and oral tests, physical fitness test, criminal background check, and other background investigations. 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/or maintain a police certification as required under 13 AAC 85. Obtain and maintain an Alaska Public Safety Information System (ASPIN) security clearance. Must possess, or be able to obtain, APSC certification within fourteen (14) months of hire (AS. 18.65.240). An associate or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field and/or prior experience as a police officer, military, or other law‑enforcement related experience is desired. Work Environment Must be able to work non‑traditional hours with varying schedules including weekend days and evenings, holidays, and shift extensions. The schedule is based upon a forty‑hour work week, providing coverage twenty‑four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, and may exceed forty (40) hours per week. Officers may be subject to scheduled overtime and/or emergency call‑outs when off duty. Law enforcement work exposes employees to dangerous and potentially dangerous situations and requires the carrying of a weapon. Physical exertion is required to restrain disorderly subjects. Employees must be able to do strenuous work in all kinds of weather and on surfaces at, above, or below floor level. Duties are performed indoors and outdoors, during day and night, and often in inclement weather and extreme temperatures. Inside work is usually in adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated buildings. Employees may occasionally be exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes, biological and hazardous materials, drugs, and weapons. They may be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, oils, bodily fluids, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, intense noises, and other irritants. Employees must drive a vehicle and perform work inside a vehicle, including operating communication and computer equipment. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices and laws and City and Department policies and operating procedures. Physical Demands This position requires a high level of physical ability including vision, hearing, seeing, smelling, speaking, flexibility, and strength. While performing duties, employees frequently use hands and fingers dexterously (e.g., operating computers, radios, speed detection devices, handcuffs, restraining devices, and weapons, including firearms). They must work both inside and outside in all types of weather, confined spaces, and in a vehicle; climb ladders and stairs; walk, run, climb, push, pull, reach, drag, carry, jump, balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, and crouch; lift and/or exert over one hundred (100) pounds of force occasionally and over fifty (50) pounds of force frequently. Employees must get in and out of vehicles quickly, talk, hear, stand, walk, and sit for extended periods. They must work long shifts, make quick decisions under stress, and maintain a level of physical fitness sufficient to perform essential duties. Equal‑Opportunity Statement The City of Soldotna 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. Employee Benefits Regular full‑time employees receive the following benefits: health and life insurance, retirement, holidays, personal leave, and deferred compensation plan. Benefits may vary by position and may be pro‑rated for non‑full‑time work. All benefits are subject to change by the City. Retirement Benefits Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit or defined contribution plan based on employee eligibility upon hire. Option to enroll in a Deferred Compensation plan. Insurance Benefits Health insurance coverage begins 31 days after hire. Employee and dependent care available. City covers ninety (90)% of premium costs for employee coverage and eighty‑five (85)% for family coverage. City offers deductible reimbursement assistance through an HRA. Employee Assistance Program. Employer‑paid basic life coverage for regular full‑time employees with supplemental coverage available. Option to purchase supplemental insurance with Aflac. Paid Leave & Other Benefits Personal leave accrual rate starting at sixteen (16) hours per month, increasing with longevity. Twelve paid holidays each year. Free or discounted access to parks and recreation amenities. Wellness reimbursement program. Fully functional department gym. Education benefits. Employees can choose to participate in membership with the Public Safety Employees Association (PSEA). Step Increases Regular employees serve a six‑month probationary period; police officers serve one year. After probation or first year, employees with favorable evaluations are eligible for a step increase. Step increases are awarded annually thereafter based on a favorable evaluation. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Soldotna