Police Officer I

Law Enforcement Officer

Performs duties as a uniformed law enforcement officer responsible to enforce federal/state/local laws and MetroParks Rules & Regulations within and adjacent to MetroParks property and facilities. Patrols park areas to prevent and detect criminal offenses, and to conduct public safety related duties. Directs and controls traffic. Assists park visitors, and provides information about parks and activities. Serves as a secure courier for funds.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Enforces federal, state, and local laws & ordinances and MetroParks Rules & Regulations in a fair and consistent manner.
• Provides for the safety and welfare of the citizens and park visitors throughout all MetroParks areas and facilities by the patrolling of MetroParks owned and managed properties, facilities, and the adjacent lands by foot, bicycle, motor vehicle, and/or ATV.
• Properly maintains and employs law enforcement equipment.
• Responds to calls for service from citizens, park visitors, and employees of MetroParks and, pursuant to policy and/or statute, surrounding jurisdictions.
• Investigates crimes, accidents, and non-criminal incidents. Takes appropriate actions to isolate crime scenes and accident locations to preserve evidence, protect park visitors, employees and MetroParks property.
• Prepares and submits various reports and documentation as required. Regularly uses criminal justice networks and databases. Prepares duty logs and other documents as required.
• Conducts preliminary investigation of crimes committed within and adjacent to MetroParks properties and facilities. Assists with, or conducts, follow-up investigations as assigned.
• Performs physical security checks of gates and facilities. Arms and disarms alarm systems as necessary.
• Conducts safety inspections of trails and evaluates structures, grounds, and play equipment for safety concerns. Reports and documents violations and/or excessive visitor or employee risk. Files safety inspection reports in a timely manner and reports safety concerns.
• Serves as secure courier to facilitate the movement of interoffice documents and funds. Transports bank deposits as necessary.
• Performs routine maintenance on vehicles and property assigned to the Division of Police.
• Performs minor maintenance of MetroParks property and equipment.
• Makes recommendations to command officers regarding changes or improvements in procedures and operations.
• Operates numerous types of vehicles and equipment including manual and power tools. Uses all required personal protective equipment.
• Successfully completes the MetroParks Division of Police Field Training and Evaluation Program within the timeframe established by policy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Provides positive interaction, creates connections and values teamwork with staff at all levels.
• Understands the importance of community collaboration and actively supports the organization's mission, vision, and values.
• Strives to seek opportunities and has a willingness to bring ideas forward.
• Ability to consistently provide positive and unique experiences for guests.
• Understands and provides good customer service and is welcoming to all members of the public and staff.
• Understands financial responsibility and has a commitment to being personally accountable for how work is performed.
• Ability to work unsupervised, to organize and coordinate, to prioritize and self-initiate, and to manage tasks.
• Ability to effectively and appropriately deal with confidential information.
• Demonstrated proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability. Forward thinker who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.

• In-depth interpersonal skills: demonstrated emotional intelligence; proven track record of establishing and maintaining critical relationships; demonstrated trust and integrity.
• Obtain and maintain competent knowledge of MetroParks law enforcement policies and Park Rules and Regulations within 30 days of initial appointment.
• Must not be prohibited by any law or regulation from possessing a firearm and have the ability to legally carry and periodically qualify pursuant to State and Division standards with assigned and/or authorized firearms continuously while employed by MetroParks as a Police Officer.
• Ability to prepare cases and present evidence to the court in a professional manner.

Required Education and Experience:

• A High school diploma or GED required, minimum of 21 years of age at the time of employment, competent knowledge of Ohio Revised Code and state/federal regulations applicable to park law enforcement.
• A current and valid peace officer certification issued by the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council.
• Ability to obtain and maintain LEADS/NCIC/OHLEG certifications within 30 days of employment. Required to maintain peace officer and LEADS/NCIC/OHLEG certifications continuously while employed as a law enforcement officer.
• A valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record allowing insurability by the park district's current vehicle insurance carrier under existing coverage provisions at the time of employment and thereafter. Candidates for employment may not have more than 4 total points (or equivalent penalty) issued by a recognized licensing authority for driving-related violations on their driving record at the time of employment.
• Obtain American Heart Association or American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certification within first six months of employment and maintain continuously throughout employment.
• Good character with no felony convictions or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence at the time of employment and continuously throughout employment.
• Must submit to and successfully pass a screening to detect illegal substances (drugs) upon employment and periodically thereafter.
• Successfully complete a psychological evaluation, medical evaluation, and a comprehensive background check to include a polygraph/cvsa examination with no deception indicated immediately prior to initial employment as a Police Officer with MetroParks.

Work Environment, Schedule and Physical Demands

Work Environment & Schedule: Employment in this position requires availability to work evenings and weekends up to 28 hours per week. Ability to work in all outside weather conditions; wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold (below 32 F degrees) and extreme heat (above 90 F degrees). Some work assignments and tasks will require exposure to and work in inclement weather conditions. Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stay in a stationary position or move about consistently during the work shift. This employee must have the ability to perform activities requiring agility, strength, and physical conditioning, as well as the ability to use defensive tactics. Eyesight may be 20/100 if correctable to 20/20. Employee must successfully complete the Police Physical Ability Test. Reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical limitations of qualified employees and applicants with disabilities. The position functions and responsibilities are illustrative only and do not represent all the duties or tasks to be assigned or performed by an employee with this position title. Alternates to the above qualifications may be acceptable as approved by the Executive Director.