Park Police Officer

Position Type:
Park Police/Park Police Officer

Date Posted:
8/15/2025

Location:
Various Locations

Closing Date:
02/01/2026 Decatur Park District

Job Description

Job Title: Park Police Officer

Department: Park Police Department

Reports To: Chief of Park Police

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary: $61,651.20 annual

SUMMARY
Under direct supervision of the Chief of Park Police, patrols District properties to ensure the safety and security of the park patrons, employees, property and equipment, and to enforce park ordinances and state laws within the parks.



ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, and REQUIREMENTS

• Conducts patrol and surveillance of the Park District system by vehicle, bicycle, and/or by foot patrol as directed by the Chief of Park Police. Observes activities and situations for violations of ordinances or state laws and takes required regulatory or preventative action.
• Investigates complaints and disturbances, apprehends violators, issues summons, and makes arrests. Prepares required reports on incidents and activities related to Police duties.
• Performs traffic and crowd control duties as assigned.
• Inspects the total area of the facility to which assigned to ensure a safe, secure, and enjoyable environment for the park patrons; takes necessary action to correct unsafe and displeasing situations.
• Is responsible to prepare and submit activity reports, operational reports, and various state mandated administrative reporting forms.
• Reports hazards.
• Renders first aid at accidents, and investigates causes and results of accidents.
• Engages in proactive traffic enforcement efforts to help reduce accidents and deter IVC violations within the Park District's property.
• Minimum availability of 25 hours per month for additional security at special events.
• Must be able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Every other weekend off, 5 day work weeks
• Must be willing and available to work varying shifts including but not limited to first shift, second shift, swing shift.
• All Park Police Officers are expected to share in the on-call duties as assigned which may include overnight calls for service.
• Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES
This job has no supervisor responsibilities.



QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.



EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of two years law enforcement experience and training.
• Must be able to meet the Illinois Law Enforcement physical fitness standards.
• Must be actively certified as a State of Illinois Law Enforcement Officer and in good standing with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.



MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
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.



REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variable in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.



CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Certificate in recognition of successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement course.



PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and frequently lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.



WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.



FULL TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS






Decatur Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.