Police Officer (Certified)

Police Officer (Certified)

This is a grant-funded position (funded from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2028). The City of Boynton Beach's Police Officers are responsible for maintaining peace and safety, protecting life and property, and promoting community engagement and trust for the third largest municipality in Palm Beach County with an estimated population of approximately 75,000 residents. Boynton Beach Police Officers serve a highly diverse and multicultural community, which includes African Americans, Hispanics, French Creoles, Indigenous Americans, and Asians among its more than 75,000 residents. Officers carry out these responsibilities by: patrolling an assigned area; responding to emergency calls; resolving conflicts; engaging in community policing and community relations, investigating crimes; rendering medical assistance; writing reports (using software, computers, portable technology devices, and mobile data computers); handling crises or stressful situations, which may involve juveniles, the elderly, or the disabled; testifying in court; and enforcing Florida State laws and City Ordinances. Officers do this individually and sometimes as a member of a team, under direction of a supervisor. Once Officers have patrol experience they may be eligible to serve as part of a specialized unit (community policing, bicycle patrol, marine/boat patrol, motorcycle traffic enforcement, narcotics, criminal investigation, crime prevention, and others). To accomplish this important work all Police Officers are expected to maintain their physical and mental fitness. All work is performed in accordance with City and Police Department policies and standard operating procedures. Position Starting Annualized Salary: Police Officer (Certified): $76,650.00* For newly hired officers, the Chief of Police has the discretion to decide their starting pay level, including those hired after October 1, 2022, up to a maximum level of step 5. Such step placement will be on a going-forward basis (i.e., no retroactive pay). Certified Police Officer Incentive: Certified Police Officers hired with the Boynton Beach Police Department will be eligible to receive a $5,000 incentive. This incentive will be paid as follows: $2,500 upon hire. $1,500 after six (6) months of employment - after successfully completing FTO. $1,000 after successful completion of probation.

Essential Functions

Knowledge of approved principles and practices of police work. Knowledge of applicable laws and ordinances. Knowledge of the City of Boynton Beach's geography, physical, cultural, and social characteristics. Knowledge of basic first aid methods, Stop the Bleed, and Mental Health First Aid.

• Read and comprehend police-related technical and legal information.
• Document (write) incidents and actions accurately, completely, and legibly using standard forms; must also document using computer software/programs.
• Communicate effectively using both spoken (in English) and non-verbal methods.
• Visually scan a scene for potential hazards, weapons, or evidence of a threat.
• Willingness to challenge or confront people when necessary and justified.
• Evaluate and choose between conflicting alternatives with partial or incomplete information.
• Compare letters, numbers, words, or pictures to determine those that are the same or different.
• Apply prior experience and knowledge to assess a specific situation (for example, recognize criminal activity, identify evidence, recognize potential hazards or threats, etc.).
• Take immediate action in an emergency or evolving situation.
• Adapt own actions to rapidly changing conditions based on the nature of the situation.
• Observe, remember, and identify what is unique about individuals, vehicles, or property (such as, physical appearance, clothing, vehicle model, color, or damage, etc.).
• Safely operate an emergency vehicle while under various road and weather conditions.
• Safety and effectively use standard issued police equipment and tools.
• Establish control of a situation through oral commands, body language, and demeanor.
• Recognize and appropriately respond to citizen needs.
• Show compassion, emotional support, and empathy for others.
• Explain and educate others regarding standards of acceptable and unacceptable behavior using plain, non-offensive language.
• Accept responsibility for own actions.
• Work harmoniously with people and agencies, who you do not have control over, to achieve a common goal.
• Complete tasks with specified level of detail and accuracy.
• Maintain the level of physical conditioning, fitness, and endurance needed to perform essential duties.
• Maintain control of emotional reactions and impulses while taking charge of or handling a disagreeable or dangerous situation.
• Climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl in the pursuit of suspects and/or in crime scene investigations.
• Stand, walk, or run in the apprehension of suspects.
• Lift, carry, push or pull persons, vehicles, or property.
• Communicate and interact courteously and effectively with the public in all situations in which you are representing the City.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Police Officer (Certified)

• Be a United States citizen (U.S. born or naturalized).
• Have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent, which includes United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI) tests. Equivalence of non-U.S. education must be approved by the State of Florida's Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement Certification (Out-of-State Police Officer Certification will be considered with supporting training curriculum attached to this application).
• Be at least 19 years of age at time of application.
• Possess, or be eligible to obtain within seven (7) calendar days of hire, a valid Florida driver's license.
• Successfully complete any hiring process assessments.
• Additional training and/or certification(s) may be required as appropriate to assignment.

Additional Minimum Requirements for Out-of-State or Federally Certified Candidates: Out-of-state or federally certified applicants also must provide verifiable proof of at least one (1) year of full-time, independent law enforcement experience within the past eight (8) years (excluding any academy training hours). This information must be included in the Work Experience section of this application.

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Completed at least sixty (60) college credit hours toward a two (2) year degree or higher from an accredited private or public institution with at least a documented GPA of 2.0.
• Be at least 21 years of age at time of hire.
• Have at least one year of experience during which you had to establish and maintain a positive and effective relationship with others, i.e. working together as part of a team. Additional information about your experience must be documented in the appropriate field in the Supplemental Questions in this application.
• Have fluency in a language other than English, especially languages frequently used by Boynton Beach residents and visitors which include: Spanish, French Creole, Portuguese, Asian/Indo-European languages, and/or American Sign Language. The City reserves the right to verify fluency.

Supplemental Information

POST-OFFER REQUIREMENTS Candidates who are selected for hire are first provided a "conditional offer" and are then required to successfully complete all of the following:

• Physical Exam
• Drug Screen
• Psychological Evaluation
• Comprehensive Background Investigation
• Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA) or similar assessment tool

Additional Post-Offer Requirements for Out-of-State or Federally Certified Candidates

• Equivalency of Academy Training (92 hours), which includes High Liability
• State Officer Certification Exam

DISQUALIFYING CONDITIONS Below is a list of factors that will disqualify you from being considered for employment as a Police Officer for the City of Boynton Beach. This is not an exhaustive list, and other factors, such as moral character, may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Moral character may include, but is not limited to, factors such as criminal activity (e.g. crimes against society, persons, or property) as well as prior work history or general life experiences. These factors are considered on a case-by-case basis which may include, among other elements, the facts of each case, your age at the time, and the number of incidents.

• Within the past 3 years (36 months) you must NOT have any of the following:
• 8 or more points on your driving record
• Traffic-related suspension