PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER

Public Safety Officer

Under general supervision, performs a variety of routine to complex non-sworn activities within the City's Municipal Services Department. This position provides comprehensive support to law enforcement staff with non-emergency calls for service, investigations, records management, and reports; assists in monitoring and implementing a wide variety of law enforcement programs, projects, and services; enforce City codes, ordinances, parking, and traffic regulations; and performs a variety of other duties based on the needs of the department including those related to special assignments, as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics This position provides full range of non-sworn administrative support, traffic control, parking enforcement, community-oriented policing, and investigative tasks within the City. Incumbents receive written and verbal instructions from law enforcement personnel. The position is supervised by the Director of Municipal Services or assigned supervisory or management personnel. Positions at this level work independently and exercise judgment and initiative, adhering to established policies and procedures and ensures compliance with ordinances and codes. The Public Safety Officer position may provide lead or technical direction and training and so must be fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the assigned work area.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs non-hazardous investigations including searching for, identifying, collecting, preserving, and booking evidence and information from the public regarding criminal activity, such as thefts, accidents, lost and found property, and other incidents that do not require the presence of a sworn law enforcement officer at the scene.
• Interviews victims, witnesses, suspects, and references to obtain details, admission, and leads; completes standard police reports for review by sworn supervisory personnel; prepares written reports for incidents and documents activities and enforcement work, following established formats.
• Establishes and maintains accurate department and law enforcement records, case files, and automated or manual logs of departmental actions; research and compiles information; files and distributes reports to the proper individual or agency.
• Provides traffic control; identifies and removes or facilitates the removal of hazardous traffic debris at accident scenes; assists disabled motorists; provides for the towing and storage of vehicles, as necessary.
• Provides customer service, in person and by telephone, by responding to public inquiries, complaints, questions, requests for service, and providing general information regarding City and department policies, procedures, codes, ordinances and regulations; answers challenging questions and resolves issues.
• Provides comprehensive non-sworn administrative staff support to the Sheriff's Department on a wide variety of programs, projects, and services.
• Acts as a liaison for the City by attending a variety of interdisciplinary meetings to promote positive public relations; assists in developing and maintaining partnerships with community groups, other governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, city contractors, vendors, committees, commissioners, and other civic organizations.
• Identifies, determines, and enforces vehicle codes, parking regulations, and abatement regulations related to abandoned, wrecked or nuisance vehicles; issues notices and initiates abatement measures to include towing, and impounding vehicles; processes necessary forms and related documents as required.
• Testifies in court as necessary.
• May assist with animal control activities.
• Performs all other duties as needed or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Equivalent to a high school diploma or GED AND two (2) or more years of work experience involving frequent public interaction, enforcing municipal code regulations for a public agency, or providing public safety support services for a law enforcement agency. An associate degree or coursework in criminal justice, paralegal studies, or a related field is highly desired.

Licenses/Certifications

• State of California Class C Driver's license.
• CA P.O.S.T, PC 832 Certificate, within three (3) months of hire.
• Any other P.O.S.T Certifications or related training or certifications is highly desired.
• CPR/AED/First Aid Certificate.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Knowledge of:

• General public assessment of the City's roles, responsibilities, and commitment to its residents.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, ordinances, regulations, procedures, and standards related to City department.
• Basic functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies and community-oriented policing, including terminology, law enforcement codes, crime scene procedures, evidence handling and retention regulations.
• Standard techniques of effective interviewing and investigation report writing.
• Business communication practices, including professional correspondence and standard formatting for reports and written correspondence.
• Basic arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Safe work methods and traffic safety rules, practices, regulations, and protocols.
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated through tact, patience, and courtesy to foster a positive and respectful customer service and workplace environment.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Computer software and hardware, including word processing, database, spreadsheet, and graphics applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Public relations and customer service practices and techniques.
• General laws and regulations affecting work

Ability to :

• Interpret, apply, and explain City policies, procedures, standards and federal, state, and local codes and regulations and enforcement provisions.
• Understand the functions, principles, and practices of law enforcement agencies and community-oriented policing.
• Identify, observe, analyze, and obtain complete and accurate information from individuals in stressful or emergency situations.
• Analyze situations and identify pertinent problems/issues; collect relevant information; evaluate realistic options; and recommend/implement appropriate course of action.
• Respond to and investigate crimes and incidents occurring within City jurisdiction.
• Listen attentively, understand, and follow verbal and written directions and procedures provided.
• Prepare clear and effective reports, correspondence, and other written material
• Organize and maintain accurate and complete records, files, and statistical reports.
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively both verbally and in writing, using proper grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling.
• Operate computer systems, software applications, and modern office equipment to perform assigned work.
• Understand and use standard radio broadcasting codes and procedures.
• Apply sound professional judgement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain uniform standards and present a neat and clean professional appearance that is conducive to public contact.
• Use tact, discretion, and care in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.
• Use mathematical functions and principles and perform complex arithmetic calculations accurately.
• Establish and maintain courteous and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, in adverse situations.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Safely operate equipment and a motor vehicle, in and around traffic, to various sites and locations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE : Applications are being accepted immediately and subject to close at anytime. Please apply immediately by submitting an official City Employment Application and resume. All application materials, to include employment application and resume will be screened and only the most qualified applicants, will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include, but not limited to application review and evaluation, interview, written and/or performance test. A passing score of at least 70% is required on each phase of the selection process to be placed on the eligibility list, which will remain active for a period of up to one year. Candidates chosen to fill vacancies will be required to pass a physical examination (which includes a drug/alcohol test) and a background investigation (which includes fingerprinting). Candidates must be able to provide documentation which authorizes their legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 upon hire. Employees chosen to fill a vacancy must serve a 12-month probationary period and can be released from service with or without cause during the probationary period.

The City of Lawndale is an Equal Opportunity Employer which does not discriminate against applicants based on their race, skin color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Please notify the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing/closing date should you require an accommodation due to a disability in the testing process. All City of Lawndale employees are designated disaster service workers in the event of an emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (May not apply to all positions):