Community Service Officer

City of Whitewater; Whitewater (WI); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team in a part-time, non-sworn role where you will perform essential law enforcement and code enforcement functions. This dynamic position requires a motivated individual with strong human relationship skills and organizational abilities. You will engage in various duties, from issuing tickets to assisting in traffic control and animal control activities. The role offers an opportunity to serve the community while developing your skills in a supportive environment. If you are looking to make a difference and grow your career in public service, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; pursuing a degree in Police Science or Criminal Justice preferred.
• Strong human relationship and organizational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform limited law enforcement and code enforcement duties for the Police Department.
• Engage in animal control activities and assist with traffic control.

Skills

Human Relationship Skills

Organizational Abilities

Public Speaking

First Aid and CPR

Mathematical Calculations

Independent Judgment

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science or Criminal Justice

Tools

Desktop Computer

Vehicles

Radios

Ticket Units

Cameras and Video Equipment

Job description

This is a part-time, non-sworn, para-professional position responsible for performing limited law enforcement functions and/or code enforcement functions. This individual should be highly motivated, possess good human relationship skills, and organizational abilities. The employee should be able to prioritize their own work and manage their time effectively.

Under the specific supervision of the Administrative Captain, this position will perform limited law enforcement functions and code enforcement duties for the Police Department.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary.

• Issue warning notices, tickets and fines for ordinance violations documenting with photographs or video.
• Complete necessary reports and investigations on enforcement action taken, including follow-ups.
• Engage in animal control activities.
• Process lost and found property as reported.
• Assist in traffic and crowd control at accidents and/or fire scenes, parades, and special events.
• Assist stalled vehicles and stranded motorists, perform limited traffic control functions.
• Perform routine errands and assist in special projects.
• Patrol City parks and beach for building and equipment security and park closing compliance (summer months).
• Other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fill in for Crossing Guards.
• Inspect private property within the City for code compliance, i.e. trash / junk / quality of life issues.
• Take proactive and reactive enforcement action on property maintenance, sidewalk snow removal, tall grass, sanitation and lawn parking violations.
• Answer code compliance questions.

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

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school with a degree in Police Science, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field.

Language Skills

• Ability to advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as code manuals, City ordinances, directories, State statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with City personnel, Department personnel and the general public.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with court officials, business persons, public organization representatives, attorneys, other law enforcement personnel and the general public.
• Ability to quickly make assessments of emergency situations, determine appropriate responses and act assertively; cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully.
• Skill in public speaking.
• Fluency in a second language preferred.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to complete accurate mathematical calculations as may be required of the position.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in emergency and non-emergency situations in accordance with departmental rules and regulations.
• Ability to cope with emergency situations calmly but effectively and to react quickly to secure accurate and precise information on the location, extent and nature of the emergency aid requests.
• Ability to quickly make assessments of emergency and non-emergency situations, determine appropriate responses and act assertively; cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully.
• Ability to work well under pressure and handle stressful situations, to organize work and set priorities, managing time and resources to meet deadlines and changing demands, perform duties with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives.

Equipment Operated

• Skill in the operation of departmental equipment, including but not limited to desktop computer; vehicles; animal control devices; radios; speed board; pepper spray; handheld ticket units; pager; 10-key calculator; cameras and video equipment; telephone; copy machine; fax machine.

Other Qualifications

• Working knowledge of basic computer functions and computerized record-keeping systems.
• Demonstrated personal and professional honesty, integrity, and good judgment as shown in applicant's criminal history, background, and motor vehicle record.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by the time of hire, a valid State driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any state.
• Skill in First Aid and CPR, certification preferred.
• Ability to work in and maintain an environment that deals with sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to deal with the public, other law enforcement officers, outside agency representatives, etc. in an effective, fair and professional manner.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal guidance and supervision.
• Ability to both work cooperatively with others and work independently of direct supervision in an effective and efficient manner.
• Ability to remember and recall details. Must possess good observational powers.
• Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports on investigations, offenses, and other activities.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and tenacity in order to actively influence events, rather than passively accepting results of the actions of others.

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 frequently required to talk and hear. Employee must have ability to hear and understand radio transmissions.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing skilled movements.
• Physical demands include walking and sitting for extended periods of time and at times, run, jump, crawl, kneel, climb, bend, reach, stoop and carry and/or push heavy objects and any other physical movement in the performance of public safety duties.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive and quickly enter and/or exit a City of Whitewater vehicle.
• The employee must, at times, exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, occasionally involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, crouching, crawling, kneeling, stooping and or moving up to 50 pounds.
• The work sometimes requires above average physical agility and conditioning.
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities and differences between characteristics of colors, shapes and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
• Ability to meet the Departments physical standards and maintain good health and fitness.
• Necessary strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination to perform duties.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Community Service Officers work in various office and outdoor settings, including significant time spent traveling in vehicles, as well as on foot. The employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally loud in the field and quiet in the office.
• Due to the nature of contacts, working conditions are unpredictable and contain an element of personal and public danger. Community Service Officers may be confronted with verbal or physical abuse in the course of their duties.
• Employees are exposed to inclement and extreme weather conditions, uneven terrain. The employee may work irregular work hours and require extended work schedule during periods of emergency.
• The employee must be able to operate a vehicle during both the day and night; in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.

The City of Whitewater is an Equal Employment Opportunity. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

• Work under supervision of the Administrative Captain. Has limited prior related work experience, but is broadening knowledge base while gaining full understanding of associated policies and procedures. Employees prioritize their own work, manage their time effectively and respond to some questions independently.

• No formal supervisory responsibilities.