Community Service Officer (CSO)

City-of-Lake-Forest,-Il; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 43,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

IMRF pension

Vacation time

Job summary

The City of Lake Forest is seeking a Community Service Officer to support the Police Department in a uniformed, civilian capacity. You will work closely with sworn officers and gain insight into procedures, tactics, and operations while developing problem-solving and communication skills.

Starting pay is $21.00 per hour with a full range of $16.80–$31.36 per hour. Part-time (~32 hours/week) and benefits include IMRF pension and vacation time. A valid Illinois Driver’s License is required.

Qualifications

• Must be a High School Graduate or GED.
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; willingness to learn RMS.

Responsibilities

• Public & Community Service: engage with the public, handle non-criminal issues, manage traffic control for events.
• Calls for Service & Reports: write incident reports for minor incidents and process inquiries.
• Ordinance Enforcement: issue citations for local regulations and assist with animal control tasks.
• Departmental Support: transport equipment and assist sworn personnel with data entry and logistics.

Skills

Strong verbal and written komunikation

Problem-solving

Customer service mindset

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Are you an aspiring law enforcement professional looking to gain invaluable field experience? Do you have strong communication skills and a passion for helping your community? The City of Lake Forest is seeking a dedicated and community-minded Community Service Officer to support our Police Department.

As a uniformed, unarmed civilian, you will work directly alongside our sworn police officers, gaining a deep understanding of police procedures, tactics, and operations. This position provides an environment that actively encourages the development of your problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication skills, setting a strong foundation to help you become a certified law enforcement officer at a local, county, or state agency.

• Public & Community Service: Work directly with the public to handle, de-escalate, and resolve non-criminal complaints. Provide traffic control at vehicle accidents, active construction zones, and designated school crossing details. Assist with equipment set-up, crowd control, and traffic routing for city-sponsored and community events. Conduct routine visibility patrols in commercial districts and high-violation parking zones.
• Calls for Service & Reports: Write comprehensive, accurate incident reports for minor crimes, property damage, and non-injury traffic accidents. Manage walk-in citizen requests, process station reports, and answer non-emergency telephone inquiries. Apply and interpret local municipal codes to deliver accurate information to residents, visitors, and department staff.
• Ordinance Enforcement: Issue citations for violations of local regulations, including parking restrictions, animal control laws, and city vehicle compliance. Investigate animal control complaints, handle reported animal bites, and process required quarantine paperwork. Safely capture, restrain, and transport stray, injured, or lost domestic pets and local wildlife to designated shelters.
• Departmental Support: Transport department vehicles and specialized equipment to and from municipal garages or repair facilities. Retrieve and deliver documents, evidence, and specialized gear as authorized by department supervisors. Support sworn personnel with data entry, evidence logging, and general administrative tasks as assigned.

• High School Graduate or GED equivalent.
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to read, write, and speak clearly.
• Ability to work well under pressure and function at a high level under hectic, fast-paced conditions.
• Working knowledge of standard productivity software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook) and the adaptability to learn proprietary police Records Management Systems (RMS) and electronic ticketing software.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Must successfully pass a Police Department pre-employment screening process.
• Must be available to work an irregular schedule tailored to city needs, including rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-backs.
• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, kneel, squat, and handle unpredictable animals in various outdoor climates.

Hours and Pay

• Anticipated Hiring Rate: Starting at $21.00 per hour, depending on qualifications
• Full pay range: $16.80 - $31.36
• Part-time: approximately 32 hours per week
• Benefits: IMRF pension, vacation time

Why Join the City of Lake Forest?

• Be part of a progressive, professional, and supportive team that helps keep the Lake Forest safe, orderly, and responsive.
• Support crucial field operations, public safety initiatives, community events, and Police Department functions that are essential to a transparent and effective local government.
• Use your strong communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills in a dynamic civilian role where your accuracy and dedication truly matter.
• Work directly alongside sworn officers in a collaborative environment that values trust, respect, excellence, and integrity.
• Help protect the daily life of a vibrant community and gain invaluable knowledge on which you can launch a successful career in public safety on.

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the full job description here: Community Service Officer

The City of Lake Forest is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences.