Lateral Police Officer

City of Gresham; Gresham (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

Are you looking for a lateral growth opportunity working in a fast-paced, learning environment? Do you have the desire to impact, inspire and influence those you encounter each day?

The City of Gresham is accepting applications for Lateral Police Officers! The Police Department is seeking Lateral Police Officers of sound moral character. The Police Officers are expected to be self-disciplined and highly motivated, while demonstrating honesty and integrity in representing the core values of the community. Successful candidates will reinforce the department's efforts to achieve goals and objectives in providing public safety to the community and its citizens.

Our agency is proud to offer our Police Officers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits and retirement package, and extensive ongoing training opportunities to support the current and future needs of a thriving community service and safety department. You can find more information about Police salary and benefits: Employee benefits and salary (greshamoregon.gov)

This is an open and continuous recruitment process where eligible list of candidates will be created and used to fill current and future vacancies with the Police Department.

Why Gresham?

Work-life balance

Our police officers are dedicated and hard-working. But when they’re off duty, you’ll find them hitting the slopes, windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge, and more.

• Skiing or snowboarding at Mt. Hood, less than an hour away.
• Boating or windsurfing at the Columbia River Gorge, less than an hour away.
• 20-minute drive (and an easy commute) to downtown Portland, Oregon’s largest city—catch a Trail Blazers game, visit the theater, or explore the food scene.
• Camping and recreational activities with easy access, whether in the mountains or by rivers.
• Scenic two-hour ride to Pacific Ocean coast.
• In town, enjoy Gresham’s historic downtown with more than 150 shops, restaurants and service businesses, or explore the 1,100+ acres of parks, natural areas and trails within the city.

Grow your Career

Whatever your interest, we’ve got an opportunity for you. Challenge yourself with new specialty assignments and build your future here with promotional opportunities.

• SWAT
• Crisis Negotiation
• Vehicle Collision Team (VCT)
• Explosive Detection Unit
• K-9
• Detectives
• FBI Safe Streets Task Force
• School Resources Officers
• Field Training Officers
• Training Instructors
• Service Coordination Team
• UAV Pilots
• Honor Guard

Financial Stability

We offer competitive living-wage salaries with generous benefit packages. In addition to base salary, officers are eligible for overtime pay, premium pay for participation in specialty or instructor assignments, certification pay, shift differential, and other incentives. Benefits include:

• Paid Time Off (vacation): From 21.33 hours per month*
• Sick leave for longer-term illnesses.
• Medical, vision, dental and life insurance.
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• City participates in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Health reimbursement account.
• Flexible spending account.
• Deferred compensation.
• Uniforms, uniform cleaning, weapon and other equipment provided.

*Starting PTO accrual will be determined using the accrual matrix in GPOA contract and based on total years of previous experience as a full-time public safety employee at another law enforcement agency (or agencies) plus time served at the Police Department.

Starting Salary Information

: OREGON OR OUT-OF-STATE EXPERIENCE. A new employee (certified or certifiable) with police experience in Oregon or another state and hired under the criteria of the City's lateral entry program shall be credited one pay step for each completed year of previous full-time paid experience as a sworn officer, up to a maximum starting pay of one step below the top step of the police officer salary range, which is currently Step 6. A lateral entry employee will be eligible to advance one step and additional subsequent steps on the salary schedule after successful completion of twelve (12) months of service in each step.

We are pleased to offer:

• A referral bonus of $1,000 once the referral has been sworn in
• Educational reimbursements up to $5,000 per year

The City of Gresham Police Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities; women, protected veterans; and all other qualified Police Officer applicants looking for lateral opportunities.

As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive and prosper. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community members they serve. Employees strive to deliver services in collaborative, innovative, practical, and nimble ways that go “one step beyond!”. The work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work, and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences, and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us. Gresham Police Officers provide emergency aid, security, and protection of life and property for the citizens of Gresham by patrolling business, rural, and residential areas. They respond to requests for information and assistance, investigate criminal activity, subdue combative suspects, make arrests, work with people to solve problems associated with crime and neighborhood problems, and ensure proper enforcement of laws and regulations.

The ideal candidate will have current knowledge and understanding of the following:

• Federal, State of Oregon, Multnomah County, and City of Gresham laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Criminal behavior and causes underlying criminality and social, psychological and physical needs of criminals.
• Standard police practices, methods, and procedures.
• Safety standards, procedures, and precautions utilized in police activities.
• Methods of investigation, apprehension, and rules of evidence.
• Basic first aid and CPR procedures.
• The safe and appropriate use of firearms and other police related equipment.

An ideal candidate will also have the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. They will apply principles and techniques of community policing, modern crime prevention, investigation, apprehension, rules of evidence, and all other aspects of law enforcement. Be able to skillfully and safely use firearms and other police related equipment while maintaining composure under adverse conditions such as public harassment, critical injuries, and death.

A competitive candidate will show how they can establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and citizens from a variety of racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated history of positive community engagement. They will also demonstrate how to effectively analyze situations quickly and objectively and are able to recognize actual and potentially dangerous situations, and to determine the proper course of action. Ability to present evidence in court effectively. Be able to display a skill in observation and remembering details such as names, faces, and incidents.

Police officers need to maintain the physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, which also includes the physical ability to handle persons resisting arrest.

To be considered a lateral applicant you must meet all of the following minimum qualifications:

• Have completed a state certified police academy,
• Have completed a law enforcement field training program or passed a probationary period of not less than one (1) year with a law enforcement agency as a full-time sworn officer.
• Have been employed as a full-time sworn officer within the five (5) year period prior to appointment to this position.
• Have at least a High School Diploma or G.E.D
• Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the date of hire
• Have no felony criminal record
• Be a US Citizen within 18 months from the hire date
• Have a driving record that meets the department standards

Candidates must have the ability to:

• Pass a pre-suitability assessment screening
• Pass a comprehensive background investigation
• Pass a post job offer psychological evaluation, medical examination, and drug screen

Employment Automatic Disqualifiers list (CLICK HERE)

All candidates must apply online. Faxed and emailed resumes, in lieu of an application, will not be accepted or considered. Incomplete applications will also not be considered.

To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.

Required application materials:

• A complete online application (do not leave fields blank or type 'see resume')
• Answers to supplemental questions
• High school diploma/G.E.D. or latest official education transcript
• Document(s) to verify completion of a law enforcement field training program and/or completion of a state certified police academy

Note to applicants that have previously applied with the City of Gresham Police Department: Candidates that have previously applied within the last 5 years must check past communications from the City of Gresham Human Resources regarding eligibility to re-apply.What to expect as an Applicant:

Phase I: Application

All applications will be reviewed and screened for minimum requirements and automatic disqualifiers.

Phase II: Interview & Eligible List

Candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual interview using Zoom or Microsoft Teams platform. If you are not available for the dates offered upon receiving an invitation, please notify us via email to arrange for an interview at the next scheduled interview timeframe.

Candidates will be placed on a ranked eligibility list based on their Interview timeframe and scores. Candidates will remain on the ranked eligibility list for one year. Candidates will be contacted based on their ranked position on the eligibility list and the Police Officer vacancies available for hire. Depending on the candidates' ranking, it may take several more weeks before an update can be provided.

Phase III: Pre-Suitability Assessment & Statement of Personal History

• Candidates who successfully complete Phase I and II, and next to be considered from the ranked eligible list will be invited to complete pre-suitability exam and personal history questionnaire (PHQ). This exam must be proctored virtually and generally takes 2 hours to complete and PHQ takes additional 1-3 hours to complete. Complete details, technology needs, and equipment requirements will be sent by email message(s).
• Once the pre-suitability exam is complete, candidates (with suitable results) will be assigned a background investigator, and a link will be sent to them to complete an electronic Statement of Personal History. This link and the requested information are deadline driven and require submission within the specified timeframe. Candidates need to be thorough and honest in completing this information

Phase IV: Background Investigation & Conditional Employment Offer

• Once the Statement of Personal History is complete, the candidate will be invited to meet in person or virtually with the background investigator for a Pre-Background interview. This interview generally takes between 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Upon successful completion of the Pre-Background screening, candidates will have a full and comprehensive background completed based on information provided in the Statement of Personal History and Pre-Background screening.
• Once the candidate passes a full background, they will receive a conditional offer of employment pending successful completion of a psychological evaluation and full medical/physical exam.

Phase V: Psychological Evaluation & Job-Related Physical Exam

Candidates will be scheduled for a psychological exam which will include a proctored pre-interview virtual test followed by an interview with a clinical psychologist.

Candidates will also be scheduled with a City of Gresham contracted medical provider to complete a physical exam, treadmill test, and drug screen.

Phase VI: Chief Interview & Confirmation of Appointment

Candidates will meet with the Gresham Police Chief for a final interview and presentation of an employment appointment letter.

We make every effort to minimize travel for our out of state candidates. If you are a successful candidate, it is likely there will be one trip necessary to include an interview with the Police Chief and complete a job-related physical, treadmill test and drug screen.

Candidates will be notified through the e-mail address provided on their application as to their status in the process. Any updated contact information should be provided by email to [e-mail] as soon as it is available.

If a modification of this process is needed in order to accommodate a disability, please make your request in writing at the time of submitting an application to [e-mail], or in person to a Human Resources representative at 1333 NW Eastman Parkway, Gresham, OR 97030.

Veteran's Preference

The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

Our Commitment

The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.

Contact [e-mail] or 503-618-2800 with questions related to this recruitment.

For assistance with the online application system, contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.