Police Chief

City of Fortuna (CA); Fortuna (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fortuna seeks a Police Chief to serve as a full-time department head, guiding administration, crime prevention, and operations. The role emphasizes independent judgment, inter-agency collaboration, and public safety leadership within a dynamic municipal setting.

Responsibilities include policy development, budgeting, supervision, and presenting to the City Manager and Council. California POST qualifications and a strong command background are highly valued for this senior leadership

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Eight years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience with significant command-level experience.
• Experience may substitute for education.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the Police Department and coordinate with the City Manager.
• Oversee administration, analytical work, and interagency collaboration.
• Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and public safety needs.

Skills

Safe work practices

Modern administration

Law enforcement concepts

Laws and regulations

Firearm safety

Supervision & management

Budget & grants

Public speaking & reporting

Office systems & software

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice / Public Admin / Business Admin

Executive leadership experience (Lieutenant/Captain)

Job description

NOTE: Possession of a California P.O.S.T. Management Certificate is highly desirable. If not possessed at the time of appointment, the successful candidate must obtain the P.O.S.T. Management Certificate within twenty-four (24) months of becoming eligible under California P.O.S.T. requirements.

The Police Chief is a full-time department head classification responsible for the functions of the Police Department. This position provides assistance to the City Manager in a variety of administrative, analytical, and collaborative capacities. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the City Manager, with extensive latitude granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. Responsibilities include coordinating activities with other departments and agencies and managing and overseeing the complex functions of the department. Work is typically performed in a general office environment and in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations that may involve exposure to potential personal danger. Moderate to heavy physical activity may be required in certain situations. Outdoor work may include exposure to inclement weather.

Knowledge of:

• Safe work practices.
• Modern principles, practices, techniques, and procedures of Police Department administration and operation.
• Advanced methods, practices, and principles of crime prevention and law enforcement, including investigation, identification, patrol, juvenile diversion, record keeping, and care and custody of persons and property.
• Laws, ordinances, regulations, and court decisions affecting the responsibilities and work of law enforcement agencies.
• Use and care of firearms.
• Principles of supervision, training, management, performance evaluation, and public administration.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration, including grant administration.
• Principles and practices of effective public speaking and report writing.
• Modern office methods, practices, and procedures, including computer hardware and software.

Ability to:

• Act with integrity, ingenuity, and effectiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the law enforcement and crime prevention functions of the City.
• Provide supervision, training, and management for Department staff.
• Formulate, evaluate, and recommend updates to Department policies, procedures, municipal regulations, and operational practices in response to changes in law, emerging public safety needs, and organizational priorities.
• Interpret, explain, apply, and enforce a variety of laws, rules, and regulations.
• Direct the preparation of a variety of records and reports.
• Prepare and administer the Department budget.
• Provide advice and consultation to the City Manager and City Council on law enforcement activities and functions.
• Effectively represent the Police Department with citizen groups, boards, commissions, and other government agencies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Understand and follow oral and/or written instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Operate a personal computer using software applications appropriate to assigned tasks, as applicable.
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under pressure of deadlines and changing priorities.
• Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Discharge firearms in a safe and effective manner.

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field required.
• Any combination of training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities would be eight (8) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, including significant command-level experience at the rank of Lieutenant, Captain, or equivalent. Demonstrated executive leadership, organizational management and administrative experience are required.
• Experience may be substituted for education.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a Supervisory Certificate issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) and a P.O.S.T. Management Certificate are required
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License through-out employment. The incumbent will participate in the DMV “Pull Program.”Must be willing to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Special Characteristics:

• This is an “At-Will” position. Employment may be terminated by either the employee or the City at any time, with or without cause.
• This position is classified as FLSA exempt under the Executive (Managerial/Supervisory) Exemption.

ESSENTIAL ABILITIES

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to communicate effectively.
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to review a wide variety of materials in electronic or hard copy form.
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to operate a personal computer, telephone, and other related equipment.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to safely lift, move, or maneuver whatever may be necessary to successfully perform the duties of their position.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to efficiently function in their assigned work environment, including, where applicable, the operation of motorized vehicles and equipment.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not a contract and does not affect the at-will status of employment. The City reserves the right to revise this job description at any time.