Police Officer

City of Ames; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring wage incentive $2,000 for Iowa/

Residency within Ames area

Job summary

The City of Ames Police Department is recruiting Police Officers, offering a hiring wage incentive of up to $2,000 for Iowa certified officers (or those certified via examination) and $1,000 for non-certified officers. The position provides opportunities to serve in a busy department with 24/7 coverage and a comprehensive benefits package.

Starting salary is $68,965 per year with step increases tied to service and certification status.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma, HiSet, or GED with college coursework equivalence (60 sem hrs/90 qtr hrs)
• Must obtain Iowa Peace Officer certification and graduate from ILEA within 1 year
• License: Valid Iowa driver license; meet state standards for certification

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned area by vehicle or on foot to deter crime and enforce laws.
• Provide assistance to the public, respond to complaints, interview witnesses, and prepare reports.
• Conduct investigations, preserve evidence, and testify in court as required.
• Engage in community policing and build trust with residents.

Education

High school diploma or GED (minimum)

60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours college education

Iowa Law Enforcement Academy certification (required within one year)

Job description

Police Officer (Hiring Incentive for Iowa Certified and Non-Certified)

SALARY

$33.35 - $48.84 Hourly

$68,967.80 - $101,001.12 Annually

LOCATION

515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, IA

JOB TYPE

Full-Time

JOB NUMBER

26-2216-01

DEPARTMENT

Police

OPENING DATE

09/04/2026

CLOSING DATE

10/9/2026 12:00 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

BARGAINING UNIT

PPME

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT?

Yes

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT AREAS

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b15a259924c342e1a434d38c270a4a0b

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

General Information

https://www.youtube.com/embed/97rsAGfo1eQ?&wmode=opaque&rel=0

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to fill current openings for Police Officer with the City of Ames Police Department. For applicants, please see below the dates of application review for timely consideration.

Police Officers perform work related to the enforcement of law, maintenance of order, protection of life and property, and prevention of crime; contributes to citywide problem-solving and performs related work as required. Work is within a 24/7/365 environment and subject to shift assignment and occasional mandatory overtime.

To witness what it is like to work for the City of Ames Police Department and find additional information on the pre-employment requirements, please visit the Ames PD website: Join the Ames Police Department. For further information please also see Ames Police Department Facebook Page and City of Ames Police X Page (formerly Twitter) .

HIRING WAGE INCENTIVE

For this recruitment, any Iowa certified Officer, OR, any out-of-state certified Officer who can gain certification through examination with the ILEA, who begins employment as a result of this recruitment, shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $2000.

Any non-certified Officer who begins employment from this recruitment shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $1000.

• 1) 50% upon hire
• 2) 25% after 6 months of employment
• 3) 25% after probationary period ends or 12 months of employment (whichever is later)

SALARY

The current starting annual salary for this position is $68,965 ($33.35 per hour). Specified months of City of Ames PD service are applied as step increases, per the PPME bargaining agreement. Annual salaries for Police Officers are based on a 2068 hours worked schedule. Salaries may be subject to change according to worked overtime.

The City of Ames is offering lateral transfers for certified officers, up to step D (49-72 months). Current Iowa Law Enforcement Academy certification will be required before applying any step consideration.

The current steps are outlined below:

July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027

• 0-12 $33.35 $68,965
• 3-24 $34.55 $71,441
• 25-48 $36.53 $75,554
• 49-72 $38.52 $79,664
• 73-96 $40.61 $83,980
• 97-120 $43.33 $89,596
• 121-144 $44.94 $92,936
• 145+ $48,84 $101,000

This position is also bound by a residency requirement per the same bargaining agreement, which is outlined under "Other Supplemental Information" later in this posting.

BENEFITS

Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit the website through this link: PSLF Program

Important Dates for this Recruitment

POST exam and Agility Testing is scheduled for October 16th ONLY. Interviews will be scheduled for those passing POST and Agility (or have passing scores for either on file with Human Resources by October 9th) either the afternoon of October 16th or the following Monday.

Further details will be emailed to those candidates who qualify prior to each date. Candidates must pass each step of our process before being moved to the next step.

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Patrols assigned area in various vehicles or on foot to prevent, discover, and deter the commission of crime; to enforce criminal laws, traffic laws, parking regulations, and City ordinances; and to check the functioning of traffic signals, and road conditions. Monitors and directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic as required.

Provides general assistance to persons in need; provides first aid for injured persons. Answers calls regarding complaints, misdemeanors and felonies; interviews persons with complaints or inquiries; attempts to make proper disposition or direct them to proper authorities. Apprehends suspects. Conducts investigations; searches for and preserves evidence; questions suspects and witnesses; takes written statements; maintains surveillance over persons and places; effects arrests and charges; creates reports; serves warrants. Answers calls involving automobile accidents; takes safeguards to prevent further accidents; clears scene of obstructions and/or wreckage. Conducts accident investigations; reports traffic control device malfunctions and obstructions of view; examines roadways and vehicles; takes various types of measurements associated with crime scenes vehicle crashes and other incidents. Enforces traffic regulations; operates radar equipment; issues traffic and parking tickets; directs traffic at community events. Assists other emergency personnel as needed; secures emergency scene. Testifies as a witness in court. Reports equipment malfunctions and performs minor maintenance and repair.

Books, fingerprints, and photographs prisoners; oversees well being of individuals in custody; follows and maintains detention facility rules and procedures. Transports individuals to and from detention facility.

Provides information to public in accordance with public reporting regulations. Engages in community policing, relationship building, and problem-solving. Embraces ongoing training to maintain professional competence. Builds trust with citizen groups. Acts as department representative providing formal and informal presentations on relevant issues to community groups, schools, etc.

Other Job Functions: May act in specialty assignments including Community Resource, Drug Task Force or Safe Neighborhoods Team. May serve as juvenile officer, performing a full range of preventative and investigative duties. May perform duty as a detective.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respect and dignity for one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.

Selection Process:

The selection process consists of an evaluation of the application as a whole with education/experience, preliminary background check, physical agility testing, POST exam, phone interview, oral board interview, Chief of Police interview, POST, an extensive background investigation (including criminal history, financial and employment verification, and driving record), polygraph, psychological exam (MMPI) and physical exam (including a drug test). Candidates must successfully pass each component to continue in the process. Finalists will also be required to sign a no tobacco usage pledge.

**Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.**

Depending on the number of qualified candidates, the City may forego phone interviews.

For further details on this process, please see the Join Ames PD webpage at Join Ames PD website.

Residency Requirement

All employees governed by the PPME contract (which includes Police Officers) are required to reside within an area bordered by State Highway 65 on the east, County Road R-27 north of Boone and Des Moines River south of Highway 30 on the west, Story County line on the north, and Polk County Road F-22 on the south. Communities intersected by the borderlines shall be within the area. For further details of what area this includes, please view the Ames Employee Residency Map link here (area in light blue): MAP.

E-Verify Process

The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.

NOTE

Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview.

The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.

Employer

City of Ames

515 Clark Ave

Ames, Iowa, 50010

Phone

515-239-5199

Website

http://www.cityofames.org/jobs

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Successful completion of high school, HiSet, or GED, PLUS 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in an accredited college or university in diversified academic subjects, OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may substitute for the minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of accredited higher education. Not to be included are technical or occupation courses; however, technical or community college credits will be considered if credits are in criminal justice, liberal arts, or a closely related field. Certification by a law enforcement academy may not substitute for any course credit.

Licenses and Certificates: Must obtain a valid Iowa driver license upon appointment. Must demonstrate a safe and conscientious regard for traffic laws. Must meet all state standards for Peace Officer certification, complete the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, and achieve certification within one year of appointment. Must exceed Iowa Law Enforcement Academy fitness testing standards to be eligible for hire; must complete ILEA based testing biannually.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Necessary to Perform Essential Functions:

Some knowledge of the purpose of law enforcement and criminal justice system.

Working skill in observing factual situations analytically and objectively and to record them clearly and completely; working skill in verbal and written communication; some skill in following strict routines.

Ability to effectively communicate and work with a wide variety people and personalities. Ability to maintain a strong and visible commitment