POLICE SERGEANT

Cook County Government; River Forest (IL); On-site; USD 69,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You May Qualify for PSLF

Job summary

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is seeking a Police Sergeant to supervise patrol operations, respond to incidents, and enforce laws while ensuring safety for visitors and staff. The position emphasizes leadership, training, and rapid decision-making in dynamic field conditions.

Minimum qualifications include multiple pathways of law enforcement experience, valid IL credentials, and a commitment to the district’s mission of conservation and public safety.

Qualifications

• Internal candidates must have at least 3 years of full-time work experience as a sworn ILETSB-certified officer.
• External candidates must have at least six (6) years of full-time work experience as a sworn ILETSB-certified officer; OR 3 years as a Sergeant or higher rank; OR 3 years in Military Police Supervisor or equivalent supervisory position.
• Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license at time of application.
• Must possess a valid Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification Card at time of application.
• Must possess a valid mandatory annual firearms certification per Illinois Public Act 94-103 at time of hire.
• Must possess a background free of convictions for any felony or misdemeanor referenced in 50 ILCS 705/6.1(a) at time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, evaluates, and guides personnel on an assigned shift.
• Reviews information and conducts training/briefings during roll calls.
• Inspects personnel, equipment, and vehicles for readiness.
• Enforces laws, issues citations, makes arrests, transports offenders, and conducts investigations.
• Responds to major crimes and emergencies; assumes initial on-scene command.
• Analyses reports for accuracy and substantiation of actions taken.
• Provides administrative support and recommends program/policy changes.
• Maintains safe, friendly environment and security for visitors and staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Written reports

Ability to follow instructions

Stressful situations

Operate law enforcement equipment

Education

Associates degree or higher in Natural Resources or Law Enforcement

Job description

Job Description - POLICE SERGEANT (00139376)

Job Description

POLICE SERGEANT

Requisition ID

00139376

Organization

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Work Locations

536 N. Harlem

Job Posting

Posted: Aug 17, 2026, 3:29:05 PM

Closing Date: Sep 17, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

Posting Salary : $81,211.90 / Annually

Job Summary

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is a mission-driven organization, protecting and preserving diverse habitats across Cook County so that residents today and for generations to come can enjoy the many benefits and amenities available in nature. Under the general direction of the Command Staff, the Police Sergeant performs supervisory functions as a first line supervisor. Provides guidance to patrol officers, observes patrol officers’ response to calls for police service, routinely meets with patrol officers in the field to provide leadership and feedback. Creates and maintains an environment in which laws, rules and regulations are enforced in a friendly, consistent, and assured manner. Utilizes available resources to ensure the safety and security of visitors, employees, and staff of the District at all times. Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Duties

• Supervises, evaluates, and provides guidance to sworn and non-sworn Department personnel on an assigned shift.
• Reviews essential information and provides training and briefing sessions on special tasks or assignments during roll calls.
• Inspects Department personnel, equipment and vehicles for appearance, readiness, and preparation for duty.
• Supervises and participates in all normal shift duties as assigned, including enforcement of local, state, and federal laws, issuing citations, making arrests, transporting offenders, and conducting crash scenes and preliminary criminal investigations.
• Responds to major crimes, crash scenes and emergencies; assumes initial on-scene command and acts as Incident Commander until relieved by a higher-ranking person who assumes command.
• Analyzes reports prepared and submitted by Department personnel for accuracy, completeness, essential elements, fundamental soundness, and substantiation of action taken.
• Provides administrative support to management staff; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence as required or requested.
• Creates and maintains an environment in which people are safe, where laws, rules, and regulations are enforced in a friendly and consistent manner and that ensures their security and well-being.
• Manages Department personnel assigned to a shift to assure pro-active police services as required and needed.
• Utilizes available resources to ensure the safety and security of visitors, employees, staff, and District property and facilities at all times, including during a serious incident or catastrophic event.
• Ensures the consistent application of Department policy and procedure by subordinate personnel on an assigned shift.
• Addresses personnel administrative matters involving personnel actions, including the evaluation, training, and investigation of employees in the Department.
• Implements emergency response and mutual aid plans.
• Serves with enthusiasm and passion for nature, conservation and outdoor activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned under the direction of the Deputy Commander.

Minimum Qualifications

Internal candidates must possess at least 3 years of full-time work experience as a sworn Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB)-certified law enforcement officer.

External candidates must possess at least six (6) years of full-time work experience as a sworn Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB)-certified law enforcement officer; OR 3 years of full-time work experience as an ILETSB-certified Sergeant or higher rank at any local, county, or State of Illinois police agency OR at least 3 years of full-time work experience as a Military Police Supervisor or equivalent supervisory position in the United States Armed Forces.

Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license at the time of application.

Must possess a valid Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification Card at the time of application.

Must possess a valid mandatory annual firearms certification as required by Illinois Public Act 94-103 at the time of hire.

Must possess a background free of convictions for any felony or misdemeanor referenced in 50 ILCS 705/6.1(a) at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Possess an associates’ degree or higher in Natural Resources, Law Enforcement or substantially similar areas from an accredited college or university; OR active-duty status in the U.S. Armed Forces or Army National Guards and eligible for or awarded honorable discharge—you must attach proof to your application in order to be considered; OR at least 1 year of work experience in the areas of forestry, conservation, restoration, ecology or other related natural sciences; OR at least 1 season of work experience on property of the FPCC with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago; OR work experience with other partners such as, Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association.

External candidates qualifying through the six (6) year experience pathway should demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience. Examples include, but are not limited to: Field Training Officer (FTO), Detective/Investigations, Instructor, specialized unit assignments, Acting Supervisor or Officer-in-Charge assignments, accreditation or policy development, training coordination, Incident Command System (ICS) leadership, community policing initiatives, or other assignments demonstrating leadership, mentoring, or supervisory responsibility.

*Successful completion of all the steps outlined below under “SERGEANT HIRING PROCESS” is required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of natural sciences such as forestry, urban forestry, forest ecology, forest resource management, biology, ecology, wildlife management, natural resources, or environmental science.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive written reports.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to think clearly and decisively in stressful and challenging situations.
• Ability to promote the mission, programs, policies, and procedures of the Department through lawful operation and established standards.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with and between employees, staff, the general public and other law enforcement organizations. Physical coordination, strength and ability sufficient to meet strenuous police duty requirements.
• Ability to adapt to changing field conditions including, but not limited to, exposure to extreme weather conditions, intense physical activity and safety hazards.
• Ability and skill to operate a variety of law enforcement equipment including, but not limited to, police vehicles, during normal and emergency conditions, and in a safe and cautious manner.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Sergeant Hiring Process

• 1. Informational Session. All candidates whose names are on the Validated Eligibility List for the Sergeant Position may attend an Informational Session describing the hiring process and participate in a written examination tutorial exercise. The study guide for the written examination will be made available upon request to the Law Enforcement Department and will also be provided during the Informational Sessions. All candidates will be offered the same study guide. Each candidate will receive written notice of the Informational Sessions at least five days in advance of the date of the Informational Sessions.
• 2. Applicants will be required to email the Human Resources Department documentation confirming minimum qualifications; preferred qualifications, if applicable; and honorable Veteran’s status, if applicable.
• 3. The written examination will be administered by Stanard & Associates, Inc., an independent testing agency, on Tuesday, November 24, 2026. A cumulative minimum score of 70% on the written examination is required for a candidate to continue to be considered eligible. All candidates will be required to take a written examination and receive a test score of 70 or higher; however, qualifying External ILETSB candidates are exempt from completing the written exam.
• 4. Eligible candidates must undergo an assessment by a third party, professional assessment center to determine skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of a sergeant according to law enforcement industry standards.
• 5. Eligible candidates are required to complete and pass an interview.
• 6. Total scores for eligible candidates who are not exempted from the written exam and have completed the above steps, are calculated as follows: 30% written examination score; 30% candidate assessment score; and 40% interview score.
• 7. Total scores for eligible candidates who are exempted* from the written examination are calculated as follows: 40% candidate assessment score and 60% interview score.
• 8. Eligible candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug and medical testing.

Exemption Criteria

• a) hold valid certification by ILETSB as a full-time law enforcement officer;
• b) are currently employed by a Law Enforcement Agency and left in good standing with all Law Enforcement Agencies where they worked—or separated in good standing as defined by the Employment Plan;
• c) have at least 3 years of full-time work experience as a Sergeant or higher rank at any local, county, or State of Illinois police agency.

External candidates qualifying through the six (6) year law enforcement experience pathway and Military Police Supervisors are required to complete the written examination.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:

http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

Veteran’s Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

• a) Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• b) Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering Yes to the question “Are you a military veteran?”
• c) Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).
• d) Veteran must provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each bring to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.