Physical & Environmental Characteristics
Required Physical Activities: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, manual dexterity, shooting, restraining prisoners, defensive tactics.
Physical Characteristics of Work: Work requires exerting a negligible amount of force constantly; up to 20 pound of force frequently; and in excess of 50 pounds occasionally to move objects. Must be able to perform physical tasks under stressful conditions.
Vision Requirements: Uncorrected vision of not less than 20/100 in both eyes, correctable to 20/20; vision cannot be inhibited by color blindness or night blindness.
Environmental Conditions: The worker may be exposed to both inside and outside environmental conditions; extreme heat (above 100 degrees) or cold (below 32 degrees) for periods of more than one hour; noise; vibration; atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system (i.e. dust, fumes, gasses, odors); and hazards.
Equipment Essential to the Job: Patrol car, 2-way radio, base radio, portable radio, mobile telephones, body camera, keys, unlocking tools, radar/tuning forks, speedometer, emergency lighting, various firearms and other weapons, safety/locking devices, impact weapon, tear gas/launcher, chemical irritants, face mask, protective vest, handcuffs, flashlight, sirens, first aid kit, defibrillator, and resuscitator. Barricades, flares, noise meter, preliminary breath test, intoxilyzer, measurement devises/wheel, still camera, latex gloves and ticket books. Various computers, printers and related software. Telephone, paper forms, various types of recording equipment. Maps, headsets, alarm boards, fingerprint equipment, GPS, copy machine, warrants and warrant records, video monitors.
Other Equipment Used on the Job: Prisoner transport van, pickups, bicycle, taser, small equipment and tools, recording equipment, engraver, gun cleaning tools and equipment, latex or nylex gloves, various crime scene testing materials.
Other Supplemental Information
**Minimum education requirements or equivalency will be varified in the background process should you be given a contingent offer of employment.
Selection Process:
The selection process consists of an evaluation of education/experience, Chief of Police interview, POST written exam, oral board interview, a physical agility test, an extensive background investigation (including criminal history, financial and employment verification, education 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.
Veteran’s Preference Points
The City of Ames provides Veteran's Preference Points for Civil Service positions. A copy of your DD214 and, if applicable, proof of disability, must be attached with your application (or faxed to 515-239-5297) prior to the close date of the posting in order to receive Veteran's Preference Points.