General Information

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The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for the position of Police Officer with the City of Ames Police Department. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

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.

This incentive shall be paid in the following increments:
 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 $65,165 ($31.51 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, 2024 through June 30, 2025
 Months     Hourly Rate        Annual Pay 
   0-12           $31.51                   $65,165
  13-24         $32.64                  $67,505
  25-48        $34.52                  $71,391
  49-72        $36.40                  $75,275
  73-96        $38.37                  $79,353
  97-120       $40.94                 $84,659
  121-168      $42.46                 $87,816
  169+           $44.15                   $91,304

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


In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.

Screening of Candidates
Will start on October 25th, by noon.  Each passing candidate from the initial background screening will be invited to agility testing and POST exam starting on Friday, November 1st, 2024.  Oral board interviews will be that same afternoon.  Our following screenings and testing/interviewing dates are below:

 Screening Date by Noon          Agility/POST/Interview Date
 1st -   Oct 25                               November 1
 2nd - Nov 8                                November 15
 3rd -  Nov 27                              December 6
 4th -  Dec 13                               December 20

If needed, we may continue this recruitment into January 2025.  

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, School 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; committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting 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. 

 

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 to integrity and fairness. Working ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies; working ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions; working ability to handle situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and impartially; working ability to develop proficiency in the use of firearms and in the operation of motor vehicles and computer applications; working ability to use good judgment in evaluating situations, problem-solving and making sound decisions; working ability to gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence and to draw sound conclusions; some ability to obtain valid information by interview and interrogation.

Supplemental Information

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.