The Community Service Officer (CSO) is a non-sworn, part-time civilian member of the Police Department and provides a variety of non-emergency services to the community that do not require physical arrest or relate to a crime in progress. The CSO will also perform other public service and administrative duties as assigned. This position requires a strong service-oriented approach to duties at all times and the ability to work under minimal supervision.

POSITION CONTEXT:

• Identifies and enforces parking violations according to City ordinances, issues citations to illegally parked cars, arranges the towing of vehicles as appropriate.
• Educates citizens about parking ordinances in an effort to reduce parking violations.
• Assists with the abandoned vehicle reporting process. Responds to calls for potentially abandoned vehicles and investigates the circumstances of the vehicle. Coordinates the removal of the vehicles with the owner or through the department’s abandoned vehicle towing process.
• Assists in the administration of the parking ticket process, including the assignment of late fees, bill payment and generating of reports when requested.

• Oversees the intake, organization and auditing of all evidence turned into the evidence division.
• Maintains the chain of custody for all evidence within the police department's control.
• Prepares evidence for transport to a laboratory and arranges for its delivery.
• Prepares evidence for court proceedings, including the delivery of photos for the State's Attorney's Office and arranges for evidence's availability in court.
• Adheres to all court orders, local policies, state and federal rules for the retention and destruction of evidence.

• Assists and/or conducts Police Applicant, Liquor Applicant, Telecommunicator Applicant, and Civilian Applicant background investigations.
• Assists the Investigations Division with evidence delivery and administrative duties as needed.

• Responds to radio dispatched calls for assistance and takes appropriate action, assists law enforcement and fire personnel in emergency situations that do not place the CSO in physical jeopardy due to lack of weapons or training. Renders first aid in emergency situations and provides assistance to citizens as necessary.
• Patrols assigned area on foot and in a vehicle and conducts various premise checks as requested.
• Enforces parking, animal and other City ordinances as assigned. Issues tickets to illegally parked cars.
• Assists with administrative duties such as departmental purchases and building, vehicle and property maintenance items.
• Provides security services for Administrative Hearings held at the Police Department.
• Conducts investigations for other City departments, as directed by the Police Chief, City Manager and/or City Attorney.
• Assists with set-up and security for community special events as requested.
• Provides low-risk services, such as school crossing guard and directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic using barriers, flares and hand signals.
• Assists citizens with non-emergency calls such as abandoned and disabled vehicles, vehicle lock-outs, lost property calls, etc.
• Performs vacation checks of homes as requested by out-of-town residents.
• Assists police officers with walk-in cases and accident reports. Helps perform preliminary investigations and writing reports.
• Transports and disseminates departmental property, supplies, monies, equipment and interagency correspondence (bond money, case reports, subpoenas, etc.) to City Hall and other various agencies/businesses;
• Conducts periodic inspection of departmental vehicles. Maintains vehicle equipment supplies and cleans vehicles as needed.
• Conducts station tours for schools and special interest groups as assigned.

• Appears and testifies in court as necessary.
• Prepares reports and pertinent documentation as requested.
• Responds to public inquiries over the telephone and in-person. Refers to appropriate staff as needed.
• Maintains required departmental documentation, filing system and public informational materials.
• Completes special projects, clerical tasks and other duties as assigned.

• Ability to gain proficiency in current City codes and ordinances and zoning regulations.
• Ability to interpret and provide information in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations, established policies and departmental procedures.
• Ability to handle confidential/sensitive matters in a professional manner.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising good judgment and initiative.
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to understand and follow complex verbal and written instructions.
• Extensive knowledge of office terminology, office procedures, spelling and grammar.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with all levels of staff, management, residents and general public.
• Ability to maintain professional composure when confronted by stressful situations and take reasonable action when confronted with difficult situations.
• Ability to gather data, analyze information and prepare reports.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately complete basic arithmetic computations.
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure with interruptions and within short timeframes.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Knowledge of or the ability to gain knowledge of street locations and City geography.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle outfitted with emergency equipment in all weather conditions.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Educational coursework in criminal justice or related field preferred.
• Valid driver's license.
• This position will require LEADS certification within 6 months of hire.

• Previous law enforcement experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) strongly desired. Previous experience or the ability to gain experience with departmental systems required.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position will work routinely between an office and outdoor setting. While working in the office, the person in this position will regularly sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear on the phone and in person.
• This position will regularly work outside and be exposed to weather elements. While working outdoors, the person in this position will routinely stand for prolonged periods of time, stoop, kneel, bend, climb, crawl or crouch to reach items. This position will also be required to walk, run and maneuver/navigate all types of terrain including uneven terrain.
• This position will frequently lift/move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift/move up to 75 pounds with the use of a hand cart or other aid.
• This position requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• This position will require occasional travel to and from various municipal buildings and other offsite locations throughout the County.

• General office equipment including personal computer, tablets, printers, scanner, copier and cellular phones.
• Field inspection equipment including binoculars, flashlight, cameras, radios traffic-control equipment.

• This position will require the ability to work outside of normal business hours including evenings and weekends as necessary.

• The selection process includes submission of an application, interview, and a background check. The physical examination and drug screen are completed upon conditional offer.

Please click here to view the City's policy regarding the hiring of immediate family members of a current City employee, elected official, or appointed official prior to completing an application for employment.