Position Description
***NOTE: this is a re-post of the job announcement in July - August 2023. Applicants that previously applied will need to apply again to be considered*** Calling all community-minded individuals or experienced law enforcement professionals looking to stay engaged and continue making a difference in your community! We have an exciting opportunity for you to make a real difference in your neighborhood as a Community Service Officer (CSO).
As a CSO, you'll work closely with law enforcement professionals to support public safety initiatives. Don't worry, you won't need the enforcement authority of a commissioned Police Officer. Instead, you'll focus on a wide range of engaging tasks that promote community well-being.
Here's what you can expect as a CSO:- Responding to Calls for Service: You'll be the first point of contact for non-emergency calls. Your quick thinking and problem-solving abilities will shine as you assist citizens and gather information for reports.
- Substation Support: Get ready to interact with the community face-to-face! You'll staff the desk at our five Department substations, taking walk-in and telephone reports, ensuring everyone feels heard and supported.
- Public Service and Assistance: From delivering messages to providing transportation, you'll offer vital support services to the public, other agencies, and Police Officers. Your friendly demeanor and helpful attitude will make a lasting impression.
- Incident Support: Get a behind-the-scenes look at various incidents, such as traffic accidents, crime scenes, fires, and special events. Your presence will enhance public safety and provide a reassuring presence in challenging situations.
- Missing Persons and Runaways: You'll play a crucial role in taking reports of runaways and assisting with missing person cases. Your compassion and attention to detail will help reunite families and ensure the safety of our community's youth.
- Perimeter Security: As an important member of the team, you'll assist in providing perimeter security at crime scenes. Your vigilance will help maintain order and protect sensitive areas.
Note: This job description may include additional duties within the scope of the role.
This is a non-sworn position, which means you won't have arrest authority beyond what's granted to a private citizen. Please note that carrying or possessing firearms is strictly prohibited while on duty, regardless of permits.
Join us in fostering a safer community while gaining valuable experience in law enforcement. If you're ready to be a positive force in your neighborhood and make a lasting impact, apply now!
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
Transforming Tacoma
The Tacoma Police Department is a proud participant in Transforming Tacoma; actively working to d evelop pragmatic, specific recommendations and reforms that the Tacoma Police Department and the City of Tacoma can implement to strengthen the Tacoma Police Department’s relationship with Tacoma’s community; ensure that the Tacoma Police Department’s activities and operations are safe, just, effective, lawful, and consistent with national, best, emerging, and transformational practices. For more information about this effort, please visit the Transforming Tacoma website.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: - Must be at least 18 years of age at time of appointment
- High School Diploma or equivalent
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: - Specialized clerical or law enforcement training is highly desirable
- Bilingual/Multilingual
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:- Limited Tacoma Police Commission at the time of appointment, with maintenance thereafter
- Valid Washington State Driver's License at the time of appointment, with maintenance thereafter
- First Aid and CPR certifications required prior to the end of CSO field training, with maintenance thereafter
- Must successfully pass a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check
- Subject to background screening including, but not limited to, fingerprinting, medical and polygraph tests
- Additional licenses and/or certifications may be required
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS:- Frequent interactions with the public
- May be exposed to hazards, such as toxic chemicals, traffic hazards, communicable diseases and possible verbal and/or physical harm from hostile, unstable and / or disoriented individuals
- Work includes indoor and outdoor environments, at times in adverse weather conditions
- Frequently operates a City-owned vehicle
- Physical conditions are varied; regularly may be required to crawl, climb, walk for long periods, stand, sit, talk, hear and see, twist, balance, kneel, bend, stoop, crouch, reach, lift, carry, drag, push/pull; occasionally carry or lift heavy objects
- CSOs may work varying shifts in the late afternoon into the evening, depending on assignment and may include weekends.
Knowledge & Skills
Knowledge:- Principles, practices and terminology related to the criminal justice system
- State, county and city laws; codes and ordinances
- Principles and practices of safe work methods in collecting, processing, logging, storing and safeguarding evidence, property and materials including hazardous materials
- Preparing clear and concise reports
- Analyzing situations accurately and adopting effective courses of action
- Modern office procedures, computer applications and automated law enforcement information systems
- Law enforcement record keeping and records management principles, procedures, techniques and equipment
- Local city and county roads, geographic locations and physical addresses
Skills:- Applying principles and methods of modern law enforcement theory to a wide variety of programs and services
- Working and communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, with audiences of various social, cultural, ethnic, educational and economic backgrounds
- Critical thinking and exercising independent judgement
- Uses verbal conflict resolution with hostile citizens and others encountered in antagonistic situations
- Applying self-defense practices, safe work methods and safety regulations while performing a full range of non-sworn law enforcement activities
- Communicates through radio, which includes comprehending radio transmissions being received over multiple law enforcement radio channels. Communicates information effectively while transmitting on the radio
- Communicates through and operates Mobile Data Computer (MDC)
- Operates a vehicle safely in non-emergency (routine) situations. Uses MDC and responds to the radio-mike while performing multiple functions in cluding floor pedals, gearshift, steering wheel, and the radio (during both day light and dark hours); in congested traffic conditions; in unsafe road conditions caused by such factors as rain, ice, snow, fog, smoke, etc.
- Working collaboratively with peer providers, law enforcement, fire and paramedic personnel, social services agencies and others
- Providing court testimony
Selection Process & Supplemental Information
This recruitment is being managed by Human Resources Analyst, Yaisa Criss-Greenwood. Eligible candidates must pass all phases of the hiring process including interview, pre-offer assessment test, and background investigation. Upon successful completion of these hiring steps, the applicant may receive a conditional offer of employment, conditional upon the successful completion of the polygraph examination, physical and psychological examinations, and any other phases of the pre-employment process that might need to be accomplished. Candidates may be removed from the eligible list for failure to pass any of these hiring steps.
Communication from the City of Tacoma:
Please indicate in your online application that you prefer email notification as this is the preferred method of communication with the City of Tacoma. In order to receive the most efficient communications from the City of Tacoma Human Resources Department and the Tacoma Police Department, we ask that each applicant create a Gmail email address for correspondence. Please use any combination of your first and last name as the email address. Ex: Smithjane@gmail.com , Janesmith@gmail.com JSmith123@gmail.com . This will assist the Tacoma Police Department hiring unit with tracking information received during the hiring process.
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.
The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend an hour or more entering the required information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement. If you experience any complications while applying, please contact Human Resources as 253.591.5400 by
11:00 a.m., Monday, April 29, 2024 in order for us to assist you before the closing time.
To learn more about the Tacoma Police Department's hiring process, click here.
Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Public Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.
Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.
Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.
Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.
Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.
Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.
Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.
Other Employment Information
Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.
Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.
Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.
Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 4/29/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
