Lateral Public Safety Officer

Note: Lateral applicants may be eligible to be appointed up to the TOP step in the salary range. We are seeking to hire lateral officers with a $20,000 Recruitment and Retention Bonus, $5,000 upon completion of field training program, $5,000 upon completion of probationary period, and $10,000 upon completion of three years of service. The City of Rohnert Park is one of the few cities in the nation to consolidate delivery of primary police and fire services by utilizing cross-trained personnel. These personnel are truly "Public Safety Officers" and not just specialists in one area of Public Safety. All officers are trained as firefighters. This "Public Safety" concept has been in operation since the City was incorporated. Public Safety Officers in the City of Rohnert Park have the unique opportunity of combining two great careers in one job. The Public Safety Department is seeking motivated individuals with a strong commitment to providing excellent and friendly customer service to the members of the community, who possess high ethical standards and are team players.

Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate will respond to complaints and perform general patrol on an assigned shift and beat. They will monitor assigned beat area for any municipal or other code violations that might contribute to an unsafe environment for the public and make recommendations on possible law enforcement or other special activities needed. They will prepare reports on crimes and investigations, contact and interview victims, witnesses, and suspects, issue citations and make arrests for violations of laws and ordinances, conduct property checks on businesses and homes for the prevention of burglary and other criminal activities, respond to fire calls and participate in fire suppression activities, drive vehicles and operate all fire apparatus and equipment, operate a variety of tools and equipment related to fire suppression, rescue, and hazardous materials emergency activities, serve as a hose operator in firefighting situations including laying hose lines, pulling working lines, holding the nozzle to direct the stream of water on the fire, placing, raising, lowering and climbing ladders, assist in overhaul and salvage operations, inspect and perform routine maintenance on rescue equipment, fire apparatus, hydrants, hoses, and other support equipment, assist with vehicle accidents and medical emergencies, preserve evidence at crime scenes and conduct follow-up investigations as directed, testify in court proceedings when summoned, transport, book, and detain suspects in accordance with applicable laws and procedures, enforce traffic laws through the issuance of traffic citations and perform traffic control work as needed, maintain good public relations, participate in disaster preparedness activities and respond and provide service as directed in the event of a disaster and/or emergency, may operate engine pumping equipment, may conduct commercial and residential fire inspections for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention codes and ordinances, may make presentations to schools or other community groups regarding Department program activities and juvenile and gang concerns, conduct accident investigations, may conduct fire inspection activities to insure compliance with fire ordinances, may assist other law enforcement agencies involved in emergency response or enforcement activities, may assist in assigned administrative support activities, may serve as department representative to community committees or at special functions, may assist in training other personnel in specialized skill area.

Qualifications and Requirements: Education/Training/Experience: Sufficient experience and education to perform the duties of a Public Safety Officer. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to: possess a high school diploma and/or G.E.D., and possess a California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Basic Course Certificate, and possess a Class C California Driver's License by date of appointment License/Certificate: Obtain a California State Fire Services Firefighter I Certificate, and obtain a California State First Responder Certificate Knowledge of: Methods and procedures related to public safety activities, including patrol, crime prevention, criminal investigation, traffic control and fire suppression Current criminal law with particular emphasis on the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons accused of felonies and misdemeanors Rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure, and the preservation and presentation of evidence in court Interrogation, fingerprinting, photographing and booking of suspects Laws and practices dealing with juveniles, sexual assault, domestic violence, and victims' rights Skill to: Use and care for firearms and other law enforcement and fire suppression equipment Learn to drive and operate effectively and safely the full range of department emergency vehicles React quickly and appropriately to emergencies and threatening situations Make accurate observations and remember details of situations and individuals Learn the operating and mechanical principles of fire apparatus and equipment Ability to: Prepare a variety of public safety records and reports Correctly interpret and apply policies, laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations to individual circumstances Give and understand oral and written directions Prepare clear, concise, and accurate incident and case reports Question witnesses and interrogate suspects in an effective and appropriate manner Learn the street location and physical layout of the City and major traffic and fire hazards Work effectively as a team member and as an individual Tactfully and effectively represent the department to individuals, community groups, and other government agencies Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing Maintain confidentiality as required Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships Learn and utilize new technology

Additional Information: Position requires sitting, standing, walking, running, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, crouching in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in writing reports, and using a computer key board. Additionally, the position requires near, far, night, and color vision in viewing crime scenes and evidence and firing a weapon. As a law enforcement officer the incumbent is frequently required to run in pursuit and subdue suspects while taking them into custody; walk on uneven and slippery surfaces; drive a variety of emergency vehicles. Incumbents work outdoors in all weather conditions; around loud siren noise and moving vehicles. This position may require working around chemicals, pesticides, blood, and other potential toxic exposures and around electrical hazards. Incumbents may be subjected to physical threats, verbal abuse, and other stressful situations. Incumbents work a variety of shifts, including a 24-hour schedule. During fire suppression activities incumbents may be required to wear protective gear, carry appropriate tools, and wear self-contained breathing apparatus, weighing a combined total of 100 pounds, while performing many of the emergency related duties; may be exposed to very hot and very cold conditions and enter smoke filled buildings. While performing emergency aid, lifting and carrying victims and moving heavy equipment may be required. Incumbents will be required to work in small, cramped crawl spaces, areas where vision is limited, and/or at heights including roof tops and on ladders.

Benefits: CALPERS RETIREMENT: Per the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), effective 1/1/13, new-hire employees with no prior membership in any California public retirement system will be placed in the following retirement formula. Employees must contribute 50% of the normal cost rate to CalPERS.Safety Employees: 2.7%@ age 57 New-hire employees who first established CalPERS membership with another agency prior to January 1, 2013 and are eligible to establish reciprocity with the City of Rohnert Park are considered "classic" members and will be placed in the following retirement formula: Safety Employees: 3%@ age 55 The City does not participate in Social Security, but withholds Medicare taxes. MEDICAL INSURANCE: Employees may select from Kaiser, REMIF, or Sutter health plans. The City contributes a set credit amount based on coverage level. Alternate Benefit: eligible employees who provide proof of health insurance coverage from a source other than the City may receive an alternate benefit of $350/month which may be directed to an employee's deferred compensation account or toward the purchase of any other eligible benefit program. DENTAL & VISION INSURANCE: City provides Ameritas Dental and VSP (vision) insurance at no premium cost to employee and eligible dependents. HOLIDAYS: 14.5 paid holidays per year. ANNUAL LEAVE: Schedule starts at 158 hrs/year, i.e. 13.167 hrs/month. Eff. 4/1/17, the cap on annual leave will be a maximum of 550 hrs.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: City-paid $50,000 life insurance policy (Employees may purchase additional supplemental life insurance) Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance; the City does not participate in State Disability Insurance (SDI) Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Education and Tuition Reimbursement Program Flexible Spending Accounts Voluntary Deferred Compensation Incentive Pay (as set forth in RPPSOA MOA) Uniform Allowance Catastrophic Leave Program Free use of the City's Sports Center and lap swim in City's swimming pools EMPLOYEE UNIT: This position is in the Rohnert Park Public Safety Officers' Association (RPPSOA) Unit. For further details about the benefits offered, please Click here (Download PDF reader) for the RPPSO