Police Officer - Huntsville, United States - City of Huntsville, AL

Description

Salary : $56, $77,729.60 Annually

Location : Huntsville, AL

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number:

Department: Police - Academy

Opening Date: 01/11/2024

Closing Date: 12/2/2024 6:00 PM Central

Nature of Work

This is law enforcement work in the protection of life and property through patrol, investigation of a specialized nature, assistance to citizens, arrest and detention, and related activities. Work involves prevention of crime, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, investigations of a specialized nature, crime scene investigations, apprehension of criminals, internal investigations, special assignments, patrolling of assigned areas, enforcement of traffic regulations, accident and crime scene investigations. Work involves an element of personal danger and investigator/officers must be able to act without direct supervision and must be able to exercise independent judgment in meeting complex emergency situations. Work is performed with independence within established policies and procedures, and is reviewed by superiors through observation of the effectiveness of work performed and results through reports, observations, and discussions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of contemporary police practices. Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, particularly the laws of arrest evidence. Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Police Department. Knowledge of computers and applicable software. Ability to deal firmly and courteously with the public. Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper courses of action to be taken. Ability to obtain information through interview and interrogation. Ability to give credible testimony in court. Ability to speak and write effectively. Skill in the use and care of firearms and police vehicles. Skill in the use of expandable baton and OC pepper spray. Skill in using a computer and related equipment including basic typing and keyboarding skills.

Minimum Education, Training and Experience

High school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency; a valid U.S. Driver's License; minimum of 21 years of age; United States citizenship; no conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving force or violence, force related to domestic violence, or a crime of moral turpitude, perjury, or false statement. If an applicant has been a member of the armed forces of the United States, the discharge must be under honorable conditions.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Alabama State Certified Law Enforcement Officer
Any officer certified by the Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) will be eligible for the Lateral Entry Academy provided they have satisfactorily met all of the Huntsville Police Department Officer Selection Process requirements and have two years' experience as a certified police officer; and

Applicants must have two (2) full years of service since APOSTC certification was achieved; or have been employed previously by the Huntsville Police Department and separated in good standing. A minimal three (3) years of certification to be eligible for increased pay.

Two or more years of POST certified experience working as a patrol officer for a county or city law enforcement agency including uniform patrol work responding to emergency calls is desired.

Individuals hired for the position of Police Officer who meet the law enforcement experience requirements and conditions as described in Ordinance , section 8.2 of the Personnel Policies and Procedures Handbook, are eligible for hire above the minimum rate:
Three (3) years but less than five (5) years of APOSTC certified law enforcement experience or other state certified law enforcement experience shall be hired at $58,

Five (5) years to seven (7) years of APOSTC certified law enforcement experience or other state certified law enforcement experience shall be hired at $59,800.00.Seven (7) years or more of APOSTC certified law enforcement experience or other state certified law enforcement experience shall be hired at $60,985.60.

Upon successful completion of the Police Academy Training Program, as established by APOSTC, and the Field Training Officer (FTO) program, eligible police personnel will receive a four (4) step progression. In addition, eligible Police Officers receive annual step raises.

Out-of-State Lateral Transfers

*This is a Lateral Police officer position for certified out of state law enforcement officers. Please attach your current Law Enforcement Officer Certification to your application.

Out-of-state candidates must have three (3) or more years of continuous full-time certified law enforcement employment with a current Peace Officers Standards and Training certificate from another state to be considered. The certification must be in good standing.

NOTE: Per Code 650-X-4-03 of the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission Requirements, out-of-state applicants must be able to obtain a total of ten (10) or more points based on the following criteria to qualify to attend a 95 hour Law Enforcement Officers Refresher Course:

Years of full time Law Enforcement Experience:

• Less than one points
• One (1) to five (5) years- 5 points
• Five years, 1 day, to 10 years - 6 points
• Ten years, 1 day, to 15 years - 7 points
• Fifteen years, 1 day, to 20 years - 8 points
• Twenty years and one day or more -9 points

Basic Police Training

• Less than 280 hours - 0 points
• 320 hours -479 hours - 2 points
• 480 hours - 639 hours - 3 points
• 640 hours - 800 hours - 4 points
• 801 hours - 959 hours - 5 points
• 960 hours or more - 6 points

Postsecondary Degrees:

• Associate Degree - 1 point
• Bachelor Degree - 2 points
• Master's Degree or above - 3 points

Prior to consideration for hire, lateral police officer applicants must be able to complete the APOSTC physical agility test. Applicants that do not possess an Associate's Degree or higher, must also successfully complete The Basic Ability Test (BAT.)

For a complete job description which includes the physical and environmental factors of the position, please visit:

HIRING PROCESS:

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION:

Applicants are required to complete a supplemental application. The deadline for the supplemental application will be provided to the applicant by the department. Please do not complete the supplemental application until you have been contacted and instructed to do so by the police personnel.Supplemental applications may be downloaded at:

Upon submission of the supplemental application the Huntsville Police Department may visit the applicant's current employer. Three years of evaluations, complete work history, and interviews with current employer will be obtained.

Applicants eligible to participate - those who meet the qualification requirements - will be notified of an appointment for the mandatory APOSTC Physical Agility test only.

Applicants must have returned a completed supplemental background application to Internal Affairs in order to take the physical agility/ability test. Applicants must present a valid driver's license and should also dress appropriate for the physical agility/ability test.

In addition, applicants who arrive late or fail to attend the mandatory physical agility/ability test will automatically be eliminated from the hiring process.

BACKGROUND:

Applicants will receive a deadline to submit required documents. Documents received late or failure to return the required documents will automatically eliminate the applicant from the hiring process.

ORAL INTERVIEW & POLYGRAPH:
Applicants, who are successful in the process to this point, are eligible to be selected for an oral interview. After oral interviews, all applicants chosen to continue in the process will be given a polygraph.

Final Selections:
Selection for Lateral Police Officer will be conditional upon passing a polygraph, background investigation, psychological test, drug test, and physical examination.

For additional information please visit

Applicants may obtain a copy of the City of Huntsville and Huntsville Police Department's EEOP Short Form Upon Request

The City of Huntsville offers a competitive benefits package for its regular, full-time employees, such as medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death & dismemberment, cancer, off-the-job accident, as well as annual leave, sick leave, holiday and retirement.

Below is a summary of the City's benefit offerings:

The City of Huntsville offers a comprehensive benefit program to all full-time employees. For most benefits, a 30-day waiting period from date of eligibility will apply.

Medical Insurance
All eligible and ACA eligible employees may enroll in the City of Huntsville's group health plans administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama; Blue Card PPO and High Deductible PPO. Benefits include medical/surgical, prescription coverage, and more.

Mental Health/Substance Abuse
A mental health benefit and substance abuse program is offered through Behavioral Health Systems, Incorporated (BHS). These benefits are included as part of the group health plan. Services may be accessed by contacting BHS. A designated Care Coordinator for the City of Huntsville can assist with referrals to network providers.

Dental Plan
The City offers a dental plan administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company to eligible full-time employees. This plan offers coverage for Preventive and Diagnostic Services, Basic and Major Services, and Orthodontic coverage (for dependent children under the age of 19.) A deductible of $50 per person/calendar year applies for Basic and Major Services. The deductible is waived for Diagnostic and Preventative services and a plan maximum of $2,000/year/covered patient. Orthodontics carries a $2,000/lifetime max/patient.

Vision Plan
The City's vision plan is offered and administered by Vision Service Plan (VSP). VSP provides vision benefits, co-pays for eye exams, frames, and eyeglass lenses, as applicable, and an allowance for contact lenses. The plan also offers exclusive Member Extras for additional savings.

Retirement
The City's retirement plan is administered by the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA). Participation is mandatory for all regular full and part-time employees. Employees contribute a percentage of their salary to the plan. The City contributes a percentage as determined by RSA.

Life Insurance
The City provides a $20,000 group life insurance policy to all full-time employees through Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Eligible employees are covered after completing one full day of work and coverage is provided at no-cost to the employee. Additional benefits may apply in the event of accidental death or dismemberment.

Disability Insurance
The City provides a limited long term disability policy for eligible employees with one year of service, but less than ten years of service. There is no cost to the employee for this coverage. After ten years of service, disability benefits may be requested through the Retirement System of Alabama (RSA).

Voluntary Life / AD&D
The City offers eligible employees an optional voluntary term life insurance benefit. Employees may apply to purchase additional term life insurance for self, spouse, and eligible dependents. Guarantee issue amounts are available if voluntary life benefits are elected within 30 days of eligibility. Premiums for employee and spouse are based upon age. Child Life is a flat rate based on the level of coverage.

The City also offers an optional voluntary accidental death & dismemberment insurance plan. Employees may purchase insurance for self or family. The plans are administered by Lincoln Financial Insurance Company. Please refer to the plan summary for additional information.

Supplemental Voluntary Benefits
The City offers voluntary Cancer and Off-the-Job Accident plans administered by Allstate Benefits. The Cancer plan provides first occurrence, hospital confinement, radiation & chemotherapy, and other benefits. The Off-the-Job Accident plan provides benefits for injuries occurring off the job. Please refer to the brochures for an explanation of covered benefits.

Flexible Spending Accounts
The City offers two flexible spending account options to assist with unreimbursed medical expenses and dependent care expenses. These pre-taxed accounts require a qualifying receipt and may be reimbursed by mail or direct deposit. A pre-loaded debit card is available for enrollees in the medical account. The flexible spending accounts are administered by Health Equity/WageWorks.

Financial Wellness
The City provides a confidential financial wellness program through SmartDollar for all full-time employees. The program offers online tools and a step-by-step plan that is self-paced to help employees as they journey to reach their financial goals. There is no cost to the employee for participation.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
We know that dealing with day-to-day stresses can be distracting. The City provides a confidential EAP program to assist with life's stresses. EAP services may be coordinated through Behavioral Health Systems (BHS) or through the Employee Resources and Program Manager at the City's Health & Wellness Center. Resources may include substance abuse, grief and loss, marriage/family communication, managing stress and depression, parenting, and more. There is no waiting period for this benefit.

Health & Wellness Center
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The City's Health & Wellness Center is more than just a clinic. The Center provides cost-effective health care and on-line services at no cost to the individual. Open Monday through Saturday, the Center provides medical services including acute, primary, and preventive care, as well as annual physicals. The Center also offers routine blood work, immunizations, wellness coaching, chronic disease management, many generic medications dispensed on-site, and much more. If an onsite appointment isn't possible, Telehealth Services are available 24/7/365. All City employees, covered retirees, and covered dependents age 3 and above are eligible for services at the Center as well as telehealth services.

Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans
The City provides two optional voluntary deferred compensation plans: RSA-1 (State of Alabama) and Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Employees may defer portions of salary for a later date, such as retirement. Please see the Payroll Division of the Finance Department for further details.

Sick Leave
Sick leave accrual is 4 hours per pay period for all eligible City employees. There is no accrual maximum for employee sick leave.

Annual Leave
Annual leave for eligible employees is accrued as follows: less than 10 years = 4 hours per pay period; 10 to 15 years = 5 hours per pay period; 15 to 20 years = 6 hours per pay period; 20 or more years = 7 hours per pay period. Employees may accrue and carry forward 260 hours (or the equivalent for fire suppression) to the next calendar year.

Military Leave
The City provides a military leave plan that pays regular salary for not more than twenty-one days per year. Also, employees called into active service may receive compensation in an amount equal to the difference in the lower military pay and the higher public employment salary as provided by City Council Ordinance.

Holidays
The City recognizes the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Two additional floating holidays may be declared each year at the discretion of the Mayor.

Longevity Pay
The City pays eligible employees compensation based upon the number of months of continuous regular full-time service as of October 1st of each year.

College 529 Savings Program
The City makes it easy for friends and family to give the gift of a college education. The 529 college savings program is administered by CollegeCounts, through payroll deduction, and offers tax advantages and other benefits.

Other Benefits
Please refer to the City of Huntsville Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

Disclosure:
The City offers a robust benefits program to eligible employees. The list above offers a summary of those benefits. The information is intended as a general reference and should in no way be construed as a promise or guarantee of employment or benefit coverage. Please refer to the appropriate Summary Plan Description (SPD) or contact the City of Huntsville Benefits Office for more details. If there is a conflict between this information and the actual plan document or policies, the plan documents or policies will always govern.

01

Do you possess a valid U.S. Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

02

If yes to #1, what is the expiration date? (Must be presented as mm/dd/yyyy)

03

Are you an Alabama State Certified Law Enforcement Officer?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have two years of experience as an Alabama State Certified Police Officer?

• Yes
• No

05

Has your Alabama Peace Officer Standards and Training certification ever been frozen, suspended, revoked, cancelled, etc., or has it ever been otherwise not in a good standing?

• Yes
• No

06

If yes to #5, please explain.

07

Do you possess a High school diploma from a school accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or GED certificate issued by the appropriate state agency?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you understand applicants eligible to participate - those who meet the qualification requirements - will be notified of an appointment for the mandatory physical agility/ability test?

• Yes
• No

09

Do you understand you are required to download the supplemental application at:

• Yes
• No

10

Do you understand that if you are eligible for an oral interview, that after the oral interview in order to continue in the process you will be given a polygraph?

• Yes
• No

11

Do you understand that final selection will be conditional upon passing a drug test, physical examination, and psychological evaluation?

• Yes
• No

12

Are you at least 21 years of age?

• Yes
• No

13

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving force or violence, force related to domestic violence, or a crime of moral turpitude, perjury, or false statement?

• Yes
• No

14

Were you a member of the armed forces of the United States?

• Yes
• No

15

If yes to #14, were you discharged under honorable conditions?

• Yes
• No

16

Have you been employed previously by the Huntsville Police Department, as a sworn and certified officer, and separated from the department in good standing?

• Yes
• No

17

If you are an out of state lateral applicant, are you currently a POST certified officer with at least 3 years of sworn law enforcement experience?

• Yes
• No

18

Has your Peace Officer Standards and Training certification (or equivalent certification thereof) in another state ever been frozen, suspended, revoked, cancelled, etc., or has it ever been otherwise not in a good standing?

• Yes
• No

19

If yes to #18, please explain.

20

Do you meet the criteria necessary to attend a 95-hour Law Enforcement Officers Refresher Course as outlined in Code 650-X-4-03 of the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission Requirements?

• Yes
• No

21

Have you ever resigned a Peace Officer Standards and Training certified position (or equivalent certification thereof) in another state while under internal investigation or in lieu of termination?

• Yes
• No

22

If yes to #21, please explain.

23

Do you possess two (2) or more years of POST certified experience working as a patrol officer for a county or city law enforcement agency including uniform patrol work responding to emergency calls? (If no, does not disqualify).

• Yes
• No

Required Question