Lateral Police Officer
Company: City of Bellingham
Location: Bellingham
Posted on: May 28, 2023
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Job Description:
Lateral Police Officer
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(https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cobwa/jobs/newprint/3823866)
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Lateral Police Officer
Salary
$79,140.00 - $101,820.00 Annually
Location
City of Bellingham, WA
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
23-Lateral Police Officer
Department
Police Department
Opening Date
01/01/2023
Closing Date
6/20/2023 4:30 PM Pacific
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
Guild
+ Description
+ Benefits
+ Questions
Nature of Work
The Bellingham Police Department is seeking experienced law
enforcement officers to join our team.
Why should you apply as a lateral officer with the Bellingham
Police Department?
+ Lateral officers receive advanced salary placement and vacation
accrual based on completed years of service capped at 10 years of
service.
+ 2022 Salary Range: $6,595/mo - $8,485/mo
+ Patrol Officers work a 1040 work schedule of five, 10.7 hour days
on, four days off, five days on, four days off, five days on, five
days off, repeating monthly.
+ Training opportunities, the 1040 work schedule allows for one
full training day a month.
+ Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment and
level of education. For more information regarding salaries,
benefits and specialty units, view our lateral recruitment page
(https://cob.org/gov/dept/police/join/lateral-officer) .
+ For a limited time, the Bellingham Police Department is offering
a $2,000 hiring incentive to those who speak a qualified second
language (Spanish, Russian, Punjabi, Mandarin, and/or American Sign
Language or Signing Exact English). The first seven newly hired
officers who are deemed conversationally proficient by a subject
matter expert and qualify for the Bilingual Premium will receive
the hiring incentive. This hiring incentive expires on
6/20/2023.
City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision
insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability.
Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical
insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance
program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington
State Department of Retirement Systems (https://www.drs.wa.gov/)
pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in
the Citys 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.
Employees will receive 12 paid designated holidays in addition to
one paid floating holiday each year. Upon hire, new employees are
provided a sick leave bank of 216 hours for use during their first
two years in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement
and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees will
accrue a minimum of 7.34 vacation hours per month. Lateral Police
Officers will be given vacation credit for each completed year of
service, up to a maximum of ten years, and placed in the current
vacation accrual schedule accordingly. Vacation accruals increase
based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE,
accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in
paid status at least 120 hours/month.
For additional information regarding benefits and compensation
Information please visit the following:
+ Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook -
City of Bellingham (cob.org)
(https://cob.org/about/employment/labor-agreements-pay-schedule)
+ Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
JOB SUMMARY:
This position performs fully responsible, professional general duty
police work in the protection of life and property through the
enforcement of laws and ordinances. After a period of formal and
on-the-job training, employees in this class are responsible for
independent law enforcement duties ranging from average to
considerable difficulty and performed under general supervision of
a sergeant or other ranking officer.
Work normally involves patrolling in an unaccompanied automobile,
motorcycle, bicycle or foot patrol, and/or conducting detailed
criminal investigations, traffic regulation, or community policing
activities in a designated area on an assigned shift. Work involves
a substantial element of danger and requires the responsible
exercise of appropriate judgment in meeting critical emergency
situations. Employees are sworn to act in behalf of the Police
Department and the City of Bellingham and carry firearms in the
performance of their duties.
Employees may be directed to work on, lead, or plan special
projects or assignments which call upon specialized abilities and
knowledge attained through experience as a uniformed officer. Work
of this class may be reviewed by superior officers via personal
inspection, reviews of reports and/or oral discussion.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
+ Patrols a designated area of City on foot, bicycle, or in an
automobile, motorcycle or small watercraft to investigate, deter
and/or discover possible violations of criminal and vehicle (and/or
boating) traffic laws, codes and/or ordinances. Maintains radio
contact with the dispatch center.
+ Responds to calls, complaints or reports of the actual, possible
or potential occurrence of specific criminal activity and takes
appropriate action. This may include, but is not limited to,
mediating civil disputes or interceding in domestic disturbances;
maintaining peace; protecting persons; enforcing traffic laws;
apprehending, controlling and arresting persons, including those
who are violent and/or emotional; assisting disabled persons,
motorists, and others; and providing information and direction.
+ Participates in community policing activities: gains familiarity
with individuals, groups, businesses and special issues of assigned
community; meets with and makes presentations to community groups;
assists in neighborhood problem-solving projects; and sponsors
public education programs and activities.
+ Administers immediate assistance to citizens in critical and/or
emergency situations where the security of lives and/or property
may be endangered. In the course of duty, officers are exposed to a
range of physical injuries, accidents, child abuse, mental health
concerns, or death where they may be required to administer first
aid, CPR or other assistance prior to the arrival of emergency
services, and to provide support to victims and families.
+ Secures and controls crime scenes and administers aid, may gather
and/or supervise the collection of evidence and witness statements,
and arrests or supervises the arrest(s) of suspects.
+ Appears in court to present evidence and testify against persons
accused of crime; maintains or supervises surveillance over
suspected criminals; arranges and/or participates in the return of
fugitives from other cities or from outside the state.
+ Develops and maintains required skills through participation in
intermediate or advanced training classes in law enforcement
methodology, first aid, regular or special weapons/tactics and
procedures and related subjects.
ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:
+ Engages in specialized investigative assignments (e.g.,
Forensics, Drug/Gang Task Force etc.).
+ Performs specialized assignments (e.g., Neighborhood Resource
Officer, Behavioral Health Officer, Canine Unit, SWAT etc.).
+ Works with other law enforcement agencies on special policing
assignments and events and/or multi-jurisdiction emergencies as
directed.
+ Performs special operations work such as raids and searches as
directed.
+ Performs related duties as directed.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in any and all property
existing in the City of Bellingham and its environs. This involves
working in a variety of environmental conditions and may require:
walking, sitting or standing for long periods; running, climbing,
jumping, or physical exertion in inclement weather; physical
agility in slippery conditions, mountainous or uneven terrain, or
in water. Officers work in unaccompanied automobile, motorcycle,
bicycle or on foot patrol, maintaining contact with the dispatch
center. There is exposure to high-risk situations which require
emergency response procedures such as the use of masks, gloves,
etc. to prevent contact with infectious diseases; and the use of
protective clothing, equipment, firearms and other gear. While in
uniform and/or driving a police vehicle, the Police Officer will
not be allowed to use or display any tobacco product. Officers work
rotating shifts including evenings, weekends and holidays.
Physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the job
including:
+ Physical strength to restrain and control persons and physically
defend self;
+ Manual dexterity to operate a motor vehicle or handle tools and
guns in the performance of assigned tasks, including keyboarding,
grasping and reaching.
+ Occasionally lift, push, carry and pull materials, objects or
persons weighing up to 100 lbs using proper lifting techniques;
+ Frequently sit, stand, walk, drive a vehicle or ride a
bicycle;
+ Occasionally run, jump, climb, balance, kneel, crawl or
crouch;
+ Frequently communicate verbally;
+ Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20/100 or better, vision able
to be corrected to 20/20 in better eye and 20/30 in lesser eye.
+ Visual acuity including closeness, distance, color, peripheral
and depth perception, with the ability to adjust focus and to read
a computer screen and typewritten page.
Experience and Training
+ Associate's Degree or two years (90 quarter hours/60 semester
hours) of general education course work toward a degree at an
accredited college or university;
+ The requirement for an Associates Degree or two years of general
education course work has been temporarily suspended under a pilot
program. All officers hired while the pilot program is in effect
will not be required to have or obtain the education
requirement.
AND,
+ Two years (twenty-four months) of full-time paid duty as a sworn
police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction providing
general law enforcement services, and be in said position at the
time of application, or retain active commission.
OR
+ Four years of full-time paid duty as a sworn police officer in a
civilian governmental jurisdiction providing general law
enforcement services and be in said position at the time of
application, or retain active commission (two additional years of
experience may substitute for two years of general education course
work toward a degree at an accredited college or university).
+ Successful completion of WSCJTC Basic Law Enforcement Academy OR
successful completion of an approved law enforcement training
academy and ability to meet standards prescribed by WSCJTC for
eligibility and successful completion of Basic Law Enforcement
Equivalency Academy.
+ Bilingual proficiency highly desirable.
Necessary Special Requirements
+ Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check,
background investigation, polygraph examination and fingerprinting.
Subject to re-check every five years.
+ Employment contingent upon passing a psychological and general
medical evaluation.
+ Employment contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug
test.
+ Lateral applicants currently employed and meeting physical
standards as police officers in another jurisdiction are accepted
as able to meet the physical requirements of the job.
+ Possession of, or ability to obtain, Red Cross certification for
Infant/Child and Adult CPR and Standard First Aid.
+ Valid Washington State driver's license or ability to obtain
within 30 days of Washington State residency and good driving
record. A three-year driving abstract must be submitted prior to
hire, with periodic submission of driving abstract per City
policy.
+ Attainment of the age of 21 years.
+ U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident. Washington State
residency by time of hire.
+ No record of felony convictions.
+ Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed. A misdemeanor
conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant but
offenses, by their nature and recentness, may reveal a lack of
specific qualifications for this position.
+ NOTE: A standard 12-month Civil Service probationary period
applies for all officers following placement into the Full
Performance Police Officer classification.
PLEASE NOTE: Failure to meet the following qualifications on the
medical exam is reason for rejection:
Uncorrected vision in either eye of 20/100 or better.
Vision able to be corrected to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/30 in
the lesser eye.
Defective color vision or depth perception.
Hearing from 0-25 decibels
NOTE: The urinalysis drug screen, background investigation and
polygraph examination includes a review of illegal drug use. A
history of using illegal drugs, considering the nature and
recentness of these offenses, may be grounds for disqualification
for this position.
Selection Process
**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for
your reference as the process moves along**
This process is an open and continuous examination. Applications
will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Candidates will be notified
of their final rank and score regularly as incoming applications
are reviewed.
***To comply with the legislative statute of E2SSB 5051 (RCW
43.101), the WSCJTC decided to evaluate each academy
curriculum/syllabus hours on a case-by-case basis. If you are an
out of state candidate a copy of your academy curriculum/syllabus
hours will be required to attend equivalency academy.***
This recruitment process will create a register that will be used
to fill anticipated vacancies. This position is represented by a
union.
As part of the application, the following items are required to be
submitted:
+ A Cover Letter addressing the following questions:
+ Why do you want to join the Bellingham Police Department?
+ Why is this position the right step for your in your career?
+ Why do you want to serve the community of Bellingham?
+ Resume
Please ensure your application is complete and all required
information has been provided. Standard completeness means all
application fields (contact information, personal information,
education, work experience, references, and required supplemental
questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully
describe your experience and training.
Application Review Process: Candidates will be notified of their
final rank and score regularly as incoming applications are
reviewed.
+ Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific,
detailed information so an initial determination can be made
regarding your level of qualifications for this position.
+ Experience and Training Review: Applicants that meet minimum
qualifications will go through a Supplemental Question Review.
Relevancy of your experience and training, together with
composition, grammar, spelling and punctuation will be considered
when evaluating responses. Applicants must receive a passing score
of 70% or greater.
+ Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks.
The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores
from the Supplemental Question Review (100%).
The final candidates will be referred to the department for
additional assessment. Eligible candidates will also be required to
complete a Personal History Questionnaire. Applicants who failed
probation, were terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, are
about to be terminated, or would not be considered for rehire by
their current or former department or agency, may not be eligible
for a lateral position.
Each candidate placed on the Civil Service Eligibility Register
will remain on the register for 6 months from the date of their
placement on the register.
Example: John Smith was placed on the eligibility register on April
24, 2021 and will remain on the register through October 23, 2021
while Sue Jones was placed on the eligibility register on May 10,
2021 and will remain on the register through November 9, 2021.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application
status via email. Please be sure to check your email
frequently.
Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural
backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of
Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in
its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an
individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex,
marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual
orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or
military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual
assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal
by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by
local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for
employment.
There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham.
The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your
community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City
offers its employees. See our benefits section
(https://www.cob.org/employment/pages/benefits.aspx) for additional
information.
This position is represented by the Police Guild bargaining unit.
Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals,
Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred
Compensation Match can be found in the Police Guild labor agreement
(https://www.cob.org/employment/Pages/labor-agreements-pay-schedule.aspx)
.
This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of
Retirement Systems LEOFF plan. LEOFF requires mandatory employee
and City contributions. Please visit the DRS website
(http://www.drs.wa.gov/) for more information on LEOFF.
Civil Service Information
This position is subject to the Bellingham Civil Service
Commission. When a vacancy occurs, the top fifteen candidates or
the top 25% of the register will be forwarded to the department for
further consideration. All new Civil Service employees are subject
to a one-year probationary period. A candidate may challenge the
scope, content, or method of an examination or test, and a protest
may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days
following the date of the challenged examination. A candidate may
also challenge the scoring of an examination or test, failure of
the candidate on any part of an examination, or clerical error in
examination results of any examination or test, and a protest may
be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days of
notification of the challenged result. The Examiner shall consider
all timely filed protests and make appropriate corrections if an
error is demonstrated.
Veteran's Scoring Criteria
Applicants who have been honorably discharged from active military
duty may be eligible to receive veteran's scoring criteria points
as provided by Washington State Law (RCW 41.04.010). Candidates who
would like to claim Veteran's Preference points must include a copy
of their DD214 with their application.
01
As part of your application, please submit a cover letter
addressing these questions.
1. Why do you want to join the Bellingham Police Department?
2. Why is this the right step for you in your career?
3. What do you know about Bellingham and why do you want to serve
this community?
Have you attached your cover letter?
+ Yes, it is attached for further review
+ No, I understand my application will not be considered
02
As part of the application, please attach your resume. Have you
attached your resume?
+ Yes, it is attached for further review
+ No, I understand my application will not be considered
03
If you were recruited by a City of Bellingham employee, can you
please list their first and last name?
04
Please indicate your level of experience as it relates to the
experience and training requirements.
+ I have two years (twenty-four months) of full-time paid duty as a
sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction
providing general law enforcement services, and be in said position
at the time of application, or retain active commission.
+ I do not meet this requirement and understand my application will
be marked incomplete.
05
Please provide your law enforcement training academy name and
graduation date.
06
Are you currently in a sworn police officer position or do you have
an active commission?
+ Yes
+ No
07
Are you at least 21 years old?
+ Yes
+ No
08
Do you have any record of felony convictions?
+ Yes
+ No
09
Do you have any record of misdemeanor convictions?
+ Yes
+ No
10
If you answered "YES" to question 8 or 9, please explain the
disposition of the case:
Pled guilty
Found guilty
Probationary period required
Probationary period NOT required
Currently on probation
NOTE: Misdemeanor convictions will not necessarily bar you from
employment, but offenses may, by their nature and recentness,
reveal a lack of specific qualifications necessary for this
position.
11
Do you have a valid Washington State driver's license or the
ability to obtain one by time of hire and a good driving
record?
+ Yes
+ No
12
If you are not currently a Washington State resident, are you
willing to become a Washington State resident by the time of
hire?
+ Yes
+ No
13
Describe any formal training, other than your basic law enforcement
academy, that has helped you to become a better police officer.
Include any certifications that you have received.
14
Describe your experience in work assignments or divisions outside
of patrol. What have been your biggest successes and biggest
challenges?
Required Question
Agency
City of Bellingham
Address
104 West Magnolia Street Bellingham, Washington, 98225
Phone
360-778-8228
Website
http://www.cob.org/employment
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