Job Description
Position Title
Police Officer
Job Group Merit
Required Minimum Qualifications - Eligible to enroll in the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and eligible to complete Board of Regents Field Training, OR
- Possession of certification from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy as a Law Enforcement Officer and eligible to complete Board of Regents Field Training, OR
- Possession of law enforcement certification in another state and successful completion of all application and examination requirements as outlined in Iowa Administrative Code 501-3.8(80B) and eligible to complete Board of Regents Field Training
Special Required Qualifications Drivers License
Preferred Qualifications An Associate’s Degree in a criminal justice related field
A Bachelor’s Degree in any field
Job Description The Department of Public Safety at Iowa State University is seeking candidates for Certified officers to join our team.
This is a 24-hour operation, 365 days a year. Officers will be expected to work holidays that fall within their regular work schedule as well as during home football games and other major events that occur on campus. Expected to report for duty when major natural disasters or other emergency situation affecting the campus occur.
Permanent, 12 Months, Full Time, 40 hours/week, Rotating Schedule, Shift assignment to be determined after completion of the training program. During training will rotate through all shifts. Days off are also on a rotating schedule.
In accordance with the general requirements for law enforcement officers under Iowa Admin. Code 501-2.1, the applicant selected for this position, both uncertified and certified, must be a U.S. citizen.
Must have and maintain a valid U.S. state driver’s license and the ability to be authorized to drive University vehicles.
Certified The officer is placed under the direct supervision of a police training officer. During this period, the officer will perform all the duties of a law enforcement officer, including patrolling the university campus and outlying areas; enforcing local, state, and federal laws as well as campus rules and regulations; responding to calls for service; initiating police reports, performing follow-up investigations as needed; directing traffic, and other duties as assigned.
Applicants successfully hired who are certified law enforcement officers will be eligible for recruitment incentive payments* in the total amount of $10,000.
- Full details and terms of payment will be provided in payment agreements for those successfully hired.
The department is accepting applications until the positions are filled, and the vacancies may close without notice.
Iowa State University Police Department employees will support the Department’s vision and mission by operating in a fair, unbiased manner, which respects the rights and dignity of all individuals. Department employees’ everyday actions are guided by the Department’s values of Respect, Integrity, Caring, Honor, Excellence and Service (RICHES) and be grounded in the highest ethical and professional standards. Department employees are expected to work in partnership with the campus and area communities to provide leadership in solving community problems, preventing crime and providing a safe environment to fulfill the mission of the University. Employees will strive for excellence in fulfilling the Department’s Mission and Vision Statements, values and goals.
Characteristic Duties And Responsibilities - Patrols assigned zone by motor vehicle, bicycle, or on foot to prevent, discover, and deter the commission of crime; to enforce criminal and traffic laws and university rules and regulations; and to check the security of buildings, functioning of outdoor lighting and traffic signals, and road conditions. Monitors and directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic as required.
- Responds to radio dispatched calls for a variety of services including investigation of alarms, animal control, assistance to motorists, building maintenance problems, domestic problems, thefts, and other acts against persons or property.
- Investigates, reports, and records traffic violations and accidents by interviewing witnesses, measuring distances, sketching diagrams, taking photographs, and conducting field sobriety tests to determine cause and fault.
- Investigates harm, damage or threats of potential harm or damage to persons or property by interviewing witnesses and conducting visual or audio surveillance or searches; detects and collects evidence; travels to other jurisdictions to investigate crimes that occurred on university property as necessary.
- Arrests violators or suspects by using minimum force. Processes arrested persons by taking photographs, obtaining fingerprints, and writing arrest reports; transports violators to jail.
- Determines appropriate action to be taken by weighing evidence and applying knowledge of law to solve the problem and administer justice; prepares and processes documents such as citations, complaints, affidavits, and warrants.
- Records information at scene of crime or accident by sketching diagrams, taking photographs, or taking notes. Prepares reports for use by department, university or social service agency, in court testimony or for insurance claims.
- Testifies in court or by deposition to present information accumulated at scene and to give professional opinions for criminal justice and insurance purposes.
- Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include directing traffic for long periods of time, administering first responder level service at the medical model level; lifting, dragging, and carrying people away from dangerous situations; and securing buildings and evacuating occupants.
- Responds to fire and ambulance calls to direct traffic, escort fire and ambulance vehicles, and prevent crime.
- Inspects and maintains law enforcement equipment by observing and cleaning to keep the equipment in reliable operating condition.
- Transfers deposits between the university and banks by personal pick up and delivery to maintain security of funds.
- Determines content for various public safety programs such as crime prevention, personal safety, playground safety, bike safety, and provides delivery to the university or community.
- Assists other agencies in serving warrants by delivering and serving in person for timely disposition of cases, and any other assigned duties.
- Provides advice and general information to students, staff, and campus visitors.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities - Knowledge of state criminal and traffic code and city ordinances; and university and departmental policy and operating procedures.
- Knowledge of patrol, investigative, and arrest procedures.
- Knowledge of the location of buildings and facilities, including fire and environmental emergency panels of the university and city.
- Knowledge of location and services of various university departments and community agencies.
- Knowledge of legal documents and processing procedures.
- Skill in oral communications as demonstrated by effective ability to provide general information and directions, mediate disputes, interview witnesses and suspects, testify as a witness in court, and make program presentations.
- Skill in written communications to produce reports and documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence structure, format, punctuation, and grammar.
- Skill in administering first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Skill in reconstructing accidents from interviews and physical evidence.
- Skill in operating vehicles both day and night in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic, and in unsafe conditions due to such factors as fog, smoke, rain, ice, and snow.
- Skill in operating radios and other law enforcement equipment.
- Skill in analyzing situations and using judgment to make appropriate decisions.
- Ability to communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
- Ability to patrol on foot or bicycle; remain in standing or sitting position for long periods of time; pursue fleeing suspects; and perform rescue operations which may involve entering and exiting vehicles quickly, lifting, carrying or dragging heavy objects, climbing over and pulling oneself over obstacles, jumping down from elevated surfaces, climbing through openings, jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams, crawling in confined areas, balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces, and using bodily force to gain entrance through barriers.
- Ability to use sufficient physical force in apprehension of law violators.
- Ability to work and remain calm in stressful situations.
- Ability to work outside in extreme weather conditions.
- Ability to hear and see acutely during day and night time conditions.
- Ability to enter and retrieve data from a computer terminal, personal computer, or other keyboard device.
Probationary Period To allow for the necessary time to complete the academy, on-campus training, and assessment as a certified police officer, the probationary period for a Police Officer will be 18 months. If a Police Officer has completed the academy prior to appointment, the probationary period will be 12 months.
Appointment Type Regular
Number Of Months Employed Per Year 12 Month Work Period
Time Type Full time
Pay Grade DPS18
Application Instructions To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU? Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
- Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
- Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
- Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
- Life insurance and long-term disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Various voluntary benefits and discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date February 14, 2024
Posting Close Date June 25, 2024
Job Requisition Number R14005
Job Tags
Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Local area, Outdoor, Flexible hours, Night shift, Rotating shift, All shifts,