Overview
Alamosa was incorporated on August 30, 1878. Alamosa, which means “cottonwood” in Spanish, is the hub of the San Luis Valley for retail and services. Alamosa is a home-rule municipality and the county seat of Alamosa County. The City of Alamosa is a charter city that operates under the Council-Manager form of government. Under this system, the Council establishes the policies under which the City operates and appoints a trained and experienced City Manager to administer the affairs of the City.
Alamosa is the largest full-service city in the San Luis Valley. The San Luis Valley is the world’s largest alpine valley, spanning almost 8,000 square miles. While the population of 9,806 may not sound large, the Community offers much more than you might expect. Home to Adams State University and Trinidad State College, higher education opportunities, and cultural and community events abound.
The Alamosa Police Department exists to serve all people within its jurisdiction with respect, fairness, and compassion. It is committed to the prevention of crime and the protection of life and property, the preservation of peace, order, and safety, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, and the safeguarding of constitutional guarantees.
With community service as its foundation, the department is driven by goals to enhance the quality of life, through investigating problems as well as incidents, seeking solutions, and fostering a sense of security in communities and individuals. The department develops public trust by being held to the highest standards of performance and ethics, and to seek solutions that reflect the desires of the community as a whole.
To fulfill its mission, the Alamosa Police Department is dedicated to providing a quality work environment and the development of its members through effective training and leadership.
The City of Alamosa is seeking qualified applications for the Chief of Police position. This position is full-time and is FLSA Exempt. Under the executive direction of the City Manager, the Chief of Police plans and directs the operations of the City of Alamosa’s Police Department to ensure the effective enforcement of laws and ordinances; the Chief will manage an annual operating budget of just over $3.4 million and a department of 34, including 26 certified police officers (including the Chief). The department includes an Office Manager, a Records Clerk, two Police Captains, one for support services who manages code enforcement officers and criminal and drug investigations, one Police Captain for patrol services, four Sergeants, four Corporals, twelve Patrol Officers, a K-9 program, a Police Apprenticeship Program, and a Co-Responder program with two licensed clinicians and a Case Manager.
The Chief must be accountable, responsive to issues, and able to provide a vision and direction for the Department. The ideal candidate will possess a thorough knowledge of police administration and a record of proven management and leadership skills with today’s challenging issues. Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying; typical education would include a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, or a related field of study from an accredited college/university or equivalent. A Master’s degree in a related field is a plus. Colorado POST certification is required. Candidates must have at least six years of relevant, progressively responsible command/management experience in a law enforcement agency.
Compensation and benefits include a hiring salary range from $107,869 to $113,000 annually depending on qualifications; FLSA-exempt; a 10% employer and employee match to retirement; paid time off includes 80 hours of vacation leave annually, 80 hours of sick leave annually, 80 hours of additional annual paid time off for exempt positions, two personal days per year, and 11.5 paid holidays; Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with 75% paid by the employer; employer paid short & long-term disability; Group Life Insurance up to $100,000 in coverage for employee and $5,000 for dependents; a free recreation membership & discounted golf membership; and a take-home patrol vehicle and City cell phone.
To apply, please complete the Law Enforcement Application at https://cityofalamosa.org/, including a cover letter and resume. For questions contact the HR Manager, Jolene at jwebb@ci.alamosa.co.us or at 719-587-2029. This position is open until filled with a first review of applications on November 17, 2023.
The City of Alamosa provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to Race, Color, Religion, National Origin/Ancestry, Sex, Pregnancy, Disability, Sexual Orientation including Transgender Status, Age, Marital Status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Please submit accommodation requests in writing to HR.
About City of Alamosa
General Statement of Duties:
Under administrative direction, plans, organizes and directs the activities of the Police Department in law enforcement and crime prevention.
NOTE: The essential functions and major responsibilities listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position. Duties and responsibilities are also subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.
Essential Duties:
Plans, organizes, directs, and supervises the activities of the Police Department personnel in preserving order, protecting life and property, regulating traffic, apprehending, arresting and incarcerating law violators and enforcing laws and municipal ordinances efficiently with the resources provided.
Coordinates law enforcement activities with the work of other City departments, and other law enforcement agencies.
Prepares reports on all departmental activities and supervises others in preparation.
Reviews department operations; researches modern police management methods; and formulates and enforces rules, procedures and policies. Implements and is responsible for strategic planning for both short and long term.
Determines personnel policies and broad training requirements and recommends appointments, promotions, dismissals and disciplinary actions made in the Department to the City Manager and HR Manager.
Represents the Police Department in public relations matters, including civic and professional activities and meetings, and presents a professional image.
Directs the preparation and administration of a departmental budget.
Coordinates recommendations for the purchase of equipment and supplies.
Investigates and determines proper courses of action on citizen complaints.
Works with community groups and citizens on law enforcement problems and to improve police-community relations.
Attends local, regional, and state law enforcement conferences and meetings with other officials.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
Police officer procedures/techniques and methods of operation; principles, practices and techniques of police administration, organization, and operation and their applicability to specific situations.
Department’s operational manual.
City’s personnel policies and practices.
Technical and administrative phases of crime prevention and law enforcement, including investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, juvenile delinquency control, record keeping, evidence, and care and custody of persons and property.
Federal and State laws and City ordinances; principles of public administration, including personnel and budgetary control.
Ability to:
Interact effectively with the public and employees.
Plan, organize and coordinate the work of the Police Department.
Develop and administer sound departmental policies.
Communicate effectively.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials and community groups.
Physically capable of operating a vehicle safely.
Must be able to legally possess a firearm.
Education/Experience Requirements:
Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying; a BS/BA in Public Administration, Business Administration Criminal Justice or related field from an accredited institution.
Six years of relevant progressive experience in related to command/management within a law enforcement agency.
Must possess a Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certificate, or the ability to obtain the certificate within six months of hire date.
Must possess a valid Colorado driver’s license or be able to obtain such within ten days of appointment, with an acceptable driving record.
Required Physical Capabilities:
Essential duties include exposure to a variety of work areas, including extended periods of sitting and use of standard desktop office equipment. Running short and moderate distances in foot pursuit. Climb stairs and fences, jump and dodge obstacles, etc.
Physical activities required to perform essential duties include hearing conversation and
traffic, speaking in an understandable voice, visual acuity sufficient to safely operate passenger vehicles in traffic, office machines, review work products, strength and manual dexterity to file and retrieve files, reach, handle and grasp standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements; standing or bending to perform filing, occasional lifting and carrying of objects no heavier than 50 pounds.
Working Environment:
The essential duties/activities of this position are mostly indoors; however, some tasks will require work out of doors in all weather conditions. All work in this position may be performed in varied locations, with exposure to differing exterior and interior environments. Approximately 90% of the essential duties/activities are performed in a heated office environment; approximately 10% of the essential duties/activities for this position are performed from a vehicle and on foot under adverse conditions.
Material and Equipment Directly Used:
Desktop and/or laptop/notebook computer with email, standard business software, law enforcement specific software, fax machine, writing utensils, calculator, desk calendar/appointment book or scheduling software, and cell phone/telephone with voice mail.