Overview
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Police Commander
Schedule: Varied
Location: Ridgefield, WA
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Opening Date: February 22, 2023
Salary Range: $60.07- $90.11 per hour DOE
Closing Date: March 15, 2023, First Review March 1, 2023
***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***
Position Summary:
Oversees the daily operations of the Department of Public Safety. Performs administrative and law enforcement duties and directs the efforts of officers to ensure a safe and secure community for Cowlitz Indian Tribe residents. Ensures compliance with established policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, codes, and laws. Honors and represents the mission, vision, and values of CIT and the Public Safety department.
***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered for hiring, please note this on your cover letter and/or resume***
This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Directs all of the department’s activities in the absence of the Director of Public Safety.
Reviews operations to determine impact and effectiveness and provides recommendations for expansion and/or improvements in services.
Assists in the preparation and presentation of the working budget; performs administrative and other duties as directed by the Director of Public Safety.
Hires, evaluates, disciplines, and develops law enforcement staff.
Supervises Police Sergeants and Officers in the provision of law enforcement services; provides coaching, counseling, training, and feedback to employees; assigns, reviews, and delegates work and job responsibilities to designated staff.
Coordinates department training and development programs including the Field Training Program.
Performs timely investigation of all official complaints against the Cowlitz Department of Public Safety; investigates and resolves internal affairs problems and issues.
Prepares reports as directed by the Director of Public Safety.
Coordinates delivery of services with other programs that are on or off the reservation that serve the Cowlitz residents.
Represents the department before community organizations, schools, emergency and law enforcement agencies, and the media.
Responds to complaints from citizens in regard to the operation of the Cowlitz Department of Public Safety in a professional and courteous manner.
Assists as needed in the investigation of major crimes committed within the exterior boundaries of the Cowlitz Indian Reservation.
Responds to calls performing the full range of work of subordinate staff as appropriate, to ensure that services are provided safely, efficiently, and timely.
Serves on boards and committees as required or requested.
Reviews and updates all law enforcement department policies.
Keeps leadership and other departments informed of status of department activities by attending meetings and submitting reports.
Writes proposals and grants to secure additional funding and grant monies for the continuation and expansion of program services.
Maintains current working knowledge of trends in law enforcement.
Enhances professional growth and development through participation in seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences.
Hosts, regular staff meetings to ensure communication among staff regarding Public Safety-related activities.
Provides oral testimony, serving warrants, and police reports, as requested by the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Court and other tribal, federal, and state courts.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, tribal administrators, and the general public.
Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and rules pertaining to law enforcement and the CIT.
Knowledge of current law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and techniques.
Knowledge of the Cowlitz Indian Reservation including paved and unpaved roads, highways, streets, and locations.
Knowledge of current information technology trends and practices relating to law enforcement and communications.
Knowledge of the general principles of grant writing.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to tribal customs and beliefs.
Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
Skill in making effective decisions in emergency situations.
Skill in the safe and effective operation and maintenance of law enforcement equipment.
Skill in the safe operation and handling of motor vehicles.
Ability to exercise initiative and judgment in interpreting and applying policies and regulations.
Ability to ensure compliance with and follow standard safety practices and procedures common to law enforcement work.
Ability to successfully complete an approved Supervisory Enforcement Officer training after hire.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion when dealing with sensitive information.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to enforce the laws fairly and impartially with due regard for the rights and safety of individuals and the preservation of property.
Ability to quickly analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and make sound decisions.
Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice, and desire to help when dealing with people.
Ability to accept the dangers and stresses, regimentation, discipline, and time demands of police work.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associate personnel and the public.
Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and legible reports and present detailed, accurate, and objective oral presentations and responses to questions.
Ability to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the Department.
Minimum Qualifications:
High School Diploma/GED.
Current certification from Indian Police Academy or Federal Law Enforcement Academy (F.L.E.T.C.) or State recognized Police Academy that qualifies for equivalency by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Eight years as a commissioned Federal, State, County, City, or Tribal Law Enforcement Officer.
Three years experience in a supervisory position in the rank of Sergeant or higher.
Obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid Certifications within one year of hire date.
A valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.
Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Background Investigation Requirements:
Pre-employment drug screen.
Reference checks, education, and employment verification.
Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.
Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against the person(s) or children.
Medical, psychological, and stress examination or test.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to talk and hear. The employee occasionally is required to walk, run, lift, and climb during efforts to catch or subdue hostile individuals. The employee is required to have good reflexes of the arms and hands in order to draw and shoot firearms quickly and accurately. The employee frequently is required to use hands, wrists, and fingers associated with computer equipment. Situations will occur where prolonged sitting, driving, walking, or waiting is required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The position requires occasional lifting of 75 lbs.
Work Environment:
Work is generally performed in a typical interior office setting and outdoor environment or vehicle. Exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, inclement weather, temperature extremes, traffic hazards, body fluids, hazardous chemicals, flames or burning items, various evidence, firearms, and unpleasant odors will occur. Exposure to hazardous, uncontrollable, and life-threatening situations and infectious diseases will occur. Noise level is usually moderate to high. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Travel is required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events. Evening, weekend, and/or holiday work may be required. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required. Must be on call for emergencies.
