Police Officer

Location: Blacksburg, VA

Agency

Blacksburg Police Department

Deadline

May 19, 2008 by 5:00 pm

Job Description / Responsibilities

Full time position to perform law enforcement functions which include working rotating shifts, walking on foot patrol and physically checking buildings for security; read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including preparation and processing of citations, affidavits and warrants; endure verbal and mental abuse in an antagonistic environment; effect an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; pursue and subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons resorting to use of hands and feet and other approved weapons in self defense; prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations; exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search/arrest and when force may be used and to what degree; operate a law enforcement vehicle during both day and night and in emergency situations involving high speeds, in congested traffic and unsafe road conditions; gather information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining statements of victims, witnesses, suspects and confidential informers; lifting, carrying, and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling oneself up and over obstacles; jumping down elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers; load, unload, aim and fire weapons from a variety of body positions; fires weapon under conditions of stress at prescribed levels of proficiency; perform searches; walk for long periods of time; detain people; stop suspicious vehicles and persons; conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time; effectively communicate with people of all ages and demonstrate those skills in court and other formal settings, as well as over radio channels; detect and collect evidence and substances that provide the basis of criminal offenses and infractions and that indicate the presence of dangerous conditions; perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies/disasters to include quickly entering and exiting law enforcement vehicles, directing traffic for long periods, administering emergency medical aid, securing and evacuating people from particular areas; process and transport prisoners and committed mental patients; put on and operate a gas mask; extinguish small fires; process arrested suspects to include photographing and fingerprinting.

Qualifications

Applicant must possess general knowledge of police responsibilities, good powers of observation and memory; ability to deal effectively with the public and fellow officers; to react rationally under conditions of physical and mental stress; characteristics of honesty, integrity, and reliability; to satisfactorily complete statutory training requirements; and to treat matters and information as confidential; must be physically and mentally able to perform essential job functions.

Graduation from an accredited high school or a G.E.D required.  Additional college level education in Criminal Justice, Police Administration, or related field or experience in law enforcement preferable.  Must be at least 21 years of age and be able to successfully perform all essential job functions and meet all required skills and abilities.  Successful candidates must complete 18 weeks of basic Police Academy training and a 12-month probationary period. A valid driver’s license from the Commonwealth of Virginia, at time of appointment, and good driving record required.  Selected applicants must undergo a written examination and physical agility test, oral interview, psychological examination, extensive background investigation, and extensive medical examination.  Each candidate must successfully complete each step in order to continue on in the screening process.  A pre-employment drug test is required for this position. Direct deposit of pay is required.

Salary

Starting salary is $33,009/yr. - $36,310/yr., with excellent benefits that includes fully paid retirement, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and employee medical insurance.

How to Apply

A Town of Blacksburg application is required for this position by 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2008.  Applications are available at the Human Resources Office in the Municipal Building at 300 South Main Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060 or can be downloaded at www.blacksburg.gov.  Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in the application process should call (540)961-1188 (voice) or 711(TDD).

EEO/M/F/D/V