Police Officer

Police Officer

The City of Eustis is seeking a responsible, trustworthy individual to perform general duty police work involving the prevention of crime and the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Specific assignments are received from a superior officer, however, the employee must be capable of reacting with considerable independent judgment and initiative in dealing with routine and emergency situations. Examples of machines, tools and equipment : Police communications equipment; radar equipment; patrol vehicles; breathalyzer; service weapon & other weapons; camera; video equipment. Supervision received : Sergeant.

Essential job functions include : patrolling an assigned area on foot or by car; answering citizen calls and complaints; responding to and assisting in emergency situations; searching for and apprehending offenders; escorting prisoners to county jail and testifying and presenting evidence in court; searching for and investigating wanted and missing persons and stolen property; investigating suspected places of illegal activity; enforcing vehicle parking and driving laws; administering breathalyzer tests; responding to the scene of crimes and accidents; searching for and preserving evidence; investigating clues; administering first aid to injured or afflicted persons; directing traffic and assisting pedestrians at intersections; monitoring public establishments for compliance with the law; escorting funerals and parades; writing reports and preparing departmental forms; maintaining assigned equipment; attending training sessions and seminars; assisting with the training of new officers; assisting with natural disaster preparedness and response; assisting the Fire Department with general public control during fire emergencies; assisting with animal control services; and performing other related duties as required.

Other job functions as assigned include : detective duties such as assuming responsibility for thorough investigation of assigned crimes, examining and processing crime scenes, closely reviewing and investigating all evidence, interviewing witnesses, suspects, victims, citizens, etc., performing surveillance, thoroughly reviewing, analyzing and interpreting all information, thoroughly writing and submitting criminal reports, arrest affidavits, probable cause affidavits, search warrants, etc., and providing support to the State Attorney's Office, Sheriff's Department and other local law enforcement agencies, etc.; K-9 officer duties such as responding to calls requiring the use of a trained canine, utilizing trained canine in narcotics detection, assuming responsibility for safely securing the canine during assigned shifts, and caring, feeding and providing for the health and welfare of the canine; and school resource officer duties such as maintaining order, discipline and safety during campus activities, extracurricular activities, etc., counseling, providing guidance and serving as mediator between students, parents and teachers, explaining and interpreting the law to students, parents, teachers, etc., performing public relations function between the city, school and community, ensuring school security by checking students, classrooms, restrooms, etc., taking students into custody for violations of the law, searching for truants, providing support to social workers and counselors, and providing educational programs, as needed, etc.

Knowledge of the principles and procedures of police work; knowledge of the laws and ordinances of the State of Florida and the United States; knowledge of the streets, roads and geography of the city; knowledge of first-aid principles and procedures; knowledge of the care and handling of a trained canine (if assigned). Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations; significant ability to meet and work with the general public and to explain and enforce regulations; ability to organize and compose written reports; ability to drive and operate assigned equipment under emergency conditions; ability to learn laws, rules, guidelines and regulations; ability to maintain confidentiality; ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays; ability to work on-call, if required, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Minimum qualifications : High school diploma or recognized equivalent and Florida State Law Enforcement Certification, Florida Certificate of Police Standards; valid Florida Drivers License with an acceptable driving record is required. Police Officer candidates for the Criminal Investigation Division must have an applied knowledge of criminal laws, criminal procedures, court procedures, and possess interviewing skills, investigative skills and specialized skills in dealing with specific crimes such as offenses dealing with children or sexual battery.

Physical demands : This is moderately heavy work for a considerable part of the working time. Requires frequent walking; frequent standing and sitting for long periods of time; running, jumping / leaping, climbing; stooping, reaching, bending; lifting and carrying / pushing / pulling 50+ pounds; good finger / hand dexterity and hand / eye coordination; good eyesight (20 / 40 corrected in each eye), hearing and speech; working in adverse environmental conditions for long periods of time; regular driving of vehicle. May be required, at times, to physically perform all noted requirements at one time (Ex : running, jumping, climbing, lifting, etc.).

Salary information : $28.6599 to $42.3043 per hour ($62,593.16 - $92,392.56 annually); excellent benefits (Note : See Benefits Tab for more information). Applicants should expect a starting salary of $28.6599 per hour. Per current PBA contract, please see list of scheduled salary increases below : Effective 10 / 1 / 26 : Starting salary of $65,722.81 annually (5% increase for current bargaining unit members). Only applicants with the most job related qualifications will be selected for interview and further consideration. Additional consideration may be given to applicants with more extensive education, training, or police experience. Any applicant who failed to successfully complete any portion of a previous selection process (application, physical abilities test, verbal interview, background investigation, truth verification, emotional stability and psychological investigation, and drug screening), may not reapply for one year from the date of the exit point in the process. Final candidates will be required to pass a drug test and a thorough background check including criminal history, drivers license check. Then, final candidates will be given a conditional offer of employment contingent upon satisfactory results of medical exam.

Closing date : Open until closed by the City. Important information : Applications must be received no later than 5 : 00 pm on the closing date as listed above. The City may close positions that are posted with an open closing date at any time, without prior notice. The Citys application is required. The online application is the preferred method but printed applications are also available in person at 109-A East Orange Ave, Eustis. Office hours are 8 : 00 am to 5 : 00 pm Monday thru Friday. For assistance or more information, please visit Human Resources at www.eustis.org or call 352-483-5472. Under Florida Law, all application materials are public record and subject to public scrutiny.

The City is proud to announce the following police sworn employee benefits : Health insurance : Florida Blue Plans 05901 and 03559 are available at no cost to the employee. Florida Blue PPO Plan 03769 and HMO Plan 55 are available buy-up plans. Dependent coverage is available on all plans for a monthly premium. Dental insurance : Cigna Dental benefits are available at no cost to the employee. Dependent coverage is available for a monthly premium. VisionCare : Vision benefits are available through National Vision Administrators (NVA) for a modest premium. Dependent coverage is also available. Group Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance : The City provides $20,000 group life insurance and $20,000 accidental death benefits for Police Officers. The City provides $50,000 group life and $50,000 accidental death benefits for the Chief of Police and Captains. Employees may purchase supplemental policies through payroll deduction. Death Benefits : The City complies with Florida Statutes 112.19 in providing death benefits to Police Officers. Eustis Police Pension Fund : The Police Pension Fund offers retirement benefits, disability and beneficiary benefits. Police Officers and the City contribute and amount as stipulated by the fund. Empower 457 deferred compensation plan and 457 Roth options are also available. Annual Leave : Police Officers who work a 2184 hour per year schedule shall accrue annual leave at the rate of 8.40 hours for each month worked in a year. Seven years and over, accrue additional hours to a maximum of 16.49 hours per month. Police full time employees who work a 2080 hours per year schedule shall accrue annual leave at the rate of 8 hours per month. Seven years and over, accrue additional hours to a maximum of 15.7 hours per month. See Personnel Rules and Regulations for a complete schedule. Sick Leave : Police employees who work a 2184 hour per year schedule shall accrue sick leave at the rate of 8.40 hours per month, not to exceed 100.80 hours per year. Police full time employees who work a 2080 hours per year schedule shall accrue sick leave at the rate of 8 hours per month, not to exceed 96 hours per year. Holiday Pay : Police employees who work a 2184 hour per year schedule receive eighty (80) hours paid time off (after probationary period) credited annually. Full time employees who are required to work on an approved holiday, receive pay at one and one half (1.5) times their regular hourly rate for time worked on that holiday. Other Leave : The Police Chief receives forty (40) hours of administrative leave credited annually. Merit Plan / Pay Increases : Yearly