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Owatonna Police Department

Location

204 E Pearl St, Owatonna, MN, USA

Job Type

Police Officer

Salary

$34.78 - $45.23 Hr

Sworn

Population

26,470

Application Deadline

Open

About the Role

CLASS SUMMARY:
The second level of the Patrol/Investigations Series is responsible for conducting law enforcement activities to ensure public safety. Responsibilities may include: responding to requests for assistance from the public; preventing traffic accidents and deterring violators; investigating accidents and criminal incidents; preparing incident reports; ensuring the security and order of the court; receiving, processing, recording, storing, maintaining and releasing evidence; protecting crime scenes; and coordinating with other departments.

Duties / Responsibilities


TYPICAL CLASS ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)

  1. Patrols an assigned area to enforce local, State, and Federal laws; investigates crimes; collects evidence; interviews witnesses and suspects; enforces vehicle and traffic laws; and apprehends criminals and offenders.

  2. Writes and submits reports related to day-to-day activities utilizing established procedures and guidelines; prepares information, offense, suspect illness and injury, accident, supplement, and administrative reports.

  3. Responds to routine and complex emergency situations. Answers and responds to radio or telephone dispatches.

  4. Assists individuals with disabled vehicles and vehicle lockouts and assists distressed motorists.

  5. Communicates with the general public and employees while patrolling City streets in an effort to proactively preserve law and order and achieve positive public relations.

  6. Assists in conducting at-scene accident and criminal investigations and related follow-up.

  7. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Requirements

Qualifications*


Applicants must be currently post licensed or post eligible for licensure at the time of hire.


TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (positions in this class typically require):Associate’s degree or two-year technical certificate in Law Enforcement or related field; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.


LICENSING REQUIREMENTS(positions in this class typically require):

  • Peace Officers Standards and Training License;

  • Valid Driver’s License.


KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry):Knowledge of:

  • Modern police practices and methods;

  • Departmental procedures, rules and regulations;

  • Knowledge of effective methods of investigations;

  • Applicable federal laws, state laws, city ordinances, and laws of arrest;

  • Street layout and geography of the city;

  • Law enforcement weapons and equipment;

  • Principles and practices of patrol and crime prevention;

  • Report preparation techniques;

  • Customer service principles;

  • Computer operation and related software applications.


SKILLS (position requirements at entry):Skill in:

  • Using a variety of law enforcement weapons and equipment;

  • Applying and interpreting law enforcement principles and practices;

  • Applying applicable local, state and federal laws, rules, and regulations;

  • Maintaining records and preparing reports;

  • Providing customer service;

  • Operating a computer and related software applications;

  • Dealing firmly but courteously with the public.

  • Analyzing situations quickly and objectively, thereby determining the proper course of action;

  • Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, superiors, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information, function in a team environment, and to receive work direction.


Hours of Work/Physical and Mental Demands

HOURS OF WORK:Regular Full-Time Position.Hours may vary (including extended hours, emergency call outs, weekends, and holidays) but generally work on steady shifts that are bid out by seniority every 4 months.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Positions in this class typically require: standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and seeing.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects.

Incumbents may be subjected to odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, extreme temperatures, disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

NOTE:The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.




About the Agency

Description
The City of Owatonna is a growing community strategically placed at the crossroads of I-35 and two major US highways, approximately one hour south of the Twin Cities metro area. The community has a commitment to growth, access to services, and quality of life for its 25,000 residents.


The City is an employer focused on maintaining and enhancing a positive workplace culture.


Organization Purpose:
WE CREATE A BETTER TOMORROW


Organization Values:
BETTER TOGETHER – We are one team of diverse perspectives and talents working to create a better tomorrow for Owatonna. We support each other, listen to understand, and respectfully challenge each other – always recognizing and trusting that we will succeed more as a team than on our own.


COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP – We are here to proactively care for, protect, and serve our community. We understand that our community trusts and empowers us to do our work responsibly, with integrity, and utilize resources effectively and efficiently.


PRIDE IN OUR WORK – We care, we show up prepared to work, and we strive for excellence in all that we do. We commit to continuously learn and improve each day. We believe if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.


City of Owatonna 
2024 BENEFITS OVERVIEW
For a Regular Full-Time MNPEA Patrol Officer Employee

The City of Owatonna provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package as part of your total compensation. The City's benefits programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or health savings accounts, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings.

The following outline of City offered benefits serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.

EMPLOYER PROVIDED BENEFITS:

Paid Time Off (PTO):
It is the policy of the City of Owatonna to provide employees necessary time away from work.  PTO can be utilized for any purpose, subject only to necessary request/approval procedures consistent with the City Policies and Procedures Manual and labor contracts.
PTO accrues at the following rates for full-time employees:

Years of Service  Hours/Year
1                                 144              
2                                 152               
3                                 160              
4                                 168               
5                                 176              
6-9                              184              
10                                192             
11                                200             
12                                208             
13                                216             
14                                224             
15                                228             
16                                232             
17                                236             
18                                240             
19                                244             
20                                248             
21                                252             
22                                256             
23                                260             
24+                              264             

The first eight pay period PTO accruals in the first year of eligible service will be front loaded and made available to the employee at the onset of their PTO eligible position.  Per pay period accruals will begin on the nineth pay period thereafter.

Holidays:
Full time Patrol Officers receive 120 hours in a holiday bank at the beginning of each calendar year (prorated for mid-year start/stops in employment).  Holiday bank time may be used for paid time off, subject to approval by the Chief.  Unused holiday bank time remaining as of December 1 of the calendar year is cashed out. 


Retirement:
PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association)
1.  Must participate as directed by Minnesota Statutes.
2.  Contribution rates vary depending on plan.
3.  May obtain refund of employee contribution on termination of service.



Health Insurance Coverage Through Medica:

  • Coverage for eligible employees becomes effective on the first of the month following a waiting period of thirty (30) days from the first workday.

  • 3 High Deductible Health Plans to choose from

  • City Contributes $ 596.00 towards single coverage premium or $ 1,664.00 towards family coverage/premium

  • City contributes $1,225/single or $2,500/family into an HSA account.

Term Life Insurance:
The City provides a $25,000 term life insurance policy at no cost to the employee.

Long Term Disability Insurance:
The plan provides long term disability income with a 90 consecutive day elimination period.  An employee must be a regular full-time employee and have completed six (6) months of employment in order to be eligible for this benefit. 

Fitness Center:
The Owatonna Police Department has an onsite fitness center that employees are welcome and encouraged to utilize. 
Police employees also have access to the City’s West Hills Fitness Center at no cost as part of the city's wellness program. 

Employee Assistant Plan (EAP):
The City of Owatonna provides an Employee Assistance Plan. This service provides free, confidential, professional assistance to help employees and their families resolve problems such as marital difficulties, financial or legal problems, emotional difficulties, or problems caused by alcohol or other drug use, that affect their personal lives or job performance.

OPTIONAL BENEFITS AVAILABLE:
The following benefits are available on an elective basis at the employee's choice:

  • Deferred Compensation Plans (457 and Roth IRA's): Plans available through Minnesota State Retirement System and ICMARC.

  • Dental Insurance: Coverage through Health Partners.

  • STD/Cancer/Accident Policies:  Plans available through AFLAC.

  • Supplemental Life Insurance: Plans through MN Life and PERA.

  • Health Care and Daycare Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Vision Care: Plan available through Eye Med.

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