Community Service Officer

Community Service Officer – Job Description

Position Information

Job Title: Community Service Officer 

Reports to: Assigned Supervisor 

Department: Police

General Description

The Community Service Officer serves as a liaison between the community and the Police Department to protect citizens of Converse and their property. This is a non-supervisory position. Duties include Patrol, Crime Prevention, Citizens Police Academy, Neighborhood Watch Programs, Community Service, Juvenile issues and follow up on assigned cases. 

Physical Demands (Approximate Frequency)

The following physical activities and approximate percentages of time required are representative of the position:

• Sitting: up to 75%
• Walking: up to 75%
• Bending: up to 75%
• Standing: up to 50%
• Reaching: up to 50%
• Running: up to 10%
• Lifting, carrying, or moving objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds: up to 10%
• Pushing or pulling heavy objects, including but not limited to restrained or resisting individuals: up to 10%

Essential Job Duties

The Community Service Officer must be able to perform the following essential job duties effectively and professionally, with or without reasonable accommodation

1. The Community Service Officer must be able to perform the following essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation. 
2. Ensure that laws and ordinances are enforced and that peace and safety is maintained. 
3. Effectively deal with unpleasant situations, irate or disturbed individuals/victims, or gruesome crime scenes. 
4. Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt quickly and effectively to stressful situations. 
5. Operate basic police equipment (including but not limited to cameras, recorders, radar, personal computer, and laptop). 
6. Take command of scenes and restore the peace. 
7. Conducts presentations and talks with local schools, civic organizations. 
8. Effectively organize and teach at the Citizens Police Academy. 
9. Write accurate, detailed reports. 
10. Monitor, investigate and handle, as appropriate, any suspicious activities or ongoing crimes. 
11. Coordinate and conduct Neighborhood Watch Programs. 
12. Visit open businesses such as banks, markets, department stores, service stations, and other establishments to establish rapport with owners. 
13. Addresses and works closely with community groups to promote good public relations. 
14. Respond to questions from citizens and agencies. 
15. Attend training and other meetings as assigned or required. 
16. Use good judgment in all decision-making and in carrying out all job duties. 
17. Meet with Police and other staff members to identify and resolve problems and concerns. 
18. Be helpful, cooperative and courteous, and demonstrate a good attitude in all dealings with the public, co-workers and others. 
19. Punctual, regular, on-site attendance is an essential job duty. 
20. Demonstrate initiative and diligence in the prompt and proper completion of all job duties, whether or not listed in this Job Description. 
21. Safeguard City property and recognize and report needed repairs. 
22. Work safely, follow safety rules and training, and maintain a clean, safe and healthful working environment. 
23. Maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to Police and other City business. 
24. Perform other duties as assigned by the Detective Investigator, the Patrol Sergeant, or others in charge.  

Community Service Officer – Job Requirements

Education and Basic Requirements

The Community Service Officer must meet the following minimum requirements. 

1. United States citizen. 
2. Must be licensed by and meet all Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and local ordinance requirements. 
3. High School graduate or equivalent. 
4. Satisfactory results of background and employment screening checks including physical exam, psychological evaluation, and drug screening. 
5. Have and maintain a clear and valid Texas Class C or higher driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicants with a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education; and/or 
• Minimum of one year experience as a licensed police officer in Texas 

Other Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to maintain a professional demeanor; consistently demonstrate maturity, honesty, and integrity in accordance with the City's Ethics Ordinance and Department policies. 
2. Effective written and oral communications skills; ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. 
3. Use good judgment in ranging difficult situations. 
4. Ability to speak, read and understand the English language and possess effective oral, written and presentation skills. 
5. Conduct investigations as assigned. 
6. Establish and maintain effective, cooperative working relationships with City employees, officials, and representatives from the community and other local, state and federal agencies. 
7. Significant working knowledge of department’s coverage area and surrounding areas. 
8. Ability to analyze situations effectively, and react quickly, calmly, and appropriately. 
9. Ability to be punctual and regular in attendance, and attend meetings and work outside of normal office hours when required; 
10. Ability to respond in-person to emergency events as required. 
11. Establish and maintain effective, cooperative working relationships with City employees, officials, and representatives from the community and other local, state and federal agencies. 
12. Significant working knowledge of department’s coverage area and surrounding areas. 
13. Ability to handle juvenile issues. 
14. Other duties as assigned 

Physical and Mental Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation)

1. Must be sufficiently agile to go from an extended seated position to standing or running position with ease. 
2. Must be able to observe catastrophic events and still perform job duties effectively. 
3. Must be able to work extended hours, sometimes without breaks.
4. Be able to work in extreme weather conditions in assigned required duty attire. 
5. Vision requirements include good close, distant and peripheral vision, good depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
6. Ability to work effectively under extreme pressure/stress while performing Essential Job Duties.