Public Safety Officer

The Public Safety Officer's role is to protect and serve the citizens of the City of Union. Enforces state and local laws. Patrols assigned beat or neighborhood and responds to emergency calls to protect persons or property from crimes, or other hazards. Incumbents are also expected, under general supervision, to perform specialized firefighting work which may involve driving fire pumpers and ladder trucks and operating firefighting apparatus. Engages directly in fire prevention and firefighting activities to protect and safeguard lives and property. Work involves an element of personal danger. Reports to the PSO Sergeant.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Patrols a designated area of the City in a patrol car: prevents and discovers commission of crimes; apprehends and arrests criminals and offenders; signs and serves warrants; enforces vehicle and traffic laws; conducts property checks when residents are out of town; and makes police presence known in a manner that contributes toward deterrence of law violations. 
• Answers calls and radio complaints involving automobile accidents, misdemeanors, felonies, burglaries and a wide variety of domestic-related disturbances involving, but not limited to, assistance with mentally or physically ill persons, neglected children, etc. 
• Interviews persons with complaints and inquiries in attempts to make proper disposition or direct them to proper authorities. 
• Conducts major and minor accident investigations and preliminary investigations at the scenes of crimes: conducts larceny and burglary investigations; administers first-aid to persons; gathers evidence; and locates and questions witnesses in court. 
• Transports prisoners as needed: transports doctors and nurses during inclement weather; and transports and/or escorts monies to and from banks. 
• Directs traffic as required: maintains traffic during special events such as parades.
• Performs firefighting duties as needed or assigned: raises and climbs ladders; uses chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines and other equipment; ventilates burning buildings; removes persons from danger and resuscitates if necessary; throws salvage covers; and removes debris. 
• Drives fire pumpers and ladder trucks to scene of a fire when required: cranks trucks; prepares for pumping operations by seeing that hydrant connections are made; pumps water to fire at designated pressure and sees that suction hose and fire hose are properly located; watches condition of motor and unit during operation; and makes necessary adjustments or changes. 
• Repairs and services fire stations and equipment: inspects, maintains and cleans quarters; checks engine daily; and inspects pumping equipment, ignition, batteries, brakes and other equipment to see that the apparatus is in good working condition. 
• Serves as incident commander until relieved by superior officer: takes active charge in emergency or unusual situations; practices safety in situations where innocent people could be endangered; and coordinates with other agencies in performing police work.
• Completes all mandatory police and fire training as implemented by the department: attends required training classes, seminars and meetings; participates in a continuing program of training and instruction, to include online and hands-on training; and attends scheduled drills and classes. 
• Performs assignments and instructions in accordance with departmental rules and regulations received in general terms from a superior officer who reviews work methods and results through reports, observations, and discussions. 
• Prepares and/or processes training reports, incident reports, vehicle maintenance reports, inspection reports, memos, correspondence, etc.; provides a data log; and enters information into a data base, including correcting errors as required.
• Receives, reviews and processes various reports and records including vehicle maintenance records, property lists, warrants, NCIC papers, incident reports, traffic reports, traffic tickets, booking reports, etc.; prepares and processes incident reports, wreck reports, laboratory reports, training reports, fire reports, etc. 
• Refers to equipment check sheets, building inspections, fire reports, and emergency response guidebooks.
• Operates a variety of vehicles, equipment, and hand tools to complete law enforcement and fire suppression duties: utilizes camera, fire hose, firearms, hand tools, air compressor, generators, fans, PR-24, and self-contained breathing apparatus; and operates various office machines including a calculator, computer, two-way radio, etc. 
• Complies with established policies, procedures and safe work practices: follows safety training and instructions provided by supervisor; wears and maintains all personal protective equipment required for job; and immediately reports any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions, as well as any on- the-job injury or illnesses.

Additional Functions:

• Provides assistance to other officers as needed. 
• Trains with and utilizes Tasers and other non-lethal weapons.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school Diploma or GED required, with vocational or technical training in criminal justice and fire science, or a related field; supplemented by three years of experience in firefighting and law enforcement; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. 

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid South Carolina driver’s license. Must possess and maintain Basic Law Enforcement Officer from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Must also possess and maintain the following certifications: Firefighter II (NFPA); CPR and First Aid; vehicle emergency response; emergency vehicle driver training; pump operations I; rapid intervention crew; positive pressure ventilation; pipeline emergencies; utility emergencies; and basic auto extrication.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials requiring complex and/or rapid adjustments.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and prolonged standing, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, explosives, firearms, violence, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate customers.

The City of Union is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.