Police Officer Forest Preserve District of Cook County Contact Name: FPD Human Resources Contact E-mail: fpd.humanresources@cookcountyil.gov Contact Phone: 708-771-1561 Closing Date: 2016-09-06 Salary: $48,185.28 Yearly Description: APPLY ONLINE AT: http://fpdcc.com/about/jobs/ Organization: Forest Preserve District Work Locations: 536 N. Harlem Job Posting: Aug 8, 2016, 12:01:00 AM Closing Date: Sep 6, 2016, 11:59:00 PM Full-time A.M. P.M. Posting Salary: $48,185.28 Yearly Forest Preserve District of Cook County Job Summary Under the general direction of the shift Sergeant, this position performs high visibility proactive policing of the District to protect the life and property of District visitors, employees, staff and facilities through enforcement of applicable federal, state and local law. Enforces local, state and federal laws including, but not limited to, the District Ordinances. Issues citations and apprehends, arrests, processes and transports offenders. Conducts crash scene and preliminary criminal investigations. Responds to calls for police service, reported crimes, crash scenes and emergencies. Prepares and submits a variety of reports that are accurate, complete, pertinent, legally sufficient, constructive, and relevant. Creates and maintains an environment in which laws, rules and regulations are enforced in a respectful, friendly, consistent, and assured manner. Utilizes available resources to ensure the safety and security of visitors, employees, and staff of the District at all times, including during serious incidents or catastrophic events. Implements emergency response and mutual aid plans. Courteously and sensitively interacts with individuals both within the District and in the community from various backgrounds and cultures. Performs other duties as assigned *Successful completion of all the steps outlined below under POLICE HIRING PROCESS is required for employment as a Police Officer with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.
Typical Duties Conducts high visibility pro-active police patrol on foot, bicycle, boat, snowmobile or vehicle to prevent crime, protect life and property, and maintains order through enforcement of local, state and federal laws. Acquires thorough knowledge of and familiarity with geographic area and boundaries owned or controlled by the District. Responds to emergency calls for service and provide direction and assistance during emergencies such as serious illness or injury, severe weather, fires, bomb threats, utility emergencies, disturbances, demonstrations, or hazardous material incidents. Conducts preliminary and follow-up criminal and crash scene investigations by, among other things, assuring the preservation, examination and collection of evidence at crime scenes; interviewing victims; questioning witnesses and apprehending and interrogating suspects. Ensures the safety and welfare of citizens by recognizing potential problems and hazardous conditions and taking appropriate action to prevent and resolve them. Utilizes available resources to ensure that information is provided to citizens, employees and staff concerning crime and safety issues. Provides procedural recommendations and options to follow in the event of a crime. Prepares a variety of police reports, records, and other documents on an assigned shift in an accurate, required, and timely manner. Consistently performs at an acceptable level of productivity and produce work that is neat, wellorganized, clear, concise, thorough, and departmentally sufficient. Reliably adheres to established work schedules as demonstrated through a positive employee attendance record. Relates to, and effectively works with, people of diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds. Serves as ambassador of the District by providing information, assistance and direction to citizens and users of District property and facilities. Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at time of application. Must possess sixty (60) credit hours from an accredited college or university. Must possess a high school diploma or GED AND three (3) or more years of full-time, professional
work experience. Must possess a current, valid driver s license. Must possess background free of convictions for any misdemeanor referenced in 50 ILCS 705/6.1(a) or felony at time of Background Check as set forth in the District s Employment Plan. Preferred Qualifications Possession of prior work experience as a full-time or part-time sworn law enforcement officer at a local, county, state, or federal police agency. Possession of prior work experience as a U.S. Military Police Officer or higher ranking. Possession of (3) three or more years of active duty in the U.S. armed forces and be eligible for or awarded an honorable discharge. (You must attach this documentation to your application in order for it to be considered.) Possession of two (2) or more years of full-time work experience related to natural sciences such as forestry, urban forestry, forest ecology, forest resource management, biology, ecology, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science, or substantially similar area. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics Strong communication and organizational skills. Ability to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive written reports. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to think clearly and decisively in stressful and challenging situations. Ability to promote the mission, programs, policies and procedures of the Department through lawful operation and established standards. Ability to analyze situations and adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with and between employees, staff, the general public and other law enforcement organizations. Ability to adapt to changing field conditions including, but not limited to, exposure to extreme weather conditions, intense physical activity and safety hazards. Ability and skill to operate and maintain a variety of law enforcement and technical equipment
including, but not limited to, police vehicles during normal and emergency conditions, and in a safe and cautious manner. Enthusiasm and passion for nature, conservation and outdoor activities. Ability to work with individuals both within the District and in the community from various backgrounds, cultures, areas of interest, etc. The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work. Police Hiring Process Please be advised that the following additional steps in the hiring process are required: *Depending on the number of qualified applicants, applicants may be randomly selected during any part of the hiring process. Eligible applicants will be required to attend an informational and written examination tutorial session prior to taking a written examination. Applicants will be required to bring to the informational session documentation confirming minimum qualifications, preferred qualifications (if applicable), and/or honorable Veteran s status. The National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory-Integrity Study Guide or the National Police Officer Selection Test Study Guide (to be determined) for the written examination will be made available to eligible applicants at the informational tutorial sessions. All candidates will receive the same study guide. Applicants are required to pay a $25.00 administrative fee in cash at the time of the informational session. The written examination will be administered by an independent testing agency. A cumulative minimum score of 70% on the written examination is required in order for a candidate to continue to be considered eligible. After passing the written exam, applicants must successfully complete an oral interview. Applicants who are deemed eligible after the oral interview must successfully complete a background check, polygraph test, psychological examination, drug and medical test, and POWER test. Applicants will need an FOID card issued by the State of Illinois at the time of hire. While it is not necessary at the application phase, the District recommends that applicants apply for an FOID card as soon as possible. Benefits Package Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
Basic Term Life Insurance Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program Employee Assistance Program Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/ Veteran s Preference When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must: Meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering Yes to the question Are you a military veteran? Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911). Veteran must provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview. General District Employment Requirements PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND/ LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED AT TIME OF INTERVIEW. MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY ESTABLISH RESIDENCY IN COOK COUNTY WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT AND REMAIN A RESIDENT AT ALL TIMES DURING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person s race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity.