Community Service Officer

Job Summary:

Responsible for performing a variety of duties in support of the Department by conducting and participating in non-hazardous police functions; conducting and participating in general investigations of crimes with no suspects, basic crime scene activities, traffic control, found property, parking complaints/violations, abandoned vehicles, crime prevention center support, VIN inspections, and other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Police or designee.  This position does not perform tasks legally restricted to Billings Police Officers and they do not carry firearms and have no powers to arrest. 

Scope of Responsibility:

Working under limited supervision, incumbent makes routine choices within established policies and procedures.  Serves as a “good will ambassador” for Public Safety by providing friendly, helpful customer service to the general public.  Incumbent is able to perform basic troubleshooting or analysis. Incumbent must be able to communicate effectively within a variety of circumstances.  Incumbent must maintain cooperative relationships with other departments within the city and with the public.

Proactive Activity

• Serves as a “good will ambassador” for Public Safety by providing friendly, helpful customer service to the general public

Calls for Service

• Responds to cold felony/misdemeanor property crimes with no suspect information, minor non-injury accidents, found property, parking complaints/violations, abandoned vehicles, VIN inspections, and other non-hazardous calls for service.
• Directs traffic at fires, special events, and other emergency or congested situations.
• Enforces certain city codes/ordinances.  Conveys information and explains violations, displays understanding and behaves courteously by listening to other parties and uses tack to defuse situations.

Investigation

• Contacts and cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in matters relating to their duties.
• Investigates cold felony/misdemeanor property crimes, minor non-injury accidents; gathers and preserves evidence; interviews victims, complainants and witnesses; testifies and presents evidence in court.

Evidence Collecting and Handling 

• Collects, processes, photographs and presents evidence including fingerprints, fibers, blood, and related physical evidence.

Public Relations

• Maintains contact with citizens regarding their supportive duties and preserves good relationships with the general public; takes an active role in areas of public education relative to crime and crime prevention.

Report Writing

• Prepares reports on investigations and activities performed.

Summons & Citations

• Issues parking citations.
• Issues notice of municipal infractions for traffic violations where probable cause exists during the course of a traffic crash investigation.

Performs other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma or GED 
• Possession of a valid Montana driver’s license or must be obtained within thirty (30) days of employment
• Must be able to pass an extensive background check and a State and Federal criminal background check
• Must become CJIN certified within one year 
• Must complete a Basic At-Scene Crash Investigation course, or equivalent, within one (1) year of employment
• Must successfully complete the Billings Police department’s 3-week training course, plus a 6-week Field Training Officer segment

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• One (1) year of related work experience in law enforcement
• One (1) year of customer service experience 

Working conditions require moderate physical effort, moving between 5 and 25 pounds, where effort is intermittent, less than 15% of the time.   Working conditions require high attention to detail and deadlines occasionally (between 15% and 45% of the time).   A typical workday involves exposure to multiple disagreeable elements, none of which is of greater than moderate intensity, on an intermittent basis (less than 35% of the time).  Driving is required daily and some work will be performed outdoors.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.   All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required.   To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise.  The City retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.