COMMUNITY SERVICE AIDE

Community Service Aide

Under the general direction of a Sergeant, this multi-faceted position provides support for all areas of the Police Department. This position involves a large amount of public contact which requires good communication skills. This position is a non-sworn, non-exempt, full-time position. The position involves irregular shift work and shift rotations necessary to provide police services 24 hours / day, 7 days / week, 52 weeks / year (weekends and holidays included). Work shifts are normally 8 to 10 hours in duration, but may be extended in the event of emergency, disaster, manpower shortage, work load, or work-in-progress.

Patrols assigned area via automobile, on foot or bicycle. Observes for safety hazards persons needing assistance and the like. Becomes and remains familiar with patrol beats, geographic locations, known offenders, neighborhood routines, and potential problem areas. Prepares accident reports of a minor nature. Regulates and directs traffic, vehicular and pedestrian. Assists disabled motorists or others in distress. Investigates reports of lost and found properties. Makes presentations to groups and individuals on subjects related to the job's tasks and functions. Assists the general public with requests for service which do not require a sworn officer. Types, files, or obtains police reports and records as needed. Handles complaints filed by citizens. Collects information and either acts upon it, if within the scope of his / her authority, or routes it to the proper authority or agency. Prepares cases for trial. Appears and testifies in court, at deposition sessions and at similar proceedings. Performs desk duties including telecommunications (telephone, computer terminal, and radio) assist persons at the counter, processing and filing reports. Attends training as assigned. Develops and maintains required skills and acquires licenses, permits, and certifications associated with areas of special instruction and expertise. Trains new community service officers, explorers, and other officers / employees in areas of special skills or expertise. Prepares clear, accurate and complete reports; logs and documents any and all activities engaged in. Works independently and effectively within the confines of standard operating procedures. Maintains confidentiality in the performance of duties. Completes routine reports of a non-critical nature which includes, but is not limited to vandalism, animal reports, lost and found reports, and others as needed. Provides relief of school crossing guards on an emergency basis. Performs patrol function to observe ordinance violations and issue warning and / or citations for violations. Provides traffic and crowd control assistance at vehicle crash scenes, social functions, and crime scenes as directed by a supervisor. Provides assistance to the patrol function by the tagging and towing of vehicles abandoned on city streets or apartment / condominium / business parking lots. Initiate and complete all paperwork and reports required in tagging / towing of vehicles. Completes duties of delivery and service as needed and requested by the Support Services Captain, which includes but not limited to money deposits, deliveries of informational material to city officials, material to city attorney offices and other tasks. Prepares conference room and training rooms for classes and conferences as required. Operates all video and photographic equipment as required. Provides assistance to the patrol function by performing fingerprinting as needed. Completes tasks assigned by supervisory officers to allow orderly administration of the police department. Conducts department tours of the police facility as a public service. Arranges for garage personnel to be notified of needed repairs to be made on department vehicles. Arranges for needed outside repairs and painting to be completed on department vehicles. Arranges for radio equipment maintenance on department vehicles. Conducts a weekly inspection of each pool vehicle. Inspection of the vehicle and all required equipment will be recorded. Assists the Property / Evidence Control Custodian in recovery of stolen property which includes storage, identification, and inventory for return to owner or holding for court proceedings. Assists in processing of violations relevant to the City's red light camera program. Testifies in court as to policies, procedures and methods used in handling, storage, and security of property, evidence, and photographic materials coming within or under his / her control. Prepares supplemental reports on all actions which involve evidence or property actions, (i.e., laboratory submission and retrieval, destruction, or auction, etc.) Perform routine (minor) crime scene processing as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities : Knowledge of procedures for operating various office equipment, including personal computers. Knowledge of the department to which assigned including its policies, procedures, regulations, organization and work flow. Ability to respond quickly and accurately to written and oral directions, instruction, inquiries and requests. Ability to initiate appropriate interpersonal and intra / inter-agency communications. Ability to act quickly, calmly and decisively in emergencies and under stress. Ability to handle situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and impartially. Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing. Ability to record information clearly and completely. Ability to facilitate effective conflict arbitration / resolution. Ability to operate a personal computer to prepare a variety of correspondence using a variety of software / applications. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing. Ability to compose letters, memos, and related documents covering a variety of routine work related topics. Ability to research and develop information from a variety of sources. Ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and / or analyze data and / or information. Ability to exercise 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. Ability to exchange information for the purpose of obtaining information or clarifying details. Ability to operate, maneuver and / or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and / or materials used in performing essential functions. Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference data and information. Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculate decimals and percentages. Ability to apply principles of rational systems. Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Ability to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Education & experience requirement : High school diploma or GED. Must possess and maintain, throughout employment, a valid Florida driver's license. Community Service Aide certification preferred. Applicants qualifying for employment will be subject to a polygraph examination and an extensive background screening.