Employment Opportunities

Summary of Police Officer Position

Performs a variety of law enforcement work associated with patrol, traffic, safety, and investigations.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Patrol and assigned areas of the City in a radio-equipped vehicle to preserve law and order, including checking businesses/residences, discovering/preventing crimes, and enforcing state and municipal laws and ordinances.

• Respond to calls involving automobile accidents, robberies, assaults, fights, domestic disturbances, and other criminal activity.

• Identify witnesses, conduct preliminary investigations, and generally re-establish law and order at the scene.

• Take control of a crime scene until a command staff member arrives.

• Complete accurate and timely reports.

• Enforce traffic laws and ordinances by checking vehicle speed and issuing warnings and/or citations when violations are observed.

• Prepare reports to document the facts of an incident and facilitate the apprehension, prosecution, and conviction of the perpetrator.

• Appear in court to present evidence and sworn testimony.

• May serve as a School Resource Officer, including enhancing and implementing national curriculum for drug education for elementary students.

• Arrest, question, and transport suspects and/or persons with outstanding arrest warrants to jail facilities.

• Ensure that persons are processed (booked) into jail in accordance with state and federal guidelines and Police Department procedures.

• Answer citizen questions regarding the City of Poplar Bluff code/ordinances and state/federal laws.

• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of state statutes, federal codes, and municipal ordinances to be enforced.

• Knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices, including investigation, identification, patrol, traffic control, records management, report preparation, and custody of persons and property.

• Knowledge of equipment used in law enforcement, including weapons, communication, and automotive equipment.

• Knowledge of the location of streets and addresses in the City of Poplar Bluff.

• Skill in understanding and interpreting complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.

• Skill in writing reports and documenting.

• Skill in conducting investigations of criminal activities.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCES, AND/OR TRAINING REQUIRED:

• High school graduate or GED; supplemented by two years of accredited college coursework is desirable.

• POST Certification.

• Residency requirement.

• Valid Missouri driver’s license required.

Applications can be submitted online at www.PoplarBluff-MO.gov or at City Hall, 501 Vine Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901. 

The City of Poplar Bluff is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.

Summary of Dispatcher Position

Perform skilled emergency work that involves receiving emergency 911 and non-emergency requests for police assistance, determining the nature/urgency of calls, initiating police and other emergency personnel action, and maintaining close contact with field units to monitor response and needed support requirements.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receive and respond to emergency and non-emergency calls including enhanced 911, and non-emergency calls from the public, dispatchers, and law enforcement agencies via telephone and radio systems, and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems

• Process and evaluate information received, prioritize calls, and dispatch required units and/or agencies

• Monitor and coordinate police unit activity and assignments via police radio frequencies

• Maintain the status and locations of public safety personnel

• Utilize technology such as computers, radio systems, telephones, fax machines, and other communication equipment

• Create and maintain automated or manual logs of public safety communications activity

• Access and enter sensitive data in local/state/national databases as necessary for investigative purposes

• Enter and maintain files for person or property pending apprehension/recovery

• Maintain appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties

• Keep informed of departmental regulations, policies, and procedures

• May assist in providing on-the-job training for Police Dispatchers and submit progress reports and evaluations on trainees

• Other duties as assigned.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of public service activity and methods of local government

• Knowledge of computer technology and equipment

• Knowledge of law enforcement terminology and procedures

• Excellent communication skills

• Knowledge of the geography for the City of Poplar Bluff and surrounding areas

• Skill in multi-tasking-coordinating simultaneous mental, manual, and visual activities

• Skill in observing situations analytically and objectively and relaying details accurately

• Ability to think clearly and quickly in emergencies

 QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR TRAINING REQUIRED:

• High school graduate or GED

• Minimum typing of 30 WPM

• Must be 18 years of age, and

• Valid Missouri driver’s license

Apply at City Hall, 501 Vine Street, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 or www.PoplarBluff-MO.gov. The deadline to receive applications is open at the moment.  The beginning pay rate for this union position is $17.52 per hour.

The City of Poplar Bluff is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer.