Police Officer Recruit

Pellissippi State Community College   Knoxville, TN   Full-time     Law Enforcement / Security
Posted on February 6, 2024
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Title: Police Officer Recruit

Department: Pellissippi State Police Department

Classification: 3/On-campus

Type of Appointment: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Required Documents Needed to Upload at Time of Application: Resume, transcripts and three professional references.

Reference check requirements:

• Non-supervisory roles: three (3) current or former supervisors

• Personal references (friends, clergy, customers, relatives) are not considered acceptable references)

Position Summary: The overall purpose of this job is to train to become a certified Tennessee police officer by completing recruit level police academy training in order to ensure a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the college.

Essential Functions:

30% Patrols college grounds and adjacent areas on foot and in motor vehicle to deter crime. Enforce Tennessee State Laws and policies and guidelines set by Pellissippi State Community College, the Tennessee Board of Regents, and the U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Act. Apprehends criminal offenders and affect arrests as necessary.

25% Conducts investigations into criminal activity, motor vehicle accidents, illness and injuries. Prepare Police reports, motor vehicle accident reports, and reports documenting illness or injury. Prepare records for court and testify at judicial hearings and trials. Monitors and reviews security camera recordings to assist in investigations and to ensure safety for the campus community. Performs additional clerical tasks as required.

10% Provides direction and on the job training to contract security guards. Instruct contract security guards on proper patrol techniques, unlocking and locking college buildings, conducting basic investigations, report writing, and emergency plans and procedures.

10% Inspects college property for safety hazards, equipment malfunctions, unsecured doors or other unusual events. Unlocks doors to classrooms, offices and other secured areas of the college for authorized persons. Provides vehicle unlock and jump start services to the campus community.

5% Perform duties and tasks related to emergency incidents, emergency drills, and the college Emergency Preparedness plan as per the Tennessee Board of Regents Policies and Guidelines 5:01:07:00, Commissioning Security Officers. Provides mutual police assistance, upon request, to local police agencies to assist in large scale emergencies.

5% Provides first aid and direction in emergency situations and coordinates emergency response by EMS, Fire, and outside police agencies. Inspects and ensures proper operation of police and emergency equipment.

5% Monitors meetings between college officials and students or employees to ensure personal safety. Provides employee termination escorts, personal safety escorts, and security for special events and special security needs.

5% Monitors traffic flow and parking conditions and directs traffic as necessary. Issue tickets for parking and moving violations as per college Parking and Traffic Regulations and Tennessee State vehicle and traffic regulations.

5% Maintains TN P.O.S.T. certification by successfully completing annual training. Attends additional training for professional development.

Note: The College reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, or combine positions at any time.

Key Results Areas: Crime statistics and incident reports measure the level of safety and security on campus. Calls for service such as personal safety escorts, door unlocks, car battery boosts, and vehicle unlocks measure the amount of services provided to the campus community.

Job Requirements:

Category A.

1. One year campus security experience and possess an active TN State Armed Security Guard License and successfully complete the TN P.O.S.T. academy course and receive P.O.S.T. certification within one year, or,

2. Two years of service in the armed forces of the United States. and successfully complete the TN P.O.S.T. academy course and receive P.O.S.T. certification within one year.

Or

Category B.

Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and successfully complete TN P.O.S.T. academy course and receive P.O.S.T. certification within one year.

NOTE

Candidates hired are required to receive training in the following areas within three (6 months of hire: - -Departmental training in the use of baton and O.C. spray, and certification in First Aid, CPR, and AED.

Continued employment is contingent upon meeting the above listed requirements within the specified timeline.

Applicants will be provided and must successfully pass a department approved polygraph examination as part of the hiring process.

P.O.S.T. certification requires candidates to meet the following standards as defined by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission:

Must be 18 years of age

Be a citizen of the United States

High school diploma or equivalent

Must undergo extensive criminal background check and may not have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any violation of any federal or state laws or city ordinances relating to force, violence, theft, dishonesty, gambling, liquor and other alcoholic beverages or controlled substances

Must not have been released or discharged under any other than honorable discharge from

any of the armed forces of the United States

Have fingerprints on file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Have passed a physical examination by a licensed physician

Have good moral character as determined by a thorough investigation conducted by

the employing agency; and/or the POST Commission

Have been certified by a Tennessee Licensed Health Care Provider qualified in the

psychiatric or psychological fields as being free from any impairment, as set forth in the

current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of

the American Psychiatric Association at the time of the examination, that would, in the

professional judgment of the examiner, affect the person's ability to perform an

essential function of the job, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% credit of full-time work experience.

Special Skills:

Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and have the ability to ascertain facts through personal contact and observation. Requires the ability to work independently and think clearly in stressful situations. Must be able to establish working relationship with students, faculty, staff, and others outside the college. Must be able to perform duties firmly, tactfully and with respect for the rights of others. A minimal level of physical fitness must be maintained for self-defense and the defense of others. Working knowledge of PC and web based computer programs. Ability to supervise and provide guidance to contract security guards and college employees as needed. Being proficient in a second language could be helpful to this position but it is not a requirement.

Financial Impact:

Inadequate job performance could result in personal injury or death to a member of the campus community or visitor. Poor performance could result in stolen or damaged property or equipment. Damaged or missing equipment could hinder regular college operations. Poor performance could also result in fines for non-compliance with government regulations and negative publicity for the college.

Responsibility for Accuracy:

Serious injury or death could result from a decision by a police officer who uses improper deadly or physical force. Clerical errors on reports and logs are identified and corrected by the reviewing supervisor. Work quantity and quality is verified by the number of reports and assignments completed. Work quality is verified by assigned supervisor and by feedback from the campus community. Reports are verified by supervisors on a daily basis. Assignments are verified on an as needed and priority basis. Clerical errors not detected could result in civil or criminal action, governmental fines and a damaged reputation to the college.

Complexity & Creativity:

This position requires good judgement and knowledge of federal and state laws and policies and procedures set by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), Pellissippi State Community College, and the Pellissippi State Police Department. Police officers are required to analyze every situation and decide how to proceed based on laws and policies and procedures. On occasion creative thinking is necessary to ensure all parties are satisfied and that the decision is consistent with federal and state laws and TBR, Pellissippi State policies.

Judgment and Decisions:

Police Officers are authorized to make independent real-time common sense decisions based on their P.O.S.T. training and written policies and procedures without consulting a supervisor. Police officers are required to make concise decisions related to use of force/deadly force and decisions relating to arrest at a moment's notice. When time permits, a police supervisor will be consulted for direction on questions that have not been addressed in prior training or in written policies and procedures.

Impact of Decisions:

An employee decision can greatly affect the colleges stated mission, goals, and objectives. Overly aggressive actions by a police officer could be detrimental to the college's mission of educating. Inadequate performance could be detrimental to the college's mission to provide a safe and secure learning environment.

Personal Contacts:

The employee is responsible for communicating with everyone on campus. This includes students, staff of all levels, emergency responders, contractors and visitors. The employee may be required to communicate in person, via portable radio, telephone, computer, or in writing.

Nature of Contacts:

Police officers routinely interact with contractors, emergency responders, employees, students and visitors to provide information or services. Interactions with an accident or crime victim require more in-depth discussion and a detailed understanding of what occurred. Some interactions with students or employees can require discussion or negotiation to resolve a conflict or other type of situation.

Physical Demands:

The police officer is required to meet the physical standards set by the TN P.O.S.T. Academy and P.O.S.T. Commission. The TN P.O.S.T. Commission requires police officers to complete 40 hours of In-Service training annually after initial P.O.S.T. certification. Manual dexterity is required for personal protection, weapons retention and proper use of authorized weapons. The police officer is required to wear a ballistic vest under the authorized uniform and a duty belt around their waist that supports their holster and firearm and other required equipment. The total weight of the ballistic vest, firearm and other equipment weighs approximately 25 pounds. The police officer is required to be able to stand on their feet for long periods of time, walk long distances around campus and climb at least three flights of stairs without becoming exhausted. Police officers are required to occasionally assist in lifting injured or aided persons and police equipment and supplies.

Environmental Conditions:

Police officers may be required to respond to any location on campus, this includes machinery rooms, roof of buildings, and utility tunnels. They will be exposed to whatever is in those environments at the time. They will be exposed to various amounts of dust, dirt, smoke, blood, and other bodily excretions. Police officers are occasionally exposed to heat, cold and rain for extended periods during emergency situations, while investigating crime, and while handling vehicle accidents. Police officers may spend extended periods of time working on desktop computers preparing reports and working on other administrative tasks and when monitoring and reviewing security camera recordings.

Hazards:

An encounter with an active shooter or other violent threat could result in a serious or fatal injury. Injury is possible when dealing with emotionally disturbed or unstable person and when attempting to resolve fights and disputes. Exposure to illness and disease is possible when handling medical calls. Injury is possible when responding to requests for immediate police

assistance (N.O.R.A., Need Officer Right Away), reports of fire, natural disaster, and when investigating equipment failures and malfunctions. Response to these types of calls is infrequent and relatively low however; police officers still have the responsibility of investigating these types of situations and confronting those involved.

Full-time Employment Benefits:
  • Insurance Options: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Short/Long-term Disability, FSA/HSA
  • Wellness Incentive Program, if enrolled in health plan
  • Educational Assistance: Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent discounts, Audit/Non-Credit, Reimbursement Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Retirement Options: Tennessee traditional pension plan option (TCRS), 401k with $100 company match, 457, 403b
  • Employee Discount program with over 900+ companies
  • 14 Paid Holidays/Year Includes paid days off the last week of December
  • Sick Leave Bank
  • Longevity Pay
  • Many opportunities for professional development
Special Instructions to Applicants: To be considered for a position at Pellissippi State, you must create an on-line application. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using only what is recorded on your application. Work experience that is not listed on the application will not be considered towards compensation. Please note: attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form. Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience. Please note: to scan, upload, or attach documents, a computer and scanner are available at the Hardin Valley Campus Educational Resources Center, if needed.

Pellissippi State Community College is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA employer

If you have any problems or questions please contact Human Resources at Pellissippi State Community College's Human Resource Office at 865-694-6607 or by email at recruiting@pstcc.edu .

If you are interested in this position, click on Apply located below or Apply Now in the upper right-hand corner.

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