Job Description

SummaryThe City of Soldotna has an immediate opening for the Chief of Police in the Soldotna Police Department. This position is open until filled with the first review of application June 20, 2024.The City of Soldotna application, cover letter, and resume can be submitted online. Please submit the Personal History Statement (Form F-3 from Alaska Police Standards Council) to the Human Resources Manager at , by fax to 866-595-3359 or 177 N. Birch St, Soldotna, AK 99669.Appointed by and working under the general direction of the City Manager, the Chief of Police is responsible for overall management of the Soldotna Police Department (SPD), coordinating and directing all activities in municipal law enforcement. The Police Chief is responsible for preserving order, protecting life and property, and equitably enforcing laws. The Police Chief is a key member of the city\'s executive leadership team, providing strategic direction and implementing policies and programs that improve SPD\'s overall efficiency and effectiveness.Detailed Work Activities

• Supervise and manage all department personnel, providing timely and accurate feedback regarding performance, coaching, and discipline.
• Develop and implement department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
• Monitor all law enforcement activities, providing oversight and personnel training opportunities to ensure laws are enforced fairly and equally.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department\'s biennial operating budget. Forecast and request funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies. Monitor and approve department expenditures throughout the fiscal year.
• Research, compile statistics, and prepare reports on a range of public safety-related topics at the request of the city manager.
• Monitor and observe community needs, and develop special programs that will help prevent crimes and improve public safety.
• Maintain good working relationships with partner law enforcement agencies, the district attorney, public defender, court system and other government agencies.
• Develop credibility and maintain relationships with community groups, service organizations, churches, social clubs and the business community.
• Make recommendations concerning ordinances or resolutions that affect public safety.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Federal, State and City laws and court decisions pertaining to law enforcement, and communicate them in a way that is clearly understood by law enforcement officers.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of all SPD activities, including patrol, investigations, traffic control, juvenile justice and crime prevention.
• Develop and implement a robust training program for department personnel, ensuring department personnel have access to regular and specialized training as needed.
• May be required to assume command in the field.
• Respond to and assume command of various critical incidents to ensure proper response and tactics by police personnel.
• Represent the Police Department and the City in media on critical and special events.
• Investigate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Assist in the resolution of labor/management disputes, and represent management in collective bargaining negotiations.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Monitor and assess the department\'s investigative capability and immediately request assistance from other law enforcement agencies that may be more professionally trained in a specific crime.
• Performs a variety of administrative tasks, including emailing, creating statistical reports,
• online research, internal and external correspondence, and departmental policy creation and management.
• Communicate information effectively while transmitting on the radio, over the phone, in writing, or in person (including at public meetings).
• Performs other activities as directed by the City Manager.

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of high-liability issues, community policing strategies, technology systems and applications.
• Skilled in effective leadership, decision-making, communication, collaboration, strategic planning, and problem solving.
• Ability to exercise emotional intelligence, to build community relationships based on trust, to create and sustain an ethical organizational culture, and to treat all persons fairly and equally.
• Acts with the highest level of honesty and integrity.
• Exercises sound judgement and maintains calm in highly stressful or dangerous situations.
• Is adaptable and forward thinking, and applies critical thinking to problem solving.
• Has experience with local government finance, budgeting, resource management, and emergency management.
• Develops effective community relationships, provides visionary and adaptable leadership, and assesses and responds to community concerns.

QualificationsCandidates for this position should possess a Bachelor\'s degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, or public administration and twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience in a qualified federal, state, county/borough, or municipal law enforcement agency, of which at least seven (7) years were at the supervisory or management level. Must possess or be eligible for an advanced police certificate from the Alaska Police Standards Council or its equivalent from another jurisdiction.Possessing advanced education (e.g. a master\'s degree in public administration, organizational leadership, or criminal justice) and/or management training through the FBI National Academy, University of Louisville Southern Police Institute, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command or similar program is highly desirable.Any combination of relevant education and experience which clearly demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.
Must have and maintain a valid Alaska driver\'s license. Must have and maintain a good driving record.WORK ENVIRONMENT:Inside work is usually in buildings, adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. The work environment exposes the employee to dangerous and potentially dangerous situations, and requires the employee to carry a weapon. Physical exertion is required to restrain disorderly subjects. The employee must be able to do strenuous work in all kinds of weather (e.g., high temp., low temp., winds, snow, ice, fog, direct sunlight) and on surfaces at, above, or below floor level. Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors in a varied working environment, during day and night, and often in inclement weather and in extreme temperatures. The employee may be exposed to dust and other irritants and toxic/poisonous substances. The employee is required to drive a vehicle and perform work inside a vehicle, including operating radios and computer equipment. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used in accordance with best practices, federal and state laws, and City/Department policies and operating procedures.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must lift and/or exert in excess of 100 pounds occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds frequently. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus, while performing the duties of this job.The employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, run, use hands and fingers, handle, feel, and reach. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The City of Soldotna is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications free of personal and political considerations, with equal opportunity for all with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.

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