Job Opportunities and Employment Benefits

 

Greetings,

 

             It is our pleasure to provide you with the following information in order to acquaint you with the City of DeFuniak Springs and the DeFuniak Springs Police.  The Office of the City Marshal is one of only two City Marshal Offices, along with eleven other elected Chiefs of Police in the State of Florida.  This office dates back to the late 19th century when the city was established around Lake DeFuniak, which was named after a French engineer who helped establish the town when the railroad was constructed.  Lake DeFuniak also has the distinction of being one of only two naturally round lakes in the world.  Today, the City of DeFuniak encompasses more than 14 square miles and has a permanent population of 5,000 plus.  Literally thousands more visit or travel through the city daily while conducting business within our Walton County Seat, or as vacationers on their way to the world’s most beautiful beaches. The richness of our heritage can be readily attested to by the abundance of historical antebellum homes surrounding Lake DeFuniak, and the number of annual events where our citizens and visitors join together to celebrate several festivals throughout the year. Our area has experienced unprecedented growth within the past few years and the city has expanded to meet the needs of our citizens.  Our agency has also experienced these same growing pains and as a result of the expansion we have added five new law enforcement positions and five new dispatcher positions within the past two years.  Additional growth is projected for the next three to five years with annual additions to manpower and increases in budget.

 

             This agency is also very proactive in our communities and our schools by offering substance abuse training and other activities to all school aged children and other civic groups.   When it comes to our employees, I seek out every professional law enforcement training program that will provide them with that professional edge that is needed to be successful in today’s fast paced environment.

 

             The City of the DeFuniak Springs is a great place to live and work.  We have excellent schools and there are several recreational facilities within the immediate area that offer a variety of activities. These local area perks coupled with above average pay, excellent benefits, and possible future advancement opportunities, make the DeFuniak Springs Police a desirable place to work.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.         

 

 

 

Job Opportunities

 

· Patrol Officer

· Communications Officer

· General Investigator

· Narcotics Investigator

· Public Information Officer

· Auxiliary / Reserve Officer

· Traffic Homicide Investigator

· Evidence Custodian

· Training Coordinator

· Crime Prevention Specialist

· Field Training Officer

· K-9 Handler

· And More
Text Box: Text Box: “it’s not just our motto…. It’s the way we do business”… Text Box: Join our tradition of proudly serving DeFuniak Springs for over 100 years

Employment Benefits:

 

* Florida Division of Retirement(FRS)

* Accumulated Sick Leave

* Accumulated Annual Leave

* Paid Overtime

* Drive Home Vehicles

* Advancement Opportunites

* Cost Free Uniforms & Equipment

* Paid Advancement Training

* Free Employee Health coverage

* AND MUCH MORE!!!

Great Opportunities

For your future!

Apply Today!
Text Box: POLICE APPLICATION Text Box: ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF - CAPTAIN JOB DESCRIPTION Classification Responsibilities: The Assistant Police Chief assists in the planning, directing, and coordinating activities in the Police Department and is responsible for the supervision of police personnel. Work involves resolving problems of the highest technical nature when required and participating in the determination and formulation of city policies. Duties include: assisting in planning, staffing, and directing police activities; assisting in coordinating, preparing, and administering the budget for the Police Department; conducting administrative studies of management problems and concerns, and developing comprehensive programs designed to effectively correct operational deficiencies; investigating citizen complaints about police personnel conduct and services; and making recommendations on performance ratings, disciplinary actions, and related matters. An Assistant Police Chief represents the department at various meetings and conferences and speaks before community groups on the role of the Police Department. This position is responsible for performing any other related duties as assigned by the Chief/City Marshal. Distinguishing Features: This classification has been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system, at-will position. In the absence of the Police Chief, the Assistant Police Chief has the authority to represent or act as the Police Chief. Supervision is received from the Police Chief who delegates the day-to-day planning, staffing, and decision-making functions to the Assistant Police Chief. This class is distinguished from the Police Commander class by the considerably greater scope of managerial and administrative duties performed. An Assistant Police Chief may be assigned to a Director of Support Services or Director of Operations position. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualification(s) Required: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree and or a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible supervisory/management experience in a Police Department or law enforcement agency of comparable or larger size and complexity to the DeFuniak Springs Police. Special Requirement(s): Successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph/cvsa is required. Florida Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training Certification is also required. Preferred/Desirable Qualification(s): A Masters Degree in Public Administration or Criminal Justice and Management and/or 15 years of actual law enforcement supervisory experience at the upper management level. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Communication: Communicates with the general public and Police Department employees in order to answer inquiries and complaints, give directions, and explain actions of the Police Department and its policies and procedures. Provides information, gives instructions, and responds to questions from the general public and City employees in order to enhance public relations and employee morale. Prepares and reviews the following: administrative studies of management problems and concerns, the budget for the Police Department, program proposals, recommendations regarding performance ratings and disciplinary actions, statistics and reports on departmental activities, and departmental policies and procedures. Manual/Physical: Attends meetings and observes, inspects, or monitors the behavior of office or field personnel to determine and maintain compliance with departmental policies and procedures. Maintains the ability to perform all duties of a Police Officer including making forceful arrests and firing a weapon. Mental: Comprehends and makes inferences from written material including: departmental policies and procedures, federal and state laws, City codes, City Personnel Rules, police reports, and administrative studies in order to resolve complex operational and procedural problems, to formulate programs and plans to maintain departmental efficiency and responsiveness, and to make fair and consistent recommendations on performance ratings, disciplinary actions, and other personnel matters. Analyzes information, statistics, and reports on departmental activities in order to determine police service needs, availability of resources, and if existing programs meet the needs of the public. Supervises and evaluates the work of subordinate personnel by reviewing results achieved and ensuring conformance to standards. Knowledge and Abilities Knowledge of: the theories, principles, and practices of effective police administration with particular attention to planning and organizing police services and operations; the theories, principles, and practices of effective public administration, with special reference to department policies, personnel, and budget administration; modern management techniques, supervisory practices, and evaluation methods; Governmental organization and management; the principles and methods of budget preparation and monitoring; the activities, objectives, and ideas of police services and operations; the facilities, equipment, and personnel needed to provide police services and operations; and the laws and court decisions affecting police departments. Ability to: assist with planning, organizing, staffing, and directing the range of activities commonly found in a progressive municipal police department; organize and direct the activities of a staff engaged in providing police services; directly supervise special functions or programs as may be assigned by the Police Chief; organize and direct personnel in emergency situations; deal effectively with the general public and representatives of other law enforcement agencies, City departments, state, county, and federal governments, and private agencies in coordinating activities and resolving problems; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, City officials, community organizations, and the general public; and act as Police Chief in the Police Chief's absence. The duties listed above are intended only as general illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Specific statements of duties not included does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Job descriptions are subject to change by the Chief as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change. Developed 08/07 Text Box: POLICE – DIVISION COMMANDER – LIEUTENANT JOB DESCRIPTION Classification Responsibilities: A Police Commander is responsible for planning, supervising, and reviewing the activities of all personnel assigned to a major division, which may include a patrol, investigations or a support function. Supervision is exercised over a staff of sworn and/or civilian personnel primarily through subordinate supervisors. Work involves participating in the preparation of the budget by recommending personnel and capital needs for a division; directing or personally investigating citizen complaints about police personnel conduct and services; commanding the Police Department, when assigned as duty Commander, by organizing and directing personnel and equipment during major events or emergencies; interacting with community organizations and representing the Police Department on various committees and boards; coordinating activities with other law enforcement agencies; and participating in various city-wide projects and/or programs. A Police Commander recommends comprehensive goals and objectives and is responsible for their implementation and results achieved. This position is also responsible for performing any other related duty as required by the Assistant Chief or the Chief/City Marshal. Distinguishing Features: This position has been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system, at-will position. The administrative nature of the work requires considerable responsibility for making decisions regarding actions to be taken and for independent judgment in the interpretation of policies and procedures, as well as application of laws and ordinances. A Police Commander provides highly complex staff assistance to the Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief. Supervision is received from an Assistant Police Chief who confers with the Police Commander on unusual problems and reviews work through observation of results and evaluation of reports. The Police Commander position can be distinguished from the Police Lieutenant position by the formers total command responsibility in terms of supervision, decision-making, and planning of the operations of a major division. A Police Commander must be flexible enough to assume the duties of the same rank within all divisions of the department. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualification(s) Required: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree or 65 hours college credit from an accredited university or college and/or a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible supervisory management experience with a Police Department or Law Enforcement agency of comparable or larger size and complexity to the DeFuniak Springs Police Special Requirement(s): Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License and have a current Florida Law Enforcement Officer Certification and pass a background investigation and polygraph examination. Preferred/Desirable Qualification(s): A minimum of 10 years of actual work experience in all aspects of police work including, patrol, investigations, internal affairs, of which three years was at the rank of Sergeant or higher and a minimum of 2 years of management experience dealing with budget preparations, manpower studies, labor relations, and in the hiring and firing process of employees. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Communication: Communicates with the general public and Police Department employees in order to answer inquiries and complaints, give directions, and explain actions of the Police Department and its policies and procedures. Provides information, gives instructions, and responds to questions from the general public and City employees in order to enhance public relations and employee morale. Prepares and reviews the following: budget recommendations for a division, statistics and reports on departmental activities, recommendations regarding performance ratings and disciplinary actions, departmental policies and procedures, administrative studies, and program proposals. Manual/Physical: Attends meetings and observes, inspects, or monitors the behavior of office or field personnel to determine and maintain compliance with departmental policies and procedures and safety standards. Maintains the ability to perform all duties of a Police Officer including making forceful arrests, firing a weapon, and operating a vehicle requiring a standard Florida Driver’s License. Operates a personal computer to retrieve or enter information and communicate via electronic mail. Mental: Comprehends and makes inferences from written material including: departmental policies and procedures, federal and state laws, City codes, City Personnel Rules, police reports, and administrative studies in order to resolve complex operational and procedural problems; to formulate programs and plans to maintain departmental efficiency and responsiveness; and to make fair and consistent recommendations on performance ratings, disciplinary actions, and other personnel matters. Analyzes information, statistics, and reports on departmental activities in order to determine police service needs, availability of resources, and if existing programs meet the needs of the public. Supervises and evaluates the work of subordinate personnel by reviewing results achieved and ensuring conformance to standards. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: Police administration theories and practices; all federal, state, and city criminal and traffic laws and related court decisions; DeFuniak Springs Police policies, procedures, operations and general orders; City of DeFuniak Springs Management Policies and Personnel Rules; Services available to the Police Department from other agencies; Program budgeting practices and procedures; Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation. Human relations and communication techniques. Ability to: communicate with, and respond pleasantly to, a demanding and diverse public in answering questions, explaining policies, and handling complaints; and deal effectively with coworkers, city officials, and the general public in routine and emergency situations. The duties listed above are intended only as general illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Specific statements of duties not included does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Job descriptions are subject to change by the City Marshal as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change. Developed 08/07 Text Box: Job Descriptions Continued →

Job Descriptions & Qualifications

Text Box: CITY APPLICATION Text Box: Courtesy Professionalism Respect Text Box: POLICE INVESTIGATOR JOB DESCRIPTION Classification Responsibilities: A Police Investigator is a plain clothes sworn police officer who primarily performs investigative work within the Criminal Investigations Division. An officer in this position primarily performs detailed investigations of felony cases involving homicides, burglaries, major theft cases, narcotics investigations, forgery and fraud related theft, credit card related crimes, identity theft, counterfeit currency and fraudulent schemes (local and international), and routinely performs an analysis of crime within the city and the surrounding area in order to prepare required intelligence summaries. This position also investigates other cases as assigned. Specific duties include reviewing evidence such as: reviewing crime reports; bank statements and cancelled checks; conducting crime scene analysis and processing the scene for all evidence, real or trace, conducting investigative interviews with suspects, victims, and witnesses; writing initial and supplementary police reports; testifying in court; writing search warrants; preparing cases for prosecution; submitting items into evidence, filing charges with the State Attorney's Office; and recommending dispositions for cases. The Police Investigator frequently handles questions from defense attorneys and provides recommendations to prosecutors and probation officials. Distinguishing Features: A Police Investigator is a full-time sworn Florida Law Enforcement Officer with full arrest authority that performs police work primarily in an investigative manner. A Police Investigator also acts as the day to day point of contact/liaison with other outside law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, DEA, FDLE and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Work requires considerable independence, initiative, and judgment in performing the investigations and related duties. Supervision is from the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division who reviews work through direct observation, reports, meetings, and results achieved. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualification(s) Required: A minimum of four years current, consecutive experience as a Police Officer with the DeFuniak Springs Police or a similar sized or larger agency and be recommended by his or her immediate supervisor for consideration as an Investigator or have actual investigative experience. Special Requirement(s): Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License by hire or promotion date. Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation and polygraph/cvsa is required. Preferred/Desirable Qualification(s): Have completed an FDLE approved courses of instruction in performing investigative work, such as, Basic Investigative Techniques, Homicide Investigation, Narcotics Investigation, Police Intelligence, and Interview and Interrogation Techniques. An Associate’s Degree or 65 semester hours from an accredited university or college and a minimum of five years of actual law enforcement experience of which at least two years were as an OIC or FTO or higher. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Communication: Communicates with the general public, suspects, victims, and witnesses, other City employees, management, public officials, bank officials, jurors, and personnel from various agencies to verify, obtain, or provide information, conduct follow-up investigations and in-depth interviews, and file cases for prosecution. Testifies at preliminary hearings, before the Grand Jury, and all Courts. Prepares written documents which may include initial and supplemental police reports, statistical reports, suspect information bulletins for dissemination, all forms of subpoenas as necessary, and correspondence to individuals or agencies with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar. Manual/Physical: Have the ability to review the work products of others to ensure compliance with federal/state/local regulations and laws and departmental procedures/policies and be able to review financial records and statements. Operates a motor vehicle requiring a standard Florida Driver's License. Operates a variety of standard office equipment including: a personal computer (PC), copy machine, and ten-key calculator. Enters data into a PC in order to compile a case for submission to the State Attorney's Office. Prepares and updates monthly charts to indicate number of cases cleared. Observes subjects during surveillance. Works with normal, routine, protective equipment (rubber gloves) to search suspects and their property. Works in a variety of weather conditions while conducting interviews, obtaining information, and locating evidence and or suspects. Mental: Prioritizes own work. Coordinates work activities with other police divisions, outside agencies, financial institutions and the State Attorney's Office. Resolves cases and work-related problems. Recommends final disposition on cases. Researches and analyzes data obtained from victims, witnesses, banks, and other law enforcement agencies. Performs financial analyses for bad check/fraud investigations. Performs mathematical calculations to determine crimes committed and prepare status reports. Comprehends and makes inferences from written material including police reports, bulletins, and bank records. Knowledge and Abilities: Knowledge of: police department objectives, procedures, and terminology; the English language and basic writing techniques; various financial/bank records; and security and privacy requirements of police information. Ability to: acquire a working knowledge of various criminal statutes and codes and police writing requirements; operate a PC; conduct in-depth investigative interviews with victims, suspects, and witnesses; interpret bank records and financial transactions to determine if a crime has been committed; acquire a working knowledge of State Attorney charging standards on crimes ranging from misdemeanors up through felonies; understand the rudiments of handwriting comparison; construct photo line-ups for witnesses; analyze situations quickly and objectively; express ideas clearly and concisely, orally, and in writing; deal effectively with the public, often in stressful situations; check suspect information on crime reports received from officers; perform field work by packaging evidence, obtaining physical information, and assisting in completing the crime scene log; establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisory personnel, the public, financial institutions and other agencies. The duties listed above are intended only as general illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Specific statements of duties not included does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Job descriptions are subject to change by the City Marshal as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change. Revised 10/07

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