School Resource Officer (Virginia DCJS Certified Police Officer)

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

• Serves as a front-line liaison between the Charlottesville Police Department (CPD) and Charlottesville City Schools (CCS) to ensure mutual trust and open communication.
• Ensures the safety and security of CCS buildings and events in concert with CCS administration and school Care & Safety Assistants (CSAs).
• Establishes and maintains a professional and effective rapport with students.
• Works closely with school administration to resolve issues, providing legal resources, and referrals, and/or diversion as necessary.
• Performs State mandated tasks such as threat assessments and security assessments.
• Provides instructional support in areas related to Driver Education, Substance Abuse Awareness and Risk, and Personal Safety and Situational Awareness.
• Documents incidents in detail and maintains concise reports and/or records.
• Drives and safety operates police vehicles.
• Stays current on Virginia Laws, City ordinances, and with CPD rules and regulations.
• Participates in mandatory and elective training(s).
• Attends seminars and training programs.
• Maintains proficiency with firearms and self-defense.
• Serves as a resource to peers in more complex or difficult emergency situations.
• May be required to report to work on scheduled days off, or report back to work, should a disaster or emergency arise.
• Performs all duties with the highest degree of confidentiality and personal and professional integrity.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

• May perform duties of Police Officer, as required or as reassigned.
• May appear in court to present evidence and testify.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

• High School Diploma, GED, or have passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board if Education AND at least 2 years of experience as a Police Officer.

• Certification as a Virginia Police Officer.
• Must be at least 21 years old.  
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia’s driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Must be a US citizen or be a permanent resident alien who, in accordance with the requirements of the USCIS, is eligible and has applied for citizenship (proof is required).  Note: an application for waiver of minimum qualifications (citizenship) must obtained and approved by the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
• Must have also signed a Condition of Employment Agreement acknowledging the prohibition of the use of tobacco products on and off duty.
• Must hold and maintain: Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services; Certification in the Virginia Crime Information Network (VCIN); Certification in firearms proficiency; and CPR/First Aid.
• Work Schedule requires flexible shift hours (to include holidays, nights and weekends); sometimes remaining on assignments for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to successfully and satisfactorily pass all phases of the screening process, to include a written exam, physical agility test, oral interviews, completion of a comprehensive background investigation, a polygraph exam, psychological and medical exams, and pre-employment drug screening. The pre-employment written examination, agility, and polygraph may be waived for currently Certified Virginia Law Enforcement Officers.
• Must be in satisfactory health, that would not restrict the ability to perform and safely complete academy training, field training, and performance of essential job functions of a Police Officer. (Reasonable accommodations may be made and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
• Successful completion of field training and of probationary period after field training.

• Associate degree or higher, or at least 60 credit hours towards a degree in law enforcement, public administration or related field. 
• Professional working proficiency, or higher, in a foreign language or American Sign Language.

• Thorough knowledge of police/community relations and relational policing.
• Thorough knowledge of State Law, and Constitutional procedures related to the questioning, detention, or arrest of juveniles.
• Thorough knowledge of City codes and ordinances, State, traffic, and criminal laws. Thorough knowledge of the Police Department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of geography of the municipality and important buildings and landmarks, or ability to acquire this knowledge rapidly.
• Knowledge of and proficiency in the use of firearms and other equipment used in the performance of essential duties.
• Knowledge to analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine a proper course of action.

• Intermediate: ability to read and understand written materials such as newspapers, magazines, journals, multi-step instruction manuals, dictionaries, and reference materials, including police reports, communications, manuals, City Codes, ordinances, and court documents.

• Intermediate: ability to write clear and concise reports and demonstrate proficiency in doing so; prepares business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech, such as composing police investigation reports, documents, other departmental reports, and other written communication that analyze and convey complex information accurately and professionally.

• Intermediate: ability to deal with number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement in the performance of police duties. Gathers data using advanced measurement and analytical methods.

• Intermediate: Establish and maintain effective professional relationships with students, school staff, co-workers, supervisors, officials, citizens, and the public. Effectively communicates with all persons and deals with dangerous and stressful situations. Provide and receive complex information and laws. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.  Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas. Testifies clearly and accurately and assists in the successful prosecution of cases; demonstrates effective interviewing and interrogation skills. Understand and carry out oral and written instruction. Explains issues and/or concepts with clarity and confidence. Provides information and guidance that assists others in making decisions. Responds to underlying service and support concerns and issues. Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of others' needs and responds appropriately.

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies.  There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently. Effectively facilitates resolution of situation, utilizing available resources. 
• Actively seeks and applies solutions towards community needs/problems. Recognizes and anticipates needs affecting the community and takes proactive steps, including crime prevention. Develops various sources and channels of information, formally and informally. Responds to high-risk situations while making determinations to prioritize and preserve the safety of many parties. Determine the appropriate courses of action and consequences to citizens’ Constitutional rights. Organizes related sets of responsibilities that require multiple steps for completion. Demonstrates skill in assessing situations and prioritizing actions. Serves as a peer resource and assists in training other officers.

• Skilled: Demonstrates comprehensive, practical knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices, with strong analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to assigned responsibilities. Utilizes proper crisis intervention and proactive patrol techniques and advanced reasoning to recognize patterns, assess complex situations, and prioritize appropriate actions. Competently handles higher-risk or special assignments. Conducts thorough investigations and gathers data using advanced measurement and analytical methods. Prepares complete and accurate investigative case files. Applies proper officer safety techniques proficiently and provides guidance to others when appropriate. Possesses advanced knowledge of and ability to resolve enforcement-related problems. Effectively identifies hazards, persons, and evidence. Skill in utilizing Microsoft Office applications and department software.

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

• Involves a degree of personal risk and exposure to uncontrolled and/or unpredictable conditions that require officers to exercise independent judgment during emergency situations.
• Maintain high levels of ethical standards; ability to demonstrate a high level of integrity and be truthful at all times.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in stressful and difficult situations.
• Time pressures.
• Emergency response.
• Constant interruptions and requests for service.
• Frequent change of tasks; performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Performs tedious or exacting work.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Work effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• Non-traditional work schedule. Requires flexible schedule (including holidays, nights and weekends); sometimes remaining on assignments for prolonged periods and additional outside of normal schedule.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

• Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Sitting for extended periods of time. 
• Working in stressful and sometimes life-threatening conditions; pursuing and arresting aggressive/hostile suspects; physically searching suspects; performing rescues from potentially hazardous environments; performing CPR and first aid procedures; controlling crowds. 
• Constant balancing, reaching, standing, handling; frequently stooping, kneeling, walking, pushing/pulling, lifting, feeling, repetitive motions; occasionally climbing, crouching, running; rarely crawling; adequate vision, hearing, and talking to communicate effectively with others.
• Effectively operates a motor vehicle under normal and emergency conditions.
• Carrying and demonstrating proficiency with firearms; qualifying annually with firearm and other less-lethal weapons.
• Distance-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better binocularly with at least 20/40 in each eye. If glasses or hard contacts are worn, uncorrected distance vision must be 20/100 or better binocularly.  Near-corrected visual acuity in the better eye of no less than 20/40. In addition, must be able to accurately and quickly name colors and must be free from other visual impairments that would restrict the ability to perform law enforcement duties (e.g., identify house numbers, license plates, vehicle descriptions, suspect/victim descriptions, evidence, status of brake and traffic lights, body language, potential weapons, and weapons qualifications).
• Must be able to understand speech in noisy areas, understand whispered speech, and localize sounds (e.g. conversations, radio communications, alarms, requests for assistance).
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.  Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Must be able to smell hazardous materials, and contraband (e.g., alcohol on the breath).
• Must be able to touch (feel) concealed weapons, heat, moisture.

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.  

• Work is performed in a variety of both indoor and outdoor environments utilizing department assigned clothing and equipment (personal protective equipment, body armor, and other specialty equipment). 
• Work may be performed in challenging terrain, tight or confined spaces, remote settings, unprotected heights, and hazardous physical conditions. Work may be performed in extreme temperatures, extreme brightness, or darkness, and in traffic/roadways. 
• Drives City vehicle constantly; deals with atmospheric conditions (fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation), hazardous materials (chemicals, blood, body fluids), and environmental challenges (behaviors, imminent danger, threatening environment) frequently; occasionally exposed to extreme temperatures and intense noise.
• Work may involve exposure to chemicals, explosives, electrical hazards, fumes, gases, allergens, airborne particles, blood-borne pathogens, and animals. 
• May be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• The noise level varies from moderate to very loud depending on the work site and circumstances.

Salary : $55,016 - $99,362