Community Service Aide

Explore a rewarding career with the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania! Spanning just 7 square miles in south Central Pennsylvania, the City of Lancaster is home to nearly 60,000 diverse residents. The City oversees a range of public services including fire and police, health, housing, parks, streets, as well as water and wastewater for upwards of 120,000 customers in the surrounding region. This work is powered by nearly 600 employees who are committed to the core values of quality, teamwork, integrity, and respect. https://jobs.cityoflancasterpa.gov/

Mayor Arroyo’s Strategic Priorities

• An Economy That Works - Driving equitable growth, empowering small businesses, and creating opportunities that strengthen our community.
• Government That Delivers - Leading with integrity, accountability, and action to meet the needs of every resident and build trust in our city’s future.
• A City Built for Everyone - Ensuring safe streets, quality housing, and a community where every person has the tools they need to succeed.
  
  

Our Core Values: Quality. Teamwork. Integrity. Respect.

Primary Functions And Job Details

Provides civilian support to uniformed Police Officers, other police civilian employees and the public both in the field and in various locations at the Police Station.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Follows safe practices in the performance of duties.
• Searches for contraband and provides for prisoner security; physically and visually monitors, feeds, processes, and supervises prisoners in jail section; maintains security of various assigned areas involving long periods of sitting and standing.
• Provides custody and security of offenders including observing actions of prisoners, squatting and bending to perform "pat" and "strip" searches of offenders, restraining and securing sometimes intoxicated, uncooperative, and/or assaultive prisoners, and transferring and transporting prisoners by walking or physically escorting.
• Occasionally directs vehicle and pedestrian traffic in two directions by using full body motions such as standing, waving, pointing.
• Responds to emergencies, hearing calls for and calling for help, giving emergency first aid, moving an injured or unconscious prisoner or employee various distances to safety; and uses force to control offenders.
• Reads, reviews, and properly applies information found in prisoner records that is related to the prisoner’s health and safety and to the security of the facility; complies with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; prepares and maintains computer and document records, forms, and reports.
• Utilizes local and statewide computer programs and software systems to query and perform data entry and maintain various computerized or document databases.
• Enters warrants into a computerized system requiring the use of a computer keyboard; files warrants in file cabinet drawers, requiring bending and standing.
• Utilizes the telephone and police radio to communicate internally and externally with the public, other agencies, and other Bureau employees.
• Cleans jail cells using a mop and bucket; checks cells for contraband in and under various objects including steel beds and sink/toilets.
  
  

Typical Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from High School or completion of a GED is required.
  
  

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Driver’s License is required.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Proven proficiency in knowledge, understanding and use of the Microsoft (or similar) suite of tools (Word, and Excel, Outlook or Lotus Notes) is required.
• Proven ability to perform computer data entry and retrieval is required.
• Ability to employ the use of office equipment including fax machine, copier, stapler, hole punch is required.
• Ability to employ the use of various electronic and computerized equipment to photograph, fingerprint, and otherwise process prisoners during the booking process is required.
• Proven ability to read, write, speak and comprehend English is required.
• Ability to listen, comprehend, and communicate verbally and in written instruction and other communications in the English language is required.
• Ability to operate a mechanical control panel requiring the repeated ability to turn spring-loaded switches and push button control switches is required.
• Ability to adapt and function in stressful situations and maintain professional demeanor when dealing with uncooperative customers.
• Ability to operate a vehicle on private and public streets is required.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate successfully with others is required.
• Proven ability to adapt to new or changed situations and to show flexibility in making improvements in work processes and operations is required.
• Proven ability to exhibit customer-centered behaviors and to focus on customer needs is required.
• Proven ability to commit to excellence in service and to continuous improvement is required.
  
  

Environmental Conditions

• Exposed to inclement weather and extreme temperature, including long periods of standing outdoors.
• Works outdoors and indoors with, or without, heat and/or air conditioning.
• Exposure to noise and pollution.
  
  

Safety Equipment Used or Needed

• None
  
  

Comments

• Satisfactory passing of drug screening, background investigation, polygraph, and all requirements of the Criminal History Records Act, Chapter 91 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code is required.
• Successful completion of certification as a CLEAN Terminal Operator is required.
• Works around motorized or moving equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge, skills and/or abilities assessment tests
  
  

may be conducted as part of the position screening process.

• Pushes and pulls open heavy steel doors to cellblock and other areas.
• This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.
  
  

Applicants must possess valid employment authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must have the ability to work on-site at City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania locations.

Employment Policy

It is the policy of the City of Lancaster to provide fair and equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants are recruited, selected and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, disability, veteran status or national origin.

Accommodations Statement for Job Applications

The City of Lancaster is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact CityHR@cityoflancasterpa.gov to request a needed accommodation.

The City of Lancaster, PA provides a comprehensive benefits package for all benefits-eligible positions. Available benefits include Medical (PPO and HDHP/HSA options), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance, Pension plans, and 457 Deferred Compensation. Employees also receive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Leave, as well as 13 paid holidays for non-essential positions. Essential positions receive bonus days in lieu of holidays. https://jobs.cityoflancasterpa.gov/benefits/