Salary : $112,652.80 - $133,806.40 Annually
Location : Sitka, AK
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : 202400025
Department : Police
Opening Date : 01 / 03 / 2025
FLSA : Exempt
Thank you for considering employment with the City and Borough of Sitka. The following information is provided to give potential applicants awareness regarding the job.
Primary Purpose of Job & Essential Duties / Responsibilities
Primary Purpose of Job
The primary purpose of this position is to manage the overall operation of the Police Department by developing, planning, organizing, and directing police operations and activities within the City and Borough, ensuring the maintenance of public order and safety.
Under the supervision of the Municipal Administrator, the Police Chief exercises independent judgment and discretion in the leadership and management of all aspects of the Police Department's staff, operations, and compliance. The Police Chief directly supervises two or more employees and is responsible for the supervision of all department staff if delegated to other managers or supervisors.
The Police Chief is a management employee who assists and acts in a confidential capacity to the Municipal Administrator, Assembly, Municipal Attorney and other department heads who formulates, determines, or effectuates management policies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversees police department staff activity and all operations responsible for the enforcement of city, state, and federal laws within the jurisdiction
- Assigns, prioritizes, supervises, motivates, and evaluates the work of staff directly supervised
- Oversees the performance by all other Police Department staff supervised by others who report directly to the Police Chief
- Maintains final authority, subject to review by the Municipal Administrator, on all department staff personnel actions and disciplinary decisions
- Develops and implements policies and procedures that foster cooperation between police officers and the community on public safety issues
- Develops and provides policy direction to department employees to ensure financial, technical or operational, and legal compliance
- Provides administrative oversight and direction for all projects and activities within the department
- Coordinates the activities of the police department with other governmental agencies
- Reviews and approves applications for special licenses, such as professional driver's and liquor licenses
- Oversees the development of and preparation for court cases to ensure officers and SPD's records are effective
- Coordinates law enforcement procedures and policies with the Municipal Attorney and the district attorneys
- Responds to citizen complaints and inquiries about police operations
- Provides information to the public on police procedures and activities and make personal appearances at community events to maintain relations
- Oversees all official police records within the jurisdiction
- Prepares, recommends, and provides operational justification for the department's annual budget to the Municipal Administrator and Assembly
- Approves and monitors the expenditure of funds within the parameters of the approved budget
- Advises and reports on status of the department's obligations, ongoing activities, and accomplishments to the Municipal Administrator and the Assembly
- Maintains knowledge of case status of major investigations
- Administers state and federal contracts and grants, such as those related to jail services and other law enforcement activities
- Provides support to ensure the safety of police officers at the scene of incidents
- Performs other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Knowledge of :
Principles, practices, and procedures of police work performed in a department with a community policing philosophyFederal, state, or local public safety laws, ordinances, and up-to-date case lawOperating Procedures Manual, Standard Operating Procedures, and other department directives to ensure operational complianceAssigned duties and responsibilities of all of the positions in the departmentCourt procedures, rules of evidence, and report-writing techniquesSupervision, management, and budget principles and best practicesPolicies and procedures for conducting criminal investigations, including interviewing techniques and proceduresPolice equipment, firearms, and vehicles and their proper use in law enforcementFirst aid and CPRSkills in :
Operating a personal computer and Microsoft software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook and any specialized software for public safety operationsOperating a variety of tools and equipment specific to law enforcement duties to include a police radio, baton, handcuffs, handgun, various firearms and other weaponsResearching current best policies, procedures, and practices related to law enforcement services to prepare analysis and proposalsInvestigating law enforcement incidents and preparing required accurate reports of such investigationsCommunicating and dealing with a variety of people with various, and sometimes competing interests, calmly and professionally, and maintaining a positive working relationshipDe-escalating potential or actual conflictConducting public outreach and engagementPresenting and public speaking, explaining complex and sometimes controversial topics to a wide audienceAnalyzing complex problems and developing innovative solutionsProblem solving to deal with a variety of community and staff needs and issuesMulti-tasking with strong attention to detailsDecision making as a manager in a diverse operationLeading, supervising, and motivating a diverse team of professional, technical, and support staffAbility to :
Recognize and maintain confidential informationUse good judgment in establishing policies and procedures to direct law enforcement activitiesCommand authority from members of the public through a calm demeanor and appropriate actions though tactful, firm, but courteous interactions with the publicWork in situations involving confusion and potential danger to oneself, citizens, or another Police Officer and make quick decisions that secure the safety of all individuals involved Dealing with a variety of people calmly and professionally in a customer service situation, including times when the situation may be stressfulMake decisions, sometimes quickly, as to the best course of action for responding to emergency situationsDemonstrate proper use of applicable weapons, proper patrol and investigative proceduresInterpret, analyze, and apply laws, ordinances, and case lawWork effectively with elected officials, department heads, representatives of other agencies, employees, and the general publicCommunicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical languageUnderstand and follow oral and written policies, procedures, and instructionsUse logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructionsPerform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlinesQuickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledgeMinimum Qualifications & Other Job Requirements / Expectations
Minimum Qualifications
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Police Science, Police Administration or a closely related field; andTen (10) years of law enforcement experience with a managerial role, within Alaska preferred; andAdvanced certificate from the Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC), or the ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire, or an equivalent certificate from another state which meets the training standards required by the APSC; andGraduation from the FBI Academy, Southern Police Institute, or equivalent, preferred; orAny equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.Other Job Requirements or Expectations
Possession of, or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire, a valid driver's license issued by the State of AlaskaWill be required to pass a background check and drug screenMust wear uniform within specified standardsEmployees will be required to work different shifts, including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays and be on-call for 24 hours when necessaryIf law enforcement experience is not within Alaska, will be expected to attend and complete the Department of Public Safety Lateral Police Academy within 12 months of hireAttendance at relevant committee and commission meetings as well as Assembly meetings which may occur after regular work hoursWorking Conditions & Physical Requirements
Working Conditions :
Works indoors about 90% of the timeWorks in vehicle on patrol and outdoors on foot, often in inclement weather, about 10% of the timeMay work in situations in which there are dangerous or deadly weapons or deadly physical forceMay work near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious placesMay be exposed to various hazards such as blood, other bodily fluids / products, communicable diseases, grease or oil, a variety of fumes or airborne particles, extreme temperatures, solvents or chemicals, electrical hazards, and vehicular traffic and smokeSpecific Physical Requirements :
Daily wears a uniform which requires carrying an equipment belt weighing up to 30 poundsVisual acuity required to :o See both near and far acuity to operate vehicles and equipment, monitor traffic and observe people and objects
o Have the required depth perception to operate vehicles and shoot firearms
o Detect color of vehicles and clothing
o Ensure a field of vision for driving, shooting and self-defense
Frequently sits or rides in vehicle for long periods of time in a vehicle or while at a meetingFrequently reaches, handles, and feels in order to operate vehicles and equipmentFrequently talks and hears in order to communicate in-person and by radioFrequently lifts and carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without the assistance of proper equipment or anotherOccasionally moves, pushes or pulls objects weighing up to 200 pounds, with or without assistance of proper equipment or anotherOccasionally climbs of 6'-8' fences or walls, stairs, or steep outdoor terrainOccasionally runs spontaneously for short distancesOccasionally stands for long periods of timeOccasionally balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, and crawlsOccasionally smells to detect the presence of gases or controlled substancesGeneral Physical Requirements :
Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate laws and ordinances, provide both directions, and general information effectivelySufficient vision or other powers of observation which permits the employee to identify criminal activity and to be aware of any potential safety issuesSufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to operate a vehicle and law enforcement equipment and a keyboardSufficient personal mobility and physical strength, stamina, agility and reflexes which permits the employee to patrol assigned areas and to capture, control, or arrest subjectsPlease reach out to the City and Borough of Sitka Human Resources department at the below information if you have any questions or concerns.
The City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees that may include :
Health / Medical Benefits :
Medical / Dental / Vision (90% employer, 10% employee for full-time employees)Life InsuranceDependent Life InsuranceLong Term DisabilityFlexible Spending Accounts - Health and Dependent CareRetirement :
Mandatory employee / employer contributions to State of Alaska Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)Mandatory employee / employer SBS contributions457 Deferred Compensation PlanEmployer Paid Benefits :
Employee Assistance ProgramPaid Leave Plan10 Paid HolidaysFloating HolidaysPlease call the CBS Human Resources department at 907-747-1816 for any specific questions about benefits.
Do you have ten (10) or more years of law enforcement experience with a managerial role?
Do you have an advanced certificate from the Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC), the ability to obtain one within 90 days of hire, or an equivalent certificate from another state which meets the training standards required by the APSC?
Are you a graduate of the FBI Academy, Southern Police Institute, or equivalent?
Required Question
Salary : $112,653 - $133,806
