What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pathways to Policing position at City of Bloomington, MN?
Primary Objective
The Pathways to Policing Program is designed to bring non-traditional candidates into the field of law enforcement, thereby removing barriers for those who wish to enter the career. Specifically, candidates with cultural competency skills and tools and those with experience living or working with culturally diverse populations will be given preference in order to more closely align departments with the communities they serve. Individuals looking for a new career path and a way to make a difference in their communities are encouraged to apply.
TIMELINE
First Interview is anticipated 5/22 and 5/23, Chief's interview is the week of May 27th, Pre-employment background check, medical evaluation, and psychological evaluation June-early July. Start date at City of Bloomington on the week of September 2nd. Classes begin at Hennepin County Technical College on September 9th.
CITY VALUES & EXPECTATIONS
Successful applicants will be hired as police trainees by a participating police agency. This is a full-time position with a starting wage of $25.93 per hour, plus insurance and pension benefits. As a police trainee, individuals will attend 40 hours a week of college coursework and training at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, MN, for approximately 22 weeks and then take the licensing exam for police officers. All course fees and equipment are provided and paid for.
Upon graduation and successful completion of the licensing exam, trainees will be promoted to probationary sworn police officers and begin their career in law enforcement just like any other new officer.
NOTE
This program effort aims to provide a non-traditional pathway to a career in law enforcement.
Examples of Duties
Essential Duties
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Supervision Of Others
This position does not supervise others.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $25.93 Hourly
2025 Full Salary Range: $25.93 Hourly
Full-Time; Non-Exempt; Non-Union; Benefits Eligible
The City of Bloomington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applicants who are black, indigenous or persons of color are encouraged to apply. We also encourage women, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA community, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
Benefits
Benefits for regular, full-time employees of the City of Bloomington (with the exception of 24 hour firefighters and 24 hour fire fighter/paramedics) include the following:
The City of Bloomington (City) is asking you to supply information (data) as part of your application for employment with the City. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) classifies this data as private data about you. The law does not require you to provide the data and there is no legal consequence for refusing to provide the data. However, if you do not provide the requested data, the City may not have enough information to consider your application and you may not move forward in the selection process. If you do provide the data, City employees and its agents may have access to your private data if their work assignments reasonably require access. The hiring manager or supervisor, human resources employees, and members of an interview panel, which may include non-City employees, will have access to some of your private data during the application and selection process. State or federal law or a court order may allow others to have access to your data also. The City will not disclose any of your private data to any member of the general public without your permission. The MGDPA classifies the following information as public data about applicants: veteran status, relevant test scores, rank on eligible list, job history, education and training, and work availability. If you are a finalist for the position, your name is also public. A "finalist" is a person the City selects for an interview. Do you agree to supply the data the City is requesting as part of your application for employment?
I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following supplemental questionnaire completely for this position. Attaching a resume is NOT a substitute for completing an answer. If a question is answered by the statement "See Resume", the question will be treated as if there is no answer. The information I provide will be reviewed and used to determine my eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. If the supplemental question is not applicable to you, please indicate N/A.
I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.
This question is a reminder that you should check your Spam/Junk folder as emails from the City might end up being received in those folders. Please note that the City won't send out communications until after the posting has officially closed unless the posting clearly states otherwise. Please acknowledge that you have read and understood this informational message.
The advertised wage for this position is $25.93 hourly. If selected, would you be willing to accept this starting wage?
Please indicate your highest level of education from a regionally accredited institution in any discipline as of June 13, 2025. (If applicable, please attach/upload a copy of the degree)
If you indicated you have post-secondary education, please summarize coursework or list degree earned, area of study, name of institution and dates you attended. If not applicable to you, indicate N/A.
07
Are you a US Citizen?
Do you possess a valid driver's license, or ability to obtain?
Do you have any felony convictions?
Have you completed a MN Skills program or taken the MN POST or reciprocity exam?
Do you have a translator certification?
Do you possess experience living or working with culturally diverse populations?
If you stated you have experience living or working with culturally diverse populations, can you please describe this including how you served the community and your cultural competency. If not N/A, please indicate N/A.
14
Do you speak a second language, in addition to English, that has a recognized presence in the community? (Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, Cambodian, etc.)
If you indicated you speak a language other than English, please list the language(s) and categorize your skills as basic, conversational or fluent for each. If not applicable, please indicate N/A.
16
This Question Is To Determine Your Status As a Veteran Under The Veteran's Preference Statute, Minnesota Statutes, 43A.11. Please Check The Statement Below Which Best Describes Your Current Veteran's Status
If you are a Veteran and achieve the minimum passing rating, do you wish to apply your veteran's preference bonus points? If you answer yes, you MUST complete the City of Bloomington's Veteran Preference Questionnaire (
The Pathways to Policing Program is designed to bring non-traditional candidates into the field of law enforcement, thereby removing barriers for those who wish to enter the career. Specifically, candidates with cultural competency skills and tools and those with experience living or working with culturally diverse populations will be given preference in order to more closely align departments with the communities they serve. Individuals looking for a new career path and a way to make a difference in their communities are encouraged to apply.
TIMELINE
First Interview is anticipated 5/22 and 5/23, Chief's interview is the week of May 27th, Pre-employment background check, medical evaluation, and psychological evaluation June-early July. Start date at City of Bloomington on the week of September 2nd. Classes begin at Hennepin County Technical College on September 9th.
CITY VALUES & EXPECTATIONS
- Models and contributes to a positive work environment, culture of communication, engagement and safety
- Communicates effectively and respectfully with employees and the general public, including but not limited to those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Works cooperatively as a member of a team; develops and maintains effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions
- Embraces the City’s shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City’s vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly
Successful applicants will be hired as police trainees by a participating police agency. This is a full-time position with a starting wage of $25.93 per hour, plus insurance and pension benefits. As a police trainee, individuals will attend 40 hours a week of college coursework and training at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, MN, for approximately 22 weeks and then take the licensing exam for police officers. All course fees and equipment are provided and paid for.
Upon graduation and successful completion of the licensing exam, trainees will be promoted to probationary sworn police officers and begin their career in law enforcement just like any other new officer.
NOTE
This program effort aims to provide a non-traditional pathway to a career in law enforcement.
Examples of Duties
Essential Duties
- Attend and actively participate in the identified education and skills program
- Complete all course work associated with the program
- Maintain appropriate physical conditioning to ensure successful completion of the skills training component
- Upon completion of training program, successfully attain POST licensure eligibility
- Agree to provide an employment commitment of at least two years as a law enforcement officer
- Conditional employment offers will be extended to police trainees for the period of time required to complete the aforementioned accelerated training/skills program
- Successful completion of the program will result in a change in employment status to probationary police officer
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- No previous police experience is required
- Must have a 2-year or 4-year degree from a regionally accredited institution in any discipline as of June 13, 2025 (Must attach a copy of degree to application)
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Must possess a valid driver's license, or ability to obtain
- Must have no felony convictions
- Must NOT have completed a MN Skills program or taken the MN POST or reciprocity exam
- Possession of translator certification
- Experience living or working with culturally diverse populations
- We seek individuals who will assist us in serving our very diverse communities. Priority will be given to candidates who have cultural competency skills and knowledge, and community engagement experience that can be applied to police work
- Ability to speak a second language, in addition to English that has a recognized presence in the community. (Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, Cambodian, etc.)
Supervision Of Others
This position does not supervise others.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $25.93 Hourly
2025 Full Salary Range: $25.93 Hourly
Full-Time; Non-Exempt; Non-Union; Benefits Eligible
The City of Bloomington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applicants who are black, indigenous or persons of color are encouraged to apply. We also encourage women, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA community, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
Benefits
Benefits for regular, full-time employees of the City of Bloomington (with the exception of 24 hour firefighters and 24 hour fire fighter/paramedics) include the following:
- 10 days paid vacation per year
- 13 days paid personal leave per year
- 13 paid holidays per year
- 12 weeks paid parental leave
- Employee health and dental insurance
- Paid employee life insurance
- Paid employee disability insurance
- Employer/employee paid pension
- Deferred compensation
- Tuition assistance program
- Health club membership reimbursement
- Flexible spending account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Other optional benefits
- Great suburban location, on bus line
- Free employee parking
- (Union contracts may vary from the above list.)
The City of Bloomington (City) is asking you to supply information (data) as part of your application for employment with the City. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) classifies this data as private data about you. The law does not require you to provide the data and there is no legal consequence for refusing to provide the data. However, if you do not provide the requested data, the City may not have enough information to consider your application and you may not move forward in the selection process. If you do provide the data, City employees and its agents may have access to your private data if their work assignments reasonably require access. The hiring manager or supervisor, human resources employees, and members of an interview panel, which may include non-City employees, will have access to some of your private data during the application and selection process. State or federal law or a court order may allow others to have access to your data also. The City will not disclose any of your private data to any member of the general public without your permission. The MGDPA classifies the following information as public data about applicants: veteran status, relevant test scores, rank on eligible list, job history, education and training, and work availability. If you are a finalist for the position, your name is also public. A "finalist" is a person the City selects for an interview. Do you agree to supply the data the City is requesting as part of your application for employment?
- Yes
- No
I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following supplemental questionnaire completely for this position. Attaching a resume is NOT a substitute for completing an answer. If a question is answered by the statement "See Resume", the question will be treated as if there is no answer. The information I provide will be reviewed and used to determine my eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. If the supplemental question is not applicable to you, please indicate N/A.
I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.
- Yes
- No
This question is a reminder that you should check your Spam/Junk folder as emails from the City might end up being received in those folders. Please note that the City won't send out communications until after the posting has officially closed unless the posting clearly states otherwise. Please acknowledge that you have read and understood this informational message.
- Yes
- No
The advertised wage for this position is $25.93 hourly. If selected, would you be willing to accept this starting wage?
- Yes
- No
Please indicate your highest level of education from a regionally accredited institution in any discipline as of June 13, 2025. (If applicable, please attach/upload a copy of the degree)
- High School or Equivalent
- Associate Degree
- Bachelor's Degree or higher
- Not Applicable
If you indicated you have post-secondary education, please summarize coursework or list degree earned, area of study, name of institution and dates you attended. If not applicable to you, indicate N/A.
07
Are you a US Citizen?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess a valid driver's license, or ability to obtain?
- Yes
- Have the ability to obtain
- No
Do you have any felony convictions?
- Yes
- No
Have you completed a MN Skills program or taken the MN POST or reciprocity exam?
- Yes
- No
Do you have a translator certification?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess experience living or working with culturally diverse populations?
- Yes
- No
If you stated you have experience living or working with culturally diverse populations, can you please describe this including how you served the community and your cultural competency. If not N/A, please indicate N/A.
14
Do you speak a second language, in addition to English, that has a recognized presence in the community? (Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, Cambodian, etc.)
- Yes
- No
If you indicated you speak a language other than English, please list the language(s) and categorize your skills as basic, conversational or fluent for each. If not applicable, please indicate N/A.
16
This Question Is To Determine Your Status As a Veteran Under The Veteran's Preference Statute, Minnesota Statutes, 43A.11. Please Check The Statement Below Which Best Describes Your Current Veteran's Status
- I am not a Veteran
- I am a Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation
- I am the spouse of a deceased Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation
- I am a disabled Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation
- I am the spouse of a disabled Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation and is unable to use the preference due to the disability
If you are a Veteran and achieve the minimum passing rating, do you wish to apply your veteran's preference bonus points? If you answer yes, you MUST complete the City of Bloomington's Veteran Preference Questionnaire (
- Yes
- No
Salary : $26
