Police Crash Investigator

Position Summary

The Bozeman Police Department is now accepting applications for a dedicated and detail-oriented Police Crash Investigator who provides critical role in keeping our community safe. This position will respond to motor vehicle crashes, conduct thorough investigations, and provide essential administrative support for crash-related cases.

This is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your community by joining the City of Bozeman! You will be part of a passionate team driving positive change while enjoying a fantastic benefits package. Full-time City of Bozeman employees receive top-tier benefits including 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 12 holidays, 8 weeks of paid paternal leave, bilingual pay, excellent retirement options, comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, discounted ski tickets and gym memberships, and much more!

• Responds to traffic crashes in assigned vehicle; safeguards the scene, protects the injured and others from injury;
• Identifies contributing circumstances of crashes by interviewing involved parties and witnesses; records information on vehicles, drivers, passengers, and pedestrians involved; measures stopping distances, calculates speeds, and makes diagrams of the crash scene;
• Collects physical evidence and determines if violations of code or statute occurred, and issues citations or warnings;
• Provides assistance to drivers in obtaining towing service to remove disabled vehicles from the roadway;
• Provides information and assistance to drivers, owners, insurance agents and the general public as it relates to a crash, or crash investigations;
• Completes reports of crashes and enters them in computer and prepares reports for transmittal to state agencies;
• Meets with City and County Attorney’s Office to assist in prosecutions and preparations for trial;
• Provides testimony in criminal and civil court proceedings;
• Meets with opposing counsel and conveys relevant information;
• Makes requests for traffic control evaluations of problems intersections, streets or areas;
• Places radar and messaging display trailers at various locations to inform and educate drivers to improve their driving behavior and to assist in gathering traffic data;
• May train other officers, law enforcement personnel or crash response technicians in crash investigation methods and techniques;
• May perform or coordinate with others to perform reconstruction of crashes and crash scenes;
• Completes or coordinates with others to complete full diagrams of crash scenes beyond basic drawing with the use of assigned equipment and diagram computer software;
• Assists with the investigation of hit-and-run crashes;
• Identifies parking violations and issues related citations;
• Notifies appropriate department or agency of unsafe road conditions, such as damaged roads, missing or obstructed traffic signs, inoperable traffic signals, and icy intersections or streets;
• Directs traffic in emergencies or for special events as assigned;
• Performs vehicle identification checks and verifications;
• Retrieves or assists in retrieval of evidence or found property that can’t be transported by an officer;
• Assists in inventory and control of department equipment, found property and bicycle sales;
• Maintains security and control of all assigned equipment;
• Maintains confidentiality of information in accordance with department rules or applicable local, state, or federal laws;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate people to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other duties consistent with the role and function of this classification.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; and
• Training or experience in conducting crash investigations; and
• At least one year of experience in a law enforcement or related field; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties of the position.

• Three years of experience as a Crash Investigator with the City of Bozeman; and
• Possession of approved Advanced and Technical crash investigation courses.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Substantial knowledge of local, state and federal laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations as it relates to the assigned area of responsibility;
• Substantial knowledge of department and City of Bozeman policies, practices, and standard operating procedures relative to the assigned area of responsibility;
• Substantial knowledge of City of Bozeman street names and locations;
• Substantial knowledge of or ability to quickly learn the department’s records management system;
• Substantial knowledge in how to fully investigate vehicle crashes, including initial investigation, initial and computer diagram of crash scene;
• Substantial knowledge of proper investigative methods and techniques;
• Some knowledge of CJIN/NCIC policies and procedures;
• Ability to assess and request response of other emergency medical responders or law enforcement officers as needed;
• Ability to use camera, audio and video equipment;
• Ability to understand and interpret regulations and guidelines;
• Ability to work with mathematics including the utilization of algebra and trigonometry, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division;
• Ability to efficiently and safely operate vehicles and equipment related to the assigned area of assignment and responsibility;
• Ability to identify parking violations;
• Ability to operate radar and message display trailers;
• Ability to use assigned technology to capture and diagram complex or fatality crashes;
• Ability to assist in inventory, ordering, and control of department equipment and supplies;
• Ability to assist with bicycle registration process;
• Ability to safeguard confidential and sensitive information;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, citizens, employees, and the general public;
• Ability to deal with a wide range of persons, including situations in which individuals may be upset over some issue involved with City activities and policies;
• Ability to maintain a calm and controlled demeanor and take appropriate action in contentious situations;
• Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing needs and situations;
• Ability to carry and demonstrate proper use of assigned defensive tools;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate, legible, and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate a personal computer using standard, customized, software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Ingenuity and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks;
• Consistently performs assignments in accordance with the City of Bozeman’s Core Values of Integrity, Leadership, Service and Teamwork.

Required Special Qualifications

• Possession of valid Driver’s License and obtain Montana Class D Driver’s License within 60 days of employment;
• Completion of CJIN/NCIC certification within 180 days of employment;
• Completion of Basic At-Scene Crash investigation course, or equivalent, within one year of employment;
• Good moral character as defined by the Department’s established regulations;
• As a condition of continued employment, must possess and retain ability to provide credible testimony in a court of law;
• Offers for employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of the conditional offer process.