Police Officer (Recruit)

The salary for this position is $34,320.00 while attending school.

This position is an entry level, non-sworn position in the Police Department.  Law Enforcement Recruits report to the Resource Development Supervisor.ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Attends and participates in a departmental approved Basic Police Officer Recruit School maintaining a minimum grade point average of 80% throughout the course. Must score at least 72% on the Florida Basic Abilities Test for Law Enforcement. Must maintain 100% attendance in Basic Recruit School pursuant to CJSTC rules.
2. Required to report to work at the appointed hour, as scheduled, and to work the entire assigned shift. Required to abide by the "Law Enforcement Code of Ethics", the Ocala Police Department Code of Conduct and Directives, and all local, state and federal laws.  
3. Must maintain a professional, alert, and business-like manner.  Additionally, recruits must maintain a military bearing in the classroom, during field training and when in the community at all times.  May be required to direct traffic or perform other police-related functions when not attending classes. Attendance of classes at odd and unusual hours may be required, as well as working on weekends and designated holidays.
4. Required to successfully graduate from the assigned Basic Police Officer Recruit School and pass the State of Florida Police Certification Test.

NONESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Operates a computer. 
2. Performs other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Must be 19 years of age by the time of graduation from the Law Enforcement Academy.  
• Must successfully complete OPD competitive selection process for the position, including medical, physical, drug screening and psychological assessments.  

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Florida Operators Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Florida State Law Enforcement Officer Certification. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) examination for State Law Enforcement Officer Certification must be taken and passed within 30 days of successful graduation from Basic Police Recruit School.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

• Resident of Marion County.

EMPLOYMENT COMMITMENT REQUIREMENT

• Required to make a 3-year employment commitment with the Ocala Police Department at the time of selection as a Law Enforcement Recruit. This commitment period will begin on the date the Law Enforcement Recruit is successfully released following the OPD Field Training Program.  

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• High volume of customer service is performed in assisting the public and employees in person and by telephone. Communicates clearly and courteously to assist others.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Be able to effectively communicate information both orally and in writing.  
• Ability to interact and communicate effectively with academy instructors, faculty and fellow students.  
• Ability to demonstrate excellent teamwork skills.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and determine a proper course of action. 
• Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency situations. 
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously and tactfully, with respect to rights of others.  
• Ability to develop skill in use and care of firearms.
• Ability to develop excellent emergency vehicle operations skills.   
• Ability to maintain good physical and mental conditions and a positive, professional demeanor.

PHYSICAL ABILITY

• This non-sworn civilian recruit training position requires performance of extremely physically demanding work occasionally that typically involves some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, scaling and climbing.  May involve lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.  Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to constantly lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects such as those required in training to develop the essential skills which are needed for chasing and subduing a law violator resisting physical control.  Tasks may also involve standing, sitting or walking for long periods of time.   Defensive tactics skills development, firearms qualification and emergency vehicle operations training are also essential physical functions required of this position.  Reads reports, policies and procedures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Approximately 95% of these job functions are performed while sitting in a classroom or participating in a learning environment. The remaining 5% may include riding in a patrol vehicle, directing traffic, or participating in other police related functions.
• The job functions are generally performed Monday through Friday at a time set by the Basic Recruit School. Recruit Officers may be required to work weekends or unusual hours.
• Equipment used consists of a patrol car, handcuffs, expandable baton, police portable radio, mobile radio, pager, lights and sirens, spotlight, flashlight, service weapon, fire extinguisher, computer, printer, copier.
• Immediate supervisor is at the job site 15% of the time and is also available by police radio and telephone.
• Hazards include all dangers associated with law enforcement training, including possible severe physical injury or death.  Both physical and mental stress may be present.  

The Ocala Police Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. ADA requires the Ocala Police Department to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.  

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:  

• The job requires inside and outside work; ability to tolerate inclement weather including head, humidity, cold, fog and rain.  Possible exposure to hazardous materials and conditions, toxic conditions, fumes, odors, vibration, dust, confined areas, animal/human waste and/or bodily fluids can occur during field training.  
• Sensory Requirements:  In accordance with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement minimum vision must be at least 20/70 either/or both, corrected to 20/30 and hearing must be normal at a distance of fifteen feet.  

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.   While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, change in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).

Salary : $34,320