What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Cadet position at Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board?
Summary
The Minneapolis Park Police Department is seeking Police Cadet candidates to attend and successfully complete a program in law enforcement at a department-authorized institution for the purpose of meeting the academic and technical skills requirements of the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board. The Academy is tentatively scheduled to begin August 2025. Upon successful completion of all required training, the Police Cadet, Parks will transition into the position of Police Officer, Parks. No police or law enforcement experience is required to apply. This is a full-time, benefited position.
JOIN OUR CREW, WE NEED YOU:
Join the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and make a difference in your community!
We are seeking employees who love nature, people, and fun. Apply today and enjoy learning new skills, meeting new friends, and serving the community, all while working in our beautiful park system. Whether you are interested in recreation, environmental education, maintenance, or customer service, we have a job for you!
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of one of the premier park systems in the United States. Our picturesque lakes, neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and diversified programming make the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play, and work!
What You'll Do
Performs under the general supervision of the Police Sergeant, Parks and is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:
Essential Duties:
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Attend and complete an accelerated course in law enforcement at a department authorized institution to meet the academic objectives required to take the P.O.S.T. licensing examination.
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When hired Police Cadet, Parks will attend training until they meet minimum P.O.S.T Board academic and skills requirements. Once they pass P.O.S.T. licensing exam, they will be promoted to Police Officer, Parks, and will continue their pre-service academy training.
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Police Cadet, Parks must commit to four (4) years of employment with the Minneapolis Park Police Department following their promotion to Police Officer, Parks or pay back, on a pro-rated basis, the costs of tuition paid by the department for the academic training and/or skills course. (Dismissed cadets will be forgiven any costs outstanding at date of termination.)
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Failure to successfully complete Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board licensing examination at the end of the training program may result in termination.
- Upon successful completion of all required training, Police Cadet, Parks will transition into the position of Police Officer, Parks and must continue to meet all requirements as outlined in the Police Officer, Parks job description. The Police Officer, Parks position pays $40.22 per hour.
What To Bring
Minimum Qualifications
Training and Experience(position requirements at entry)
- Bachelor's degree or Associate's degree from an accredited college or university by August 1, 2025. A copy of diploma or college transcript with applicant's name shown as proof of graduation is required and must be submitted with the online application or received to Human Resources no later than August 1, 2025 at 4:30pm. Applicants must have and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States under federal requirements with no felony convictions as required by Minnesota state law for applicants for Police Officer.
- Must be 18 years of age at the time of application.
- Must not be P.O.S.T. eligible/licensed nor have completed skills.
- Applicants cannot be, nor ever have been, licensed as a police officer in another state.
- Must pass background investigations to include meeting department standards regarding acceptable employment history, driving history and criminal history.
- Must continue employment with the Minneapolis Park Police Department for a period of four (4) years following hire as Police Officer, Parks or pay back, on a pro-rated basis, the cost of tuition paid by the department for the academic training and/or skills course.
Licensing Requirements (position requirements at entry)
- Must possess and continue to maintain a valid Minnesota driver's license with good driving record at time of hiring and during course of employment.
- Must pass requisite First Responder training (first aid certification) that is provided and must retain First Responder certification during course of employment.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, driving, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Inherent to police work is exerting physical control over combative individuals. Police officers are expected to wear a prescribed uniform including duty belt and body armor.
The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as incumbents are subject to local travel to and from work locations. Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements. The ability to remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods of time.
Physical ability to run and chase suspects, to wrestle and subdue suspects, to jump and crawl over and under objects, and to lift and drag heavy objects.
Vision no less than 20/100 in either eye without correction and correctable to 20/40 in both eyes. Ability to distinguish between red, yellow and green.
Standard hearing average threshold without correction of not less than 40-decibel loss on the average of 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hertz frequencies in the better ear.
Must pass both medical and psychological examinations prior to hire including drug and alcohol screening prior to hire.
Must maintain physical fitness levels according to standards set by Minneapolis Police Department as a term and condition of continued employment.
Other Qualifications
Knowledge of (position requirements at entry)
- Customer service principles and practices.
- Computers and Microsoft applications.
- Knowledge and understanding of MPRB services, programs and mission.
Skills and Ability to (position requirements at entry)
- Successfully complete all academic and technical skills required for Minnesota P.O.S.T. licensing.
- Exercise discretion and good judgment at all times in all situations, including stressful times.
- Relate to and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.
- Provide written and verbal communication that is easily understood and direct in its content.
- Listen effectively to thoroughly understand the intended message.
- Understand and follow work rules, policies, and procedures related to Park Police and MPRB safety protocols.
- Provide outstanding customer service to a diverse customer base.
- Work in a team environment and adapt to changing conditions and situations.
- Maintain confidentiality in work-related matters.
- Establish and maintain effective, respectful and productive working relationships.
- Maintain composure and professionalism in chaotic and stressful situations.
Additional Information
Rating of training and experience based on application materials and supplemental questions: 10%
Oral Examination (panel interview): 90%
The oral exams will be conducted via Zoom. Interview dates will be sent out minimally one week prior to oral exams. There is no make-up day for the oral exams.
Background Investigation, Finalist Interview, and Medical Examinations:
Selected candidates will then be contacted by the Minneapolis Park Police to schedule a background investigation and/or finalist interview. Candidates must pass a thorough background investigation to meet department standards regarding acceptable employment history, honesty, credit, driving, and and conviction records. Any violation of Minnesota POST licensing rules will result in the rejection of a police applicant. A candidate who receives a conditional offer of employment must also be deemed medically and psychologically fit by the MPRB's health providers. Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment physical, including drug and alcohol screen and work performance test, and psychological examination.
A candidate receiving a final job offer will receive an invitation to attend the Minneapolis Cadet Academy tentatively scheduled for August 2025.
View the Police Officer, Parks job description
View the Police Officer's Federation of Minneapolis collective bargaining agreement (Download PDF reader)
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board an Equal Opportunity Employer and a tobacco free workplace and park system.
Service Department: Park Safety and Security
Accountable To: Police Sergeant, Parks
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Union Status: Non-represented
MPR123
The MPRB cares about the community and YOU! Here's how we show it.
For full-time benefited positions, the MPRB offers a competitive wage and benefits package including health care, dental, life and disability insurance as well as retirement and survivor benefits. Benefits are administered by the City of Minneapolis. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees' health and financial well-being.
Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the benefits page.
INSURANCE
Health insurance
Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The MPRB offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.
Enhanced mental health services
MPRB employees and their family members covered by MPRB’s medical plan will each have access to up to 20 visits for mental health services covered at 100%. The enhanced mental health benefits will include the first 10 office visits, including evaluations and diagnostic and treatment services, and 10 intensive outpatient program visits per year per person with an in-network or out-of-network provider at no charge. After the 20 visits, regular plan benefits and coverage will apply.
Employees Assistance Program
All MPRB employees – whether covered or not by the MPRB’s employee medical plan – have access to the employee assistance program, which provides confidential services to help employees and their family members deal with a wide array of issues. Employees can speak virtually or in-person with an EAP representative.
Dental insurance
The MPRB offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance
The MPRB offers long-term disability insurance, which helps to replace income for employees who are unable to work as a result of illness or injury, and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees.
BENEFITS
Paid time off
Our generous leave package includes vacation, paid sick leave, and 12 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday per year, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements.
Paid Parental Leave
MPRB employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.
Retirement
MPRB employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs.
- Pension: The MPRB participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the MPRB both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits.
- Deferred compensation: Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).
Eligible employees may choose to participate in the Metropass transportation program. The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Tuition Reimbursement
The Tuition Reimbursement Program allows employees who take courses for credit and approved in advance which have a direct relationship to their job or which provide advancement opportunities within the MPRB, to request tuition reimbursement upon successful completion of coursework and proof of payment. This program is only available for reimbursement of tuition for course credit at accredited educational institutions. Eligible employees can receive up to $5,250 in reimbursement each calendar year.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
The MPRB is a qualifying employer in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.
OTHER PERKS
Employees can also take advantage of optional life insurance, flexible spending accounts, technology discounts, employee discounts, and more. For more information, please visit the benefits page.
Salary : $40
