Chief of Police

Job Summary

The Chief of Police serves as a visionary leader, ensuring that the department operates effectively, responsibly, and in alignment with the evolving needs and values of the South Burlington Community. The leader in this position is responsible for the planning, direction, and oversight of all departmental operations, including budget management, training and development, and emergency response/crisis management. The Chief of Police directly oversees the Deputy Chief of Police, two Police Lieutenants, and one Executive Assistant.

The Chief of Police reports directly and solely to the City Manager and serves on the City’s Leadership Team. Comprised of expert leaders in public works, public safety, planning and development, finance, legal, IT, HR, community services, and other municipal operations, the Leadership Team and the Chief guide innovation and implement the City Plan goal of being leaders and collaborators in the regional and statewide community. Together, the Leadership Team supports the city’s role as an economic engine for Vermont by encouraging community businesses and local job creation and makes decisions considering implications on tomorrow’s South Burlington, Chittenden County, and Vermont.

For more information on the South Burlington Community & this position: check out our Recruitment Brochure!

Examples of Duties

• Plans, manages, assigns, directs, and inspects all aspects of the operations of the Police Department; consults with city officials in developing policies for the protection of life and property and the prevention and suppression of crime.
• Presents annual department budget including recommendations for equipment, personnel and special services and furnishes documentation to support requests to city manager and city council.
• Supervises the requisition and purchase of equipment and supplies; supervises the care and maintenance of equipment, apparatus, and station.
• Oversees the purchase and maintenance of equipment and apparatus in conformance with city and state guidelines or requirements.
• Prepares and manages department budget and finances within established parameters; oversees employee utilization of equipment and evaluate most efficient means of performing work.
• Maintains control of department expenditures and submits periodically regular and special reports on department activities.
• Maintains frequent contact and communication with city officials, the public and other police departments as necessary.
• Responds to emergencies and directs activities at crime scenes or related emergencies.
• Provides for the establishment and implementation of suitable training programs, maintenance and testing of equipment; develops and issues departmental rules and regulations.
• Supports staff in all aspects of performing their jobs, including conducting periodic performance appraisals for direct reports, providing constructive feedback, expanding staff skills, and setting work and professional development goals to maximize the performance and quality of staff and services.
• Attends conferences and seminars to maintain contacts with colleagues or the public for purposes of public relations, regional discussions and information gathering and exchange.
• Performs other necessary tasks or functions as is necessary to accomplish Department goals and objectives.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Must have Bachelor’s degree and advanced training in law enforcement management required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Ten years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, with five years of experience at the policy development and management level.
• Required police certifications and licenses.

Supplemental Information

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of police administration, and of approved police methods and procedures, as well as city, state, and federal laws and regulations that affect police work.
• Thorough knowledge of the major functional areas of city government.
• Demonstrated ability to perform highly responsible duties of a complex nature requiring considerable initiative and judgment particularly in emergency situations which do not fall clearly within established practices or precedents.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and manage operating and capital budgets and to direct large scale operations of personnel and equipment under emergency conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, the public, and city officials; to organize, assign and direct the work of subordinates.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and maintain confidential information to include criminal investigative matters sensitive in nature and confidential.
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques and City of South Burlington Personnel Rules and Regulations and the Union Contract.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and orally.
• Demonstrated ability to tolerate an average to above average amount of stress and can accept direction and constructive criticism.
• Demonstrated possession of a high degree of integrity, honesty, self-disciplined, emotionally stable and demonstrated ability to make sound decisions based on good judgment/common sense.
• Demonstrated competency in using word processing, computer-based incident reporting systems and other software.
• Ability to manage with a high degree of consensus building and to ensure successful team decision-making.
• Strong motivation, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle competing priorities.
• Proven ability to be organized, detail oriented and accurate.