Chief of Police THE CITY OF URBANDALE invites your interest in this key position www.urbandale.org
OUR MISSION Our motto is Service Built on Integrity and our mission is a simple reflection of these principles: to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for Urbandale residents through the effective prevention and investigation of criminal activity within the City. The City of Urbandale is seeking a Chief of Police to work under the general direction of the City Manager. The successful candidate will provide leadership, sound management, oversight and direction to a staff of 51 sworn officers, nine civilian office personnel, animal control personnel, school crossing guards, and a police reserve unit. We are a CALEA accredited department, one of only twelve in the state of Iowa. OUR HISTORY The Urbandale Police Department was organized in 1958. Originally, the Police Department shared a desk with City Hall, located in the old fire station at 3816 70th Street. In 1961, the Police Department moved to City Hall, constructed at 3315 70th Street and then relocated to a converted construction building at 9401 Hickman Rd. (current Public Works facilities) in 1964. In the fall of 1980 approval was given to construct a new police facility. This decision marked the first time in Urbandale s history that the Police Department would operate from a structure specifically designed and built for police use. Urbandale Police moved into the new facility at 3740 86th Street in 1982. The Urbandale Police Department facility met the needs of the Police Department for several years, but by the end of the 20th century it was becoming very apparent that additional space was required to accommodate a rapidly growing force in a flourishing community. In 2006 the first phase of expansion to the current facility began, with initial efforts being focused towards the patrol division. In 2007 ground was broken to nearly double the existing size of the police station, with this phase focusing on expansion of the Criminal Investigation Division and Records. The Police Department s budget, as adopted for fiscal year 2017-2018, is $6,234,184. ABOUT THE CANDIDATE The ideal candidate for the Chief of Police position should be a person who is committed to providing the highest quality of public safety service to the citizens of Urbandale. This person should be committed to establishing sound working relationships with subordinate staff, the City Manager, and other municipal departments. In addition, the candidate should have a proven track record in municipal law enforcement as well as the ability to formulate long range plans and a comprehensive vision for the department. The successful candidate for the Chief of Police must possess a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or equivalent (Masters Degree is preferred) and eight to ten years of related work experience in municipal Public Safety/Law Enforcement field, with five years in a management/ supervisory capacity (rank of Sergeant or above). Additional years of experience beyond the minimum requirements may be exchanged for one year of additional experience for one year of the required education. Candidates must possess a valid Iowa driver s license and Iowa Police Officer Certification, or ability to obtain certification within twelve months of employment. Preferred Characteristics and Skills: The new Chief of Police should be a high-energy individual with strong organizational and management abilities. The Chief of Police should possess a passion for the mission of the Police Department and a belief in the department s core value of service built on integrity. The Chief of Police should have a defined vision for the department with emphasis on the delivery of law enforcement services to the public. The successful candidate should also possess strong ethical, professional, and service oriented leadership and interpersonal skills; as well as a commitment to CALEA accreditation. Other attributes of the successful candidate include the ability to handle confidential information in a sensitive manner and the ability to work efficiently without direct supervision. Personal characteristics of the successful candidate include honesty, integrity, the highest level of professional ethics, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
ABOUT THE POSITION The ideal candidate will be able to provide leadership, management, and oversight to the operation and performance of the Police Department including Uniformed Patrol, Administrative Services, Criminal Investigation Division, Police Reserve Unit, Animal Control and School Crossing Guards. This position requires the ability to take initiative in providing advice, guidance, and policy recommendations to the City Manager, City committees, and the City Council as it relates to Police Department and CALEA matters. ABOUT THE CITY OF URBANDALE Urbandale was incorporated on April 16, 1917. The City originated primarily as a street car suburb, as a scattering of coal mines provided employment to early residents and many miners used the streetcar line to reach the mines. Urbandale s population in the 1920 Census was 298 persons. The streetcar system fueled Urbandale s early growth. Originally intended to be a railroad line continuing northwest to Grimes and beyond to Woodward when it was constructed in 1905, the rail line was converted to a street car line that served commuters traveling to work in the city (i.e., Des Moines) and provided access to medical services, delivered freight and supplies to Urbandale residents, and afforded general transportation before automobiles became commonplace. At the height of service, cars ran every 7.5 minutes during rush hour and at 15 minute intervals at other times, from 5:00 a.m. until midnight. Urbandale is adjacent to the cities of Des Moines, Windsor Heights, Clive, Waukee, Grimes, and Johnston. Today, Urbandale enjoys a robust population of approximately 43,000 covering 22.49 square miles and features many historical and popular destination spots such as the Flynn Mansion at Living History Farms and the Olmsted-Urban House, which is now home to the Urbandale Historical Society. Urbandale is an exceptional community known for its All-American appeal, low crime rate, vast greenbelt and trail system, and beautifully planned streetscapes. The city is well-known for its outstanding neighborhoods, schools, parks, recreation programs, and, of course, a visible, mobile, and highly trained police force. The City of Urbandale is proud to offer quality of life amenities such as low taxes, excellent municipal services and infrastructure, and plenty of restaurants and retail stores. In the golden circle area of Iowa, there is no better place to be on the 4th of July than in Urbandale, where the fireworks are spectacular, the street dance is lively, and the people are friendly! URBANDALE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT The City of Urbandale operates under a Council-Mayor-Manager form of city government. A Mayor and City Council, with an appointed City Manager, govern the city. The Mayor and Council Members are the city s policy makers, each elected to four-year overlapping terms. The Mayor is responsible for chairing City Council meetings, and appointing members to various boards, commissions, and committees. The Mayor presides over City Council meetings, but does not vote. The City Manager ensures that the policy direction set by the City Council is carried out and that city services are delivered to all residents in a fair and equal manner. The City Manager is charged with recommending the budget to City Council, recruiting, hiring, and supervising city staff, and providing to City Council complete, objective information including pros and cons of alternatives considered by Council and long term consequences on the questions, issues, and decisions before City Council. COMPENSATION The starting salary for the Chief of Police will be market competitive, depending on education, experience, and qualifications of the selected candidate. The salary range is: $93,129 - $139,692. In addition, the City of Urbandale provides an excellent fringe benefit package. RECRUITMENT PROCESS Interested applicants must submit an official City of Urbandale employment application, letter of interest and resume by midnight Friday, October 13th, 2017 online at www.urbandale.org/humanresources Applications and information about the position can be accessed at www.urbandale.org. Oral Board Interviews will be conducted in late Fall 2017. We will follow the Iowa open meetings laws and finalists names will be a matter of public record. Post-offer pre-employment background check, physical, and drug screening are required. Urbandale is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Summary Description Under the general direction of the City Manager, is responsible for the operation and performance of the Police Department including the Uniformed Patrol, Administrative Services, Support Services, Criminal Investigation Divisions, Police Reserve Unit, Animal Control and School Crossing Guards. Provides advice, guidance, and policy recommendations to the City Manager, City Council, and City committees as it relates to Police Department matters. Routine Job Duties/Responsibilities Plans, organizes, directs and leads the overall operations and activities of the Police Department. Responds to concerns or questions and establishes and maintains effective working and professional relationships with City employees, municipal officials, commissions, committees, business and community groups, other city, county, state and federal departments/agencies, representatives of the media and the general public. Provides oversight and direction to the policies and procedures designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations, to limit civil liabilities, and to address the public safety needs within the City. Oversees the financial aspects of the Police Department s operations, including accounting for department revenues and expenditures, preparing for the annual department budget and applying for appropriate grants and other outside funding opportunities. Oversees capital expenditures for equipment or facilities as needed. Assures that all operations of the Police Department are within authorized resources (i.e. budget and staff). Directs the development and implementation of strategic and long range plans for the Police Department consistent with the City s long range plans, including formulation of staffing plans and staff allocations. Directs the selection, orientation, training, performance management, wage administration, and discipline of employees in the Police Department in accordance with City policy. Assures fair and consistent treatment of all employees in the Police Department and that all employees comply with all City and departmental policies and procedures. Maintains the overall departmental direction of data gathering and report generation to meet established CALEA (the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies) standards. Assures that all work performed in the Police Department meets the City s standards for customer service, accuracy, quality, and efficiency. Directs activities of the Police Department to assure that appropriate communication and coordination of efforts occurs with other units of the City. Assures that the Department s and City s mission, goals and objectives are fully supported and initiated. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned. Periodic Job Duties/Responsibilities Attends meetings and represents the Police department including, but not limited to: City Council, intergovernmental agencies (such as, etc), civic, neighborhood and business groups. Facilitates CALEA assessment and inspection in four year cycles for re-accreditation purposes. Responds to questions/inquiries from CALEA assessors regarding records, training, and law enforcement activities of department. Job Standards Any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge is qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to: Education/Experience Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration or equivalent, Masters Degree is preferred. Additional years of experience beyond the minimum requirements may be exchanged for the education requirement at the rate of one year of additional experience for one year of the required education. Eight to ten years of related work experience in municipal Public Safety/Law Enforcement field; with five years in a
management/supervisory capacity (rank of Sergeant or above). Skills Ability to organize, direct and coordinate a variety of projects and activities and staff including sworn officers and civilian employees Strong leadership and management skills Strong ethical, professional and service oriented leadership Strong interpersonal skills Ability to handle confidential information in a sensitive manner Ability to coach subordinates in learning opportunities presented through performance management evaluation Ability to take input from command staff and actively listen in evaluating suggested options for improved service delivery or operational efficiencies Ability to work efficiently with no direct supervision Excellent oral and written communication skills including critical thinking skills Ability to synthesize various sources of information in order to draw conclusions and make difficult decisions under time constraints Ability to use sound, independent judgment General knowledge of office equipment including, but not limited to: telephone, calculator, photo copier, and shredder Licenses Valid Iowa s Drivers License Iowa Police Officer Certification, or ability to obtain certification within twelve months of employment Working Conditions Long periods of sitting Intermittent standing and walking Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 lbs. on occasion Frequent, talking, hearing, near sight acuity, concentration, judgment and writing ability Note: This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not to be construed as a contract for employment. Knowledge Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply law enforcement principles, practices, methods, including, but not limited to: court procedures/practices, state/federal reporting. Extensive knowledge of municipal, state and federal laws, codes or ordinances relating to municipal law enforcement Good working knowledge of law enforcement operations, management, budgeting, worker safety, labor relations, and related matters General knowledge of CALEA assessment techniques, standards, and benchmarks Proficiency with PCs and computer software and applications