Non-Sworn Police Officer Recruit

Salary : $58,149.74 - $63,967.71 Annually
Location : Highland Village, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 00233
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 10/02/2023
Description
Base Salary: $58,149.74
Are you passionate about a career in law enforcement? The City of Highland Village is looking for dedicated individuals who are eager to become Police Officers in our vibrant, family-oriented community. Located in southern Denton County, Highland Village boasts a population of approximately 17,000 residents. We take great pride in our motto, "Make the Difference," and our commitment to unique community policing practices and a values-based policing model, setting a standard of safety and security unmatched by any other law enforcement agency.
As a Police Officer Recruit, you will play a pivotal role in serving and protecting the Highland Village community. Your responsibilities will encompass a wide range of law enforcement duties, including:
- Gathering and disseminating crucial information to the public.
- Skillfully mediating disputes and maintaining harmony.
- Engaging in service-oriented initiatives to strengthen community relations.
- Proactively preventing and investigating crimes to uphold public safety.
Job Requirements
As a police recruit, The City of Highland Village will be sending you to attend a Police Training Academy under the rules and regulations established for such attendance by the Police Department and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
Police Officers must:

• Be at least 21 years of age or older.
• Be fingerprinted and undergo state, local, and national criminal records check,
• Not be on court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense.
• Not have been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor or above within the last ten (10) years.
• Not have been convicted of any prior felonies.
• Be of good moral character.
• Be able to pass a thorough, comprehensive background investigation and interview.
• Be a high school graduate or equivalent or have twelve (12) semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university.
• Must pass state medical, mental, polygraph, and drug testing requirements.
• Not have been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions.
• Have an insurable driving record according to the city's insurance policy.
• Not have been convicted of more than five (5) moving violations within the past three (3) years.
• Have no prior DWI convictions.
• Not have left employment with any agency under less than honorable conditions.
• Must hold a Texas Peace Officer's license through TCOLE prior to participation in any law enforcement duties.
• Be truthful in responses in their application and personal history statement. Any false statement made by the applicant shall be grounds for immediate rejection or termination if discovered after the date of hire.

Benefits

• Great work schedule! 12-hour shifts & 3 day weekends every other week.
• Excellent equipment and paid training
• Certification and Differential Pay up to $4,800 year.
• Up to $1000 per year in tuition reimbursement
• Health, Dental, vision, life, long term disability starting at $0.00 per month.
• Free telemedicine benefits including general medical, mental health, dermatology, neck & back care, & expert medical.
• 2 to 1 City Matching Retirement plan (employee contributes 7% & the City contributions 14% after 5 years vesting). Full-time employees do not pay into Social Security.
• 2% City Matching 457 retirement account after 6 months of employment
• 2 weeks' Vacation & 2 weeks' Sick leave accruals following the introductory period
• 13 total paid holidays consisting of ten city holidays, one birthday holiday and two personal holidays.

(Upon completion of academy and being sworn in pay will increase to $70,681.38)
Join our team and help us continue to create an environment where we truly "Make the Difference" every day!
The following benefits are currently in effect for "regular status full-time employees." Note: The City reserves the right to add, delete, or modify these benefits at any time, with or without notice.Certification
Most positions are eligible for additional pay for certifications that are above and beyond the requirements of the position. Pay depends on the certifications and typically do not exceed $100 per month.
Deferred Compensation
Supplemental retirement savings plans are available via payroll deduction and are tax deferred. After six months of employment, the City will match up to 2% of your annual salary in contributions.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program offers information and resources that can help you identify and resolve problems affecting emotional and physical health and other personal matters, including financial and legal assistance. This free hotline is staffed by a team of Masters-level counselors and nurses who can assist with a wide range of problems.
Flexible Spending/Dependent Care
Employees have the option to utilize City sponsored flexible spending accounts permitted under the IRS code to pay for various medical, dental, vision, or dependent care costs on a pre-tax basis.
Health Insurance
We provide group health coverage through BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS). Employees can choose from two available plans: a traditional PPO Plan or a High Deductible Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA) attached. The City pays 80% - 100% of the insurance premium for employee only or employee plus family coverage. Funds in a Health Savings Account roll over from year to year, and can be used during retirement to pay for medical related expenses and some premiums (IRS Publication 969). Options for dependent coverage are available.
Holidays and Leave
Full time employees are provided 11 paid holidays, plus your birthday and two personal days. Holidays included are New Year's, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Good Friday (Friday before Easter), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Life Insurance
Full time employees are provided with $50,000 Life Insurance and $50,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance. Additional Life Insurance can be purchased by the employee through payroll deduction.
Long Term Disability Insurance
Full time employees are provided with Long Term Disability Insurance, which provides income of 60% of the employees salary up to age 65 if disabled, and after a 180 day (six month) waiting period. See Human Resources for more information.
Longevity Pay
Once a year, full time employees who are employed with the City for two or more years will receive longevity pay for every month of full time service. Longevity pay is calculated as follows:

• Two - four years at $4/month
• Five - nine years at $6/month
• Ten or more years at $7.50/month

Retirement
Eligible employees are members of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Retirement contributions are deducted at 7% from employee pay checks per pay period. Employees are vested after five years of service credit, with a two-to-one City match upon retirement. There is an additional Term Life Insurance benefit provided through TMRS equal to 1x your annual salary as an active employee. The City does NOT pay into the Federal Social Security System.
Retirement Health Savings (RHS)
This benefit is offered to full time City employees who have served 10 years or more in the Public Sector. The RHS account will enable you to have some tax-free savings dedicated to paying for future healthcare and insurance costs when you separate from service. Depending on the years of service you have, the City will put $500 - $1,500 into this account per year. The employees contributions is their sick and vacation at separation. This allows the employee to potentially retire early and still be able to pay for insurance coverage or medical bills.
Telemedicine - HealthiestYou by Teladoc
Employees and their family are eligible for unlimited free telemedicine. Services included are:

• General Medical - 24/7/365 access to our doctors via phone or video. The doctors can diagnose and offer treatment, including prescriptions if medically necessary.
• Mental Health "myStrength Complete"- myStrength is a flexible and comprehensive digital program with proven tools and dedicated support for stress, depression, sleep and more-all tailored to your unique needs. Unlimited scheduled phone/video sessions with a mental health provider: therapist, counselor psychiatrist etc. Recommended activities and content. Explore skill building tools and resources based on your ongoing needs and preferences.
• Dermatology - Take 3 pictures of a skin condition and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan through the app's message center within 48 hours.
• Neck and Back Care - With the help of a certified health coach, a member will be given a personalized video-based exercise and stretching regimen to help alleviate both back and neck pain.
• Expert Medical Services - Receive an expert second opinion on a major diagnosis and get all your medical records in one place.
• Nutrition - Members work directly with registered dietitians who assess their clinical nutrition needs and develop personalized programs including custom meal plans and shopping guides.?

Tuition Reimbursement
Full time employees who complete six months of service with the City may be reimbursed up to $1,000 per calendar year for approved college courses. Prior approvals from Supervisors and Department Heads are required to receive reimbursement.
Wellness Programs
Full time employees who participate in the City of Highland Village Wellness Program qualify for a $25/month discount on health insurance premiums, which equals $300 in annual savings.
The City reserves the right to add, delete, or modify these benefits at any time, with or without notice. Benefits are currently in effect for full time status employees only.
01
Are you at least 21 years old?

• Yes
• No

02
What is your highest level of education?

• No High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• PHD

03
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes, Texas driver's license
• Yes, out of state driver's license
• No drivers license

04
What level of TCOLE certifications do you possess?

• Basic Police Officer
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Master
• Currently attending a Police Academy in Texas
• None, but have an out of state certification
• None of the above

05
Are you able to work a rotating schedule, which includes days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays?

• Yes
• No

06
Have you ever been discharged from any military service under less than honorable conditions? If yes, please explain.
07
Are you prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition?

• Yes
• No

08
Have you ever used or experimented with any drug or substance which is illegal in the State of Texas? If yes, please explain.
09
Have you ever been arrested, charged or convicted of a criminal offense, excluding minor traffic violations? If yes, please explain.
10
Have you ever been a party in a civil lawsuit? If yes, please explain.
11
Have you ever received any formal disciplinary actions at work? If yes, please explain,
12
Have you ever been terminated, asked to resign from a job, or resigned pending disciplinary action where it was unfounded or substantiated ? If yes, please explain.
13
Have you ever been rejected for cause from another law enforcement agency? If yes, please explain.
14
Do you have any active applications pending with another law enforcement agency, which has progressed beyond the initial application? If yes, please list agencies.
15
Do you know any current or former Highland Village employee's? If yes, please list name(s).
16
City of Highland Village policy prohibits visible tattoos while in uniform. Do you have any tattoos that are visible while wearing a short sleeve police uniform?

• Yes
• No
• N/A

17
HVPD is a community policing organization. What do you believe are the goals of community policing?
Required Question