Police Officer (Certified Or Attending An Academy)

Job Purpose:
Protects the life, property, general safety, and welfare of the general public within appropriate jurisdiction by enforcing, City, state, and federal laws and ordinances.
Job Scope:
Exercises significant levels of judgment, discretion, and initiative in performing duties. Applies technical and legal knowledge and expertise to solve complex problems; frequently interfaces with the general public, other department personnel and management, and state, federal, and local government representatives.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Patrol City streets to deter crime and assist citizens as needed; note suspicious persons, activities, or establishments; take action or report the situation.
• Investigate criminal or suspicious activities; secure crime scenes; gather evidence; interview/interrogate witnesses/suspects; make arrests.
• Prepare cases for court; appear in court to present evidence and serve as a witness.
• Investigate and assist at accident scenes: administer first aid as required; call for necessary assistance; investigate the cause and results of accidents; recommend corrective action(s) to help avoid similar future accidents.
• Identify and correct or report public safety hazards.
• Control traffic flow for compliance with local and state regulations: direct and re-route traffic at fires and other disturbances; issue tickets for parking and traffic violations; authorize the tow and impoundment of vehicles as required.
• Prepare accurate and timely reports regarding response calls.
• Perform animal control for City ordinance violations and wild animals in the absence of or in conjunction with the Animal Control Officer.
• Provide information and direction to the public; provide the public with other assistance as necessary, e.g., accessing locked vehicles and homes, obtaining roadside assistance with disabled cars, and other community policing activities, etc.
• Provide support to other Police functions such as School Resource Officers or Police Dispatchers
• Book, monitor, and control property ensure safety, and search and frisk inmates in the holding facility.
• May help train and oversee the work of less experienced Patrol Officers.
• Maintain patrol cars in safe and clean operating condition.
• Conduct crime prevention inspections and surveys for residential areas or businesses.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements:

• Thorough working knowledge of City ordinances and state and federal laws relating to police operations.
• Ability to understand detailed written and verbal operating procedures and instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain professionally effective working relationships with prosecutors, judges, co-workers, other law enforcement personnel, EMS and fire personnel, the general public, and representatives of state, federal, and local government agencies.
• Ability to remain calm, make sound decisions, and respond appropriately during stressful situations and under adverse conditions.
• Ability to safely operate a patrol vehicle and all related equipment, including laptop computers, radio, radar, and video camera systems.
• Good communication (verbal and written) skills.
• Proficiency with weapons, and patrol car equipment, Weapons proficiency is to be demonstrated quarterly as prescribed by TCOLE or departmental policy
• Ability to maintain currency in required TCOLE and departmental training.

Education/Experience/Certification Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent; Associates degree in Criminal Justice preferred.
• Completion of approved Basic Peace Officers Certification Academy.
• Certified Peace Officers Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCOLE).
• Valid Class C Texas driver's license.

Physical Job Requirements:

• Verbal and written communications.
• Occasional strenuous activity, including running, jumping, climbing, lifting up to 50 lbs., and carrying, or any other physical activity required to pursue and arrest suspects effectively.
• Extended periods of sitting at a desk or in a vehicle.
• Operation of the patrol vehicle and related equipment.
• Satisfactory physical, psychiatric, and drug testing results, as prescribed by department standards.

Environmental Factors and Other Physical Requirements (Work Environment):

• Will be required to work in settings with extreme cold or extreme heat, depending on the time of year.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous materials.
• Work may be conducted under stressful or hazardous conditions; occasionally exposed to life-threatening situations.
• Work hours are determined by scheduled shift, as assigned by the supervisor; work shifts may include weekends and holidays; overtime may be required; on-call as needed to respond to emergency situations.

Lateral Officer Eligibility Requirements:
Be a certified Texas Peace Officer by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. (TCOLE)
Have at least 4 years prior work experience with similar duties in a comparable law enforcement agency and must hold an Intermediate Peace Officer Certificate, or higher, through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
Must not have had a break in service as a Police Officer of more than 180 days prior to the start of the background process.
The Chief of Police shall determine eligibility for lateral entry of police applicants. Based on the applicant's experience, the Chief will submit a starting Step recommendation to the City Manager for approval, up to Step 6 of the Police Step Plan. Potential starting pay is $64,912.77 to $75,251.69.
Benefits Overview:

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, 3 weeks per year.
• 8 hours of sick leave per month, 12 days per year.
• Sick leave incentive pay- Employees are compensated in December each year for 25% of their unused sick leave accumulated during the preceding fiscal year.
• Medical insurance and benefits are provided at zero premium cost to the employee.
• 50% dependent health benefits premium contribution.
• Dental benefits are provided at zero premium cost to the employee.
• 24 hours of paid personal holiday leave each fiscal year.
• 10 wellness hours each fiscal year for eligible preventive and mental health services.
• Longevity pay of $8 per month begins with the first anniversary and will be paid separately in December of each year.
• Retirement plan includes a 7% contribution of an employee's gross salary to the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) with a City contribution match of 2 to 1 (14%) at retirement.
• Retirement eligibility requires 5 years of service at age 60 or 20 years of service at any age.
• Employees also have an additional retirement fund option to participate in a 457 plan.
• Long-Term Disability is employer-paid and covers 60% of the employee's salary up to $7,500.
• For eligible employees, military leave provides up to 15 days of paid leave per fiscal year.
• Education reimbursement assistance up to $5,000 per fiscal year.
• 40 paid service hours are available to volunteer within our community.
• Up to 160 hours of paid parental leave to eligible employees following the birth of an employee's child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption, foster care, or other legal placement to care for and bond with the child.

For more details about the benefits offered by the City please visit:
Officer Salaries and Incentives:
Salary is based on 2080 hours per year and 26 pay periods. The current starting pay is $64,912.77 to $75,251.69 per year ($31.21/hr to $36.18). Applicants may be eligible to start at a higher rate with experience. Any increase must be approved by HR.
As of October 1, 2020, the Pflugerville Police Department has adopted a Step Pay Plan. Each Step represents a year of service at the Pflugerville Police Department.
Additional Benefits:

• Intermediate Peace Officer - $50 a month
• Advanced Peace Officer - $100 a month
• Master Peace - $150.00 a month
• Associates Degree - $75.00 a month
• Bachelors Degree - $125.00 a month
• Masters Degree - $150.00 a month
• Night Differential $2.00 per hour
• Bilingual Pay - $150.00 a month (Must Pass Test)
• FTO - $150.00 a month (Must Be Assigned as an FTO)
• Firearms Instructor - $50.00 a month (Must be assigned as a Firearms Instructor)
• Detective On Call - $392 a month
• Advance Accident Investigator - $50.00 a month
• K-9 - Based on the Officer's hourly rate for care of K-9 etc.
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) $46 a month
• Patrol will receive a $950 uniform allowance per year for duty gear, boots, dry cleaning, etc.
• Longevity pay - $8 per month or $96 per year of service is paid to employees in December
• Sick Leave Incentive - 25% of unused but accrued sick leave for the year is paid to employees in December.
• Employee Purchase Program - Eligible for up to $2000 per fiscal year for employees to purchase duty-related gear.

Testing and Hiring Process:
The following information will explain the Pflugerville Police Department hiring process. There are several steps in the process that each applicant must pass before receiving an offer of employment. Please keep in mind before reading through these steps:

• Applicants who do not meet the Minimum Requirements will be disqualified.
• Applicants should review the page before applying for a position with the Pflugerville Police Department.
• Applicants who meet minimum requirements and do not have a disqualifier should complete the steps below.

Step 1: Online Application

• Individuals who are interested in applying will need to complete an online application.
• Online Applications will be placed in a queue and reviewed in the order they are received.
• Applicants who pass the initial application process will be emailed three forms to complete and return to the Recruiting Office (1. Authorization for Release of Information 2. Disqualifier Form 3. Personal History Statement - Due on the first date of testing).
• Along with these documents, the Applicant must also submit an Experian Credit Report.
• All pre-testing documents must be completed and returned prior to the testing date.
• Applicants who do not pass the application process will receive an email notifying them of the disqualification and the time period associated with the disqualifier.

Step 2: Testing

• Applicants who complete the Online Application and complete the Pre-Testing Documents by the date expected will receive an invitation to attend the Testing Process.
• Applicants must arrive at the Pflugerville Police Department (Pflugerville Justice Center) by 08:30 a.m. on the date of the Testing
• Applicants who do not arrive on time will be disqualified
• Applicants will complete a written examination (Standard & Associates National Police Officer Selection Test)
• Applicants who pass the written exam will proceed to the physical fitness testing
• THE FOLLOWING ARE EXEMPT FROM THE WRITTEN EXAM:
  • Veterans who separated from any branch of the United States Military with an Honorable Discharge
  • Any applicant who has successfully challenged and passed the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement's Basic Peace Officer's License Examination regardless of the applicant has ever been commissioned as a Texas Peace Officer
  • Any applicant who holds a bachelor's degree or higher obtained from an accredited college or university
  • Any applicant applying, and meets the requirements for, a "lateral" hire from another law enforcement agency.

Step 3: Physical Fitness Testing

• Applicants will be required to complete and pass one of two physical tests to proceed with the process:
• Standard Cooper test consisting of:
  • One mile run
  • Push-ups
  • Sit-ups (click the link for minimal standards)
  • 500-meter row using a concept 2 rower (click the link for minimal standards)

Step 4: Oral Board

• Applicants who pass the physical testing will then proceed to an Oral Board
• Applicants may complete all testing on the same day or may be required to return for Oral Boards depending on the number of passing applicants
• Applicants should wear formal attire for their Board
• The Oral Board will be a panel of Pflugerville Police Officers with varying ranks from Officer to Lieutenant.
• Questions asked will give Applicants an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities considered basic attributes of a Police Officer
• Top Applicants from the process will continue with a background investigation.

Step 5: Background Investigation

• Applicants who are chosen will undergo a complete background investigation using the Personal History Statement that is turned in on the date of testing.
• It is recommended that the Applicant begin completing the Personal History Statement and obtaining required documents immediately upon receiving the packet.

Step 6: Conditional Job Offer

• Once the Applicant passes the background investigation he or she may be offered a position contingent on satisfactorily passing the following:
  • Medical / Physical Examination
  • Drug Screening
  • Psychological Examination
  • Firearms Qualification
  • Chief's Interview

Contacts: Sgt. Tonya Reed Professional Standards Phone: 512-990-6778
or
Cpl. Jermain Williams Professional Standards Phone: 512-990-6705
The Pflugerville Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.