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Job Description
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under general supervision, this non-sworn, unarmed civilian position performs a variety of non-emergency public safety and administrative support duties for the Portsmouth Police Department. The Public Safety Aide assists sworn personnel by conducting preliminary non-violent investigations, directing traffic, processing minor crime scenes, staffing the front desk, and performing other non-enforcement activities to enhance departmental efficiency. This position has no arrest powers and does not engage in direct contact with criminal suspects. Reports to the Patrol Division Commander or designee. This is a part time positions with a maximum of 29 hours per week.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Conducts traffic control in accordance with applicable laws and departmental procedures; directs and controls traffic at accident scenes, school crossings, special events, and other locations assigned; remains aware of conditions and behaviors that may affect the safety of motorists and pedestrians. Responds to non-emergency and non-in-progress calls for service in person or by telephone; interacts with the public to obtain and provide information; monitors police radio traffic and communicates clearly with dispatchers and field units. Conducts preliminary investigations for non-violent, non-in-progress crimes; interviews victims and witnesses; collects sworn statements or affidavits; prepares case reports; processes minor crime scenes and collects, preserves, and submits evidence as directed. Investigates abandoned vehicles; assists disabled motorists; inspects vehicles cited for equipment violations; issues parking citations and other applicable notices. Assists with front desk operations, including greeting visitors, answering inquiries, receiving reports, and providing information or referrals to other city, county, or state agencies. Provides emergency medical assistance in non-crime situations as trained; participates in First Aid, CPR, and VCIN certification training. Transports police department vehicles to and from Fleet Maintenance and other locations; delivers supplies to field personnel; retrieves and delivers items to departmental vendors. Prepares written reports, forms, logs, and other documents; performs routine office tasks such as typing, filing, faxing, telephoning, and photocopying. Participates in structured developmental activities, including ride-alongs, observational assignments, court observation, selected academy classroom sessions, physical training, and scenario-based training. Promotes crime prevention by initiating contact with businesses and residents, explaining applicable laws, encouraging cooperation in crime reporting, and fostering positive community relationships. Operates department vehicles safely in accordance with state traffic laws and departmental policies. Testifies in court as needed. Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workload and department needs.
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Knowledge of Job:
Has some knowledge of public safety practices and departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. Has some knowledge of the social and economic factors within the community. Has some knowledge of basic investigative methods, evidence handling procedures, and traffic control techniques. Is able to use common office machines and computer systems. Is able to prepare clear and concise reports and accurately document information obtained from victims, witnesses, and the public. Is able to exercise initiative and independent judgment in applying established standards to routine situations. Is able to explain rules, regulations, and departmental procedures to the general public in a clear and courteous manner. Is able to exercise tact, courtesy, and discretion when interacting with the public, sworn personnel, and other employees. Is able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Quality of Work:
Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication, interacts within departments/divisions along with co- workers and the general public.
Quantity of Work:
Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."
Dependability:
Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards, and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human, and conceptual areas.
Attendance:
Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time- off requests.
Initiative and Enthusiasm:
Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.
Judgment:
Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Determine or assist in determining alternative solutions to problems. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with minimum errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and research problems, situations, and alternatives before exercising judgment.
Cooperation:
Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same. Questions such as instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences is justified, e.g., poor communication, variance with city policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation among all department staff. Relationships with
Others:
Shares information with supervisors and coworkers to support effective communication and overall departmental operations. Contributes to maintaining high morale among department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with fellow employees, sworn personnel, staff in other city departments, representatives from outside organizations, and members of the general public in order to maintain goodwill and project a positive departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions, and complaints from the public and other departments to support smooth operations within the city. Interacts professionally with coworkers, sworn officers, emergency communications personnel, and the general public as required by work assignments.
Coordination of Work:
Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for completing work in accordance with an effective time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establish a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions for specific work elements, and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines, and events.
Safety and Housekeeping:
Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Requires a high school diploma or GED. Must be at least 18 years of age. One year of volunteer or customer service experience is preferred. Any equivalent combination of education and experience that would clearly indicate the ability to perform the duties of the position would substitute for the recruitment requirements of this position.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check, along with a sex offender registry check. Requires successful completion of a comprehensive police background investigation and polygraph examination. A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Applicants must upload a current DMV transcript. Ability to obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) and Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) certification. Ability to pass required physical screening; must be willing to participate in physical training. Current CPR certification is preferred. In the event of a declared emergency in the City of Portsmouth, individuals in this position may be required to work extended hours in support of public safety operations. Individuals in this position may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Physical Requirements:
Work requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Requires standing or sitting for sustained periods; walking between work sites; manual dexterity for handling equipment and office tasks; the ability to hear and speak clearly; and close visual acuity. May require balancing, crouching, kneeling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, and Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and may involve exposure to dust, dirt, and dynamic environments requiring adaptability to changing priorities.
Data Conception:
Requires the ability to compare and judge observable characteristics of data, people, or things.
Interpersonal Communications:
Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information, including giving instructions and responding to inquiries.
Language Ability:
Requires the ability to read and prepare reports, forms, and correspondence using proper grammar and style; requires the ability to speak before groups with poise and confidence.
Intelligence:
Requires the ability to apply logical thinking to define problems, collect data, and draw valid conclusions.
Verbal Aptitude:
Requires the ability to record and deliver information and follow oral and written instructions.
Numerical Aptitude:
Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas and perform basic arithmetic.
Motor Coordination:
Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately while using equipment.
Interpersonal Temperament:
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions; must be adaptable to performing under stress when interacting with the public.
Physical Communication:
Requires the ability to talk and/or hear.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
(ADA)
REQUIREMENTS
The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the city to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list all the essential job functions for a given position in a classification. This class description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.
