Chief of Police

Summary:  Provides general leadership and supervision to the Division of Police. Responsible for public safety and order, detecting and preventing crime, and the protection of park property and natural resources within and adjacent to lands under the jurisdiction and control of MetroParks of Butler County.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities – Essential Functions:

• Plans, coordinates, and performs the full range of public safety and law enforcement duties. Enforces state law and MetroParks Rules and Regulations within and adjacent to park property.
• Supervises MetroParks emergency responses to incidents and disasters and creates, updates, and maintains MetroParks emergency response plans and policies. Coordinates responses with outside agencies.
• Ensures state mandated law enforcement training and qualifications are completed by all division staff.
• Creates, reviews, and updates law enforcement and public safety policies and procedures.
• Responsible for physical security of all MetroParks owned and/or operated facilities, structures, parklands, and personal property.
• Oversees implementation of the Field Training & Evaluation Program (FTEP). Conducts annual review of program.
• Operates MetroParks owned vehicles and equipment. Utilizes appropriate personal protective equipment and ensures staff does the same.
• Explains MetroParks Rules, Regulations and Policies to the public in a diplomatic and professional fashion and requires similar standards for all department personnel. Provides information and assistance to park visitors to enhance the quality of their park experience.

• Recommends policies, long-range goals, and objectives for or related to assigned areas. Develops and implements management plans and procedures for assigned functions.
• Prepares budget information as assigned. Researches potential costs and revenues for specific projects, activities or for assigned division/department. Requests and purchases services, supplies, and materials according to established policies.

• Plans, coordinates, and supervises the execution of police activities for special events.  Develops and issues parking and traffic management plans, scheduling, and invoicing.
• Develops and maintains MetroParks public safety and security policies, procedures, and programs. Inspects parks and facilities for safety issues and works with other staff to resolve such matters.
• Manages and maintains required OPOTA certification, trainings, rosters, and accounts for all department personnel.
• Responsible for the supervision of the full-time staff in the division including coordinating with Human Resources on hiring, training, evaluation, payroll functions, and discipline.
• Inspects assigned personnel to ensure proper appearance and grooming standards are met and that each employee possesses the required equipment for their assignment. Ensures equipment and uniforms are in serviceable condition and that employees comply with established policy.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Provides positive interaction, creates connections and values teamwork with staff at all levels.
• Understands the importance of community collaboration and actively supports the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
• Strives to seek opportunities and has a willingness to bring ideas forward.
• Ability to consistently provide positive and unique experiences for guests.
• Understands and provides good customer service and is welcoming to all members of the public and staff.
• Understands financial responsibility and has a commitment to being personally accountable for how work is performed.
• Ability to work unsupervised, to organize and coordinate, to prioritize and self-initiate, and to manage tasks.
• Ability to effectively and appropriately deal with confidential information.
• Demonstrated proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability. Forward thinker who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.

• Leadership skills (individual and team): coaching, team building, goal setting, decision-making, problem solving and analytical skills.
• In-depth interpersonal skills:  demonstrated emotional intelligence; proven track record of establishing and maintaining critical relationships internally and externally; demonstrated trust and integrity.

• Ability to manage and complete multiple projects effectively and appropriately.
• Competent knowledge of all laws of the State of Ohio. Competent knowledge of all local ordinances and MetroParks Rules, Regulations and Policies pertaining to law enforcement and public safety.

• Competent knowledge of federal and State statutes pertaining to the civil rights of all members of the public and staff.
• Working knowledge of and experience with computer software operations including, but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite applications and use of common office equipment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and basic mathematical competency with strong knowledge of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Required Education and Experience:

• A minimum of a four (4) year degree from an accredited college or technical school in Criminal Justice or a related field or successful completion of two (2) advanced training programs such as Administrative Officers Course, Police Executive Leadership College, or National Command Course.
• A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in law enforcement.
• A minimum of five (5) years of service in a supervisory role in a law enforcement position.

• Must obtain and maintain a current and valid peace officer certification issued by the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council. Ability to obtain and maintain LEADS/NCIC/OHLEG certifications within the first 30 days of employment and while employed as a law enforcement officer.

• Have and maintain eligibility to legally possess a firearm for law enforcement duty pursuant to all applicable local, state, and federal laws at the time of employment and continuously throughout employment.
• Must have the ability to periodically qualify with assigned or approved firearms.

• Obtain and maintain competent knowledge of MetroParks law enforcement policies, Park Rules, and Regulations within 30 days of initial appointment.
• Successfully complete a psychological evaluation, physical agility test, and a comprehensive background check to include a polygraph/cvsa examination with no deception indicated immediately prior to initial employment.
• Obtain American Heart Association or Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED certification within first six months of employment and to maintain these certifications throughout employment.

• A valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record allowing insurability by the park district’s current vehicle insurance carrier under existing coverage provisions at the time of employment and thereafter. Candidates for employment may not have more than 4 total points (or equivalent penalty) issued by a recognized licensing authority for driving-related violations on their driving record at the time of employment.
• Must submit to and successfully pass a screening to detect illegal substances (drugs) upon employment and periodically thereafter.

• Good character with no convictions felonies or misdemeanor crimes of violence at the time of employment while employed as a law enforcement officer. Ability to be bonded against dishonesty and theft by MetroParks current liability insurance carrier under existing coverage provisions throughout employment.

Work Environment & Schedule:

This position is a full-time, exempt/non-exempt position that both patrols and performs administrative tasks. Employee may work in an office environment, in a vehicle, or in outside conditions including wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold (below 32 F degrees) and extreme heat (above 90 F degrees).  Some work assignments and tasks will require exposure to and work in inclement weather conditions. The employee must maintain availability to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays, and must be available for recall to duty for emergencies.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, an employee is regularly required to stay in a stationary position, or to move about consistently in or outdoors on various surfaces.  This employee must have the ability to perform activities requiring agility, strength, and physical conditioning, as well as the ability to use defensive tactics.  Eyesight may be 20/100 if correctable to 20/20. Employee must successfully complete the Police Physical Agility Test. Reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical limitations of qualified employees and applicants with disabilities.

Reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical limitations of qualified employees and applicants with disabilities.

The position functions and responsibilities are illustrative only and do not represent all the duties or tasks to be assigned or performed by an employee with this position title.

Alternates to the above qualifications may be acceptable as approved by the Executive Director.