CLASS 3 OFFICER CANDIDATE (FINLAY PARK ONLY) at City of Columbia – Columbia, South Carolina

This position performs limited police duties to ensure the strict enforcement of state and local laws relating to public safety and welfare, performs related law enforcement work as required, and attends training in order to successfully complete Class III Certification through the Criminal Justice Academy in accordance with §23-23-40 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976. The incumbent works according to some procedures but decides how or when to do things; works under close supervision of a Class I Officer.

The work is considered medium-to-heavy in nature and involves walking, standing, running, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and lifting, pushing or pulling objects, and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis. Must have corrected vision and hearing. Must be able to defend one's self from assault and to restrain suspects of varying weights. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, electrical shock, heights, disease/pathogens, toxic/caustic chemicals, explosives, violence; and is safe and secure that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands.

• Enforces all federal and state laws and City ordinances relating to public safety and welfare; performs all duties in compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, regulations and standards of safety;
• Completes Class III Certification through the Criminal Justice Academy in accordance with §23-23-40 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976;
• Learns and performs general patrol duties, including but not limited to patrolling assigned areas of the City, monitoring property security, responding to emergency calls and/or public calls for assistance, apprehending and arresting suspects and violent persons, securing crime scenes, seizing property and/or criminal evidence, maintaining public order, transporting prisoners and mental patients, etc.;
• Learns and performs traffic enforcement duties, including issuing traffic tickets and warnings, detecting DUI suspects, and assisting with accident reconstruction and investigations;
• Opens, closes and patrols assigned area during hours of operation; providing professional law enforcement services within the authority of Class 3 Law Enforcement Certification;
• Patrols recreation areas on foot and/or vehicle to monitor users’ activities and maintain a safe environment;
• Assists with the service of warrants, summonses, subpoenas, civil and other official papers, and enforces the City of Columbia Code of Ordinances;
• Assists with criminal investigations; interviews witnesses, complainants and victims; interrogates suspects; gathers physical evidence and preserves it for court; provides case follow-up as needed;
• Provides testimony and presents evidence in court as necessary;
• Participates in special operations as assigned;
• Performs routine limited service duties, including but not limited to providing escort service for the protection of persons and/or property, assisting stranded motorists, directing traffic, providing security and crowd control at special events, etc.;
• Prepares and submits detailed work records and reports;
• Remains abreast of all federal and state laws, and ordinances of the City of Columbia;
• Maintains assigned equipment and vehicle;
• Assists other law enforcement agencies and jurisdictions as required and at the direction of the Chief;
• Receives and responds to citizen inquiries, complaints and requests for assistance;
• Participates in neighborhood and community relations programs; attends neighborhood meetings to enhance police/community relationships and to address safety and quality of life issues;
• Communicates with the public in an effective and professional manner;
• Performs customer service functions; provides information and assistance relating to park facilities or activities; conducts presentations for groups; responds to routine questions/complaints; researches problems and initiates problem resolution;
• Inspects park and facilities to identify problems or safety hazards needing repair or attention;
• Prepares and completes various forms, reports and documents. Complies or monitors data pertaining to department operations. Performs clerical duties as needed;
• Communicates with supervisor, co-workers, Class I Police Officers and the public as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work and resolve problems;
• Attends periodic training sessions and attends seminars and meetings to keep abreast of current law enforcement trends; maintains required physical fitness and required level of proficiency in the use of firearms;
• Works under stressful, high-risk conditions;
• Remains on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week, for emergency response;
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed;
• Performs general clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, sending and receiving faxes, answering the telephone, etc.; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or GED;
• No prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages;
• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;
• Ability to persuade or influence others in favor of a service, point of view, or course of action; may enforce laws, rules, regulations or ordinances;
• Ability to operate or repair complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience, such as police vehicles and equipment, firearms. Involves operations of limited scope;
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form with a clear speech pattern and vocal skills to communicate via radio;
• Ability to perform clerical, manual or technical tasks requiring a wide range of procedures and requiring intensive understanding of a restricted field or complete familiarity with the functions of a unit or small division of an operating agency; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works under close supervision of a Class I sworn officer in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.