Police Dept - Sergeant

The Sergeant contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago ("BZC") by performing duties as an armed officer to ensure the safety and protection of life and property, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, and the enforcement of laws and BZC policies and rules, contributing to BZC's goals of financial sustainability and extraordinary guest experience.

This is a non-union full-time hourly position, grade 09H with an expected hiring range of $37.46 to $41.21 per hour. For our Benefits Summary Information, follow this link to our Benefits Table or copy and paste the following in your internet browser www.brookfieldzoo.org/custom.czs/files/06/06337b2c-b3db-45a2-8eb2-f8362486bd0e.pdf (please refer to the non-union, full-time employee section) and/or refer to the benefit details provided below after the job description information.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions of the position.

1. *Responsible for field supervision of Patrol Officers and Park Safety Officers during shift, special events, special assignments and daily operations under the supervision of the Lieutenants. Reviews reports written by subordinates, monitors staff performance, counsels and evaluates performance and recommends personnel actions. Keeps Lieutenants (or Chief of Police in Lieutenant's absence) informed in a timely manner of non-routine incidents or situations that have the potential to impact the department or BZC.
2. *Coordinates daily activities of subordinates during routine and emergency situations, including supervising park opening and closing processes and providing counseling and assistance, to ensure established policies, procedures and directives are followed. Completes performance evaluations and assists in setting performance standards and goals for all Patrol Officers.
3. *Patrols property and enforces park rules, regulations, and statutes. Prepares field reports and paperwork in accordance with established procedures. Patrols the park and adjacent boundaries using a patrol car, golf cart, on foot or bicycle as assigned. Responds to basic inquiries from reporting staff and follow up as appropriate. Responds to dispatch calls for routine and emergency situations including, but not limited to: opening/securing buildings/facilities and gates; pick up and deliver of monies between point-of-sales locations and Cash Control; pick up monies and complete documentation for collection of cash from various machines/donation boxes and other sources and deliver to Cash Control; assist motorists with vehicle problems; and, as necessary, secure a scene, interview participants and witnesses, collect relevant information for documentation purposes. Coordinates activities or respond to emergency situations per protocols. Direct vehicle traffic inside parking lots and on streets surrounding the park as assigned. Operates the police dispatch desk, answers calls, and dispatches police units accordingly; maintain incident cards for responding units. Logs and inventories lost/found items per departmental guidelines and monitor fire alarm system and weather program. Keeps work area and equipment in a clean and functional condition. Assures positive public relations and respond to inquiries and requests for information.
4. *Following operating procedures from Resource Hospital, administers first aid treatment for injuries or illness including, but not limited to: monitoring life signs, stabilizing victims, transporting individuals to hospital via ambulance. Prepares patients for transport, including lifting patients onto a backboard or stretcher, patient extrication and assisting with patient care in the ambulance.
5. *Monitors facilities, parking lots, and adjacent properties for safety, hazards and security. Patrols by drive by and physical checks to observe, prevent or terminate unlawful acts; report/document crimes, unusual situations or safety issues; responds to calls or initiate actions and back up other units as required.
6. *Prepares for and conducts daily roll call at the beginning of the day shift, inspects the appearance of subordinate officers, and assigns officers to special details. Explains new directives, information regarding special events occurring in the park, and reviews/relays relevant information from a variety of sources, including municipal police agencies for officer safety and current trends or special watches.
7. *Maintains order and investigates suspicious activities of guests and employees. Determines course of action, reprimands or warns individuals, detains or expels from park and/or arrests and books persons committing crimes, as appropriate, to the situation. Interviews complainants and witnesses; analyzes probable sequence of events; seeks additional data through research; identifies, arrests and takes into custody offender(s) for probable cause; advises such persons of their constitutional rights; searches subjects for office safety and testify in court or other proceedings to provide known facts and evidence. Transports arrested individuals to appropriate jurisdictions for further processing as necessary.
8. *Administers and actively participates on assigned department team(s) including, but not limited to: vehicle maintenance, investigations, EMS, keys/locks; training; incident response; radios; employee parking and firearms. Prepares and submits monthly activity report.
9. *Works with Police Lieutenants and Risk Management team to reinforce a safety culture within the Police Department. Works with department staff on hazard identification and reporting, including unsafe work practices and inclusion of safety-specific details in written reports. Reports all unsafe conditions, violations of safety procedures and takes immediate steps to rectify unsafe conditions. Reports incidents and corrective actions taken immediately to Risk Management and Police Lieutenants. Complies with and assures subordinates follow safe work practices, inspects equipment and vehicles daily for defects, uses personal protective equipment and automobiles as assigned in the performance of duties.
10. *Monitors behavior and condition of animal collection, conditions of the buildings and facilities during night shift and provides assistance as necessary to BZC officials and other staff. Monitors fire alarm system, responds to activations and takes necessary corrective actions.
11. *Provides assistance in law enforcement and other assigned activities to local community police departments as requested or assigned.
12. Other related duties as assigned.

* Denotes Essential Job Function(s)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) required.
• Minimum three years relevant law enforcement experience required.

• Prior supervisory experience either formally or informally in people management.
• Must have successfully completed and passed to minimum standards Illinois Police Academy training within one year of hire or continue to be ILESTB certified Police Officer and remain good standing with the State of Illinois. Must be knowledgeable of applicable federal, state and local civil and criminal statutes on which charges and arrests are executed, including laws of arrest, search and seizure. Must be knowledgeable of police rules and regulations.
• Valid Illinois EMT license or must obtain license of State of Illinois Emergency Medical Technician license within one year of hire. Must complete system entry process at designated Resource Hospital within 90 days of hire or within 90 days of obtaining valid EMT license, if later, and must attend continuing education classes as mandated by EMS Regional Hospital and department standards.
• Successful completion of BZC Field Training Officer Program within 90 days of hire; learn BZC Police department SOPs within 3 months (90 days) of hire. Valid Fire Owners Identification Card required.
• Must successfully complete qualifications with department-issued weapons (.45 caliber, shotgun, .223 caliber, .308 caliber, 45/70 caliber, .375 caliber and .458 caliber) as specified in BZC Police Department guidelines as soon as feasible upon placement or as otherwise specified by the Illinois State Training Board.
• Basic computer proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel required.
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills required. Must maintain confidence and have an excellent rapport with co-workers and guests and maintain excellent public relations. Must have the ability to work effectively with staff and guests at all levels. Must be able to understand, communicate, carry out and supervise oral and written instructions required. Must be able to prepare clear, comprehensive and detailed reports and accurately review reports and information.
• Must be able to assign, supervise, review and evaluate the work of subordinates.
• Must be able to analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine proper course of action.
• Ability to use common security and other equipment including, but not limited to: medical and extrication equipment, computers, portable radios and other emergency equipment required.
• Able to handle sensitive information, ability to distinguish confidential materials and apply Society standards for security and privacy.
• Strong customer service orientation. Must maintain a high level of customer service and work with staff to ensure that the highest level of customer service is delivered.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• Valid driver's license required. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois license within 90 days of hire. Valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents.

DESIRABLE/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates degree or four years equivalent combination of training and/or experience preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in industry emergency response and preparedness preferred.
• Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position, but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. This is a full-time position which includes rotating weekends, evenings and holidays as assigned. Individual must gain a strong working understanding of departmental operations and procedures, BZC's mission, vision, values and operating philosophies and how work activities impact the operation of the zoo and other departments. Must learn and apply BZC standards for security and privacy. Must learn the BZC Police department standard operating procedures within three months of hire. Position requires the use of sound, independent judgment in the command of subordinates to ensure provision of effective services. Assignments and instructions are given from the Police Chief and Lieutenant who review and evaluate work methods and results through reports, observations and discussions. Supervisory responsibilities are focused on field supervision of the Patrol Officers and Park Safety Officers. Must maintain firearm qualifications. Must represent the department and BZC in a courteous and professional manner at all times. Police K9s may be housed and operate out of the Police Department building. These dogs are trained K9s that are approachable, friendly, and socially trained to work with staff and guests. As the dogs may spend time in and around the Police Department building, canine shedding and dander may be present. Brookfield Zoo Chicago may require an employee to take and pass a physical examination to determine the employee's ability to meet the essential functions of the job. This may include vaccinations, blood tests, hearing tests, or other such medical testing or procedures as deemed reasonably necessary for the job and/or required by law.

If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the BZC Career Portal www.brookfieldzoo.org/careers and use the Advanced Search feature to look for requisition 179 to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile.

We are pleased that you are considering joining our dedicated team at Brookfield Zoo Chicago (BZC). Below is a summary of Brookfield Zoo Chicago's generous employee benefits.

Non-Union Full-Time Employees

Eligibility: Eligible employee is defined as a regular, full-time employee who is regularly scheduled to work a minimum of 35 hours or more per week. Coverage begins on the date of hire. Have a family? You can also cover your spouse, civil union partner, and/or eligible children who are under age 26.

Time away from work: Paid Time Off (PTO) is accrued based on Years of Service and pay grade on a per-pay-period basis starting on the date of hire. Unused PTO time carries forward from one calendar year to the next to a specified maximum. Below are the equivalent amounts employees, who work 8 hours per day or 10 hours per day, earn in a 12-month period. An employee's pay grade is included in the job description.