Community Service Officer

About the role

This non-sworn position provides essential support to the police department by handling a wide range of non-emergency public safety, administrative and community service functions. The role involves patrolling assigned areas, responding to non-criminal calls, enforcing municipal codes, assisting with traffic control, assisting the public at the front desk, and performing various clerical duties.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for the police station, courteously greeting visitors, and professionally answering non-emergency calls.
• Provide assistance to the public, including helping with the process of filing complaints, explaining how to complete forms, and directing individuals with complex issues to the appropriate supervisor.
• Accurately collect various fees from the public, process payments, and issue permits.
• This includes handling currency, conducting daily audits of cash drawers, and making daily deposits.
• Explain the tow process, complete tow releases, and collect associated fees, with verification from a supervisor.
• Prepare a wide range of departmental correspondence, including letters, notices, and forms.
• You will also provide copies of police and crash reports to the public, process tow releases, and assist with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) submissions.
• Cook up the return of lost, found, and recovered property to its rightful owners in collaboration with the Records Division.
• Perform a wide range of duties for patrol supervisors, including data entry, report processing, and maintaining department records to ensure smooth operations.
• Register Illinois sex offenders, violent offenders against youth, and arsonists in accordance with state requirements.
• Create and maintain comprehensive offender files for departmental review.
• Work closely with the Sex Offender Compliance Officer on investigations, reporting any possible violations of established laws.
• Review the criminal history of each offender to determine the correct offense category, ensuring full compliance with state standards.
• Ensure compliance with Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) and Concealed Carry License (CCL) laws.
• Assist with fingerprinting the public using electronic and/or inkless techniques.
• Support incident response and investigation, meeting with the public regarding non-emergency incidents such as lost property, minor accidents, and ordinance violations.
• Generate a comprehensive report when necessary, documenting all victim, witness, and potential suspect information.
• Conduct interviews with victims and witnesses to gather crucial information for a report and obtain recorded or written statements.
• Photograph injuries to people and property damage.
• Provide victims with information on available resources and support services, ensuring they are aware of their options.
• Act as a mandated reporter by reporting suspected incidents of neglect or abuse to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
• Refer community members to the appropriate social services agencies when their needs fall outside the scope of law enforcement.
• Report all criminal activity, emergencies, and suspicious behavior to dispatch and sworn officers to ensure a swift and appropriate response.
• Respond to subpoenas and provide credible testimony at court hearings when required.
• Provide assistance to non-English speaking, hearing, and speech-impaired individuals to ensure everyone can access necessary services.
• Identify, log, and register all vendors and visitors who enter the facility.
• Patrol assigned areas by foot or vehicle to ensure compliance with parking ordinances, regulations, and State laws.
• Mark tires and record times to enforce parking time limits; identify violators using provided resources.
• Issue ordinance violations or citations for parking violations, including improper use of designated zones, improper parking (e.g., crosswalks, sidewalks), and reserved area violations.
• Place warning tags on and arrange for the towing of abandoned or illegally parked vehicles.
• Maintain records of work performed, contested ordinance violations and citations, and surveillance of long-term parking violations.
• Provide parking enforcement at special events.
• Check operational conditions of enforcement vehicles and perform routine maintenance.
• Maintain assigned equipment and supplies (e.g., handheld citation devices, rain gear, chalk, radio).
• Respond to non-emergency calls for service, including minor traffic incidents, property-related complaints, and ordinance violations.
• Take police reports for non-emergency incidents such as lost property, minor accidents, and ordinance violations.
• Assist in traffic control at accident scenes, public events, and school crossings.
• Identify and report safety concerns such as road hazards, vandalized signs, abandoned vehicles, or other roadway defects (faded paint, damaged signs, obstacles) that impede enforcement or public understanding of laws.
• Report criminal activity, emergencies, and suspicious behavior to dispatch and sworn officers.
• Answer a wide variety of questions from the public regarding parking and traffic laws, locations of public buildings, municipal facilities, and community resources.
• Interact professionally with parking violators, who may at times be hostile or irate, and notify supervisors of interactions involving hostile or abusive behavior.
• Maintain records of enforcement activities, ordinance violations, citations, and public interactions.
• Utilize computer systems for generating reports and communication.
• Provide credible testimony in court regarding enforcement activities.
• Ensure compliance with Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) and Concealed Carry License (CCL) Laws by accepting invalid cards and completing applicable reporting procedures; contact local residents by phone regarding FOID/CCL privileges.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, problem-solving, de-escalation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise reports.
• Proficiency in typing at an accelerated pace.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and experience with database entry and report management systems.
• Familiarity with municipal codes, parking regulations, public safety procedures, and ability to research code repositories online.
• Knowledge of city streets and traffic laws.
• Experience with computer systems for data entry and report management.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work independently and handle challenging interactions.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to read and interpret maps.
• Ability to operate a city vehicle safely and observe traffic laws.
• Ability to become Law Enforcement Agency Data System (LEADS) certified.
• Ability to be professional and efficient.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to gather essential information and evidence.
• Ability to maintain a secure environment.

Skills

• Strong communication, problem-solving, de-escalation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise reports.
• Proficiency in typing at an accelerated pace.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and experience with database entry and report management systems.
• Familiarity with municipal codes, parking regulations, public safety procedures, and ability to research code repositories online.
• Knowledge of city streets and traffic laws.
• Experience with computer systems for data entry and report management.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work independently and handle challenging interactions.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to read and interpret maps.
• Ability to operate a city vehicle safely and observe traffic laws.
• Ability to become Law Enforcement Agency Data System (LEADS) certified.
• Ability to be professional and efficient.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to gather essential information and evidence.
• Ability to maintain a secure environment.

Benefits

• Healthcare/Wellness
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Opportunity to earn a Wellness Day each year
• Sick days earned each month, up to a maximum bank of 120 days
• Opportunity to earn additional benefits

Pay

Details below:

• Medical - choice between a lower deductible PPO, an HSA-compatible PPO, and an HMO
• All plans administered by BCBS
• 80% employer subsidy provided for employee, 73% subsidy provided if covering dependent(s)
• Working spouse exclusion applies, however, to the Medical Plan
• Dental - PPO
• Administered by BCBS
• 50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)
• Vision - PPO
• Administered by VSP
• 50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Extensive Wellness program, including an annual Health Club Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – for assistance with work, health & life topics such as overall wellbeing, relationship management, workplace challenges, addiction, child/elder care resources, legal advice, financial guidance, nutrition & physical health
• Paid Time Off (PTO) 80 hours vacation, provided on your start date
• 120 hours at 1-4 years of service
• 160 hours at 5-15 years of service
• 168 hours at 16 years of service
• 176 hours at 17 years of service
• 184 hours at 18 years of service
• 192 hours at 19 years of service
• 200 hours at 20 years of service
• 12.5 paid holidays each year
• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• 4th of July
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve (1/2 day)
• 2 personal days provided each year
• Opportunity to earn a Wellness Day each year
• 1 sick day earned each month, up to a maximum bank of 120 days
• Opportunity to earn additional benefits

Schedule

Typical schedule may include day, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Supplemental Information

Due to the restricted areas which may be accessed and the exposure to sensitive and confidential information, applicant must pass a thorough background investigation including criminal, personal and credit history check. Applicant will be subject to a polygraph examination covering any questions or information received as a result of the application, interview, testing or background process.