Community Service Officer

South St. Paul Police Department is seeking a part-time Community Service Officer (CSO). This non-sworn position supports the department’s mission by providing essential services to all divisions and performing tasks as assigned by superior officers.

Responsibilities

• Respond to calls for service and emergencies as directed, both on and off duty.
• Handle all animal control functions, including:
  • Animal pickup and transport, with required documentation for the Department and South St. Paul Animal Hospital.
  • Response to complaints involving nuisance animals, animal welfare, and other issues.
  • Follow-up investigations and issuance of summons for violations.
  • Maintenance of Animal Control equipment, supplies, forms, and written materials.
• Ensure safety and security of City-owned parks, including:
  • Locking and unlocking shelters, restrooms, and other park facilities.
  • Verifying dog park users have the required pass.
• Maintain police fleet vehicles by:
  • Ensuring vehicles are serviced at proper intervals and delivering them to service facilities.
  • Maintaining service documentation.
  • Cleaning vehicles, both exterior and interior.
• Monitor and replenish squad supplies, including forms, first aid equipment, traffic control gear, and personal protective equipment.
• Report damage, loss, or improperly operating equipment to a supervisor.
• Conduct patrols by squad, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot to observe and report suspicious activities, provide citizen assists, and perform routine duties such as:
  • Extra patrol and vacation home checks.
  • Positioning and monitoring the “speed trailer.”
  • Building checks and monitoring crime areas.
  • Patrolling parks and schools.
• Handle minor calls (e.g., thefts, vandalism) as directed by a supervisor or dispatch, and report similar situations encountered during duty.
• Assist with traffic control and direction only when directed by a superior officer.
• Enforce parking regulations, respond to parking complaints, and conduct follow-up on overtime parking and other pending complaints, with special attention to:
  • High traffic and high school areas.
  • Restricted, timed, and “resident only” parking zones.
  • Handicap parking areas.
• Respond to abandoned or found bike calls and complete pending bike-related tasks.
• Perform vehicle unlocks, check “fix-it” tickets, handle fingerprinting requests, and conduct “Safe Streets” checks.
• Respond to medical calls (Code 2 only) when directed and no other squad is available.
• Manage property room duties, including checking in and releasing property, if assigned.
• Inspect and complete tasks in various department areas at the start of each shift, including:
  • Jail Area: Retrieve used blankets for cleaning.
  • Booking Area: Verify and replenish jail supplies, fingerprint cards, Intoxilizer mouthpieces, and forms.
  • Clerical Area: Complete communications and deliveries.
  • Garage Area: Keep squad stalls clear of property.
• Perform clerical duties as directed by a supervisor.
• Maintain excellent public relations through courteous communication with the public, other departments, and agencies.
• Respond to inquiries in person, by telephone, or electronically, providing information, directions, and referrals as appropriate.
• Participate in public relations activities, crime prevention programs, and awareness initiatives as directed.
• Issue citations for ordinance violations and testify in court as required.
• Wear the CSO uniform only when officially acting in the capacity of a CSO.
• Use all required personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with routine uniform and equipment inspections.
• Display “Community Service Officer” placards on the assigned vehicle (short-term transport of other vehicles exempt).
• Drive with due regard for safety and vehicle condition.
• Maintain a professional demeanor, neat appearance, and courteous conduct in difficult situations.
• Keep superior officers informed of developments and unusual or sensitive occurrences.
• Support the department’s traffic mitigation program, including speed trailer deployment, vehicular counts, and monitoring.
• Cover front office reception when support staff is unavailable.
• Transport prisoners and others to Dakota County Jail, detox, and other destinations as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Age 18 or older.
• Currently enrolled in, or a graduate of, a post-secondary law enforcement program.
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Valid Minnesota driver’s license with no suspensions or revocations within the past five years.
• Ability to pass a background check.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary two- or four-year law enforcement program (desired).
• Conversational ability in a second language, preferably Spanish (desired).
• Formal training in crime prevention, evidence processing, security, and first aid (desired).

Skills

• Working knowledge of city ordinances, state and federal laws, and rules of evidence within the scope of responsibility.
• Ability to quickly acquire knowledge and skill in the behavior, habits, care, and handling of domestic and non-domestic animals.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, set priorities, organize workload, handle multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, and maintain regular attendance.
• Strong public relations skills to resolve disputes and problems through verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Professionalism in working with colleagues and the public, with a courteous and tactful manner.
• Effective verbal and written communication in English, including clear explanations and concise report writing.
• Ability to evaluate situations, innovate, improvise, and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.
• Physical ability to:
  • Sit and stand for long periods.
  • Walk or run on slippery surfaces and follow animals on foot over varied terrain, including climbing fences and walls.
  • Climb stairs and ladders, and crawl under objects.
  • Perform strenuous activities (e.g., rapid stair climbing) in all weather conditions while wearing body armor and equipment.
  • Administer first aid and assist the Fire Department as needed.
  • Handle equipment and animals with sufficient grip strength.
  • Drive a motor vehicle for long periods in congested traffic, day or night, and in all environmental conditions.
  • Frequently enter and exit a motor vehicle during a shift.
  • Balance while handling weighted equipment.
  • Lift or carry equipment from floor to overhead.
  • Push and pull objects using total body movements.
  • Walk long distances while carrying weighted gear or leading/carrying an animal.
• Normal hearing range with the ability to hear and understand spoken English at a normal conversational level.