Community Service Officer (Part-Time)

City of Lake Forest, 255 W. Deerpath, Lake Forest, IL 60045 • 847-810-3531 • davisca@cityoflakeforest.com • www.cityoflakeforest.com

About the role

Are you an aspiring law enforcement professional looking to gain invaluable field experience? Do you have strong communication skills and a passion for helping your community? The City of Lake Forest is seeking a dedicated and community-minded Community Service Officer to support our Police Department. As a uniformed, unarmed civilian, you will work directly alongside our sworn police officers, gaining a deep understanding of police procedures, tactics, and operations. This position provides an environment that actively encourages the development of your problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication skills, setting a strong foundation to help you become a certified law enforcement officer at a local, county, or state agency.

Responsibilities

• Public & Community Service:
  • Work directly with the public to handle, de-escalate, and resolve non-criminal complaints.
  • Provide traffic control at vehicle accidents, active construction zones, and designated school crossing details.
  • Assist with equipment set-up, crowd control, and traffic routing for city-sponsored and community events.
  • Conduct routine visibility patrols in commercial districts and high-violation parking zones.
• Calls for Service & Reports:
  • Write comprehensive, accurate incident reports for minor crimes, property damage, and non-injury traffic accidents.
  • Manage walk-in citizen requests, process station reports, and answer non-emergency telephone inquiries.
  • Apply and interpret local municipal codes to deliver accurate information to residents, visitors, and department staff.
• Ordinance Enforcement:
  • Issue citations for violations of local regulations, including parking restrictions, animal control laws, and city vehicle compliance.
  • Investigate animal control complaints, handle reported animal bites, and process required quarantine paperwork.
  • Safely capture, restrain, and transport stray, injured, or lost domestic pets and local wildlife to designated shelters.
• Departmental Support:
  • Transport department vehicles and specialized equipment to and from municipal garages or repair facilities.
  • Retrieve and deliver documents, evidence, and specialized gear as authorized by department supervisors.
  • Support sworn personnel with data entry, evidence logging, and general administrative tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Graduate or GED equivalent.
• Valid Illinois Driver's License.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to read, write, and speak clearly.
• Ability to work well under pressure and function at a high level under hectic, fast-paced conditions.
• Working knowledge of standard productivity software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook) and the adaptability to learn proprietary police Records Management Systems (RMS) and electronic ticketing software.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Must successfully pass a Police Department pre-employment screening process.
• Must be available to work an irregular schedule tailored to city needs, including rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-backs.
• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, kneel, squat, and handle unpredictable animals in various outdoor climates.

Benefits

• IMRF pension
• Vacation time

Pay

Anticipated Hiring Rate: $21.00/hour, depending on qualifications
Full Pay Range: $16.80 - $31.36/hour

Schedule

Part-time: approximately 32 hours per week

Why Join the City of Lake Forest?

• Be part of a progressive, professional, and supportive team that helps keep the Lake Forest safe, orderly, and responsive.
• Support crucial field operations, public safety initiatives, community events, and Police Department functions that are essential to a transparent and effective local government.
• Use your strong communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills in a dynamic civilian role where your accuracy and dedication truly matter.
• Work directly alongside sworn officers in a collaborative environment that values trust, respect, excellence, and integrity.
• Help protect the daily life of a vibrant community and gain invaluable knowledge on which you can launch a successful career in public safety.