Drug Task Force Officer

NEXT TESTING DATE: OPEN UNTIL FILLED
LOCATION: RICHLAND COUNTY LAW & JUSTICE CENTER
300 12TH AVE. NW
SIDNEY, MONTANA 59270

• Are you the kind of person who loves to help others and would jump at the opportunity to help make their community a better place to live and work?

• Are you the kind of person who thrives working as a member of a team to overcome challenges and solve problems?

• Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your skills and embark on a rewarding career?

Then YOU just might be who we are looking for...

The Sidney Police Department is now accepting applications and resumes for the position of DRUG TASK FORCE OFFICER.

To apply click HERE.

This position is assigned to the Eastern Montana Drug Task Force (EMDTF). Ideal applicants will have a minimum of (2) years law enforcement experience and will be MT POST certified or have the ability to become MT POST certified.

Applications will be continually reviewed and applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited for testing.

Exceptional applicants may be contacted for immediate testing and interviews.

Why the Sidney Police Department?

The Sidney Police Department is a modern, full-service law enforcement agency whose core values are INTEGRITY, SERVICE, RESPECT, COMMUNITY and FAMILY. These are not just words on our website...they are our guiding principles, and everything we do is framed with those values in mind. We believe in SERVANT LEADERSHIP and the concept that service to others is the noblest of endeavors. Ideal applicants must have a desire to serve and personal values that align with our own. They also must have outstanding written and verbal communication skills, the ability to react quickly and effectively to stressful situations, excellent personal character, and a desire to learn.

Our mission is simple...to enhance the overall quality of life in our community, and we do it by partnering with the community to protect life, property, and the Constitutional rights of all people. To achieve that mission we hold our officers to the highest professional and personal standards, and are dedicated to ensuring our officers are provided with the best training, equipment, and support possible, and encourage professional growth at every opportunity. While we are a small department, with an authorized strength of 13 sworn officers, we can do big things.

Sidney is primarily an agricultural community of approximately 6,500 people located in eastern Montana near the North Dakota border. We are located in the heart of the Yellowstone Valley along the Yellowstone River. Our community is at the periphery of the Bakken oil shale exploration effort. The increase in oil production over the past decade and the associated service industry have brought dramatic changes to the Sidney, Richland County area.

DRUG TASK FORCE OFFICER POSITION DESCRIPTION

An Eastern Montana Drug Task Force (EMDTF or Task Force) Agent must be a duly sworn peace officer, meet the minimum requirements for the position of Peace Officer as outlined in the Montana Codes Annotated, be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, P.O.S.T. certified by the State of Montana and have prior investigative experience while assigned to duty with the EMDTF, as provided in the current EMDTF STATE AND INTER-LOCAL TASK FORCE AGREEMENT and work at the direction of the Task Force Supervisor. A Task Force Agent shall have the same powers, duties, privileges, responsibilities, and immunities throughout the jurisdiction of the EMDTF, as are conferred upon him/her as a Peace Officer in his/her respective jurisdiction.

The Officer assigned to the EMDTF by the Sidney Police Department must be a full-time officer and approved by the EMDTF Executive Board.

BENEFITS:

Wage: $32.91

Incentive Pay:

Education (per mo.)
Associate $50.00
Bachelor $100.00
Master's $150.00

POST Certificate (per mo.)
Intermediate $50.00
Advanced $100.00
Supervisory $125.00

Specialty Assignment Pay
Longevity Pay
Vacation accrued at 10 hours per month
Sick leave accrued at 8 hours per month
Holiday pay
Medical insurance
Municipal Police Officer Retirement System
All uniforms and duty gear are provided

SELECTION PROCESS:

The Sidney Police Department's selection process consists of the following:

Initial Phase:

• Montana POST application
• Resume

Testing Phase:

• National Police Officer Selection Test
• Oral Board Interview

Background Phase:

• Comprehensive background investigation
• Medical Examination
• Psychological Testing and Assessment
• Drug Testing

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt by the Sidney Police Department and applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited for testing. Exceptional applicants may be contacted for immediate testing and interviews.

Applicants invited for testing must complete the National Police Officer Selection Test, which is a 75-minute written examination consisting of four parts: Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Incident Report Writing. The successful applicant must pass each part of the National Police Officer Selection Test with a minimum of 70%.

Upon completion of testing and interviews, the scores from the written testing and oral board interview will be compiled and applicants' files will be reviewed by the selection committee. Selected applicants will receive a conditional offer of employment that is contingent upon successfully completing the remaining phases of the selection process.

Applicants who move onto the background investigation will be required to complete a personal history questionnaire, and all the information provided will be subject to verification. The background investigation will consist of reviewing and verifying the applicant's personal information, education and experience, employment history, criminal history, driving record, financial history, and may involve the background investigator contacting past and present employers, spouses, family, friends, neighbors, etc.

Upon successful completion of the background investigation, the applicant will be required to complete a psychological assessment with the Department's contracted psychologist followed by a pre-employment medical examination and drug screening before receiving a final offer of employment.

All new hires are subject to a one-year probationary period.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal applicants will have outstanding written and verbal communication skills, the ability to react quickly and effectively to stressful situations, excellent personal character, a desire to learn, and a willingness to serve.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a citizen of the United States
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must have a good driving record, and possess or ability to obtain a Montana driver's license by time of appointment
• Ability to obtain Montana POST certification within twelve (12) months of hire
• Ability to legally possess a firearm
• Must be of good moral character
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Willing and able to work nights, weekends, and holidays
• Knowledge and skills in operating computer systems
• Must be of sound physical and mental health
• Ability to perform essential functions of this position

Duties of a Task Force Agent shall include:

• Independently develops productive informants, either through personal work or referral by another law enforcement agency.
• Maintains proper documentation of informants and keeps contact reports updated.
• Properly expends and accounts for Imprest expenditures.
• Completes and submits voucher reports according to department/office policy and procedures, with no instances of improperly documented Imprest expenditures.
• Initiates and completes dangerous drug investigations, either personally or through a properly controlled/documented informant.
• Initiates and completes dangerous drug investigations in jurisdictions outside the county in which the Agent's office is located.
• Submits complete and thorough reports which accurately convey the facts identified through the investigation.
• Submits timely reports according to office policy and procedure.
• Ensures that evidence is properly packaged, labeled, submitted, and stored.
• Ensures that proper documentation and chain-of-custody of evidence is maintained, with no improperly documented evidence incidents.
• Develops, documents, and submits regular intelligence reports.
• Personally contact law enforcement agencies in the assigned area periodically to elicit cooperation, informants, and case referrals.
• Follows investigative protocol when conducting investigations.
• Per office and State procedures/policy, accurately completes travel expense vouchers, daily activity reports, and timesheets to allow for identification of time spent on each case, travel, mileage, and expenses.
• Per office policy and procedures, follows a case planning and management system.
• Maintains close communication with the regional supervisor and/or bureau chief regarding investigations and except in emergency situations, obtains supervisory approval before initiating any investigation.
• Contacts the supervisor, bureau chief, or office daily.
• Successfully completes firearms training/qualification.
• Maintains firearms and issued equipment in clean, proper, and working order.
• Maintains vehicle and vehicle equipment. Ensures vehicle is properly maintained and in good working order.
• Promotes a team concept within the Bureau by assisting other officers, displaying a positive attitude, and respecting other staff members' positions, workload, and personal feelings.
• Performs additional duties as assigned, over and above what is generally expected of a DCI Narcotics Agent, but not to the exclusion or neglect of their primary investigative responsibilities.

If you have any questions, please contact the Sidney Police Department at 406-433-2210 Monday through Friday 8:00 am -5:00 pm (MST) or by email at sidneypd@richland.org.