Senior Community Peace Officer

Brazeau County is currently seeking to fill a full-time permanent position for a Senior Community Peace Officer to join our Community Services department! This is a supervisory role to lead our CPO staff. Brazeau County provides great work-life balance including a health and wellness program with earned flex days off, and annual wellness days. If you have a background in law enforcement, supervisory experience, and enjoy the variety of work within a rural municipality, this may be the right fit for you!

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Community Peace Officer (CPO) is responsible for ensuring efficient and effective delivery of services, work plan, and performance.  This role is responsible for community awareness and enforcement of Municipal bylaws and provincial Statutes as approved by the province of Alberta.

The Senior CPO will assist with Emergency response agencies, County departments, and outside agencies as required. This position will professionally promote public awareness and education while striving to achieve voluntary compliance. The program is delivered through a proactive, preventative, educational, and highly visible patrol program.

As a supervisory position for the County’s CPO Level 1 staff, the Senior CPO must be sensitive to not only operational requirements, but also scrutiny of the program and associated actions of staff members by stakeholders, the public, and the media. A constant focus on professionalism and safety of Peace Officers performing traffic safety enforcement is paramount, given that work is performed within continually evolving, ever-changing, and potentially dangerous environment.

Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Senior CPO include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Enforcement/Investigation

• Although this is a supervisory role, the Senior CPO is expected to provide rural patrol services for approximately 50% of their time.
• Patrols municipal roadways to ensure compliance of the Traffic Safety Act and other Acts and Regulations according to Solicitor General appointment, as well as all County Bylaws:
  
  • Enforces weight restrictions and infrastructure protection on municipal roads
  • Inspects and ensures compliance of Road Use Agreements;
  • Maintains accurate records regarding issuance of violation tickets and summons by County CPO’s
  • Develops and reviews the Traffic Management Plan to ensure proper implementation
• Completes thorough, accurate, and professional investigations and files of all alleged breaches of Provincial and Federal Legislation and County Bylaws:
  
  • Completes court briefs and evidence for Crown Prosecutor and attends court
• Acts as direct liaison with police and all other enforcement agencies, including Crown Prosecutor’s office and Solicitor General’s department:
  
  • Develops business plans for joint operations within County and corresponds with appropriate agencies
  • Acts as Lead contact for coordination of joint agency task force operations such as long weekend traffic stops
  • Ensures high levels of coordination exist with stakeholders and partners with interests in the program, including other ministries, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), local and integrated law enforcement agencies, and provincial enforcement agencies
• Deliver CPO enforcement communications to the public in a calm, non-judgmental, unbiased, and friendly manner
• Collect evidence, conduct interviews, and perform other investigative functions
• Prepare professional testimony in court and prepare/produce evidence to support prosecutions
• Report all incidences in approved reporting software (including MRF, JOIN, ROADS/MOVES, etc.,) in accordance with governing legislation
• Document all incidences in accordance with governing legislation and operating policies

Public Awareness 

• Work with Brazeau County’s team to maintain positive public relations
• Participate in community relations, public education and safety, and crime prevention-related initiatives as assigned

Animal Control

• Respond to complaints, apprehend animals, provide safe rescue and release of animals, educate public, answer inquires, complete detailed reports, transport animals, appear and testify in court, maintain files, and liaise with outside agencies as required
• Maintains positive working relationship with any/all animal control contractors as required
• Liaison with rescue groups; and local veterinary clinic regarding canine control and other areas of concern

Leadership

• Completes reports to Council on CPO operations
• Provide regular reviews and amendments to Enforcement Services Policies and Procedures, and maintains CPOs Standard Operating Procedures
• Provide regular reviews and amendments to Municipal Bylaws
• Draft and develop new Municipal Bylaws as required
• Provide information and guidance to Senior Administration and County Council on priorities, policies, procedures, and other items relating to Enforcement Services
• Preparation of annual operating and capital budgets and responsibility to remain within the budget parameters throughout the year

Administration

• Provides leadership to CPOs through assignment of tasks, files, and responsibilities:
  
  • Coordinates work schedules of CPO’s and ensure adequate coverage
  • Ensures a professional image when dealing with the public, courts, or other agencies
  • Reviews all files and tickets for accuracy and completeness and recommends further actions, if necessary
  • Conducts performance reviews of direct reports
  • Along with the Director of Community Services, investigates and reviews the use of force/discipline and other complaints against officers
  • Coordinates CPO’s public engagement and education activities
• Ensures all training and education courses for CPO’s are current and arranges for appropriate upgrading and training as required
• Ensures all the Alberta Solicitor General’s Policies and Directives are conveyed and adhered to by staff and coordinates and prepares documentation to Solicitor General, including audit requirements
• Ensures Department operations correspond with guidelines and Policies set out by the Solicitor Generals Community Peace Officer Program and Brazeau County policies
• Responsible for completing grant applications and other CPO-related documentation
• Prepares annual report to Alberta Justice and Solicitor General
• Assists with the annual budget preparations for the department including capital and operating expenditures. Monitors and reports expenditures throughout the year by entering purchase order requests for payment approvals by the Director.
• May be required to provide coverage for the Director of Community Services during extended absences.
• May be appointed as a lead position in the Brazeau County’s emergency management team and incident management team and will be required to obtain specific training for the assigned positions.
• Accountable for the work group’s compliance with the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations, and Codes and actively leads and participates in the County’s Health, Safety and Wellness Program
• Undertakes any other reasonable duty, commensurate with the classification and responsibility of the position, across the department to meet service priorities and business continuity requirements.
• May be required in the event of a municipal emergency to support the emergency operations centre and incident action/recovery plan

Decision Making/Independence

• Works with a high degree of independence and is required to liaise closely with the Director of Community Services
• A high level of discretion and confidentiality during public interactions while enforcing provincial statutes and municipal bylaws while dealing with the public and administration is required
• Issues with significant impact are referred and discussed with the Director of Community Services or designate as required

Competency Areas

Education/Training:

• Must possess a diploma or degree in Justice Studies or a related law enforcement field.
• A combination of equivalent education and experience in law enforcement may be considered.

License/Certifications/Designations:

• Must meet the requirements to be appointed as a Community Peace Officer Level 1 as required by the Solicitor General of Canada.
• Must pass a physical fitness (PARE) test within the past six months.
• RADAR/LIDAR certification or the ability to obtain and maintain for traffic enforcement duties.
• Shotgun Operators course training is required to be obtained during employment
• Animal Control training is required to be obtained during employment.
• A valid Class 5 License is required and must be maintained throughout employment.
• A satisfactory Five-Year Commercial Driver’s Abstract is required.
• A satisfactory Criminal Record Check is required throughout the course of employment. A Vulnerable Sector Check clearance may be required if working with youth on a regular basis.
• Incident Command System 300 Certification will be required to obtain.

Experience/Knowledge/Skills:

• A minimum of seven years of related law enforcement experience is required.
• A minimum of two years experience in a managerial capacity including supervisory responsibilities is considered an asset.
• Prior municipal experience, including bylaw enforcement is considered an asset.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a high proficiency for report writing and editing.
• Ability to act as a team member with internal and external contacts is necessary to establish and maintain positive working relationships
• The ability to work under minimal supervision in administering, directing, and resolving issues
• Clear and confident presentation skills with the ability to address different audiences when required.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, produce accurate results, delegate tasks, and meet deadlines. Must be able to manage time effectively between field and administrative priorities.
• Experience providing guidance and direction in times of emergency and elevated stress
• Effective writing ability and computer skills are required to perform in this position
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to deal effectively with complaint investigation and resolution with excellent listening, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to maintain and uphold and handle complex issues and confidential information in an ethical and professional manner, and with a high level of confidentiality

• The individual should have knowledge of safe handling of domestic animals, including various animal breeds and species

• Extensive knowledge and application of provincial statutes and municipal bylaws are necessary to effectively perform the duties required of a municipal enforcement officer.

Classification and Compensation:

• Full-time permanent, including benefits and pension.
• Some shift work including weekends and evenings may be required.
• Hours of work are Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (37.5 hours per week), this is subject to modified hours from time to time depending upon CPO coverage needs.
• Participates in the earned Flex Day program.
• The annual salary range is $94,823 to $125,711 

• The salary will be based upon the successful candidate's education, experience, and skills.