*Lateral Police Officer at City of San Marcos, TX, TX

About the Department

The City offers a Lateral Entry Program. Eligible TCOLE certified candidates may be placed up to $87,634.96 year depending on qualifications.

Hiring Incentive: Officers hired from this list will be eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive with $2,500 paid at hire and $2,500 paid upon successful completion of training.

Physical Fitness Assessment:

Candidates should be prepared to take the Physical Fitness Assessment: 

Applicants will be required to submit a Personal History Statement and required supporting documents i.e. high school transcripts, college transcripts, training documents to the San Marcos Police Department electronically to: [email protected]. You will not be required to submit your Personal History Statement if you do not pass the physical fitness assessment.  You will be contacted by email with information regarding a Personal History Statement.

Due to the requirements in the Personal History Statement, please begin collecting the needed documents and information ASAP.  If you have additional questions, call 512.393.8000 for a Human Resources representative to assist you.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma/graduate; or 12 semester hours credit from an accredited college or university and has passed a general educational development (GED) test indicating high school graduation level (Applicants with a GED must submit a certificate by the issuing agency (i.e.: Texas Education Agency))
• Valid Texas Driver's License with acceptable driving record required.
• Age: Must be not more than 50 years of age at the time of hire.
• Have at least one (1) year prior work experience as a full-time commissioned peace officer with similar duties in a comparable law enforcement agency.

Other Qualifications

CORE COMPETENCIES 

• Must be able to read and comprehend legal, administrative, and training literature, policies, procedures, training manuals, maps, incident and offense reports, court documents, subpoenas, intelligence reports, court documents, citations, memos, reports, forms, narratives, and diagrams.
• Must be able to write technical reports including details and observations of incidents, accidents, and offenses. Other documentation such as citations, forms, diagrams, memos, letters, general correspondence, affidavits, search warrants, and proposals. Clear sentence structure, accurate grammar, and spelling required for all documents.
• Must comprehend basic math including, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, weights and measures, and percent calculation with regard to accident reconstruction.
• Must be able to reason and quickly analyze complex information in emergency or dangerous situations and make decisions of a life and death nature; Ability to mediate to resolve conflict; maintain self-discipline during stressful conditions; maintain concentration, and flexibility at scenes involving multiple suspects/situations. Ability to weigh options and select the best course of action.
• Must be able to communicate with individuals who may be irrational, irate, hysterical, aggressive, non-communicative, passive, injured, physically or mentally ill. Makes attempt to verbally calm others, explain laws, legal procedures and legal rights and processes to victims, suspects and citizens. Ability to interview and interrogate. Communicates with other officers, civilians, court officials, and other agencies. Effectively communicates with persons of diverse backgrounds and various conditions. Promotes a team-oriented work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Works indoors and outdoors.  Exposed to various climate conditions including extreme heat, cold, humidity, dust and precipitation for extended periods of time.  May work outside for long periods of time on calls for service, at crime scenes, in follow-up investigations, and conducting or participating in training exercises.  May be exposed to climate fluctuation from controlled/non-controlled (in/out of vehicle or building) and exposed to hazardous substances.

Physical requirements include lifting up to 75 pounds occasionally.  Subject to sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, handling, fine dexterity, vision, hearing talking foot controls, standing, pushing, pulling, reaching, smelling, running, kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting, bending, climbing and balancing.   Working conditions involve ability to drive sit for extended periods of time, patrol, participate in physical training exercises, walking frequently on asphalt and all types of surfaces and terrain, moving objects and equipment, restraining suspects, interacting with the general public, issuing citations, testifying in court, pull victims from accident scenes, perform traffic control, occasional exposure to variable and/or extreme weather conditions and infectious diseases.   

Safety Sensitive Position.