STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Police Officer

Recruitment #211102-9035PS-001

Introduction




The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

DMHAS seeks qualified individuals for two (2) positions of Police Officer (Hazardous Duty) within our Safety Services Division. These positions are full time, 40 hours weekly, every other weekend off. The location and shift for each position is To Be Determined. The position numbers are 24430 & 126194.

Our mission is to maintain a safe and secure environment of care, in a recovery-oriented healthcare agency, through leadership and partnership, based on trust and understanding with the community we serve. We are committed to providing service with understanding, response with compassion, performance with integrity and law enforcement with impartiality and professionalism.

We have approximately 70 sworn police officers, augmented by building and grounds patrol officers, dispatchers, and other civilian support staff. In a recovery-oriented healthcare service agency, the DMHAS Police have an exciting challenge in providing quality services through traditional law enforcement functions and safety and security management activities which are critical to maintaining compliance required for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and other regulatory entities.

Your duties would entail:
  • Receiving assignments from superior officers;
  • Monitoring designated areas such as the parking lots, garage, main entrance, and cafeteria, to ensure physical security and safety of patients, staff and visitors;
  • Operating CCTV equipment; and
  • Responding to and therapeutically intervene (verbally/physically) in emergency situations involving behavioral health patients.
You will also:
  • Obtain, prepare and transmit information for missing persons teletypes;
  • Provide patient and staff safety education and training;
  • Assist hospital’s Safety Director in carrying out assigned responsibilities related to JCAHO Accreditation;
  • Report, document and take such actions which will protect the safety of others, of observed/reported unsafe/hazardous conditions;
  • Assist in evacuation procedures;
  • Provide outside emergency response personnel, i.e., fire, ambulance, Hazmat, etc. access to locked areas;
  • Conduct, evaluate and document quarterly fire drills;
  • Issue employee photo ID badges and parking stickers;
  • Respond to pharmacy and door alarms; and
  • Escort employees as requested.
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off! We also promote a healthy work-life balance to all employees.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

*You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

As a reminder:

  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

For more information, we encourage you to contact the recruiter for this position at Chanhda.Ly@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency, college or university, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the protection, safety and security of individuals and property with full police powers and responsibility for law enforcement.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The Police Officer may perform a combination or concentration of the following functions on a fixed or rotating basis as directed by the agency:

  1. SECURITY: Provides crowd control at various events and activities; monitors designated areas to ensure physical security and authorized access in order to prevent theft, trespass, vandalism or violation of state statutes or regulations; gives directions and routine information to the public; participates in evacuation activities in event of fire, bomb threats or other potential disasters; operates firefighting apparatus if needed; may conduct cruiser or foot patrols; may conduct bicycle patrols as weather permits.
  2. PROTECTION: Provides traffic and/or crowd control; assesses nature of further assistance needed and makes timely and appropriate arrangements; may gather background information and provide threat assessments regarding high risk locations, safety of persons or property, biological or physical threats; may respond to emergency situations and provide CPR or first aid to injured parties; may transport or escort couriers with currency and prisoners or Absent Without Leave (AWOL) persons; may assist in search for escaped patients or inmates; may assist State Police in investigation of major criminal acts; may be required to maintain building security and perform patrol duties at time of heightened alert level under Homeland Security procedures.
  3. ENFORCEMENT: Directs traffic and enforces motor vehicle and parking regulations; may initiate and conduct criminal and other investigations of violations, suspicious activities or reports of incidents occurring within jurisdiction; may conduct on site investigations, question witnesses, arrest individuals at scene and issue summons.
  4. ADMINISTRATION: Records information; applies for and serves arrest warrants; processes paperwork on arrests and activity reports; arranges surety and non-surety bond payments or Written Promise to Appear (WPA); provides court testimony; conducts special programs, projects and services as required; may process arrested individuals including determining charges, fingerprinting, photographing, initiating National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) check, searching, removing and inventorying personal belongings and transporting arrested persons to lock up; may conduct various safety training, certification and/or recertification courses; may perform minor equipment repairs; may make public presentations regarding crime prevention and safety; may serve as dispatcher; performs related duties as required.
  5. CONNECTICUT LOTTERY CORPORATION: May enforce gaming regulations for Connecticut Lottery Corporation and casinos.
  6. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION:  Assists Conservation Enforcement Officers in the enforcement of state laws and regulations pertaining to fish, wildlife, parks, forests, boating, snowmobiling and the use of department owned or leased land facilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of police and security practices and procedures; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of traffic and crowd control practices and procedures; knowledge of criminal law and court procedures; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to analyze emergency situations and develop effective courses of action; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Connecticut pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.
Note: Candidates with a pending certification status may be employed on a temporary basis pending re-certification by the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

Successful completion of prescribed training and probationary requirements set forth in the class of Protective Services Trainee.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Applicants must be United States citizens.
2. Candidates for this class are subject to selection standards pursuant to Section 7-294-a-e of the Connecticut General Statues and the regulations of the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council.
3. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain authority from the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to “arrest and present before a competent authority any person for any offense committed within his precinct.” (Connecticut General Statutes 29-18 and/or 10a-142)
4. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Connecticut pursuant to Section 7-294-a-e of the Connecticut General Statutes and the regulations promulgated by the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council. Loss of certification will result in removal from the class.
5. Incumbents in this class may be required to maintain certifications pursuant to the regulations of the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council and/or agency requirements.
6. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle operator’s license.
7. Incumbents in this class may be required to obtain and retain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification
8. Incumbents in this class must be eligible and qualified to bear arms.
9. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
10 Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Incumbents in this class will be required to obtain and retain a Standard First Aid certificate and CPR certificate and participate in any job related training sessions.
11. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Incumbents in this class must be willing to accept assignments or transfers to any region of the state consistent with departmental policies or stipulations and work a flexible schedule.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made before persons are certified for appointment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must have general good health, be free from any disease or injury which would impair health or usefulness and possess and retain sufficient physical strength, stamina, agility, endurance and visual and auditory acuity required, to perform the duties of the class. A physical fitness assessment will be required of all applicants.
2. A comprehensive medical examination, including a controlled substance screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
3. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Incumbents in this class must be able to pass a swim test including swimming 100 yards within four (4) minutes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to unpleasant and/or dangerous situations which could cause injury or loss of life, to uncomfortable weather conditions and/or to confinement within a vehicle for prolonged periods.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.