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Job Information
BOWLING GREEN, CITY OF – POLICE DIVISION
305 N. MAIN STREET
BOWLING GREEN, OHIO 43402
4193546202
Updated: May 21, 2024
Job Classification: Entry Level Police Officer
The City of Bowling Green is testing to fill vacancies in 2024. These positions are open to candidates who possess:
· Associate Degree or 96 quarter-hours or 64 semester-hours towards a Bachelor’s Degree. Post-secondary education must be obtained from an accredited college or university. Proof of education is required at the time of application
or
· Current Ohio Peace Officer Training Council Certification or currently enrolled in an OPOTA Peace Officer Training program. Proof of enrollment is required at the time of application
or
· Two (2) or more years of active duty military service occurring within five (5) years of application with Honorable Discharge. A candidate’s DD Form 214 documenting an honorable discharge is required at the time of application
JOB DESCRIPTION: The job description for the position of Police Officer is available at www.bgohio.org/DocumentCenter/View/391/Police-Officer-PDF Please visit the Bowling Green Police Division’s webpage for more detailed information on our agency (www.bowlinggreenpolice.org/) or follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter) or Instagram.
UNION CONTRACT: The newly negotiated Bowling Green Police Patrolman’s Association OPBA collective bargaining agreement (here-in-after referred to as “Union Contract”) is available at https://www.bgohio.org/DocumentCenter/View/314/Bowling-Green-Police-Patrolmans-Association-OPBA-PDF
SALARY INFORMATION: The 2024-2027 Union Contract provides for a starting base rate of $32.69 per hour ($67,995.00 annually) with a top-out pay of $42.31 per hour PLUS training incentives of up to $2.34 per hour ($92,872.00 annually), after four years of service. The shift differential is $0.50 per hour for afternoon and midnight shifts, and an additional $0.50 per hour is required for all shifts worked on the weekends. At the City’s discretion, officers hired with prior experience may be placed anywhere within the appropriate pay grade, pursuant to the Union Contract. Officers have additional opportunities for regular and contract overtime. We also offer an annual fitness incentive of up to $1,200.00 and a uniform allowance of $1,000.00 per year. Those offered employment without OPOTA certification and not enrolled in an academy will be sent to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy (all expenses paid by the City) while earning an hourly wage of $32.69 as outlined above.
PROMOTIONAL INFORMATION: Officers hired will have to serve five (5) years with the Bowling Green Police Division to be eligible for promotion, as established in the Union Contract.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Police Officers must serve a one (1) year probationary period.
BENEFIT INFORMATION: The City of Bowling Green offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance coverage, City-sponsored life insurance, and participation in the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund. Additionally, the Bowling Green Police Division offers the following paid benefits: 11 holidays (paid at a double time if worked), sick leave, generous vacation time, and job-related training opportunities. Leave policies are flexible, and accrual rates are very competitive. For additional information, refer to the Union Contract and the City’s website at https://www.bgohio.org/241/Employee-Benefits
Additionally, City employees have access to Ohio Deferred Compensation (457b) – a voluntary supplemental retirement plan for public employees that provides additional retirement savings through pre-tax salary deferral.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
· Age: In accordance with Section §33.08 of the Bowling Green Municipal Ordinance, original appointments to Police Officers must occur between the ages of 21 and 41. The age restriction is permitted by the Public Safety Exemption to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act [29 U.S. Code 623(j)].
· Education/Experience: Identified above under Job Classification
· Citizenship: Must be eligible to work in the United States of America
· Driver’s License: Must possess a valid Ohio Driver’s License
APPLICATION PROCESS:
1. National Testing Network (NTN)*: All candidates must complete and pass the law enforcement tests (reading and writing) offered by the National Testing Network (NTN). The National Testing Network (NTN) requires the video portion but is not used as a scoring component by the Bowling Green Police Division. Candidates who tested with the NTN during the prior year must apply their scores to Bowling Green’s current posting to be considered. NTN scores must be valid (not expired) on the application deadline of 06/18/24. NOTE: Any cost (time or money) for taking the NTN exam is the responsibility of the candidate.
Candidates must complete the public safety self-assessment (PSSA) and the NTN personal history questionnaire (PHQ). Candidates can access the questionnaire through their candidate account on NTN. The PHQ must be completed by 06/18/24, or you will not be considered.
To register with NTN and schedule a test, go to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, select ‘Finding Jobs’, then select ‘Law Enforcement Jobs,’ and sign up for the Bowling Green Police Division under the State of Ohio tab. Please access the NTN website above for additional information and system requirements.
When you visit the NTN website, you must:
· Complete the NTN registration process and schedule your test.
· Review all information related to the City of Bowling Green Entry-Level Police Officer position, including minimum requirements, age requirements, veteran’s credit, currently certified officers, salary, and benefits.
· Review detailed information about the testing process.
· Review the “Frequently Asked Questions”.
· You may also take an online practice test if desired.
Scores are available to the City of Bowling Green upon completion of your scheduled exam. The City will contact candidates who have passed all portions of the NTN examination AND completed a City employment application (more details below) to schedule the physical ability test.
Veteran’s Credit: Section 7.01 of the City’s Charter provides for an additional credit of 10% of a passing test score for Honorably Discharged Veterans. A candidate’s DD 214 form, documenting an Honorable Discharge, must be submitted at the time of application in order to be eligible for the veteran’s credit. Veteran’s credit will NOT be added to a failing written examination score.
* The National Testing Network is a service provided to conduct entry-level testing in a standardized, professional environment. NTN does not replace the City of Bowling Green’s responsibility and decision-making in the testing and hiring process. All candidate results are provided to the City, where the final hiring decisions are made.
2. Physical Ability Test: A physical ability test is required for candidates who pass the NTN exams and submit an employment application to the City of Bowling Green by 06/18/24. The components of the test are outlined in the Ohio Attorney General’s Guidelines to Becoming a Police Officer, available at www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/How-to-Become-a-Peace-Officer-in-Ohio. In order to be considered further in the hiring process, candidates must pass the entrance standards identified in the ‘Start’ column (i.e., 32 sit-ups and 19 pushups in one (1) minute based on age and gender).
The Police Division will contact candidates to schedule their physical ability test upon submission of the City application and completion of the NTN testing. Those who pass the NTN exams, submit a completed employment application, and pass the physical ability test by the 06/18/24 deadline will have their scores submitted to the Bowling Green Civil Service Commission for certification.
3. City Employment Application: All candidates must complete a City employment application, available at https://bgohio-helpcenter.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/31057 The City is accepting applications from 05/21/24 through 06/18/24. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on 06/18/24.
HIRING PROCESS: Pursuant to Section 7.01 of the City’s Charter, entry-level Police Officer vacancies are filled by appointment, following certification by the City’s Civil Service Commission. The five (5) applicants with the highest standing will be considered eligible for vacancies. Hires will be made from that certified eligibility list.
Candidates who attain a passing score on all sections of the NTN entry-level written exam, pass the physical ability test , and complete the employment application, all by the advertised deadline, will be considered for the City’s eligibility list based on their written test score and any applicable Veteran’s credit.
Questions can be directed to Human Resources at [email protected].
The City of Bowling Green is an equal-opportunity employer.
The Bowling Green Police Division is a Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency.