Police Officer – Entry Level

Job Information

SALEM, CITY OF – POLICE DEPARTMENT
333 DIVISION ST NE
SALEM, OREGON 97301
(503)588-6212
https://www.cityofsalem.net/police

Updated: February 28, 2024

Police Officer – Entry Level

Salary: $33.93 – $43.34 Hourly

Location: Salem, OR

Job Type: Full Time-Career

Opening Date: 12/25/2023

Closing Date: 04/22/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Summary: https://youtu.be/QpuE07HlqGg

For benefits information, go to:

https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/jobs/employment-information/speu-police-employee-benefits

Salary: For information, see
https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/search.cfm?position=1#viewresults

Make an Impact:
As a law enforcement leader in the Pacific Northwest, the Salem Police Department is searching for outstanding candidates for the position of entry-level police officer. Our agency has a full complement of special teams and units to include: SWAT, Bomb Squad, Mobile Response Team, Crisis Negotiations Team, Strategic Investigations Unit, DEA Task Force, Detectives, Motorcycle Unit, Mountain Bike Unit, Crash Reconstructionist, Computer Forensics, Behavioral Health Unit, Training Division, Peer Support Team, Civil Investigations Team, and Patrol.

The Salem Police Department (SPD) is the recognized leader in our region for technology and training to better serve our community and neighboring agencies. We have a fleet of state-of-the-art patrol cars with the latest computer technology, cameras, automated license plate reader systems, and weapons platforms. As a Salem Police Officer, you will be issued your needed equipment including uniforms, weapons (handgun and rifle), boots, duty gear, iPhone, and more.

Only completed applications will be considered, and interviews are offered to those who have met the qualifications below.

What you will do:
As a City of Salem Police Officer, you will be patrolling assigned areas to enforce laws and ordinances. You will also answer and investigate citizen complaints, and reports, examine crime/accident scenes, and/or preserve evidence as needed. Some other assignments will include meeting with the public, community meetings, and/or presenting the public with information to keep their household, property, or themselves, safe.

What can we offer you for all your hard work? Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.

• Paid vacation and sick time per City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• Free, secure parking.
• Department gym available for employee use.
• The City offers an excellent compensation and benefits package which can be found by clicking here

What are the minimum qualifications? Must pass the NTN Frontline National Test (NTN) and submit valid test results to the City through NTN’s website by selecting SPD (valid test results are results that are current and no more than one year old from the time of application). If you are unable to select Salem PD as your preferred agency, please take a screenshot from a desktop computer (the candidate’s name must be represented in the screenshot or scores will not be accepted). After the applicable screenshot is taken, attach your scores to your application. To see what we accept as “passing” scores, please see the “Selection Process” details below.

Complete the Oregon Physical Agility Test (ORPAT) and submit valid test results to the Salem Police Department through the NTN website by selecting SPD. Please take a screenshot and attach your score to your application (the candidate’s name must be represented on the document). The City of Salem requires an ORPAT time of 6:30 minutes or less to be considered “passing”. Please note to graduate from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) you are required to complete the ORPAT in 5:30 minutes or less. (valid test results are current results and no more than one year old from the time of application).

If you have a valid and current Physical Agility Test (PAT) from another State or the Military showing that you are “passing”. You may submit your score by attaching it to your online City application. (valid test results are current results and no more than one year old from the time of application).

Be at least 21 years of age at the date of hire. If you are 20 years and 6 months of age, or greater, we encourage you to apply.

Be a US citizen, or the ability to attain citizenship within 18 months of hire
High school graduation diploma, or GED certificate.

Possess and maintain a valid Oregon class C driver’s license or other state equivalent and have a driving record that meets the City of Salem’s standards.

Must pass the pre-employment drug test (including marijuana).

Must pass the pre-employment background check and be able to pass strict Police Department background investigation.

Must be able to work periodic overtime and a variety of 24-hour rotating shifts including holidays and weekends.

The City of Salem application, NTN testing, and ORPAT must be completed on or before the job announcement closes, Monday, April 22, 2024. Please make sure you select SPD to send your score AND attach your score to your application. Applicants are responsible for contacting NTN and arranging for their testing.

Candidates who are hired will be eligible for a $100 reimbursement for the NTN and ORPAT testing costs.

If you need assistance with any of the following inquiries, or others not listed, please email those questions to [email protected]

• Questions regarding any of the required testing.
• Assistance locating NTN testing registration site.
• Assistance locating a local ORPAT testing facility.
• Need a desktop computer to log in and print testing results with your name on them (as directed in the minimum qualifications above).
• To view Upcoming Virtual Law Enforcement Examination Dates click on the link below, act quickly as schedule(s) fill up fast. (To look for virtual testing you need to select Washington.) https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/DisplaySiteSchedule.cfm

  Oregon’s minimum standards to work as a law enforcement officer and background disqualifiers can be found in OAR 259-008-0010-0070.

About us:
The Salem Police Department is the 4th largest agency in the State of Oregon. We are a full-service department to includes many special teams. Our new facility is a 104,000-square-foot building with many amenities for employees including an indoor/outdoor breakroom, and a work-out room/locker room.

The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population of over 170,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.

A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments:
Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community and Urban Development Department. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members.

The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department.

Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Police Officer or view by clicking here.

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You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings in the City.

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs

How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.

To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application.  Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.

Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system-generated email notifications.

EEO/Women, veterans, and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process:
Applicants must complete the application and submit valid test results for NTN and ORPAT (or out-of-state PAT equivalent). As a reminder please select SPD as one of the agencies to send your scores, which is the only way we will be able to see your scores. If you are not able to select SPD as an agency, please make sure to attach your scores to your application.

Preparation is Key:

• NTN
• You must achieve 70% on writing, 70% on reading, and 65% on video/media to be considered passing the City of Salem Police Department. Click here to see practice tests for the NTN exam, before taking your test if you desire.

To take the NTN Frontline National Test, select the City of Salem under Law Enforcement jobs by clicking here: NTN’s jobs listing. The Salem Police Department takes an average of your reading, writing, and video score to determine passing. You must have scores of 70% on writing, 70% on reading, and 65% on video/media score to pass. Typically the top 50 NTN applicants’ scores are selected to move forward for the first round of interviews. If not selected for an interview we encourage applicants to retake the NTN test to improve their score.

ORPAT:
You must achieve 6:30 minutes or less to be considered passing for the City of Salem Police Department. Click here to see what you can do to prepare for the ORPAT exam, before taking your test if you so desire.

For assistance locating a location to schedule the Oregon Physical Agility Test (ORPAT) click here: ORPAT. Submit valid test results through the NTN website by selecting SPD. If you are unable to select SPD as an agency please take a screenshot and upload your score in your application. Please make sure your name and passing scores are included in the screenshot. The ORPAT pre-employment requirement for SPD is 6:30 minutes or less. Please note to graduate from Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards Training you are required to complete the ORPAT in 5:30 minutes or less. An ORPAT result is considered valid if the results are dated six months or less from the time of application is submitted.

Out-of-state applicants: If you have a valid and current PAT test from another State or the Military that shows you have passed their exam; you may submit your score by attaching it to your online application, as long as it is no more than 12 months old from closing date of the announcement.

Finalists who successfully meet the qualifications listed above and complete the selection process (video assessment and panel interviews), and after receiving a conditional job offer, will go through an extensive background investigation, medical and psychological assessment, and drug testing. The City of Salem is a drug-free workplace, including marijuana.

Contact Information:
Sgt. Jeff Wiedemann
503-589-2129
[email protected]