Police Training Sergeant - Fort Valley State University

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (FVSU), a state and land-grant institution of the University System of Georgia, invites applications for the position of Police Training Sergeant.

Fort Valley State University, the only 1890 land-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2,800 students including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the state's peach industry. Its 1,365-acre (5.52 km2) campus is Georgia's second-largest public university in area.

Fort Valley State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or marital or veteran status.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Police Training Sergeant is responsible for the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of training programs for the Police Department to ensure that all personnel are highly qualified and well trained to perform their duties. Duties include coordinating the Police Department's field training, in-service, and specialized training programs and ensuring sworn employees meet training requirements established by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST).

In addition to the above duties, this position may also be responsible for first-line supervision and training of personnel assigned to a division of the Police Department, which may include Field Services, Investigative Services, or Support Services. The Sergeant performs a variety of administrative duties including directing and overseeing the activities of assigned personnel, reporting, staffing, training, evaluation and reviewing of various reports generated by personnel within assigned shift/unit. Work also consists of duties involving the preservation of public peace, protection of lives, property and rights of the public, enforcement of statutory laws and municipal ordinances, and other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans, organizes, and implements all aspects of training needs for sworn and non-sworn personnel. Reviews, maintains, updates, and submits employee training records to comply with the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) requirements.
• Oversee training curricula, materials, and personnel.
• Assesses departmental training needs and meets those needs by aligning with subject matter experts to design and deliver instruction.
• Develops training manuals, handbooks, and reference resources.
• Identifies internal and external training programs to address competency gaps. Reviews and evaluates course materials for completeness, accuracy, and relevance.
• Identifies, evaluates, and trains department instructors. Evaluate the delivery and effectiveness of courses provided through the Training Unit.
• Provides guidance to individual employees on training plans and resources. Presents and facilitates training programs. •Facilitates learning through a wide variety of delivery methods including classroom instruction, virtual training, and on the job training.
• Designs assessment tools to measure training effectiveness and reports assessment and design benchmarks for future training effectiveness.
• Evaluates and makes recommendations on training material, resources, and methodology.
• Maintains employee training records and on-going training needs.
• Coordinates and handles training logistics and activities including training venues and equipment.
• Sources and maintains relationships with external training vendors and suppliers.
• Manages and oversees training budget.
• Coordinates with the Office of Professional Standards (OPS) to guide recruits from hiring through training.
• Maintains regular contact with the appropriate academy about recruit progress.
• Reviews recruit performance oversees remediation training as necessary and recommends appropriate actions to the Division Commander.
• Manages the Field Training Officer (FTO) program by collecting and reviewing Daily Observation Reports, communicating regularly with the Field Training Officers, and maintaining policy compliance within the program.
• Prepares reports on the effectiveness of the FTO program as required by the Chief or designee.
• Manages and maintains police training equipment, rooms, and facilities.
• Manages scheduling of courses and ensures appropriate equipment and resources are available for instructors and attendees.
• Develops and maintain strong interagency relationships.
• Provide opportunities for partnering agencies to attend Police Department courses when available.
• Collaborates with local and regional law enforcement agencies on joint training opportunities.
• Assumes command of police personnel during training activities/classes.
• Monitors/supervises department personnel during training activities/classes to ensure effectiveness, safety, and policy compliance.
• Schedules firearms training activities to ensure proficiency throughout the department.
• Provides guidance to employees related to career development.
• Coordinates and schedules training for employees through regional academies.
• Maintains supplies necessary to complete training requirements.
• Communicates with Division Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders regularly to identify additional training needs of employees.
• Performs public relations duties, represents the department at meetings and other functions, and speaks on a variety of law enforcement topics to civic, neighborhood, church, and school groups and at professional meetings and conferences.
• Receives and responds to requests for information and complaints from the public regarding training activities, and requirements.
• Prepares reports as needed identifying training accomplishments and needs.
• Supervises and executes special details such as public gatherings and parades; performs special projects as directed by the Division Commander.
• Conducts equipment inspections to ensure Officer safety and policy compliance.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.
• Operates department vehicle in performance of duties.

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Education or GED required
• Certified Peace Officer under regulations of Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.); valid Georgia Driver's License; successfully pass pre-employment physical abilities test, medical and drug screen; satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR); and acceptable background investigation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent decision-making skills and the ability to think and act quickly

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in criminology, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience to include two (1) years at a supervisory level; four (4) years of experience in adult training methods, and managing, implementing and facilitating training programs in a law enforcement organization
• Certification as a General and/or Firearms Instructor through POST required; Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities for the job may be considered in lieu of educational requirement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, performance evaluation, human relations, communication techniques; and so forth.
• Ability to command respect of members of the department through exemplary leadership.
• Ability to recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient law enforcement training services.
• Ability to manage competing priorities on multiple projects. • Ability to prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports.
• Knowledge of modern police procedures, methods, techniques, and practices in patrol, crime prevention, investigation, and administration.
• Ability to serve in a law enforcement capacity in a responsible and effective manner under difficult, stressful, or life-threatening situations.
• Ability to analyze complex police problems and situations and to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances.
• Skill in the proper use and care of firearms.
• Ability to safely handle weapons and use force to restrain/subdue combative subjects.
• Ability to maintain all licenses, certifications, and qualifications required by position.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and respond quickly, calmly, decisively, and accurately to written and oral directions, instructions, inquires, and requests in all situations.
• Ability to observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places, and record information clearly and completely.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including City and other government officials, community groups, and the general public.
• Ability to foster appropriate intra and interagency communications.
• Ability to handle situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and impartially.
• Ability to facilitate effective conflict resolution.
• Ability to work independently or as a team member effectively within the guidelines of standard operating procedures, department rules and regulations, and within the scope of authority for the position.
• Ability to learn, display, and maintain all skills, knowledge, and abilities for performance of all duties and responsibilities, as outlined in this job description.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

Work is performed either in an office environment or in a variety of field and office settings and may require exposure to dangerous and life-threatening situations. Must be willing to carry a firearm; mentally and physically capable of taking the life of another, if justified; willing to work any hour of the day or night (shift work), overtime, weekends on call and holidays; work at any location in the city and travel in specific assignments.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Job may be physically demanding at times and may require physical exertion including bending, reaching, stooping, lifting, pushing, pulling, etc.
• Requires long periods of walking, standing, and sitting
• Requires the ability to defend oneself or a member of the community in exigent circumstances

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.