Listing Summary

Police Officer

City of Watkinsville, GA

Posted: August 9, 2024

End Date: Open until filled

 

The City of Watkinsville is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Officer.

City of Watkinsville, Georgia

Situated just 65 miles east of Atlanta with convenient access via Highway 78, US 29, and Highway 316, Watkinsville is located in Northeast Georgia and is the largest city and seat of Oconee County; encompassing 3.2 square miles.  The city has a population of approximately 3,000 and a thriving downtown. In June 2024, the city was recognized as an All-America City for its transformative, community-driven efforts to strengthen democracy and for its civic infrastructure. Watkinsville’s vision is to create Georgia’s most compelling community by honoring our history, building community, and creating opportunity for citizens to engage and do business with one another every day.

Watkinsville is not your average small, Southern community. Neighbor to Athens, Georgia, a bustling college town, Watkinsville benefits from proximity while still offering a quiet place for those who seek respite. Charming and well-kept, Watkinsville is delightfully unrefined and riddled with history. Bike or walk to early morning coffee or dinner with friends at a generous offering of local restaurants. Get lost on a walk in the woods at one of three in-town parks. Draw inspiration from several local artists throughout town and at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation. Experience the contagious joy that flows out of Extra Special People. Immerse yourself in the entrepreneurial spirit of local shops and businesses. Entrenched in a culture of creativity and wonder, Watkinsville is where artists, visionaries and entrepreneurs thrive. It’s a vibrant place enveloped by greenspace, showcasing the natural environment and surrounding history. It’s a city that embraces the future and invests in cultivating and captivating the next generation. And above all else, it’s where love of community and care for your neighbor reign.

Watkinsville Police Department

The Watkinsville Police Department consists of 9 full time sworn police officers. The Department’s Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget is approximately $913,000. The mission of the Watkinsville Police Department is to provide an exceptional level of protection to the city while understanding the citizen’s desire that the delivery of these services be community-oriented. The City of Watkinsville is a Manager-Council form of government with a Mayor and five (5) Council members elected at large.

Major Duties

• Patrols the city to detect and deter criminal activity and traffic violations.
• Responds to calls for service, including domestic disputes, assaults, burglaries, traffic accidents, lost or missing persons searches, public service duties, stranded motorists, and others.
• Conducts preliminary investigations into traffic accidents and other incidents, including interviewing victims, complainants and witnesses, gathering information and evidence, and securing crime scenes.
• Apprehends, arrests, and processes offenders, including fugitives; subpoenas witnesses.
• Provides assistance and backup support to other officers and emergency service providers as necessary.
• Assists motorists.
• Provides traffic direction as needed for events such as parades, funerals, events, and school crossings.
• Testifies in judicial proceedings as necessary.
• Completes all required reports and forms, including accident and incident reports.
• Inspects and maintains assigned patrol car, uniform, and equipment.
• Performs other related duties as directed.

Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, criminal and traffic codes, search and seizure laws, town ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of traffic accident investigation techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of the geography and streets of the city.
• Knowledge of the court system and judicial procedures.
• Skill in the use of a computer.
• Skill in operating police vehicles, firearms, and emergency equipment.
• Skill in operating radios and communications equipment.
• Skill in operating radar equipment.
• Skill in restraining persons without causing physical harm.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates should have Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of specialized training in the field of work, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
• Ability to meet current requirements set forth by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council for the State of Georgia.

To be considered, all candidates must submit a completed application along with a resume, at least five job-related references, and salary history.  Applications are available at the City of Watkinsville, Watkinsville, GA 30677 or at http://www.cityofwatkinsville.com/.  Applications may also be submitted by email to sdickerson@cityofwatkinville.com or by mail to City of Watkinsville, P.O. Box 27, Watkinsville, GA  30677.

Base salary is $49,596.88 plus a $10,000 signing bonus (distributed over a 3-year period) and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a take home vehicle; paid time off; medical, dental, and vision coverage (city pays 75% of premium); and life insurance (for employee, spouse, children), AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability (city pays 100% of these premiums). The city’s current insurance provider is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for all the aforementioned coverages. Employees who have served 12 months may also participate in a retirement savings plan, with the city matching up to 3%. The successful candidate must complete a drug screening, background check, and credit check as a condition of employment and will be required to take and pass a psychological evaluation performed by a third party. A 6-month probationary period applies.

The City of Watkinsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.