Listing Summary

Police Chief

City of Watkinsville, GA

End Date: September 25, 2023

 

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

City of Watkinsville, Georgia

Situated just 65 miles east of Atlanta with convenient access via Highway 78, US 29, and Highway 316, Watkinsville is the largest city and seat of Oconee County; encompassing 3.2 square miles with approximately 3,000 residents.

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 OCAF. Experience the contagious joy that flows out of ESP. 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 2024 Operating Budget is approximately $839,000. The goal of the Police Chief will be to further enhance the work established by the previous Chief and produce a plan for achieving state of Georgia certification within approximately three years.  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. The Chief reports to the City Manager.  

 

Position Summary

The Chief of Police is responsible for leading, planning, managing, directing, and overseeing all internal and external functions of the Police Department. Administratively, the Chief must be able to develop and defend the department’s annual capital and operating budget, develop policies and procedures, direct and oversee the training of officers, and verbally manage department personnel. The ideal candidate will be community-minded and fiscally responsible.

Qualifications

A successful candidate will have a bachelor's degree in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice, public administration, or a closely related field. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, eight to ten (10) years of experience in police work as a certified officer with a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience as a lieutenant with a similar or larger-sized department and/or City will be deemed eligible for consideration. Preference will be given to candidates who have served as a Police Chief with a similar or larger-sized department and/or City for a minimum of five (5) years.

Candidates should have completed on-going law enforcement or related training either within an established college degree program or through law enforcement training schools, such as the FBI National Academy. Certification by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards Training (P.O.S.T.) is required.

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 $87,519 plus 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 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.

The City of Watkinsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer.