Police Community Safety Specialist

The City of Gresham Police Department is seeking dedicated, community-focused individuals to join our team in the role of Police Community Safety Specialist. This vital position serves as a trusted resource for residents while supporting sworn officers through meaningful, hands-on work that keeps our community safe and connected. This is an entry level, non-sworn position that assists sworn officers by taking phone reports, following up with crime victims, gathering and lodging evidence, and more.  
 
Police Community Safety Specialists work full-time, 4 days/10-hour schedules which may include weekends and shift work hours (day, swing, and graveyard).  This position works both in the office and in the field. 

As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve, and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.
 
We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.  

The Police Community Safety Specialist is often the first point of contact for community members seeking assistance. This position plays a critical role in addressing non-emergency situations, providing guidance, and ensuring community members feel heard, supported, and informed.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to start a career in public safety, criminal justice, or community services.

What you will get to do:

• Respond to non-emergency calls such as theft, fraud, missing persons, and property incidents.
• Conduct field visits by car or on foot to observe activity and assist the public.
• Investigate and document incidents, preparing detailed and accurate reports.
• Provide information on police services, case status, and community resources.
• Support officers with traffic control and collision response as needed.
• Help resolve conflicts and de-escalate difficult situations with professionalism and empathy.
• Maintain and access police records and databases to support operations.
• Dispatch to CAD Calls: Monitors and responds to non-emergency calls by phone/GPD Lobby contact (thefts, civil, criminal mischiefs, fraud, identity thefts, missing persons, runaways, lost/found property, burglaries). Determines the nature of the call, investigates circumstances, and records information from the public. Request evidentiary documentation. Contact officers in situations requiring sworn personnel.
• Police Report Writing: Prepare police reports on incidents that do not require a sworn officer response; ensure accuracy of information for review by sworn supervisory staff.
• Online report management: Approve/Reject/follow-up with online reports. Follow up with each individual reporting party regarding their online report via phone/email.
• Evidence/Property: Lodge evidence for police reports or to assist sworn personnel. Collect lost/found property, track owners for return of property; lodge lost/found property when owner unknown.

• Strong communicators with excellent customer service skills
• Calm under pressure and able to handle sensitive or challenging interactions
• Detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously
• Skilled in using technology and navigating multiple systems
• Committed to equity, respect, and community engagement

Knowledge of:

• Laws, rules, and regulation ordinances affecting City policies and operations
• City government administration, organization, functions, and services
• Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, general orders, and techniques as they relate to assigned area, such as document processing, police records, and release of information
• Customer service principles, practices, and methods
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff
• Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, and software applications

• Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Work efficiently under pressure; diffuse difficult situations; exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with the public
• Assess priorities and efficiently prioritize tasks; perform multiple duties simultaneously; operate, extract from, and input into multiple computer systems and databases
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
• Operate office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, two-way radios, and presentation equipment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively

• High School Diploma or GED
• Valid Driver's License
• Acceptable driving record (see driving matrix below)
• Oregon Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification is required within 3 months upon hire

• Ability to speak a second language, in both written communication and verbal conversation. (Preference to Spanish and Russian)
• College degree or college level courses in any discipline.
• A military background
• A Reserve Officer or Cadet

• A major traffic offense or accident that results in death or major injury. 
• Driving under the influence (DUI) offense within the last 5 years.
• Have more than 3 moving violations within a 3-year period or more than 2 within a one- year period.
• Have more than 2 accidents within a 3-year period.

To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.

Required application materials:

• A complete online application (do not leave fields blank or type 'see resume')
• Answers to supplemental questions