Task Force Officer

Northwest Narcotics Task Force Officer – Special Assignment
Position Opening Announcement
Announced March 10, 2023
Release Type: Internal & External
 
**************************EXTERNAL POSTING**************************
 
The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for one (1) open position for the special assignment as a Detective on the Northwest Narcotics Task Force.
 
Pay Classification: C41 Step 1 (Starting pay is $36.50/hour ($79,716.00 annually) (depending on applicant experience.)
Scheduled Hours: 84/ Bi-weekly (Hours worked are dependent on the need of personnel by the NWNTF Coordinator)
Stand-by Notice: None
Position Status: If candidate assigned to the position, voluntarily withdrawals from the position or is removed from the position by McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office or the Northwest Narcotics Task Force Coordinator, the candidate will be reassigned to a division based on the needs of the agency and may not retain the position as Detective.
 
External applicants will need to fill out and complete the agency application. Please contact Executive Assistant Lisa Stebbins via email (listebbins@co.mckenzie.nd.us) with a copy of a cover letter and resume.
 
An application link will be sent via email from Guardian Alliance (application/background software). The application will need to be completed no later than 4:30 PM on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 or the applicant will not be considered for the position. All documents required for this position will need to be submitted within the Guardian Alliance system.
 
The following documents are required along with completing the application
 
1.      Letter of interest. (NOTE: A minimum of two (2) pages is required. Do not exceed three (3) pages. Font: Calibri. Font Size: 11):
a.      Addresses the following areas
                    i.      Required Knowledge
                    ii.      Required Experience and Training
                    iii.      Required Abilities
                    iv.      Working Conditions
b.      Answers the following questions:
                    i.      Why should you be assigned to the NWNTF?
                    ii.      What experience do you have investigating narcotics related crimes?
                    iii.      Explain how you would use this position to positively impact the community.
 
2.      Three (3) example of case reports written by the applicant for review by the executive board, or designees, to showcase report writing abilities.
 
3.      One (1) letter of recommendation from a supervisor. 
 
Timeline:
 
1.      Applications will be accepted until 4:30 PM on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.
2.      McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office Interviews will be scheduled towards the beginning of April 2023.
3.      A full background investigation will be conducted on External applicants only.
4.      Northwest Narcotics Task Force Executive Board or its designees will conduct a secondary interview prior to appointment to the Northwest Narcotics Task Force.
 
Tasks include, but are not limited to:

1. Coordinate law enforcement efforts with fellow officers to build a team environment while working toward short-term and long-term goals.
2. Investigate violations of state and federal law regarding narcotics and other controlled substances.
3. Participate in undercover operations; maintain surveillance of suspects to detect modus operandi.
4. Observe and photograph narcotic purchase transactions to compile evidence and protect undercover investigators.
5. Arrest narcotic offenders.
6. Obtain statements for prosecution of offenders and appear in court to testify as a witness.
7. Travel to other cities or states to facilitate an investigation.
8. Maintain up to date investigation files and reports within departmental standards. Keep immediate supervisors informed about progress in investigations and request assistance when needed.
9.   Search computer and files for information such as: criminal history, license plate numbers, other data.
10. Submit written reports containing charges and evidence to the appropriate court.
11. Interview witnesses and interrogate suspects; obtain signed statements and affidavits; prepare investigative reports and case records; present reports in a clear, understandable manner.

Required Knowledge:
Modern investigation techniques and practices including identifying, documenting, collecting, and preserving relevant evidence; must have superior oral and written skills; knowledge of North Dakota Century Code and all current laws which have a direct or indirect effect on law enforcement; departmental weapons and be able to qualify with these weapons; Basic Peace Officer standards of conduct and public relations; and community policing principles.
Required Experience and Training:
Must have a High School Diploma or GED; Minimum of 2 years of experience as a licensed Peace Officer; must possess a valid driver's license; and must possess a valid Peace Officer license and eligible to obtain a ND POST license. (Please see North Dakota POST Administrative Rules 109-02-01-03 for Minimum license requirements for more information.)
Required Abilities:
Must be physically fit in order to perform all required law enforcement duties; work any shift or extra assignment that is required; think and act properly in emergency situations while using common sense and proper professional police training; learn police code and operation of a two-way radio; explain to the public the laws and ordinances in a respectful manner; meet the psychological standards of the department; operate motor vehicles at high rates of speed using defensive driving techniques; and must be knowledgeable of the proper procedures for criminal investigations.
Working Conditions:
The Northwest Narcotics Task Force Officer may be required to walk, run, stand, stoop, crawl, or sit for prolonged periods of time; lift heavy objects or people; overcome the resistance of a suspect; and the ability to work in extremely hot conditions during the summer and freezing conditions during the winter. Dangerous conditions may become evident at crime and accident scenes which could result in permanent injury or death.
 
Other Requirements:
Must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, drug/alcohol screening, and administrative staff review.
Regular attendance required.
 
As an employee of the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office includes the following:
 
Essential Duties include but are not limited to:

• Patrols an assigned district in a patrol vehicle on assignment for the purpose of observing the area for possible criminal activity or other conditions that could endanger public safety, investigating complaints, and enforcing laws; maintains high visibility.
• Responds to emergency calls, such as robberies, burglaries, kidnapping, assaults, murders, and practices safety procedures in answering and responding to calls.
• Investigates and reports accidents, dangerous or defective streets, sidewalks, traffic lights, or other hazardous conditions.
• Investigates crimes, interviews witnesses, complainants, and victims; and gathers physical evidence and preserves for court; conducts follow up investigations as needed.
• Apprehends arrests and detains criminal suspects and law violators when necessary; follows proper procedures when making arrests.  Enforces all Federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Serves warrants, summonses, subpoenas, civil and other official papers.
• Serves as witness in court and provides evidence in court as required.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Knowledge:

• Preparing reports and record keeping
• Working knowledge of human behavior and various social, economic, and cultural backgrounds
• Use of firearms, radio equipment, physical control devices, electric and electronic controls
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Willingness and desire to learn new and challenging tasks

Skills:

• Attending to multiple activities and sources of input simultaneously
• Communicating tactfully and courteously with others
• Thinking quickly, calmly, and clearly in emergency situations
• Compiling, maintaining, processing, and preparing a wide variety of records and reports
• Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive and legally protected information
• Assessing, prioritizing and determining appropriate response levels for law enforcement and related emergency situations

Physical Requirements:

• Positions in this class typically require reaching, standing, walking, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
• Moderate work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Moderate work involves moving most of the time. Jobs are moderate if walking and standing are required frequently and all other moderate criteria are met
• Incumbents may be subject to travel.

                                         Deadline March 29th, 2023, by 4:30pm CST