Important Information
A PST Written test MUST be taken and passed before consideration. In addition, a City of Valdez Employment Application must be completed which is available through the link below:.
DO NOT submit APSC F3 through the PST website.
City of Valdez Job Applications can be found at the following website:
City of Valdez Police Officer Application
All applicants must submit a completed State of Alaska Police Standards F-3 Personal History Statement form located at this link:
APSC Personal History F-3 Form
Please note - this document may become too large to upload. Please email: kking@pd.valdezak.gov if this happens.
Community Information
Join the Valdez Police Department – Where Your Career Meets Adventure!
Surrounded by the stunning Chugach Mountains, Valdez is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering world-class fishing, skiing, hiking, ice climbing, snow machining, and countless other recreational activities. Known as the 'Snow Capital of Alaska,' Valdez is a premier destination for travelers from around the globe seeking adventure and natural beauty.
Valdez seamlessly blends mountain and coastal living, providing easy access to the backcountry splendor of Thompson Pass and the pristine waters of Prince William Sound. With a welcoming community of about 4,000 permanent residents, Valdez experiences a vibrant increase in population during the summer months due to tourism and seasonal workers, fostering a dynamic and lively atmosphere year-round.
Quality of life in Valdez is unmatched for those who love the outdoors. Our town is connected to the road system, linking us to Anchorage (300 miles) and Fairbanks (365 miles), ensuring accessibility to major Alaskan hubs. Valdez prides itself on a well-funded school system with low class sizes and is one of the safest communities in Alaska.
Join our police department and experience the true essence of Alaskan living. In Valdez, you can live where you work and play where you live. This is the 'Alaska' you've been looking for!
For a full job description and to apply, please visit our webpage at:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/valdez
Additional Links with resources and information about relocating to Valdez:
https://www.valdezalaska.org
Relocation Guide
https://www.valdezak.gov/
https://www.valdezcityschools.org
Department Information
The Valdez Police Department provides the primary law enforcement response for the 270 square miles within the City of Valdez, including the Alyeska Marine Terminal (the terminus of the Trans Alaska Pipeline). The department consists of 12 sworn officers, including the Chief of Police. Patrol teams work 12-hour days under the highly regarded week on / week off schedule. Officers are assigned take-home vehicles during their tour of duty.
The Valdez Police Department is committed to providing its members with top notch training and equipment necessary to perform its mission. The department is well-funded and supported by the City Manager and City Council. We have a robust training budget that enables officers to grow professionally throughout their career and explore opportunities that do not exist in other departments our size – such as an FBI-certified bomb squad.
Additional professional opportunities and responsibilities include:
- DARE Officer
- Forensic interviewer
- Weapons Armorer
- Firearms Instructor
- School Resource Officer
- EOD Technician (Bomb Squad)
- FAA Part 107 certified pilots on the City of Valdez sUAS team.
Job Description
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Enforces local, state and Federal laws and Municipal Codes.
- Patrols the City to respond to citizens' requests for assistance, enforce traffic regulations, detect crime, apprehend violators, and ensure public safety.
- Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service; interrogates and communicates with victims, witnesses and suspects in cases; identifies and collects evidence; completes detailed reports and required paperwork; performs follow-up investigations as required.
- Responds to motor vehicle accidents, citizen complaints, public and domestic disturbances, and life threatening emergencies.
- Makes arrests and transports prisoners.
- Maintains vehicle and equipment according to Department standards.
- Represents the Police Department at court hearings; prepares reports requested and subpoenaed by the courts; and testifies in court cases.
- Presents education and information programs through community and school awareness projects; teaches and counsels those within the community on law enforcement activities, programs and referral resources.
- Assists and interacts with other Police personnel, City departments, outside organizations and businesses, and Federal, state and local law enforcement organizations in order to accomplish tasks.
- Collects information and compiles data for reports.
- Maintains the integrity, professionalism, philosophies, attitudes, and values of the Police Department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Depending upon area(s) of assignment, additional duties may include:
- Investigates and enforces statutes, laws and Municipal codes; conducts investigations of misdemeanor and felony crimes.
- Prepares and applies search and arrest warrants; assists outside law enforcement agencies with the resolution of outstanding probation violations.
- Processes crime scenes, directs the collection of crime scene evidence, and enforces the evidence chain of custody.
- Conducts investigation, reporting and case management of assigned civil and criminal cases.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:
Knowledge of:
- State, City and Federal statutes, rules, codes, ordinances and regulations.
- Police Department policies and procedures, rules of evidence, current law enforcement management principles, and criminal and traffic codes.
- criminal justice and court systems, procedures and protocols in the State of Alaska.
- investigative and interrogative procedures, and techniques for observation of critical details.
- emergency first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
Skill in:
- safely using and maintaining a variety of firearms and special law enforcement equipment.
- exercising controlled discretion in communicating with criminal suspects and mediating difficult situations.
- operating motor vehicles during emergency, high-risk situations.
- maintaining cooperative working relationships with law enforcement agencies and other participants in the criminal justice process.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in internal and external environments with exposure to inclement weather and varying temperatures. May be exposed to combative or hostile individuals, hazardous materials, dangerous machinery and potential physical harm when responding to law enforcement emergencies. Must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Department standards.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be certified as a Police Officer by the State of Alaska Police Standards Council, and possess State of Alaska Driver's license, and clear criminal record. Additional special assignments may require two (2) years sworn law enforcement experience. Depending on the needs of the City, additional licenses, certifications and/or training may be required.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED:
Automotive, boat, and all-terrain patrol vehicles; firearms and other weapons; personal protective equipment; impact baton and flashlight; two-way radios; cameras; radar units; pepper spray; crime scene, blood, drug and chemical analysis equipment.
Area Information
County: Valdez
Population: 4000
# of Staff: 12
Hiring Status
Valdez Police Department - Police Officer has 1 vacancy.
The deadline to test for the next hiring cycle is December 31, 2024.
Applications currently being reviewed and candidates notified of advancement in the hiring process.
Salary Information
Entry Level Police Officer Salary:
Step A- $37.27/HR ($81,402/YR)
with yearly merit increases to $50.87/HR
Step M- $50.87/HR ($111,105.00/YR)
*Qualified Lateral Candidates are currently placed within our pay scale DOE. ($42.91-$50.87)
Benefit Information
The City of Valdez offers an enticing benefits package that includes affordable health insurance, optional life insurance, matching retirement plans, retirement planning advisor, ample paid time off, and many other perks.
HEALTH INSURANCE
- Currently monthly employee paid premium is approximately $113.00 per month for comprehensive family medical, RX, dental, vision, & hearing.
- Basic life insurance policy provided.
- Effective 1st day of month following 30 days of employment.
Medical
- Low deductible: $100 per person not to exceed $300 per family.
- $488 maximum out of pocket expense after deductible has been met.
Prescriptions
- Generic Co-Pay $5.
- Non-Generic Co-Pay $10.
- Up to a 90-day supply from either mail order or brick/mortar pharmacy.
- Extensive formulary.
Dental
- Deductible: $25 per person not to exceed $75 per family.
- Maximum annual benefit of $2500 per person.
- Cleaning & exams pay at 100% with no deductible.
- Orthodontics for dependents up to age 19.
- Implants are covered not to exceed annual benefit maximums.
Vision
- No deductible.
- One exam per family member per year.
- Lenses each year covered at 90%.
- A year supply of contacts annually covered at 50%.
- Frames every other year covered at 90% not to exceed $200.
- Lasik coverage - $2000 lifetime benefit.
Hearing
- No Deductible.
- Exam is covered at 90%.
- Device is covered at 50%.
Optional life insurance
- Based on employees age/wage - not to exceed benefit amount of $60,000.
- Spouse coverage available - 1/2 the benefit of the employee at 1/2 the cost.
- Coverage for children of $10,000 at $1.19 per month.
RETIREMENT PLANS
State of Alaska Public Employee Retirement System
- 8% pre-tax contribution to PERS Tier IV Defined Contribution Plan.
- 5% city match.
- 5-year vesting schedule.
- Optional deferred compensation plan & city matching 401(a)
- Pre-tax contribution into a 457 plan, not to exceed federal limitations (2024 is $22,500) - no waiting period to enroll.
- City will match not to exceed 6.2% for regular employees and 9.3% for executive staff into a 401(a) after 90 days of employment.
PAID TIME OFF
-
- Annual personal leave for employees as follows:
- 180 hours annually for less than 2 years of service
- 202 hours for 2-5 years
- 225 hours for 5-10 years
- 292 hours annually for 10+ years of service.
- Hourly employees can accrue compensatory time in lieu of overtime at the rate of 1.5 hours per hour worked.
-
HOLIDAYS
- The City recognizes 12.5 holidays per year
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Presidents Day
- Seward’s Day
- Memorial Day
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Alaska Day
- Veteran’s Day
- Thanksgiving
- Friday following Thanksgiving
- ½ Day on Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
-
In addition, Valdez Police Department offers the following:
- Overtime availability
- Nightshift Differential Pay Incentive
- Field Training Officer Pay Incentive
- 12-hour work schedule
- Week on / Week off tour of duty
- Tuition reimbursement
- Relocation expense reimbursement
- Starting salary negotiable depending on years of law enforcement experience and APSC certifications
- Advanced training opportunities
- Presentation of duty weapon and badge upon retirement (with 10 years of service with the Valdez Police Department)
Valdez Police Department - Police Officer Requirements
| Category |
Requirement |
Required at time of... |
| |
|
Test |
Hire |
| Written Examination |
Yes, required
|
|
|
|
LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT)
|
No, not required (may be required later)
|
|
|
| Minimum Age |
21
|
|
|
| Citizenship |
US Citizen
|
|
|
| High School Grad/ GED |
Yes
|
|
|
| Driver's License Required |
Yes
|
|
|
| Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult |
None.
|
|
|
| Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile |
Will be carefully reviewed on a case by case basis
|
|
|
| Ability to Read & Write the English Language |
Yes
|
|
|
| Vision Requirements |
Correctable to 20/20
|
|
|
| College Requirement |
Preferred, but not required.
|
|
|
| Basic Law Enforcement Academy Certification |
No
|
|
|
| Request/Access Scores |
On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur
|
|
|
Valdez Police Department - Police Officer Disqualifiers
The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.
| Category |
Disqualifier |
| Driving |
| Automatic |
Two or more convictions for the crime of Driving Under the Influence in any jurisdiction within the last 10 years. |
|
| Drug Usage |
| Automatic |
Illegally manufactured, transported or sold a controlled substance in the past 10 years. |
| Automatic |
Illegally used a Schedule IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, or VA controlled substance in the last five years, unless an immediate, pressing, or emergency medical circumstance existed to justify use. |
| Automatic |
Illegally used any controlled substance other than marijuana in the past five years unless you were under 21 years of age at the time of the act. |
| Automatic |
Used marijuana in any form within the last year. |
|
| Criminal Activity |
| Automatic |
Any adult felony conviction. |
| Automatic |
Been convicted of any crime under a domestic violence statue. |
| Automatic |
A crime that resulted in serious physical injury to another person within the last 10 years. |
| Automatic |
Sentenced to more than one year of jail time. |
|
| Other |
| Automatic |
Has been convicted of a crime of dishonesty or a crime or moral turpitude within the last 10 years. |
|
