The Village Public Safety Officer Program is designed to train and employ individuals residing in the local area as first responders to public safety emergencies such as search and rescue, fire protection, emergency medical assistance, crime prevention and basic law enforcement. The presence of a VPSO officer has a significant impact on improving the quality of life in the participating villages. As a result, the Village Public Safety Officers (VPSO) is generally the first to respond to many calls for help from community members.

• Willingness to receive training as a means to provide public safety services to assigned communities.

• Provide law enforcement services: patrol and enforce state laws and authorized local ordinances; investigate misdemeanor crimes; investigate felony crimes under the direction and at the request of AST; Assist Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, and other Department entities during investigations as requested; provide reasonable assistance to other State and Federal law enforcement agencies when requested (VPSOs will notify their supervisor and Oversight Trooper of such requests); complete required incident reports in a timely manner and submit to the Oversight Trooper; use crime prevention techniques; serve process as required by the Alaska State Troopers.

• Provide fire protection services: maintain fire equipment; conduct fire drills in schools; attend local fire department meetings; assist volunteer fire fighters in firefighting; conduct fire prevention activities and education.

• Conduct search and rescue (SAR) services: act as the liaison between local villages and community search and rescue; assist SAR team members; maintain a list of available SAR equipment and supplies on hand.

• Provide emergency medical services and/or assists local medical providers in the performance of their duties within the scope of their training.

• Provide public safety information to schools and the public.

• Water and snow machine safety education.

• Assist Department of Corrections in probation and parole duties.

• May provide rover, TDY floater, and/or itinerant support as/where requested, which involves: routine travel, via patrol, to surrounding communities within the region; provide standard VPSO duties in communities where a VPSO is not present; stationed mostly in a ‘hub’ community; assist and travel with Troopers to communities as needed.

• Transport prisoners from outlying communities to regional holding facility.

• May perform holding cell duties as needed.

• May be required to remain overnight (RON) in communities on a regular basis.

• Assist supervisor with special projects.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of public safety and law enforcement regulations.
• Knowledge of search and rescue protocols.
• Strong understanding and sensitivity to Alaska Native culture and lifestyle, with demonstrated experience working effectively with Alaska Native population.
• Strong written, analytical, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Effective oral and written communications skills with sensitivity to lifestyles of targeted participants.
• Skills in operating personal computer using a variety of computer software.
• Ability to keep accurate records and produce timely and accurate written reports.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality as required for HIPAA, other regulations and organization matters.
• Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships, including outside contacts.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

Required Experience

Be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien who has demonstrated an intent to become a citizen of the United States.

21 years of age or older; and of good moral character.

High school diploma or equivalent.

Must be cleared by a medical physician, pass a mental health evaluation, and be able to successfully complete a physical fitness test.

Not been convicted of one or more of the following offenses, or of an offense with substantially similar elements to such an offense under Alaska law:

• a felony;
• a misdemeanor within five years of the date of hire, if the misdemeanor does not involve an act listed under (C) of this paragraph;
• a misdemeanor within 10 years of the date of hire, if the misdemeanor involves

an assault against a family member, former family member, member of the individual's household, or former member of the household; or

the violation of a domestic violence restraining order; or

Two or more DWI offenses.

Has not

• illegally manufactured, transported, or delivered
• a controlled substance; or
• an alcoholic beverage in violation of a local option under AS 04.11 or a municipal ordinance;

illegally used a controlled substance other than marijuana during the 10 years immediately before the date of hire, unless the person was under the age of 21 at the time of using the controlled substance;

used marijuana within one year before the date of hire.

Has neither been denied village public safety officer certification nor had that certification revoked.

Has neither been discharged for cause nor resigned under threat of discharge for cause from employment as a village public safety officer, a village police officer, or a police officer in this state or any other state.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Three (3) years experience in public safety.

• Knowledge of public safety and law enforcement regulations.
• Knowledge of search and rescue protocols.
• Strong understanding and sensitivity to Alaska Native culture and lifestyle, with demonstrated experience working effectively with Alaska Native population.
• Strong written, analytical, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Effective oral and written communications skills with sensitivity to lifestyles of targeted participants.
• Skills in operating personal computer using a variety of computer software.
• Ability to keep accurate records and produce timely and accurate written reports.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality as required for HIPAA, other regulations and organization matters.
• Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships, including outside contacts.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.