Community Peace Officer Level 1

Position Summary

Reporting to the Peace Officer Sergeant, the Community Peace Officer is part of the overall Protective Services Department team working to promote public safety and community standards through education and enforcement of Yellowhead County bylaws and appointed provincial acts.

Position Responsibilities

General

• Provide effective patrols and investigation of all related complaints. This includes exercising reasonable discretion when determining an enforcement action.
  
• Operate marked enforcement vehicles for patrol. Other methods of patrol include the use of OHVs and by foot.
  
• Assist in the monitoring and physical security of county owned/controlled land and facilities.
  
• Respond to public inquiries both in person, by telephone, and by email.
  
• Assist the Peace Officer Sergeant in the development of bylaws, policy, budget preparation, the monitoring of expenditures, and the administration of records.
  
• Occasionally assist other county departments in non-enforcement tasks.
  
• As a front-line county employee, act in a professional and ethical manner when interacting with the public, other agencies, and other county departments.
  
• Take an active role in recommending, promoting, and engaging in safe work practices.
  
• Attend training courses, within the county or outside, when required.
  
• Ensure vehicles, equipment, and office spaces are clean and operationally ready.

• Enforces all Yellowhead County bylaws for which the incumbent is designated.
  
• During investigations, discuss the requirements of our bylaws with persons involved and attempt to obtain voluntary compliance.
  
• Enforce bylaws by issuing warnings, orders, and violation tickets to correct problems.
  
• Remedy problems when orders are not obeyed by arranging for required work to be completed.
  
• Regarding land use enforcement, investigate issues related to unsightly premises, dangerous properties, illegal development, and decide on appropriate action to be taken.
  
• Investigate and assist in resolving animal control complaints. This may involve the handling or capture of stray/vicious domestic animals and transport to a holding facility.

• Currently officers are appointed to enforce, in full or in part, the following provincial acts: Animal Protection Act, Dangerous Dogs Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Forests Act, Forest and Prairie Protection Act, Fuel Tax Act, Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Act, Highways Development and Protection Act, Petty Trespass Act, Provincial Offences Procedure Act, Tobacco and Smoking Reduction Act, Traffic Safety Act, and Trespass to Premises Act.
  
• Most work regarding provincial offences is proactive enforcement of the Traffic Safety Act.
  
• Engage in educational activities promoting traffic safety (ex. at schools and community events) and operate equipment such as mobile speed sign trailers.
  
• Work with other federal, provincial, and municipal agencies to coordinate joint activities that promote safety in and around our communities.

• On short notice, assist Yellowhead County Fire Department or other providers with assistance at emergency scenes and other potentially hazardous situations.
  
• During municipal emergencies, such as wildfires, work with the county’s emergency management team providing initial and on-going support to affected communities (ex. door-to-door notification, assisting with evacuation operations, traffic control, community security).
  
• Take part in emergency management training as well as activities such as mock evacuations.

Qualification, Knowledge, Skill & Ability Requirements

Education/Skills

• High school diploma, post-secondary degree or diploma preferred.
  
• Ability to obtain an appointment as a Community Peace Officer Level 1 through Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services.
  
• Must be able to attend and complete the Community Peace Officer Induction Program (CPOIP) approved by the Government of Alberta, has completed CPOIP course, or has completed an approved equivalent.
  
• Possess a valid PARE, APREP, COPAT, or POPAT test result.
  
• Possess, at minimum, Standard First Aid and CPR C.
  
• Experience and training in the enforcement of commercial vehicle weights and dimensions, transportation of dangerous goods, and CVSA inspector designation.
  
• Experience in difficult customer service roles.
  
• Experience in law enforcement.
  
• Experience with preparing and using Municipal Government Act orders to remedy issues.
  
• Experience handling domestic animals.
  
• Experience with public speaking.
  
• Above average written, verbal, and computer skills.
  
• Competent and of good character.
  
• Must be able to use an android phone for a variety of work tasks.
  
• Possess, at minimum, a class 5 Alberta operator’s licence or equivalent. Possession of class 1, 2, or 3 Alberta operator's licence or equivalent preferred.
  
• Possess a current defensive driving certificate.
  
• Possess an acceptable driver’s abstract.
  
• No criminal record.
  
• No outstanding criminal charges and not subject of a criminal investigation.
  
• Minimum age of 18 years old.

Working Environment

• Position involves completing multiple demands including managing short- and long-term projects/files.
  
• From a technical perspective, the incumbent must become fully familiar with municipal enforcement, bylaws, provincial acts, and the justice system.
  
• From an interpersonal point of view, the incumbent deals with the general public and encounters difficult and stressful situations where law enforcement actions are required.
  
• The incumbent may need to deal with belligerent, non-compliant offenders.
  
• Threat from physical injury and assault is high.
  
• May be required to interact with diseased or vicious domestic animals.
  
• Will be involved with cleaning up unsightly properties which can require the use of protective equipment due to unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
  
• Must mitigate disputes between neighbours.
  
• The incumbent often works alone.
  
• Significant travel around the county is required when performing fieldwork.
  
• Opportunity exists to participate in other areas like: firefighting, rope rescue, and RPAS operations.
  
• Work is divided approximately as 25% office work and 75% fieldwork.
  
• Work shifts are a mix of days, evenings, and weekends. Overnight work may occur sporadically over a year.