Public Safety Associate

Dothan, AL - USA

Hourly Salary: $ 18 - 30

Posted on: 17-10-2025

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description

The Public Safety Associate and Public Safety Development Program is a rotational assignment of up to three (3) years performing public safety job functions and becoming exposed to career paths in Communications Policing and Detention. As a Public Safety Associate incumbents will be provided job skills rotating work assignments training personal and professional development and at the completion of the program will be required to transition to career fields as a Public Safety Calltaker Communications Officer Police Officer or Detention Officer.

Major Duties

Receives exposure to all basic functions of public safety and divisions within the Dothan Police Department (policing communications and detention.
Receives exposure to a wide range of tasks including legal research civil rights legislation criminal justice administrative correspondence work and field assignments.
Learns all aspects of community policing dispatching and communications and detention.
Gains valuable insight within a variety of functions while strengthening core skills and knowledge needed to launch a successful career in public safety.

Communications Assignment

Learns how to receive and screen incoming calls from the public and other agencies; learns how to categorize and prioritize calls including 911 calls.

Learns how to receive and process non-emergency calls; forwards to appropriate department; receives and processes after-hours complaints from the public.

Assists and dispatches the appropriate emergency personnel to incident locations; provides emergency medical instructions to callers prior to the arrival of responders as needed.

Learns how to inquire retrieve and monitor data from ACJIC/NCIC database; learns how to ensure compliance with rules and regulations; learns how to retrieve information related to outstanding warrants criminal histories driver histories vehicle histories etc.; learns to disseminate information related to criminal histories driver histories terrorist threats felon registration sex offender registration lost or stolen items missing persons etc.

Learns how to operate telecommunications equipment including radios telephones CAD mapping systems telecommunications devices weather monitoring equipment etc.

Learns how to monitor and utilize non-emergency radios as needed.

Detention Assignment

Learns and assists with making rounds of the jail to maintain security; checks locks fences alarms and other security devices; monitors inmates for contraband and security violations.

Learns how to receive and release inmates transferred to and from the facility; learns how to complete all required paperwork; learns how to book and classify inmates; learns how to inventory inmate property.

Learns how to perform count procedures for inmate accountability and learns how to prepare required logs and reports. Learns how to assist with operating jail control room how to monitor security cameras; learns how to lock and unlock doors.

Learns how to assist with serving inmate meals and notifying emergency medical personnel of inmate emergencies. Learns how to assist with inmate discipline and the complaint process.

Learns how to assist in monitoring the jail facility for maintenance repair and security issues.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Driven and motivated for a career in public safety (Police Communications Detention).
Team oriented with ability to work independently.
Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws criminal and traffic codes search and seizure laws city ordinances and department policies and procedures.

Knowledge of traffic accident investigation techniques and procedures.

Knowledge of law enforcement principles and practices.

Knowledge of the geography and streets of the city.

Knowledge of the court system and judicial procedures.

Knowledge of inmate security principles.

Knowledge of inmate supervision principles and practices.

Knowledge of tactical defense and restraint procedures.

Skill in critical thinking.
Skill in communication and interpersonal skills.
Skill in the use of a computer.

Skill in operating radios and communications equipment.

Skill in restraining persons without causing physical harm.

Skill in planning organizing and decision making.

Skill in maintaining records and preparing reports.

Skill in oral and written communication.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

An assigned supervisor in each division assigns work in terms of general instructions. Work is reviewed for compliance with instructions and established procedures accuracy and the nature and propriety of the results.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include state and federal laws traffic laws city ordinances court rulings constitutional guidelines training manuals and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

Guidelines include ACJIC/NCIC guidelines state and federal regulations HIPPA regulations general orders APCO policies training guidelines medical controls and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

The work consists of related law enforcement duties inmate security and emergency communications duties. The varied nature of the work and the potential for emergencies contribute to the complexity of the work.

The purpose of this position is to learn the various positions in the divisions of the police department to include ensuring the safety and security of inmates protecting life and property enforcing federal state and local laws; assisting in the receiving of emergency and non-emergency calls and dispatching emergency service; and providing support for other department functions as assigned.

CONTACTS

Contacts are typically with co-workers other city employees other emergency service providers medical personnel law enforcement officers from other agencies victims witnesses suspects a variety of external agencies and the public.

Contacts are typically to give or exchange information provide services interview persons and resolve problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is typically performed while sitting standing walking running bending crouching or stooping. The employee must occasionally lift light to medium objects use equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity and use the sense of smell.

The work is performed indoors in a vehicle and outdoors. The employee may be exposed to inclement weather infectious diseases and life-threatening situations. Work requires the use of protective clothing and devices.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

None.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited* standard senior-high school or GED equivalent as recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); and

Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

Graduation from the Dothan Public Safety Academy preferred.

Recent work experience as an Intern with the Dothan Police Departmentpreferred.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT/PROMOTION/DEMOTION/TRANSFER:

Employees are required to complete/sign the Certification & Condition of Employment/Promotion/Demotion/Transfer form(s). See condition(s) for details.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.

An applicant for this position is subject to various background investigations up to and including a criminal credit past employment reference checks polygraph and psychological assessment.

Employees are required to submit to Drug and Alcohol testing in accordance with the City of Dothan policy which includes pre-employment and random tests for the duration of employment in this position. (PBA 08/13/12).

Must meet the City of Dothans employment physical standards which include drug/alcohol testing

Application / Examination

Qualified applicants will be evaluated based on training and experience as documented on their application. This evaluation will comprise 100% of their final grade.

Applicants with a disability who feel they need accommodation should contact the Personnel Department in writing on or before the closing date of this advertisement by emailing.

An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Required Experience:

DescriptionThe Public Safety Associate and Public Safety Development Program is a rotational assignment of up to three (3) years performing public safety job functions and becoming exposed to career paths in Communications Policing and Detention. As a Public Safety Associate incumbents will be provi...