Police Officer (Hiring Incentive for Iowa Certified and Non-Certified)

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to fill current openings for Police Officer with the City of Ames Police Department. For applicants, please see below the dates of application review for timely consideration. Police Officers perform work related to the enforcement of law, maintenance of order, protection of life and property, and prevention of crime; contributes to citywide problem-solving and performs related work as required. Work is within a 24/7/365 environment and subject to shift assignment and occasional mandatory overtime. To witness what it is like to work for the City of Ames Police Department and find additional information on the pre-employment requirements, please visit the Ames PD website: Join the Ames Police Department . For further information please also see Ames Police Department Facebook Page and City of Ames Police X Page (formerly Twitter) . HIRING WAGE INCENTIVE For this recruitment, any Iowa certified Officer , OR , any out-of-state certified Officer who can gain certification through examination with the ILEA , who begins employment as a result of this recruitment, shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $2000 . Any non-certified Officer who begins employment from this recruitment shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $1000 . This incentive shall be paid in the following increments: 1) 50% upon hire 2) 25% after 6 months of employment 3) 25% after probationary period ends or 12 months of employment (whichever is later) SALARY The current starting annual salary for this position is $68,965 ($33.35 per hour). Specified months of City of Ames PD service are applied as step increases, per the PPME bargaining agreement. Annual salaries for Police Officers are based on a 2068 hours worked schedule. Salaries may be subject to change according to worked overtime. The City of Ames is offering lateral transfers for certified officers, up to step D (49-72 months) . Current Iowa Law Enforcement Academy certification will be required before applying any step consideration. The current steps are outlined below: July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 Months Hourly Rate Annual Pay 0-12 $33.35 $68,965 3-24 $34.55 $71,441 25-48 $36.53 $75,554 49-72 $38.52 $79,664 73-96 $40.61 $83,980 97-120 $43.33 $89,596 121-144 $44.94 $92,936 145+ $48,84 $101,000 This position is also bound by a residency requirement per the same bargaining agreement, which is outlined under "Other Supplemental Information" later in this posting. BENEFITS Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit the website through this link: PSLF Program In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient. Important Dates for this Recruitment POST exam and Agility Testing is scheduled for October 16th ONLY. Interviews will be scheduled for those passing POST and Agility (or have passing scores for either on file with Human Resources by October 9th) either the afternoon of October 16th or the following Monday. Further details will be emailed to those candidates who qualify prior to each date. Candidates must pass each step of our process before being moved to the next step. Patrols assigned area in various vehicles or on foot to prevent, discover, and deter the commission of crime; to enforce criminal laws, traffic laws, parking regulations, and City ordinances; and to check the functioning of traffic signals, and road conditions. Monitors and directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic as required. Provides general assistance to persons in need; provides first aid for injured persons. Answers calls regarding complaints, misdemeanors and felonies; interviews persons with complaints or inquiries; attempts to make proper disposition or direct them to proper authorities. Apprehends suspects. Conducts investigations; searches for and preserves evidence; questions suspects and witnesses; takes written statements; maintains surveillance over persons and places; effects arrests and charges; creates reports; serves warrants. Answers calls involving automobile accidents; takes safeguards to prevent further accidents; clears scene of obstructions and/or wreckage. Conducts accident investigations; reports traffic control device malfunctions and obstructions of view; examines roadways and vehicles; takes various types of measurements associated with crime scenes vehicle crashes and other incidents. Enforces traffic regulations; operates radar equipment; issues traffic and parking tickets; directs traffic at community events. Assists other emergency personnel as needed; secures emergency scene. Testifies as a witness in court. Reports equipment malfunctions and performs minor maintenance and repair. Books, fingerprints, and photographs prisoners; oversees well being of individuals in custody; follows and maintains detention facility rules and procedures. Transports individuals to and from detention facility. Provides information to public in accordance with public reporting regulations. Engages in community policing, relationship building, and problem-solving. Embraces ongoing training to maintain professional competence. Builds trust with citizen groups. Acts as department representative providing formal and informal presentations on relevant issues to community groups, schools, etc. Other Job Functions: May act in specialty assignment