Police Officer (multiple openings)

Closing Date: Open until filled.

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Police Department (CRITPD) provides law enforcement of 31 treaty fishing access sites and other tribal lands along a 150-mile stretch of the Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam, ensuring that fish are caught in accordance with regulations. CRITPD officers patrol by vehicle and boat and inspect fishers’ identification, catch, and gear. They also provide assistance in times of need.

CRITFC’s Police Officers come from a variety of backgrounds and don’t need prior police or security experience. All officers will receive 16 weeks of initial training and will earn Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) certification and commission as a sworn police officer. It is useful but not required to have experience in community services, social services, medical services, the military, or other jobs where safety is critical.

CRITFC offers competitive compensation and an exceptional benefits package including medical, dental, 401(k), 8 hours of vacation accrued each month (to start), 12 paid holidays, and paid sick time. All duty gear (i.e. uniforms and equipment) are provided by CRITFC. We provide professional development opportunities, promote from within, and have a Native hiring preference as part of our commitment to our people. As a result, you will find a work environment that supports and inspires our shared goals of protecting the natural world and the tribal cultural connection to it.

Position Details

Department: Enforcement

Classification: Full time, 40 hours/week, Regular (i.e. not temporary)

Pay: Police Officers are paid an annual salary of $62,400 (no police experience) to $68,806 (> 4 years of police experience). This is equivalent to $30.00 to $33.08/hour.

Location: Hood River, OR or Boardman, OR

Work Schedule: 4×10 shifts, Sunday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Sunday. All officers rotate day, swing, and night shift every two months.

Recruitment Period: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Contact Captain Russell Spino if you would like to ask questions or discuss the position informally before you submit an application.

Responsibilities

• Enforce tribal fishing regulations and provide law enforcement services along the Columbia River.
• Maintain a working knowledge of and respect for the unique customs and traditions of the four member tribes, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and the Nez Perce Tribe.
• Deescalate stressful situations through calm and careful communications.
• Learn and maintain strong knowledge of laws, resolutions, and tribal codes. These include the codes of the four member tribes, the codes of the states of Oregon and Washington, and the codes of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other federal agencies.
• Investigate violations and incidents, issue warnings and citations, apprehend violators, write case reports, prepare cases for court, process evidence and property.
• Learn how to use firearms in a safe and effective manner.
• Be an exceptional team member for your fellow officers. Listen well and speak with respect.
• Provide assistance to Indians or any citizen during times of need.
• Always put safety first. Safely operate boats, vehicles, firearms, radios, and other electronic equipment.

Qualifications

• A strong track record of attendance and being on time for work. A reputation for being someone who can be counted on to not miss shifts.
• There is a residence requirement to facilitate officers reporting to work in a reliable and dependable manner. Generally, officers must live in Zone 6 of the Columbia River, i.e. in between McNary Dam (near Umatilla) and the Bonneville Dam, and no more than 15 miles south of Highway 84 (OR) or Highway 14 (WA). Trainees may live outside this area but once training is complete, they must follow the full residence requirement.
• In order to become a sworn Officer in the State of Oregon, you must be able to meet minimum moral fitness and ethical qualifications and pass a background investigation with no convictions of felonies. Candidates with misdemeanor criminal history will be considered on a case by case basis.
• This job requires driving a CRITFC police vehicle and therefore you must be able to meet the terms of the CRITFC Motor Vehicle policy. Per the policy, applicants are required to have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record for the past three years. This includes a three-year record clear of the following:
  • Reckless Driving
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Suspension or revoked license
  • No more than two at-fault accidents
  • One major violation or two minor violations.
• Must be 21 yeas of age prior to the first day of employment.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or obtain citizenship within 18 months of hire.

Supervision

Supervision Received: This position works under the direct supervision of the Patrol Sergeant.

Supervision Given: Police Officers exercise no supervisory authority except in those instances where one officer has clear seniority over another and circumstances require an immediate decision or leadership.

Working Conditions

This is a physically challenging job. Officers conduct patrols by vehicle, foot, or boat. They must be able to lift and pull fishing gear in all weather conditions. Occasionally, long hours of surveillance are required. Officers are required to qualify for and carry firearms, conducted energy device (i.e. Taser), caspicum (i.e. pepper spray), and a baton. They must be prepared to handle physical, verbal, and potentially dangerous confrontations. Officers must have availability to work rotating shifts (days, swings, and nights) to ensure patrol coverage 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Some holiday work will be required. Approximately twice per month, some overtime work will be required due to writing reports, processing evidence/property, conducting surveillance, preparing cases, or appearing in court.

CRITFC Motor Vehicle Policy

Applicants are required to have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record for the past three years. This includes a three-year record clear of the following:

• Reckless Driving
• Driving Under the Influence
• Suspension or revoked license
• No more than two at-fault accidents
• One major violation or two minor violations.