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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeputy Chief Oct. 2025 City of Port Townsend Job Description Deputy Chief Classification title: Deputy Police Chief Working title: Deputy Chief Department: Police Union: No FLSA status: Exempt Wage Classification: 628 Hours: Full time Effective date: Dec. 2022; Oct. 2025 Reports to: Chief of Police Civil Service: No JOB SUMMARY The Deputy Chief reports to the Chief of Police and is responsible for the management of operations, as well as other assigned duties. Those duties may include patrol operations, criminal investigations, training, community policing initiatives, policy and procedure development, special event planning, patrol scheduling, budget preparation, coordination of hiring, the evaluations of personnel performance, records, oversight, emergency management and complaint investigations. The Deputy Chief will oversee, actively mentor, and train supervisors and future leaders within the Department. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES This job description reflects general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but it is not an all- inclusive list of work requirements. Employees in this category are required to perform all duties and tasks required in the rank of Police Officer and/or Police Sergeant. The Deputy Chief will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the Chief of Police.  Embodies, models and embraces the Port Townsend Police Department’s core values of INTEGRITY, COMPASSION, and PROFESSIONALISM.  Acts in the place of the Chief of Police when absent.  Assumes the duties of Operations/Patrol Division Chief.  Develops and implements strategies and procedures to accomplish the goals of the department as directed by the Chief of Police; manages projects.  Supervises first-line supervisors (sergeants and acting sergeants).  Directs Community Policing efforts.  Actively mentors and trains supervisors and future leaders within the Department.  Participates in police management meetings and makes recommendations on significant issues to the Chief of Police.  Assists in the preparation of the department’s budget and monthly reports.  Assigns and coordinates personnel to achieve goals and objectives of the department on a day- to-day basis.  Keeps the Chief of Police informed of overall operations, significant issues/events and changes that could impact the department.  Performs special projects as assigned by the Chief of Police.  May assume direct command at the scene of major emergencies.  Makes presentations to the City Council, service clubs, and public meetings.  Implements policies and procedures. Deputy Chief  Represents the department as the Emergency Management representative, fleet, equipment, and training.  Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.  Recommends appropriate service and staffing levels while managing the Patrol Operations schedule.  Participates on a variety of boards and committees, local and countywide.  Oversee and/or conduct administrative investigations.  Responsible for the Department meeting and maintaining accreditation. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES  Advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police administration and management, including program planning, budgeting, direction, coordination and evaluation, and personnel and labor relations.  Advanced knowledge of laws and accepted practices that apply to all aspects of police work, including crime prevention, investigation techniques, criminal identification, firearms, communications, automotive equipment, apprehension, detention, rules of evidence, traffic control and safety, and record keeping.  Advanced knowledge of standards by which the quality of police service is evaluated, the use of automated and manual police records systems, and their application to police administration.  Skilled in conflict resolution and gaining cooperation among competing interest groups.  Skilled in negotiation and contracts administration and the ability to effectively manage relationships with outside vendors and service providers.  Communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with diverse groups of people.  Ability to prepare and update short- and long-range strategic plans to ensure the department’s contribution to the City’s overarching strategic goals and initiatives.  Ability to consistently exercise sound and ethical judgment in decision making, including ability to make calm, quick decisions to ensure the well-being of the public, the Police Department, and subordinate personnel.  Ability to establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, personal discipline, quality and teamwork.  Ability to maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with co-workers, peers, City leadership, elected officials, volunteers, and the general public.  Ability to demonstrate flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, or variations in the workload, while maintaining composure and effectiveness.  Ability to maintain cooperative relationships with regional law enforcement and security agencies to ensure coordinated, concerted police services to communities served by those agencies.  Ability to evaluate and recommend policies regarding the legal rights of the accused.  Proven experience providing leadership, counsel, motivation and constructive performance reviews to subordinate staff, securing their respective commitments to the department’s goals.  Superior communication skills and the ability to deliver effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups.  Outstanding ability to analyze situations quickly and accurately to adopt an effective course of action.  Ability to manage confidential information and material with the highest degree of professional responsibility. Deputy Chief  Ability to effectively and efficiently communicate with team members, managers, and other departments, both verbally and in writing, using tact, patience and courtesy to convey instructions, provide feedback, receive feedback, and resolve issues.  Ability to successfully negotiate and administer labor agreements and communicate effectively with organized personnel.  Ability to meet schedules and timelines and to work independently with little direction. OTHER DUTIES:  Function as Public Information Officer.  Respond to call outs on a 24-hour basis.  Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.  Participate in special events with service groups and community programs.  Work with Emergency Management Services.  Participate in department training as required. QUALIFICATIONS Required • Ten (10) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience with a minimum of four (4) three (3) years of law enforcement supervision at the level of a sergeant or higher with a general, full- authority police agency, (e.g.: a patrol-based city police, county sheriff or state police). Experience in patrol operations, traffic management, criminal procedure, community policing and incident command is required. • A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration or related field required. (Associate degree acceptable at time of hire if actively pursuing a Bachelor’s degree). • Experience in serving/collaborating with military members and their families, and working in cooperation with local, state, and federal partners. • Valid Washington State driver’s license and ability to maintain a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier. • Currently possess (or the ability to immediately obtain via CJTC equivalency) a valid Washington State General Authority Peace Officer Certification. • Ability to operate department computer systems effectively. • Qualify with assigned department weapons and maintain any professional certifications. • Must attain all executive certifications as required by WSCJTC and/or the Chief of Police. Preferred • Supervision in investigations and patrol operations is highly preferred. • Advanced training such as the FBI National Academy, Northwestern's School of Police Command and Staff, Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO), and/or Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), or a graduate-level training in leadership, law or public administration is preferred. • Experience with administrative services, to include human resources, recruiting and hiring, training, accreditation, working with the media, project management, conducting/overseeing investigations of employee conduct, and police budgets is strongly preferred. • Experience in the management or oversite of a national or state level Accreditation process. Deputy Chief PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand or sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than one hundred (100) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. WORKING CONDITIONS The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed in an indoor setting with low noise levels. The Deputy Chief may be sitting at long lengths of time at a desk or computer but can move about as needed. The Deputy Chief will be issued a vehicle for the purpose of after-hours callout and routine duties in Port Townsend. The Deputy Chief will primarily work a daytime shift but has the flexibility to adjust and work later or earlier hours and on weekends. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Deputy Chief working conditions include those of the Police Officer and Police Sergeant Job Descriptions and require the physical ability to perform the full range of duties of those positions. In addition, a Deputy Chief is subject to working under high-pressure, dangerous and stressful conditions, working with highly emotional and/or sensitive persons or personnel matters, be able to work within the political structure of a municipal corporation, conduct work that is highly visible and scrutinized by the public, and be able to assume command of personnel in high-risk tactical situations. Work hours may require flexing to accommodate the needs and demands of the Department and/or City. The Deputy Chief may be contacted by subordinate personnel, the Police Chief, City Manager and/or elected officials at his/her residence during off-duty hours for guidance and/or counseling. The incumbent may be required to deal with irate, disgruntled and sometimes hostile individuals requiring the use of conflict management and coping skills. The Deputy Chief may encounter hazards arising from contact with violent individuals. Continuous attention to safe working and operating procedures for self and staff is required. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The City of Port Townsend is an equal employment opportunity employer. The City employs, retains, promotes, disciplines and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job- related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation Deputy Chief (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the City and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.