City of Westminster, CO

The Traffic Accident Investigator is a civilian position specializing in the field of traffic accident investigation, traffic accident prevention, and criminal and incident report writing.. Requirement to take and pass Accident/Reconstruction certification classes following hire. One (1) to two (2) years of experience working as an Accident Investigator at the municipal level. Accident Investigator certification(s). Employment as an Accident Investigator is conditional upon successful completion of an oral interview and/or assessment center, psychological examination, background investigation, polygraph or CVSA

investigator

POSITION PURPOSE / IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION
The Traffic Accident Investigator is a civilian position specializing in the field of traffic accident investigation, traffic accident prevention, and criminal and incident report writing. Work includes investigating traffic accidents; testifying in court; demonstrating a working knowledge of state law, municipal ordinances, codes and legal procedures relating to the operations of vehicles and criminal reporting procedures; and evaluating information, collecting logs, and maintaining a chain of custody for evidence. Work also involves using appropriate oral and written communication to prepare reports, interact with City staff and the public, and respond to calls for service; maintaining equipment, and inspecting accident investigation vehicles.

The full salary range for this position is stated above. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate. The City of Westminster has a Multilingual Stipend Program to encourage and reward benefited employees who are conversationally fluent in languages other than English. Benefited employees have the opportunity to test their language proficiency skills and qualify for a bi-weekly stipend that will vary based on the employee’s level of proficiency and usage.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES AND CULTURAL VALUES/GENERAL COMPETENCIES
The City's work culture encourages passionate, positive and enthusiastic employees who, along with our City Council and City Manager, are strong supporters of our mission: Westminster’s purpose is to provide core services and foster economic resilience to give our community the opportunity to thrive. Westminster is a city of beautiful, safe, well-maintained neighborhoods and destinations with a vibrant, diverse economy, rich and resilient environment and a strong sense of community belonging. Our core values are embodied in our SPIRIT (Service – Pride – Integrity – Responsibility – Innovation – Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Police Department, which is "To Provide Law Enforcement Excellence in Community Safety and Service through Vigorous Policing, Professionalism, Leadership and Innovation." The Department is responsible for enforcement of State Laws and Westminster Municipal Ordinances pertaining to criminal and traffic issues and to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the State of Colorado, and the Charter of the City of Westminster. The Department is primarily focused on public safety, maintaining peace and order, prevention of crime and the apprehension of criminals.

Every employee is accountable to:
Demonstrate a high level of customer service; encourage others to focus on the customer; foster an environment where customer service is a priority
Communicate with customers to ensure that, where possible, they are satisfied and that their needs are being addressed; solicit and evaluate customer feedback
Act as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision
Exhibit pride in self, the department, the city and the community; conduct self in a professional manner
Demonstrate integrity and build trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, loyalty and ethical behavior
Address difficult or contentious issues in a constructive manner
Support/promote change; demonstrate flexibility and takes calculated risks when appropriate
Participate in personal growth opportunities and attend trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization
Work to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered
Demonstrate support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives
Value diversity; demonstrate an awareness of differences; demonstrate sensitivity and adapt behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences

GENERAL COMPETENCIES
Citywide - Every employee in this position is accountable to:
Establish effective interpersonal relationships through honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses and target areas for personal self-development
Demonstrate initiative in performing job tasks
Exhibit problem-solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions
Achieve goals, handle assigned workload and new assignments effectively; demonstrate an ability to work independently
Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using clear and concise verbal and written communications
Demonstrate accountability for work and take ownership in job performance
Demonstrate concern for the accuracy and quality of work; take steps to correct mistakes and improve the overall product
Job Specific – Every employee in this position must be able to:
Demonstrate sound judgment, problem solving techniques and observation skills
Learn new information and apply it in various situations
Utilize effective oral and written communication skills
Display strong interpersonal skills including courtesy when dealing with others
Accept advice and constructive criticism
Display emotional self-control, adaptability, self-initiative, dependability and integrity
Work as a team player in an unsupervised environment
Comply with laws and regulations
Demonstrate proficiency when using required equipment
Learn modern approved principles, practices and procedures of traffic investigation, controlling laws and ordinances, and the geography of the community in a short timeframe
Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with peers, supervisors, authorities, and the general public
Work with mathematics that includes formulas involving the utilization of algebra and trigonometry, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Carry out written and oral instructions
Remember and recall the details of incidents and identify involved individuals
Maintain high standards of honesty, integrity, and professionalism
Understand police record systems data
Effectively deal with adverse individuals
JOB SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS
Essential Job Functions, Duties, Responsibilities and Tasks
1. Investigates traffic accidents and documents detailed accident reports, including:
Observing intersection and arterial traffic flow
Issuing citations for violations of traffic laws
Being in contact with motor vehicle drivers at accident scenes
Assisting shift patrol officers with crime scene processing
Taking police reports in person and on the phone
Evaluating information and determining the priority of actions in conducting an investigation and organizing a report
Identifying potential items of evidence
Collecting logs and maintaining chain of custody for evidence
Keeping all traffic reports
2. Must be able to effectively use legal and department knowledge, including:
Demonstrating working knowledge of laws, codes, and legal procedures in all areas of law enforcement
Testifying in civil and criminal court on behalf of the police department
Serving summonses, subpoenas, and notices
Demonstrating working knowledge of department policies, regulations, and procedures
Maintaining current knowledge of accepted department procedures
Keeping current on laws and relevant legal opinions
Participating in all required training
Adhering to an exemplary code of conduct while on or off duty in dealing with other department members, as well as the City and public
Functioning effectively within the prescribed chain of command
3. Responsible to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing while providing appropriate public service and interaction, including:
Participating in community-oriented programs, and City task force groups
Using appropriate oral and written communication to provide traffic enforcement information and explanations
Maintaining appropriate courtesy while with the public
Providing assistance and appropriate referrals
Advising victims, complainants, violators, parents, etc.
Mediating disputes
Presenting a neat, clean, well-groomed, professional appearance and demeanor
Preparing effective written reports, memos, citations, activity logs, etc.
Demonstrating effective oral communication skills with the public and other members of the department
Demonstrating effective communication via the police radio and other portable devices
4. Must be able to safely and proficiently use required vehicles and equipment, including:
Maintaining and inspecting all equipment
Inspecting all traffic enforcement vehicles
Safely operating vehicle under routine and emergency conditions
Using required training and safety precautions under emergency conditions
5. Maintains regular and punctual attendance

Other Duties and Responsibilities
Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City's discretion.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS/PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Education, Experience, Skills, Formal Training, Licenses and Certifications
Required:
Graduation from high school or GED
Does not have any felony convictions
Must be at least 21 years of age
Possess a valid driver's license and maintain a safe driving record
Requirement to take and pass Accident/Reconstruction certification classes following hire
Ability to work on-call on a rotational basis, and respond to after hours call-outs within thirty minutes
Preferred:
Three (3) years of law enforcement experience
One (1) to two (2) years of experience working as an Accident Investigator at the municipal level
Accident Investigator certification(s)
Ability in mathematics, physics and engineering
Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and skills, may be considered.
Physical Requirements
Work performed can be physical in nature and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength for:
Constant sitting and standing to perform daily office tasks and field work; Constant walking on street surfaces and uneven terrain in all types of weather to perform investigations
Occasional squatting, bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching overhead and below shoulder and twisting to perform the investigation of accidents in the field
Frequent light grasp to perform office functions and handling to manipulate tools and equipment used; Occasional firm grasp to perform field work; Constant fine manipulation to write reports and inspect vehicles for evidence
Frequent step up/down and actuate mechanism to enter/exit vehicles and safely operate vehicles when driving to accident site
Frequent near and far acuity to perform fieldwork and office duties; Constant hearing to identify potential safety hazards and to communicate with staff and citizens in potentially stressful situations
Occasional lifting and carrying and pushing/pulling of up to fifty (50) pounds from ground to waist a distance of 100 feet to set up equipment and testing

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is frequently performed indoor and outdoor with occasional exposure to extreme temperatures. This work requires varying degrees of physical responses, from sedentary work to very heavy work, due to the nature of unpredictable and unforeseeable events. Work is performed year round in all weather conditions with the potential for exposure to hazardous surroundings, including exposure to vehicular traffic, potentially dangerous or threatening individuals, persons with communicable diseases, hazardous materials, chemicals, blood or body fluids.
Required Materials and Equipment
Full size passenger van vehicles, measuring equipment, surveying equipment, photographic equipment, computers, two-way police radio, safety equipment, line leveling equipment, levels and various other small tools associated with the recovery of evidence.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Employment as an Accident Investigator is conditional upon successful completion of an oral interview and/or assessment center, psychological examination, background investigation, polygraph or CVSA
Must be able to pass the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check due to access to sensitive areas
Background checks will include employment references, criminal history, education verification
Pre-employment drug screen and voice stress test
Pre-employment physical
Must be legally entitled to work in the United States


The City of Westminster offers a comprehensive benefit package including:
Health and Dental
Flexible Spending
Pension/ Retirement Plans
Term Life Insurance
Long-term Disability
Survivor Benefits
Wellness Program
Education and Training Reimbursement
General leave that provides vacation, holidays, and illness leave
For a more detailed overview of our General Non Exempt employee benefit package: Benefit Package

The City of Westminster does not participate in the Social Security system. In lieu of social security contributions, the city contributes to a 401(a) defined contribution plan on your behalf.

401(a) Contribution Rates:
Employee Mandatory Contribution: 11% of your base pay. Contributions are pre-tax and fully vested.
Employer Contribution: 11.25% of your base pay.

Employer Contribution Vesting Schedule
Less than 3 years - 0%
3 years - 60%
4 years - 80%
5+ years - 100%

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