The Cowlitz Indian Reservation is located in northwest Clark County, Washington, along the Interstate 5 corridor, approximately 16 miles north of Portland, Oregon. The reservation is a non-residential, 152-acre property that includes ilani Casino, Hotel/Resort; the Cowlitz Tobacco Outlet; Q’anápsu Cannabis Dispensary; and the Cowlitz Crossing Fuel and Convenience Store.

While the reservation serves as the primary jurisdiction of the Cowlitz Tribal Police Department, the Cowlitz Tribe also maintains state and federally recognized trust lands and other properties across Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania, Pierce, and Pacific counties.

The Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department, also known as the Cowlitz Tribal Police Department (CTPD), employs 31 full-time staff, including 27 commissioned police officers. The department provides law enforcement services on the Cowlitz Indian Reservation, serving the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, its employees, and patrons of the businesses located on the reservation.

CTPD officers are general authority law enforcement officers, authorized to enforce criminal laws involving both tribal and non-tribal individuals. Officers are commissioned through the State of Washington and meet the standards of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. They enforce applicable state, federal, and tribal laws. Once hired, all entry-level applicants must successfully pass Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy and obtain their Bureau of Indian Affairs Special Law Enforcement Commission in order to maintain employment with CTPD

CTPD works in close partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, and other regional law enforcement agencies. Through these collaborations, the department helps ensure a safe and secure environment on the reservation while also supporting surrounding jurisdictions and communities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

· Enforces the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code, charges and books arrested person, or issues citations when appropriate and completes necessary paperwork.

· Patrols tribal roads and state highways within the boundaries of the Cowlitz Indian Reservation to enforce traffic laws and assist motorists in distress.

· Responds to complaints on the Cowlitz Indian Reservation and trust lands and investigates criminal or civil misdemeanors, traffic accidents involving personal injury and/or property damage, vandalism, and burglary.

· Determines whether there is probable cause for arrest at domestic disturbances.

· Provides security and law enforcement for tribal activities.

· Interrogates victims, witnesses, and suspects.

· Transports violators to and from court, rehabilitation sites or jail facilities. Serves court papers, warrants, or subpoenas as required.

· Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, tribal administrators, and the general public.

· Secures, documents, and examines crime scenes and gathers, preserves and processes evidence.

· Assists BIA and other federal, tribal and state law enforcement officers in investigating federal or state offenses occurring on the Cowlitz Indian Reservation.

· Observes and reports conditions conducive to crime or which might endanger public safety.

· Assists search and rescue groups, HAZMAT situations, and fires as requested.

· Works in cooperation with the EMTs and administers first aide or renders interim emergency care when necessary.

· Refers federal crimes to the Federal Bureau of Investigation through the Police Commander.

· Documents the results of investigations in writing and prepares required forms and written reports; completes citation logbook and call log as required.

· Provides oral testimony, service warrants, and police reports, as requested by the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Court and other tribal, federal, and state courts.

· Assists citizen groups, tribal programs, and other programs serving the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to implement crime and delinquency prevention or public awareness/public safety programs through presentations at community meetings, departmental meetings or with public and private groups.

· Attends routine and specialized training classes and seminars of law enforcement methods and techniques.

· Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

· Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations and rules pertaining to law enforcement and the CIT.

· Knowledge of current law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and techniques.

· Knowledge of the Cowlitz Indian Reservation including all roads, highways, streets and locations.

· Knowledge of and sensitivity to tribal customs and beliefs.

· Skill in the safe and effective operation and maintenance of law enforcement equipment.

· Skill in the safe operation and handling of motor vehicles.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion when dealing with sensitive information.

· Ability to use personal protective tools including handgun, mace, baton and cuffs.

· Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

· Ability to competently use a computer, including word processing software.

· Ability to successfully complete an approved Basic Police Training Course and approved firearms qualification course within required time limits.

· Ability to enforce the laws fairly and impartially with due regard for the rights and safety of individuals and the preservation of property.

· Ability to work various duty shifts, including holidays, weekends, evenings, and overtime.

· Ability to quickly analyze data, draw logical conclusions and make sound decisions.

· Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, lack of prejudice and desire to help when dealing with people.

· Ability to accept the dangers and stresses, regimentation, discipline and time demands of police work.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associate personnel and the public.

· Ability to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the Department.

Minimum Qualifications:

· High School Diploma/GED.

· Must be 21 years of age.

· Obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid Certifications within one year of hire date.

· Successful completion of Indian Police Academy and State Academy Certification within one year of hire date.

· Successful completion of Field Training Program.

· Valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.

· Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

· Pre-employment drug screen.

· Reference checks, education and employment verification.

· Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks including fingerprint verification.

· Has not been found guilty of, charged with, received a deferred sentence, received a conditional discharge of, or entered a plea of not contest to, or entered a plea of guilty to any one felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence, sexual assault, molestation, exploitation or sexual contact; prostitution; or crimes committed against person(s) or children.

· Written test, physical agility test, interview, medical exam, polygraph, and psychological test.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to talk and hear. The employee occasionally is required to walk, run, lift and climb during efforts to catch or subdue hostile individuals. The employee is required to have good reflexes of the arms and hands in order to draw and shoot firearms quickly and accurately. The employee frequently is required to use hands, wrists, and fingers associated with computer equipment. Situations will occur where prolonged sitting, driving, walking, or waiting is required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. Position requires frequent lifting of 75 lbs.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in a typical interior office setting and outdoor environment or vehicle. Exposure to dirt, dust, pollen, inclement weather, temperature extremes, traffic hazards, body fluids, hazardous chemicals, flames or burning items, various evidence, firearms, and unpleasant odors will occur. Exposure to hazardous, uncontrollable, and life-threatening situations and infectious disease

may occur. Noise level is usually moderate to high. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Travel is required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events. Evening, weekend, and/or holiday work may be required. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required. Must be on call for emergencies.

Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department - Entry Level Police Officer has 2 vacancies.

CTPD currently has 4 civilian employees and 21 sworn officers. The agency has budget approval for a total of 4 civilian employees and 27 sworn officers.

Senior Police Officer wages are based on total years of service as a documented commissioned police officer with a local, Tribal, state, or federal agency that is recognized by Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. 

21+ years of experience = $57.53 (Senior Police Officer)

16-20 years of experience = $54.65 (Senior Police Officer)

11-15 years of experience = $51.92 (Senior Police Officer)

6-10 years of experience = $49.31 (Senior Police Officer)

2-5 years of experience = $46.85 (Police Officer)

Entry level officer = $44.50 (Police Officer)

MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND VISION INSURANCE 

Full-time employees working 30-plus hours a week are eligible for insurance. Insurance begins the same day if an employee starts on the 1st of the month. (First falls on a Sat. or Sun. Insurance coverage will begin on Monday. If an employee starts after the first, excluding weekends, the insurance coverage will start the first day of the following month.

The Tribe offers employees a choice of insurance (medical/dental/vision) through Washington State Health Care Authority Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). In addition to the PEBB plans, the Tribe offers a VSP vision plan in which the Tribe pays 100% for the employee and 50% for spouse/dependents coverage.

The Tribe pays 100% of the insurance premium for the employee at the Uniform Group Insurance Rates. If the employee selects coverage other than the Uniform Group Plan, the employee will pay the difference in cost. For employees with a spouse &/or dependents, the Tribe will pay 50% of the additional premium at the Uniform Insurance rate, and the employee pays the balance.

LIFE INSURANCE AND LONG-TERM DISABILITY 

The Tribe provides a $35K life insurance policy through MetLife and an essential long-term disability policy through Standard insurance for employees. Additional life and long-term disability coverage is offered at 100% expense to the employee. The eligibility date for life insurance is the same as the medical/dental/vision.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) 

The Tribe provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through the Washington State Office of Personnel at no cost to the employee. A flyer is provided at the time of hire, and additional informational handouts are available through the Employee Services Department.

401K 

After twelve (12) months of employment and the employee has worked at least 1,000 hours, the Tribe contributes equal to 5% of the employee's wage to a 401K plan. Employees are eligible to contribute to the 401K plan on their own behalf immediately upon hire.

AFLAC 

Additional self-insurance coverage is offered to employees 60 days after the hire date. This additional coverage is optional; the Tribe does not pay premiums for the employees under this option.

ANNUAL (Vacation) AND SICK LEAVE 

Full-time employees accrue 13 days (104 hours) of annual (vacation) leave yearly. Eligible part-time employees will accrue annual leave on a prorated amount based on actual hours worked. No leave will be accrued on overtime hours for full or part-time employees.

Employees will start accruing Annual (vacation) leave immediately but are not eligible to use any accrued Annual leave from six (6) months after hire date.

Full-time employees will accrue sick leave at a rate of 13 (104 hours) days per year. Part-time employees will accrue sick leave on actual hours worked.

HOLIDAYS 

New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Cowlitz Tribal Day (February 14^th), Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indian Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. There is an optional Cultural Day holiday.

Should a holiday fall on a Saturday, Friday will be observed. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, Monday will be observed.

Employees are required to work a full shift the day before and after each holiday, failure to do so may result in the forfeiture of holiday pay. The only exception being an employee with pre-approved annual (vacation) or sick leave.