Police Officer III

Salary: $31.11 Hourly
Location : Emergency Services Center, 275 Flathead Avenue, Whitefish, MT
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Police
Opening Date: 09/11/2026
Closing Date: 10/15/2026 5:00 PM Mountain

General Purpose
Performs routine law enforcement work and a variety of police department activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the close supervision of a higher-ranking officer.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None.
Job Duties
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Enforces applicable criminal, traffic and other state, federal and municipal codes.
• Receives training in applicable laws and ordinances and department policies andprocedures; receives training in a wide variety of police functions including criminalinvestigation, evidence collection, patrol and traffic procedures, self-defense, use of firearms; receives field training and guidance from senior officers while performing lawenforcement work in patrol, traffic, and other police functions.
• Operates a police vehicle while patrolling an assigned area checking for unlocked doors,windows and building security; checks residential areas for possible illegal activities.
• Serves warrants, makes arrests and transports offenders to jail.
• Investigates crimes and prepares cases for court; testifies in court when required.
• Investigates accidents and prepares accident offense and other reports as necessary.
• Issues traffic citations, makes and keeps reports as required.
• Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed,exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies.
• Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigationactivities,
• Provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides generalinformation about department activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

• Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operating activities.
• Serves as a member of various employee committees.

Desired Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Some knowledge of the methods, principles, and practices of city law enforcement;
2. Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations; ability to develop skill in the use of fire arms and operation of police vehicles; ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors; ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to meet the special requirements listed below; ability to learn the city's geography.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State Driver's License without record of suspension or revocation in any state; ability to meet Department's and States physical standards.

Supplemental Information
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, side handle baton, handcuffs, breathalyzer, pager, first aid equipment.

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 this 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 frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this 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 frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:
Formal application; review of education and experience; appropriate testing including written and physical agility test; oral interview; final selection.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

PHYSICAL FITNESS PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: 40% Level
MALES
AgeUnder 2020-2930-3940-4950-5960+Sit-Ups*413835292419Push-Ups*2929241813101.5 Miles12:2912:2912:5313:5015:1417:19Sit/Reach16.516.515.514.313.312.5
FEMALES
AgeUnder 2020-2930-3940-4950-5960+Sit-Ups*32322520146Push-Ups*
(Full Body)1515119N/AN/APush-Ups*
(Modified)232319131251.5 Miles15:0515:0515:5617:1119:1020:25Sit/Reach20.519.318.317.316.815.5
*Testing is one minute for Sit-Ups and Push-Ups.
The City of Whitefish provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• Competitive wages
• Health, Dental, Orthodontic, and Vision Insurance
• Generous employer contribution toward Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for those who choose the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) or a medical deductible reimbursement program for those who choose the Bridger plan
• Montana Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) / Montana Municipal Police Officers Retirement System (MPORS) / Montana Firefighters Unified Retirement System (FURS) - includes employer and employee contributions
• Optional Deferred Compensation Plan (457)
• Generous paid vacation and sick leave
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• One paid personal day per year
• Eligible to earn Compensatory Time (additional paid leave of 1.5 hours earned for each hour worked over 40 hours per week) for non-exempt positions
• $25,000 employer paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy for employee and $5,000 for spouse/dependents
• Optional Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DSA) 125 plans
• May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan (PSLF) - click here to learn more and to understand your eligibility.