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City of Davenport

226 W. 4th Street

Davenport, IA 52801

E-mail: sai@ci.davenport.ia.us
www.cityofdavenportiowa.com

Salary: $95,000 - $115,000

Population: 99,000

Sworn Officers: 164

Application Deadline: 11/2/07

Definition:

Due to the retirement of our accomplished Police Chief, the City of Davenport is accepting resumes and applications from qualified individuals to participate in this executive search.

Davenport with a population of just fewer than 100,000 is the regional beacon and hub of the metropolitan Quad-Cities, population 400,000 and the third largest city in Iowa. It is a place proud of its unique heritage at the crossroads of America. Geographically defined by the unusual path of the Mississippi River - the only place where the Mississippi runs from east to west, citizens like to say that the sun always shines on their city. Today, its rays are brighter than ever.

Davenport is experiencing its greatest revitalization in more than 80 years. It offers some of the nation's best schools; unique, friendly neighborhoods; highest quality public services and a distinguished reputation for entertainment, the arts and especially river music! Davenport, where the Mississippi celebrates, is a great place to live, work, raise a family, and visit.

The City of Davenport operates under the Council-City Administrator form of government. The Council consists of eleven elected officials; the Mayor and ten Council members. The City Council is made up of ten individuals elected from eight wards within the City and two elected city-wide. The City Council makes up the policy leadership that directs the city government to meet the wants and needs of its residents. The City Council has the responsibility for setting all municipal policies not designated by city charter or state legislation such as adopting ordinances and resolutions and approving the city budget.

Council members serve through non-partisan elections. The next election is November, 2007.

Reporting directly to the City Administrator, the Police Chief is a highly responsible management position charged with managing all functions of the Police Department in the enforcement of laws and ordinances, the prevention of crime, and protection of life and property. Work involves organizing and directing the activities of the Police Department’s four major divisions of Administration, Services, Patrol and Criminal Investigations.

The Police Chief reports to and consults with the City Administrator in determining plans and policies to be observed in police operations. Responsibilities include participating as a member of the Executive Management Team; preparing and administering a $20,566,000.00 annual operating budget; maintaining National Accreditation; developing and implementing policies and standards; leading a staff of 246 personnel; planning and executing short and long-term goals; and dealing effectively with problems as they arise. In addition, the Police Chief is responsible for performing all duties set forth in Davenport City Code 2.42.040 and 2.42.050.

Examples of Duties:

The personal traits and management style of the Police Chief will be carefully evaluated during the selection process. The traits and characteristics include a candidate’s ability to:  

• Establish and maintain an effective and productive working relationship with citizens.

• Provide leadership in establishing and promoting an open, proactive relationship with employees, supervisors, and department heads throughout the city.

• Serve as a positive role model for customer service, ethical behavior, openness, dispute resolution, problem solving, and professional conduct.

• Be able to manage and organize multiple projects at the same time.

• Be an excellent communicator; an effective listener, able and willing to communicate effectively with culturally diverse employees, community organizations, and individual citizens; possess good oral and written communication skills.

• Understand group dynamics and how to work effectively as a team member as well as a team leader.

• Possess a strong participatory management style which values the contributions and diversity of all employees; have an open door policy which encourages input and feedback.

• Be supportive of department heads and understand operational needs and functions of every department.

• Be a motivator who can develop strong staff and employee morale that results in high levels of productivity and accomplishment.

• Have the ability to foster organizational change.

• The ideal candidate should have a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Political Science or related field and fifteen (15) years experience in law enforcement, with a minimum of five (5) years of command staff experience, or any equal combination of education and experience. A Masters degree is preferred.

• Ability to work effectively while remaining apolitical.

• Must reside within the City of Davenport within 6 months of appointment date.

• Shall be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation including a fingerprint search conducted of local, state and national fingerprint files and have not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.

• Finalists must be able to pass a physical examination, drug screen, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), background check and polygraph at the discretion of the City Administrator.

• Must be able to possess and maintain throughout duration of employment a valid Iowa Driver's License.

• Must be able to be certified by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy within 1 year of appointment.

• Shall posses and maintain a professional permit to carry a weapon as issued by the State of Iowa.

• Shall obtain firearms-competence certification and annually qualify with handgun and shotgun.

Online applications will be accepted September 5, 2007 thru November 2, 2007. Qualified candidates who are selected to continue in the process can expect a questionnaire, participate in a management assessment tool and interview process.

Required application at:

www.cityofdavenportiowa.com

Open until November 2, 2007. Upon receipt of completed application, candidate will receive a comprehensive packet of information that showcases the unique qualities of the community and its exceptional Police Department.

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