Traffic Accident Investigator

CITY EQUITY STATEMENT
The City of Westminster welcomes diverse candidates from the broadest base possible. Our goal is to find the best candidate for the job-someone who belongs, not just fits. We value life and professional experiences, recognizing equivalent combinations of knowledge skills and education.

Aligned with our city SPIRIT values, the successful candidate will have a passion and commitment to serving a diverse population of residents and must respect and uphold the principles of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

We encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for this role, even if you believe you have a less traditional background than described we invite you to apply.

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: The City of Westminster provides high-quality core services and fosters resilience in order to promote a safe and thriving community. 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 - People - Integrity - Respect - Innovation - Teamwork).

This position supports the goals of the Police Department, which is: “Enforcement and education of laws and the apprehension of those who seek to disrupt the quality of life within our community.” 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, Colorado, is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity and aims to have its workforce reflect the community.

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
• Career Development Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Leave program that provides for vacation, holidays, sick leave, major illness, and on the job injury

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: 11.5% of your base pay. Contributions are pre-tax and fully vested.
Employer Contribution: 12% of your base pay.

Employer Contribution Vesting Schedule

• Less than 3 years - 0%
• 3 to 4 years - 60%
• 4 to 5 years - 80%
• Over 5 years - 100%
• For employees age 55 and older, the employer contributions are 100% vested

The City of Westminster provides employees with innovative and practical ways to improve their commute through two key features, EcoPass and Commute Benefits powered by Commutrics. EcoPass provides unlimited trips on RTD's core transit services and Commute Rewards allows you to record your trips and get rewards based on your commute mode.

Closing Date/Time: 2/17/2025 8:30 AM Mountain

• 

• City of Westminster, Colorado

• 303-658-2150

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