Position Summary

Do you have an interest in serving the public and working for a great city? Join Brooklyn Center and be a part of an amazing group of city employees who are proud of the work they do every day. The Police Department is currently recruiting a Crime Prevention Specialist. This is a full-time, benefit-eligible, unionized position located at the police department.

The purpose of the crime prevention specialist is to build strong relationships between the Brooklyn Center Police Department, CPHS (Office of Community Prevention, Health and Safety) and other City departments, and the community in order to deliver effective communication and programming aimed at reducing and preventing crime. The person in this role needs to be detail-oriented and organized, have strong customer service skills, be able to build strong relationships with a wide variety of people, and navigate successfully in different cultures.

Examples of Duties

Relationship building and information gathering

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  Cultivate strong relationships with residents, businesses, community organizations, schools, City departments, City employees and other law enforcement agencies. This includes underserved communities and communities that may not have serious crime issues.
• Identify problems and opportunities through community conversations, regular review of police reports, calls for service, engagement with CPHS, and other sources.
• Monitor crime trends, provide crime statistic information, and prepare crime prevention activity reports.
• Build and maintain a specialized knowledge of current and relevant professional crime prevention practices.

Training, event coordination and program coordination

• Assist with the development, implementation and sustainment of initiatives, programs and strategies that address identified crime problems.
• Work with personnel in the police department, CPHS and other City departments to develop, coordinate and host various community events.
• Setup and coordinate Night to Unite activities.
• Represent the department at other assigned activities, meetings and events.
• Establish and maintain residential and apartment groups, business groups, landlord groups, neighborhood crime watch groups and related clubs and groups through such means as door knocking, phone calling, social media, making presentations, hosting workshops, facilitating meetings, and recruiting and coordinating volunteers.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers for neighborhood watch groups.
• Provide training to apartment managers/owners with the crime-free, multi-housing program.
• Provide training to other groups (residents, business owners, schools, faith-based groups, etc.) as necessary or requested.
• Coordinate officer speaking engagements.

Communication and reporting

• Working within the City’s communications guidelines and coordinating with City departments, shares timely and relevant crime prevention and safety information, via email, social media, press releases, brochures and public presentations, to various groups, including, but not limited to, residents, businesses, schools, faith-based groups, and various civic groups.
• Prepare clear, accurate and concise reports of activities consistent with City policies.
• Research and prepare articles about crime prevention-related topics for City newsletters, publications and other local publications.
• Report on crime prevention activities for weekly crime reduction strategy meetings.
• Prepare year-end reports.
• Provide crime data associated with calls for services as requested.
• Prepares crime prevention information for officers.
• Provide one-on-one crime prevention support to individuals who are concerned about crime in the community. This may be done in person, through email or over the phone.
• Answer public inquiries regarding crime prevention issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Communications: Actively listens and asks effective questions to gain a shared understanding of people’s needs and situations. Able to speak and write English clearly. Can effectively represent the organization and the department to the public and has the ability to give effective presentations at public meetings.

Decision Making: Acts in a decisive manner, using good judgment. Considerate of needs of stakeholders. Resourceful. Anticipates needs and evaluates alternatives.

Interpersonal Relationships: Builds strong relationships with a wide variety of people. Committed to establishing a safe, productive, collaborative culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion. Works effectively on a team, helping bring out the strengths of everyone. Gives and receives feedback effectively. Strong customer service skills. Must have tact and diplomacy.

Professional Attitude: Committed to the mission of the organization. Takes initiative. Dependable. Produces high quality, accurate work. Utilizes work time properly and productively.

Technical Knowledge: Ability to learn and apply specific laws, city ordinances, and regulations. Ability to become proficient and/or certified in the use of personal computers and federal/state/local basic terminal operation. Ability and skill to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Physical Abilities: Can create and deliver presentations in a clear and concise manner in front of groups. Some evenings and weekends required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in related field or relevant experience.
• Current Certified Crime Prevention Specialist (CCPS) or ability to obtain certification within one year of appointment.
• Minimum of one-year employment history.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

Supplemental Information

Desirable Training and Experience

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  BA in related field or equivalent experience
• Experience in dealing with the public; problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Understanding of, and ability to analyze and interpret laws.
• Knowledge and experience working with Minnesota Government Data Practice Laws.
• Effective public speaker, both in the creation of content and in the delivery of presentations and training.
• Proficient in MS-Office and use of databases.

The City of Brooklyn Center will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, ability, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, veteran status, or membership on a local human rights commission, genetic information, gender identity or gender expression, and lawful participation in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Patient Registry . The City of Brooklyn Center will take all necessary steps to ensure that all employment practices are free of such discrimination.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Therefore, it is also not, nor can it be implied to be, a contract of employment. The contents of this position description may be changed without notice, and employment may be terminated by either party, at will. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. All employees are responsible for following applicable policies and procedures as defined by their manager or as described in the personnel handbook.

Completion of an on-line application is required. Do not refer to your resume – the staff member reviewing the application will not have access to your resume during the review process. The City does not allow attachments to the on-line application. If you would like to submit a cover letter, resume or other documentation, please e-mail it to HR@ci.brooklyn-center.mn.us – please reference the job title in the subject line.

Regular full-time employees are eligible for City benefits. The City offers a benefit package that includes health, dental, long and short term disability, life insurance, and deferred compensation.