HONOR - INTEGRITY - EXCELLENCE
Join the Hood River Police Department
Entry or Lateral Opening
Open until filled: First review September 7, 2026
Salary Range: $35.36/hour - $42.26/hour
Laterals may start higher in the salary range based on experience.
POLICE OFFICER (Lateral or Entry Level)- HOOD RIVER, OR – Pop. 8305. Salary Range $35.36/hour - $42.26/hourDOQ. This position is represented by the Hood River Police Association. The starting salary for a lateral hire is negotiable based on relevant law enforcement experience. Lateral-level applicants with a minimum of 2 years of police officer experience will automatically be awarded an interview and are not required to complete the written or physical testing phase. Entry-level candidates for the position must pass written, physical agility, and psychological tests, as well as a background investigation and pre-employment drug screening Bi-lingual Spanish is preferred. Excellent benefit package offered; Oregon Public Employees Retirement System, City pays 90% of Health Insurance Premium, City VEBA contributions, vacation, and paid leave/Holiday accruals. Bi-lingual pay 5%, Intermediate Certificate pay 5%, Advanced Certificate pay 10%. EE/AA.
Testing:
. For testing locations and times, visit the National Testing Network online at https://nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/exams.cfm or call 855-821-3761.
To apply:
Applications and a full position description may be obtained at https://cityofhoodriver.gov/employment-opportunities/ or in person at the Hood River Police Department: 207 Second Street, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Applications may be hand-delivered, mailed to the City of Hood River administration, or emailed to [email protected].
JOB DESCRIPTION - Police Officer - Entry or Lateral
Department: Police
Reports to: Police Sergeant
Classification: Full time, Non-exempt, Represented
Salary Range: $35.36-$42.26/hr. (Effective July 1, 2026)
KEY DISTINGUISHING DUTIES:
Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic regulations, and related law enforcement activities.
SUPERVISION:
· Received: Works under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant
· Exercised: Supervision is not a normal responsibility of this position
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following list is not intended to be all-inclusive. Generally, an employee in this position is at times required to:
· Work on rotating shifts performing security patrols, traffic control, investigation, and first aid at accidents, detection, investigation, and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
· Work an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding a course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
· Maintain normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or incidents.
· Carry out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances.
· Patrol City streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies, and other law violations.
· Perform community caretaking functions.
· Respond to emergency radio calls and investigate traffic crashes, robberies, civil disturbances, domestic disputes, fights, drunkenness, missing children, prowlers, abuse of drugs, and to take appropriate law enforcement action.
· Interrogate suspects, witnesses, and drivers. Preserve evidence, and arrest violators. Investigate and render assistance at crash scenes. Summon ambulances and other law enforcement assistance. Take measurements and draw diagrams of scenes.
· Conduct follow-up investigations of crimes committed during assigned shift. Seek out and question victims, witnesses, and suspects. Develop leads and tips. Search scenes of crimes for clues. Analyze and evaluate evidence. Prepare cases for giving testimony and testify in court proceedings.
· Prepare a variety of reports and records including reports of investigations, field interview reports, alcohol influence reports, breathalyzer checklists, bad check forms, vehicle impoundment forms, traffic hazard reports, and other law enforcement reports and forms.
· Undertake community-oriented police work, and assist citizens with such matters as crime prevention, drug abuse education, traffic safety, and other related functions.
· Conduct patrol activities including directing traffic, investigation of reported or observed violations of law, and conducting patrol activities.
· Coordinate activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchange information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtain advice from the City Attorney, District Attorney, Municipal Prosecutor, and Municipal and Circuit Court Administrators, regarding cases, policies, and procedures, as needed and assigned.
· Maintain contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations, and provide general information about Department activities.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES
· Maintains departmental equipment, supplies, and facilities.
· Serves as a member of various employee committees.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSING AND OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
ENTRY LEVEL:
· An employee in this position must: Be 21 years or older at time of employment; Not have any felony convictions or other disqualifying criminal history; be a U.S. citizen, or be able to attain citizenship within 12 months of hire; be able to read and write the English language meeting the minimum standard as set by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST); be of good moral character, having temperate and industrious habits; be able to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and departmental rules and regulations; be able to communicate both orally and in writing; be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, police department personnel, and personnel from other City departments and other agencies; be able to follow verbal and written instructions; be able to learn the City’s geography; be able to exercise sound judgment in evaluating emergency and non-emergency situations and in making decisions; be able to perform duties on self-initiating basis without constant and/or direct supervision.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
· High school diploma or equivalent. An Associates or Bachelor’s degree or vocational school training in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice administration, public administration, or a related field is preferred.
· An equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Some knowledge of, or ability to learn, modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.
· Some skills in operating the tools and equipment are listed below.
LATERAL LEVEL:
· Must be able to meet all Entry Level requirements listed above.
· Must have at least 12 months of full-time paid service as a sworn police officer in a civilian governmental jurisdiction prior to application.
· Successful completion of Department of Public Safety Standards and Training requirements and hold a Basic Police Officer certification.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
· The employee must possess or be able to obtain by the time of hire, a valid driver's license, must attain and maintain basic first aid and CPR certifications, and must have the ability to pass the DPSST standard ORPAT physical agility test at the time of hire or prior to completing DPSST police academy after hire.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Police vehicles, police radio, radar and lidar, tint meters, digital cameras, audio and video recording devices, handgun and other weapons as required, electronic control devices, side handle or ASP baton, handcuffs, breathalyzer, first aid equipment, computers, and related records management and word processing software, and other law enforcement tools and 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 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.
Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
The City of Hood River is an Equal Opportunity Employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Hood River will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Pay: $35.36 - $42.26 per hour
Benefits:
- 457(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Military leave
- Paid time off
- Uniform allowance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
