Community Service Officer (CSO)

City of Lake Forest, IL -
Lake Forest, IL

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Job Details

Part-time
$16.80 - $31.36 an hour
10 days ago

Qualifications

Customer communication
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Outlook
High school diploma or GED
Driver's License
Law enforcement software

Full Job Description

Description

Are you an aspiring law enforcement professional looking to gain invaluable field experience? Do you have strong communication skills and a passion for helping your community? The City of Lake Forest is seeking a dedicated and community-minded Community Service Officer to support our Police Department.

As a uniformed, unarmed civilian, you will work directly alongside our sworn police officers, gaining a deep understanding of police procedures, tactics, and operations. This position provides an environment that actively encourages the development of your problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication skills, setting a strong foundation to help you become a certified law enforcement officer at a local, county, or state agency.

Examples of Duties

Public & Community Service: Work directly with the public to handle, de-escalate, and resolve non-criminal complaints. Provide traffic control at vehicle accidents, active construction zones, and designated school crossing details. Assist with equipment set-up, crowd control, and traffic routing for city-sponsored and community events. Conduct routine visibility patrols in commercial districts and high-violation parking zones.
Calls for Service & Reports: Write comprehensive, accurate incident reports for minor crimes, property damage, and non-injury traffic accidents. Manage walk-in citizen requests, process station reports, and answer non-emergency telephone inquiries. Apply and interpret local municipal codes to deliver accurate information to residents, visitors, and department staff.
Ordinance Enforcement: Issue citations for violations of local regulations, including parking restrictions, animal control laws, and city vehicle compliance. Investigate animal control complaints, handle reported animal bites, and process required quarantine paperwork. Safely capture, restrain, and transport stray, injured, or lost domestic pets and local wildlife to designated shelters.
Departmental Support: Transport department vehicles and specialized equipment to and from municipal garages or repair facilities. Retrieve and deliver documents, evidence, and specialized gear as authorized by department supervisors. Support sworn personnel with data entry, evidence logging, and general administrative tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

High School Graduate or GED equivalent.
Valid Illinois Driver’s License.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to read, write, and speak clearly.
Ability to work well under pressure and function at a high level under hectic, fast-paced conditions.
Working knowledge of standard productivity software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook) and the adaptability to learn proprietary police Records Management Systems (RMS) and electronic ticketing software.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Must successfully pass a Police Department pre-employment screening process.
Must be available to work an irregular schedule tailored to city needs, including rotating shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-backs.
Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, kneel, squat, and handle unpredictable animals in various outdoor climates.

Hours and Pay

Anticipated Hiring Rate: Starting at $21.00 per hour, depending on qualifications
Full pay range: $16.80 - $31.36
Part-time: approximately 32 hours per week
Benefits: IMRF pension, vacation time

Why Join the City of Lake Forest?

Be part of a progressive, professional, and supportive team that helps keep the Lake Forest safe, orderly, and responsive.
Support crucial field operations, public safety initiatives, community events, and Police Department functions that are essential to a transparent and effective local government.
Use your strong communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills in a dynamic civilian role where your accuracy and dedication truly matter.
Work directly alongside sworn officers in a collaborative environment that values trust, respect, excellence, and integrity.
Help protect the daily life of a vibrant community and gain invaluable knowledge on which you can launch a successful career in public safety on.

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the full job description here: Community Service Officer

The City of Lake Forest is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences.

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Description

Examples of Duties

Qualifications

Supplemental Information

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