Description
The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to fill current openings for Police Officer with the City of Ames Police Department. For applicants, please see below the dates of application review for timely consideration.
Police Officers perform work related to the enforcement of law, maintenance of order, protection of life and property, and prevention of crime; contributes to citywide problem-solving and performs related work as required. Work is within a 24/7/365 environment and subject to shift assignment and occasional mandatory overtime.
To witness what it is like to work for the City of Ames Police Department and find additional information on the pre-employment requirements, please visit the Ames PD website: Join the Ames Police Department. For further information please also see Ames Police Department Facebook Page and City of Ames Police X Page (formerly Twitter) .
HIRING WAGE INCENTIVE
For this recruitment, any Iowa certified Officer, OR, any out-of-state certified Officer who can gain certification through examination with the ILEA, who begins employment as a result of this recruitment, shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $2000.
Any non-certified Officer who begins employment from this recruitment shall receive a hiring wage incentive to equal $1000.
This incentive shall be paid in the following increments:
1) 50% upon hire
2) 25% after 6 months of employment
3) 25% after probationary period ends or 12 months of employment (whichever is later)
SALARY
The current starting annual salary for this position is $66,794 ($32.30 per hour). Specified months of City of Ames PD service are applied as step increases, per the PPME bargaining agreement. Annual salaries for Police Officers are based on a 2068 hours worked schedule. Salaries may be subject to change according to worked overtime.
The City of Ames is offering lateral transfers for certified officers, up to step D (49-72 months). Current Iowa Law Enforcement Academy certification will be required before applying any step consideration.
The current steps are outlined below:
July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027
Months Hourly Rate Annual Pay Months Hourly Rate Annual Pay
0-12 $32.30 $66,794 0-12 $33.35 $68,965
13-24 $33.46 $69,193 3-24 $34.55 $71,441
25-48 $35.38 $73,176 25-48 $36.53 $75,554
49-72 $37.31 $77,157 49-72 $38.52 $79,664
73-96 $39.33 $81,337 73-96 $40.61 $83,980
97-120 $41.96 $86,776 97-120 $43.33 $89,596
121-168 $43.53 $90,011 121-168 $44.94 $92,936
169+ $45.32 $93,721 169+ $48,84 $101,000
This position is also bound by a residency requirement per the same bargaining agreement, which is outlined under "Other Supplemental Information" later in this posting.
Requirements
Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Successful completion of high school, HiSet, or GED, PLUS 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours in an accredited college or university in diversified academic subjects, OR an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may substitute for the minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of accredited higher education. Not to be included are technical or occupation courses; however, technical or community college credits will be considered if credits are in criminal justice, liberal arts, or a closely related field. Certification by a law enforcement academy may not substitute for any course credit.
Licenses and Certificates: Must obtain a valid Iowa driver license upon appointment. Must demonstrate a safe and conscientious regard for traffic laws. Must meet all state standards for Peace Officer certification, complete the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, and achieve certification within one year of appointment. Must exceed Iowa Law Enforcement Academy fitness testing standards to be eligible for hire; must complete ILEA based testing biannually.
