With a population of over 195,000 residents, Vancouver, Washington sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Oregon. Vancouver combines the excitement of a major metropolitan area with small-town charm and abundant recreational opportunities. The City is seeking an open, honest, and transparent law enforcement professional who can lead the Vancouver Police Department. The ideal candidate will be a champion of integrity and ethics for the Department, promoting openness and active community engagement at all levels of the organization. The ability to lead by example and instill a high degree of accountability while treating employees with dignity and respect will be essential to success. The Police Department enjoys the support from the community, City Council, and the City Manager. The City is looking for a relationship builder that can develop trust within the Department, with City staff, and within all aspects of the community.
Competitive candidates will possess a 4-year degree in criminal justice, psychology, business or other related field or the equivalent combination of education/training and experience. Must have Washington State certification as a Police Officer or be able to obtain such certification within one year of hire. A relevant Master’s degree is preferred. The successful candidate will have demonstrated progressive supervisory/management experience with a broad range of operational experience including at least five (5) years of executive leadership experience in law enforcement in a similar sized organization; three (3) years of experience as a Police Chief in a similar sized jurisdiction is strongly preferred. Experience working within a strong union environment; managing/monitoring various management functions such as HR, legal, discipline, hiring, budget, and working within a City Manager/Council form of government is a critical must for the successful candidate. Attendance at a command level training academy such as SFA or the FBI Academy is preferred.
The salary range for the Police Chief will be $178,116 - $231,624 and the starting salary will be dependent upon qualifications and experience. The City also offers an attractive benefits package.