Police Chief (Civil Service)

Police Chief (Civil Service)

Salary

$148,636.80 - $203,424.00 Annually

Location

Police & Fire HQ, 601 Douglas Street, Sioux City, IA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

202600050

Department

Police

Division

Police Administration

Opening Date

05/22/2026

Closing Date

6/22/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Sioux City has partnered with Civic Leadership Search Partners to launch a nationwide executive recruitment search for our next Police Chief. The Police Chief oversees a police force of 132 sworn officers and 27 civilian employees, providing community services to the City's 85,000 residents across the following divisions: administration, uniformed services, investigative services, professional standards, records, identification, support services, Tri-State Drug Task Force, youth bureau, animal control, and the administration of the department's $29,217,909 annual budget. The Police Chief reports directly to the City Manager.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelors' degree in law enforcement, criminology, public or business administration or other related field and a minimum of five (5) years of combined experience at the rank of Lieutenant or Captain or in an equivalent supervisory role in modern law enforcement. This experience must include progressively responsible supervisory duties across multiple law enforcement specialties, including major command-level responsibilities at or above the rank of Police Lieutenant within a city, county, state, or federal agency.

Police Chief Candidates from Outside the State of Iowa

If an out of state candidate is certified by another state, served as a Military Police or as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, they may qualify for reciprocity in Iowa. Certification Through Examination (CTE) is Iowas reciprocity program. Candidates must visit the Law Enforcement Academy website, Reciprocity | Law Enforcement Academy where a candidate can learn more about CTE.

The preliminary CTE application must be Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) approved before an applicant can be enrolled in CTE as their path to certification. The approval process can take up to (90) ninety days. With that in mind, candidates must submit the preliminary CTE application as soon as the candidate determines they are interested in the Sioux City Police Chief position. The CTE application will determine if a candidate meets a certain criterion in the state of Iowa.

Civil Service Process

Candidates who meet the above minimum qualifications of the position and meet the ILEA requirements will be invited to participate in the Assessment Center.

Click on the following link for more information:

• Police Chief Brochure

Comprehensive information about the position can also be found on the City's website: www.Sioux-city.org/Government/Human Resources/Civil Service/Scroll down to Supplemental Information for Current Postings.

Candidates must submit a complete application, along with a cover letter, a resume, and five professional references.

The City of Sioux City is an equal opportunity employer.

Duties

• Supervises and evaluates the work of a subordinate staff through consistent, in-person leadership and observation of assigned personnel ensuring daily operations, critical incidents, and public interactions are conducted according to department standards and policies; effectively recommends personnel actions related to selection, performance, leaves of absence, grievances, work schedules and assignments, disciplinary procedures and administers personnel, safety and related policies and procedures.
• In consultation with the City Manager and with the assistance of immediate subordinates, formulate policies and regulations governing activities of the Department.
• Makes a visible presence within the department, facilities, organization and community to foster accountability, team cohesion and effective communication.
• Manages the creation of the department's Strategic Plan to include a multi-year plan that aligns with the City's Strategic Plan.
• Formulates and prescribes work methods and procedures to be followed by members of the Department; appraises conditions of work in the Department and takes necessary steps to improve law enforcement operations.
• Researches current law enforcement trends, technology, and equipment for possible adoption by the department.
• Initiates or adopts the latest law enforcement concepts to ensure a progressive law enforcement agency.
• Directs and regularly reviews the department's community outreach efforts for maximum effectiveness.
• Plans and supervises the enforcement of traffic and safety regulations and programs of crime prevention and detection, vice suppression and public education; prepares work programs and budget estimates and directs and supervises the expenditure of annual appropriations.
• Prepares annual budget estimates and submits and defends fiscal requirements to the City Manager and City Council.
• Collaborates with outside agencies, groups and individuals to proactively deal with community issues that are either criminal or related to citizen quality of life.
• Responds to issues from other local, State and Federal officers in the apprehension and detention of persons wanted for warrants with other agencies where activities of the Department are involved.
• Directs the proper accounting for money received or disbursed, maintenance and operation of law enforcement communications systems and maintenance of all law enforcement equipment and other property entrusted to its care for use or security.
• Supervises the review of criminal, traffic, training and activity reports and initiates corrective action when and where warranted.
• Represents the Department in all significant public relations matters; attends City Manager, departmental and other staff meetings.
• Serves as a member of the Executive Leadership team.
• Demonstrates the community policing philosophy of the department through participation and innovation.
• Trains, responds, and functions as a member of a rapid response team.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with City Officials, other agencies, fellow employees and the public.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance and working hours which may include evenings and weekends as the demands of the position may occasionally require.
• Expected to temporarily perform duties outside of normal classification in the event of a declared emergency. In the event that an employee is excused from work other than being sick, they will be required to report to work in a state of declared emergency.

Qualifications

Cognitive Demands, Skills and Abilities: Ability to speak clearly so others can understand you; ability to identify and understand the speech of another person; ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences; using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems; motivating, development and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job; being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do; identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Job Knowledge: Comprehensive and broad knowledge of the principles and practices of modern law enforcement administration and law enforcement methods; comprehensive and broad knowledge of the principles and accepted good practices and procedures of law enforcement science and administration, organization and operation as applied to field, patrol activity, traffic control, traffic safety, criminal investigation and the various functional services utilized in law enforcement operations; thorough knowledge of the types and uses of communications, of other electronic devices, firearms, gas and automotive equipment used in modern law enforcement work; thorough knowledge of the functions of Federal, State and local jurisdictions and authorities as they relate to law enforcement work; ability to plan, lay out and supervise the work of a large number of subordinates performing varied operations connected with law enforcement activities to develop proper training and instructional procedures for those employees, and to maintain a high level of discipline and morale; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City officials, State and Federal authorities, civic leaders and general public; demonstrated ability to command the respect of officers and to assign, direct and supervise their work; ability to supervise the preparation of clear, accurate and comprehensive.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication: Requires effective communication skills and the ability to provide assistance to customers (external and internal). Requires the ability to write and speak clearly, distinctly and effectively with fellow employees and patrons; read in English and compare similarities and differences between words and series of numbers; apply common sense understanding to the work process, procedures, programs and services; and to provide and follow verbal and written instructions.

Physical Requirements: Continuous visual effort, depth perception, color vision, hearing, and speaking; ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer), ability to see details at a distance; frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending at the waist, squatting, climbing stairs, reaching below shoulder level, pushing/pulling, lifting, carrying up to 100 lbs.; twisting of the neck, twisting at the waist, simple grasping, firm grasping, fine manipulation, radial deviation, working with bent wrist, and foot movements to operate foot controls; occasional bending of the neck, kneeling, climbing over obstacles, climbing ladders, running, reaching above shoulder level; must be in good physical condition and able to train and perform all law enforcement functions, especially in emergency situations.

Work Environment: Work is normally performed in a normal inside office environment with appropriate heating and cooling and is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards other than those normally associated with general public contact, dust or odors; however, larger incidents requiring administrative oversight may require work to be performed outside of administrative buildings in hazardous environments in a variety of weather conditions.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Must obtain and maintain required Iowa certifications; (i.e. firearms, CPR, etc.) within 6 months of hire date. Must obtain and maintain a valid Iowa's driver's license.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelors' degree in law enforcement, criminology, public or business administration or other related field.

and

A minimum of five (5) years of combined experience at the rank of Lieutenant or Captain-or in an equivalent supervisory role-in modern law enforcement. This experience must include progressively responsible supervisory duties across multiple law enforcement specialties, including major command-level responsibilities at or above the rank of Police Lieutenant within a city, county, state, or federal agency.

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skill and abilities.

PREFERRED:

Masters Degree in leadership, public administration, or related field. Participation and graduation from an accepted law enforcement executive development (staff and command) course such as the FBI National Academy, Northwestern School of Staff and Command, Southern Police Institute.

For Full-Time employees and qualifying Transit and Library Part-Time employees, the City of Sioux City offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life, Disability and Retirement. For more information on the benefits available, please visit our website.

01

I have submitted a resume. I understand this is a requirement of the application process.

• Yes
• No

02

I have submitted a cover letter. I understand this is a requirement of the application process.

• Yes
• No

03

I have submitted 5 professional references. I understand this is a requirement of the application process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Sioux City

Address 405 6th Street

Sioux City, Iowa, 51101

Phone 712-279-6200

Website http://www.sioux-city.org