General Purpose
The position of Deputy Chief is second in the chain of command for the Burlington Police Department (BPD), reporting directly to the Chief of Police. There are two deputy chief positions. The
Deputy Chief, Operations manages the daily operations and activities of the Uniform Services Bureau, including patrol, the airport, and the Community Service Officers. The
Deputy Chief, Administration manages the Administrative Services Bureau and the Detective Services Bureau. The three bureaus overseen by the Deputy Chiefs are the agency’s largest organizational components. (Additionally, the agency contains a business management component and a social services component called CAIP, or Crisis Advocacy Intervention Programs. These are overseen by the Executive Manager and the Assistant Director, CAIP, respectively. The Deputy Chiefs, the Executive Manager, and the Assistant Director comprise the agency’s executive staff, which works closely and collaboratively together, and reports to the Chief of Police.)
Union Affiliation: Non-Union
Pay Grade PUPS DC: $133,769.22 - $139,879.58 Annually
Remote Tier 2: One (1) Day Remote/Week
Essential Job Functions
- Assist the Chief of Police in formulating and reviewing plans and policies regarding public safety needs, and executing said plans and policies.
- Act as an ambassador of the BPD’s vision, mission, and values.
- Participate in strategic planning and budgeting, particularly with regard to the deputy chief’s respective bureau.
- Review the overall performance of the BPD, maintain disciplinary procedures and standards, and assist with preparing and adhering to the annual budget.
- Represent the BPD at regional, national, and international law-enforcement meetings.
- Meet with community stakeholders, members of local government, and peers at other City departments as needed, collaborating to help achieve the BPD’s public safety vision, mission, and goals.
- Attend meetings of the independent Burlington Police Commission and other City committees, representing the BPD’s mission and goals.
- Communicate effectively in presenting information to the public using a variety of media.
- Participate in labor relations and negotiation processes with City Unions representing police department employees.
- Assume the duties of the Chief of Police in their absence.
- Schedule shift assignments for both sworn and non-sworn personnel in the deputy chief’s respective bureau(s).
- Transmit orders from the Chief of Police to subordinate supervisors and non-supervisory employees to ensure uniform interpretation of those orders and compliance.
- Issue memoranda and written guidance on operational issues as needed.
- Under the guidance of the City Attorney’s office, represent the BPD for various litigation.
- Effectively implement a variety of managerial principles, including but not limited to leadership, oversight, mentoring, coaching, and supervision to ensure the BPD’s mission and proper staff development.
- Develop employees and provide periodic evaluations to subordinates.
- Review and approve or reject all new hires prior to finalization by the Chief of Police.
- Perform periodic police service functions, such as patrol or investigative functions, in order to remain aware of the work done by subordinates and line officers, including enforcing criminal law violations, motor vehicle statutes, and City ordinances, and effecting arrests when necessary.
- When required, act as the Officer in Charge (OIC) of a shift.
- Carry out administrative practices to ensure proper police operation.
- Encourage and emphasize community-based policing, including compassionate service, the use of alternative justice when applicable, and the practices of Burlington’s Community justice Center (CJC) and other alternatives to the traditional criminal justice system.
- Carry out the essential functions of a Level III Police Officer as defined by Vermont law and ensure that sworn employees in the deputy chief’s respective bureau do the same.
- Delegate or assign work activities to subordinate sworn and civilian employees.
- Adhere to the BPD’s Code of Ethics, Rules, and Directives, acting in a manner, on duty and off, that remains unsullied and does not bring discredit to one’s self, the BPD, or the City of Burlington.
- Ensure subordinates understand and adhere to the BPD’s Code of Ethics, Rules, and Department Directives.
- Support, attend, and/or help plan ceremonial events such as swearing-in ceremonies, promotions, police academy graduations, and the annual awards ceremony.
- Foster and ensure a harmonious and professional work environment.
Specific to the Deputy Chief, Operations
- Oversee the Uniform Services Bureau (USB), including daily operational activities in the areas of patrol, airport security, and community services. (Patrol services include Animal Control, K-9 Handlers, School Resource Officers, the Domestic Violence Victim’s Advocate, and all patrol-related police functions, including vehicle patrol, motorcycle patrol, and foot patrol.)
- Oversee police presence and security at major city events such as New Year’s Eve, the Vermont City Marathon, the Third of July celebrations, and the Church Street Tree Lighting Ceremony.
- Directly supervise the patrol lieutenants, the Uniform Services Bureau Support & Administrative Coordinator, and the airport supervisor.
- Evaluate, guide, mentor, and develop all USB supervisors (community service manager, sergeants, and lieutenants).
- Oversee the Community Service Officer (CSO) program, made up of unarmed, non-sworn employees addressing animal issues, non-injury crashes, quality-of-life calls for service, and other incidents that do not automatically require sworn police.
- Ensure USB is collaborating and coordinating with CAIP.
- Oversee the BPD’s wellness efforts in conjunction with the City’s human resources department.
- Liaise with community stakeholders such as but not limited to the Burlington CJC, Fletcher Free Library, the faith community, the Burlington School District, the King Street Center, the Boys & Girls Club, the Vermont Department for Children and Families, the PRIDE Center, Howard Center, Spectrum, the University of Vermont Medical Center, AALV, etc.
- Liaise with the University of Vermont and the University of Vermont Police Department relative to noise complaints, on-campus crimes, commencement exercises, etc.
- Attend and support the Community BBQ, Creemee with a COP, Trunk or Treat, Parent University, etc.
- Monitor the use-of-force review process and prepare the monthly Use-of-Force Report for public release.
- Ensure Department Directives relative to USB are current, and are followed, and recommend changes or updates as needed.
- Perform Administrative Reviews or Internal Investigations as required.
- Periodically attend roll calls for all shifts.
- Approve permits for protests, parades, and special events.
Specific to the Deputy Chief, Administration
- Oversee the Detective Services Bureau (DSB), including components such as: the General Detectives and associated criminal investigations; crime analysis and intelligence; the Criminal Identification Technicians, evidence collection, and property-and-evidence control; the supervisor and detectives assigned to the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigation (CUSI); and the supervisor and detectives assigned to the Drug Unit, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force Officer (TFO).
- Approve all high-risk or high-profile operations plans for DSB General, Drugs, and CUSI, including warrant executions.
- Ensure DSB is collaborating and coordinating with CAIP.
- Ensure Department Directives relative to DSB are current, and are followed, and recommend changes or updates as needed
- Oversee the Administrative Services Bureau (ASB), including components such as: the Emergency Communications Center (aka “Dispatch”) for the Burlington Police Department and Burlington Fire Department; the Records Unit; and the Training unit.
- Oversee the Recruitment team, consisting of the Recruitment Officer, a sworn employee, and the Recruitment Coordinator, a professional employee, and dedicated to the crucial task of meeting recruitment goals while attracting and hiring the best talent for the future of the agency.
- Act as the primary point of contact for all lawsuits against the BPD and all public records requests; work closely with the City Attorney’s office on both.
- Assist the Executive Manager with monitoring building maintenance and equipment procurement; this requires a high level of coordination with the City’s facilities team.
- Liaise with the Valcour Governance Board (the state of Vermont’s CAD/ECMS).
- Review training curricula and maintain and improve training standards.
- Recommend recruitment, research, training, and planning initiatives.
- Oversee the processing of external and internal complaints, and the execution of supervisor reviews, Administrative Reviews, and Internal Investigations.
- Act as the primary point of contact for the DEA Task Force agreement and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force program.
- Serve as primary point of contact for the BPD relative to Human Resource matters, including approving “change of status” forms, conducting exit interviews, and developing and coordinating selection processes for special assignments and promotions.
- Ensure that thorough background investigations are conducted on all employees and that the hiring packets are complete prior to coming to Command review.
Non-Essential Job Functions:
- Performs other duties as required.
Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements
- Ability to actively support City diversity, equality, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.
- Bachelor's degree or higher is preferred. Commensurate experience, including military experience, may be considered.
- Minimum of ten (10) years of police experience and a minimum of three (3) years in a supervisory police role.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and proficiency in management principles.
- Must possess, or be able to obtain within one month, a valid Vermont Driver's License and maintain said license.
- Must possess, or be able to obtain within one year, a Vermont Police Academy Law Enforcement Certification as a Level III officer. Out-of-state candidates must be current law-enforcement officers or have been separated from a certified law-enforcement role for no more than three (3) years.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of police administration, and approved police methods and procedures.
- Knowledge of City, State, and Federal laws and regulations affecting police work.
- Knowledge of the major functional areas of municipal government, with demonstrated knowledge of the City of Burlington preferred, or the ability to achieve such knowledge.
- Knowledge of budgetary procedures and fiscal accountability.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, subordinates, the general public, and other law-enforcement officials.
- Ability to interpret research data for BPD planning projects.
- Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
- Demonstrated ability to represent the City of Burlington and the BPD effectively and professionally in all written and verbal interactions with many stakeholders, including BPD personnel, City personnel, the media, elected officials, and community members.
- Ability to remain calm, prioritize work, and problem solve while addressing competing objectives and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure, high-stakes environment.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and subordinates in the BPD.
- Must be able to meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) standards established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) within six (6) months of hire date, and be able to obtain and maintain Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification.
- Must successfully pass an oral board interview and full background check conducted by the BPD.
- Ability to work with a diverse population with a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, among City staff and the general public.
- For the Deputy Chief, Administration, position, a proven history of effective recruitment and the ability to implement long-range plans to address staffing is strongly preferred.
Additional Information
Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity
The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.
In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.
Applications for our employment opportunities are
only accepted online through our Government Jobs website.
For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-2505 or careers@burlingtonvt.gov .