Police Officer III

Police Officer III

Salary

$31.11 Hourly

Location

Emergency Services Center, 275 Flathead Avenue, Whitefish, MT

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-0023

Department

Police

Opening Date

09/11/2026

Closing Date

10/15/2026 5:00 PM Mountain

• Description
• Benefits

General Purpose

The City of Whitefish Police department is actively recruiting for a full-time Police Officer III position. We welcome your inquiries and encourage you to apply! If you are a professional with the desire and passion to serve your community, this may be the perfect fit for you.

One of the fastest growing cities in Montana, Whitefish is consistently rated one of the best small towns in America and was named one of the top 25 ski towns in the world by National Geographic. It is located on the shores of Whitefish Lake and the base of Big Mountain - home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Whitefish also boasts over 36 miles of natural surface single-track mountain biking and hiking trails with 10 trailheads, golfing, world class dining, two professional live theater companies, and is only thirty minutes from Glacier National Park.

Probationary Police Officer III = $31.11 per hour (Range 20)

Confirmed Police Officer III = $32.66 - $46.67 per hour (Range 21 after one-year probationary period). Candidates with previous Police Officer experience may be considered for this classification range at start of employment if approved by Police Chief.

Benefits of working for the City of Whitefish include:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• Competitive wages
• Health, Dental, Orthodontic, and Vision Insurance (FY26 the City pays 81% of monthly premium, employee pays 19% of monthly premium pre-tax)
• Generous employer contribution toward Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for those who choose the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
• Free annual biometric screening - Employee and spouse/partner can earn up to $200 incentive for participation
• City Wellness Program - City pays $30 per month to employees to use toward wellness
• Corporate rate membership to The Wave health club (billed to City and deducted through payroll)
• Montana Police Officers Retirement System (MPORS) - includes 14.41% City contribution, 29.37% State of Montana contribution, and 9% employee contribution of salary (5-year vesting period). See https://mpera.mt.gov/members/MPORS for more information on retirement.
• 15 days of paid vacation earned per year (starting)
• 12 days of paid sick leave earned per year (starting)
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• One paid personal day per year (8 hours)
• $25,000 employer paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy for employee and $5,000 for spouse/dependents and optional additional voluntary life and AD&D available
• 125 Cafeteria Plans - Optional Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Free Employee Assistance Program - 6 free counseling sessions per issue, per person in household
• Optional Deferred Compensation Plan (457) - Pretax and Roth Available
• Optional Aflac Plans including Accident, Short-Term Disability, Cancer, Hospital and Critical Illness
• May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan (PSLF) - click here to learn more and to understand your eligibility.
• FMLA - up to 12 weeks of leave per year (rolling calendar year) available after working 1250 hours within previous 12 months and employed for 12 months for qualifying events. Accrued leave utilized concurrently.
• Bereavement Leave - up to 5 paid days off for death of immediate family member
• Jury & Witness Duty Leave
• Military Leave
• Eligible to earn Compensatory Time (additional paid leave of 1.5 hours earned for each hour worked in a qualified and approved OT event)
• 15% -20% discount on Verizon voice plans and select data plans
• T-Mobile exclusive offers with Work Perks - 15% off the Go5G Plus or Go5G Next rate plans
• AT&T discounts also available
• Parks & Recreation After School and Summer Day Camp services provided at no cost to employees
• Whitefish Workforce Assistance Program - designed to help full-time and seasonal equivalent employees to successfully live and work in the Whitefish area by providing rental assistance - click here to learn more and understand your eligibility.
• Collective Bargaining Agreement benefits -
• Advancement opportunities based on years of service with WPD, education and continuing law enforcement education
• $1,250 annual Equipment & Clothing allowance
• Shift Differential
• Compensatory Time and Personal Time cash in option
• Physical Fitness test incentive
• City provided body armor
• Additional information and benefits available upon request

For assistance with online application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 406-863-2464 or email HR@cityofwhitefish.gov.

TESTING REQUIRED: The written and Physical Fitness Performance tests will take place on Monday, November 2, 2026. The written portion will be the National Police Officer Selection Test, while the Physical Fitness Performance testing will follow Cooper Standards. Detailed information for the Physical Fitness Performance Requirements is provided further below.

INTERVIEWS: Those who pass the written and physical testing will be scheduled to interview on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

EOE-AA-M/F-VET-DISABILITY

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Performs routine law enforcement work and a variety of police department activities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the close supervision of a higher-ranking officer.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Enforces applicable criminal, traffic and other state, federal and municipal codes.

• Receives training in applicable laws and ordinances and department policies andprocedures; receives training in a wide variety of police functions including criminalinvestigation, evidence collection, patrol and traffic procedures, self-defense, use of firearms; receives field training and guidance from senior officers while performing lawenforcement work in patrol, traffic, and other police functions.

• Operates a police vehicle while patrolling an assigned area checking for unlocked doors,windows and building security; checks residential areas for possible illegal activities.

• Serves warrants, makes arrests and transports offenders to jail.

• Investigates crimes and prepares cases for court; testifies in court when required.

• Investigates accidents and prepares accident offense and other reports as necessary.

• Issues traffic citations, makes and keeps reports as required.

• Coordinates activities with other officers or other City departments as needed,exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies.

• Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigationactivities,

• Provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides generalinformation about department activities.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

• Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.

• Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operating activities.

• Serves as a member of various employee committees.

Desired Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Some knowledge of the methods, principles, and practices of city law enforcement;
• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations; ability to develop skill in the use of fire arms and operation of police vehicles; ability to perform work requiring good physical condition; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors; ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to meet the special requirements listed below; ability to learn the citys geography.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State Drivers License without record of suspension or revocation in any state; ability to meet Departments and States physical standards.

Supplemental Information

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Police car, police radio, radar gun, handgun and other weapons as required, side handle baton, handcuffs, breathalyzer, pager, first aid equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application; review of education and experience; appropriate testing including written and physical agility test; oral interview; final selection.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Whitefish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Director. The City of Whitefish does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, creed, political idea, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity and/or expression in its hiring or employment practices.

PHYSICAL FITNESS PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: 40% Level

MALES

AgeUnder 2020-2930-3940-4950-5960+Sit-Ups413835292419Push-Ups2929241813101.5 Miles12:2912:2912:5313:5015:1417:19Sit/Reach16.516.515.514.313.312.5

FEMALES

AgeUnder 2020-2930-3940-4950-5960+Sit-Ups32322520146Push-Ups

(Full Body)1515119N/AN/APush-Ups*

(Modified)232319131251.5 Miles15:0515:0515:5617:1119:1020:25Sit/Reach20.519.318.317.316.815.5

• Testing is one minute for Sit-Ups and Push-Ups.

The City of Whitefish provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• Competitive wages
• Health, Dental, Orthodontic, and Vision Insurance
• Generous employer contribution toward Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for those who choose the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) or a medical deductible reimbursement program for those who choose the Bridger plan
• Montana Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) / Montana Municipal Police Officers Retirement System (MPORS) / Montana Firefighters Unified Retirement System (FURS) - includes employer and employee contributions
• Optional Deferred Compensation Plan (457)
• Generous paid vacation and sick leave
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• One paid personal day per year
• Eligible to earn Compensatory Time (additional paid leave of 1.5 hours earned for each hour worked over 40 hours per week) for non-exempt positions
• $25,000 employer paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy for employee and $5,000 for spouse/dependents
• Optional Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DSA) 125 plans
• May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan (PSLF) - click here to learn more and to understand your eligibility.

Employer City of Whitefish

Address PO BOX 158

Whitefish, Montana, 59937

Phone 406-863-2407

Website http://www.cityofwhitefish.gov