Police Detective

Final Day To Apply:

12/31/2026

It's fun and rewarding to work for the City of Steamboat Springs!  Our employees are passionate and proud to serve our community with excellence and distinction.  Our teams are awesome, and we are committed to our community and the very special place that is Steamboat Springs, Colorado! 

Job Description:

When joining the City of Steamboat Springs, you can expect to work for an organization with:

• A team that strives to make this the best place you’ve ever worked!

• A focus on supporting our employees’ mental, physical, and financial well-being

• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that creates a welcoming city 

• A highly engagedworkforce proudlyserving our community with excellence and distinction

• A passionfor strategicallyproviding outstanding municipal services

• A promise to each other to support the work we all do for the city, community & Yampa Valley

Uniqueness Fuels Our Innovative Spirit
Our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity and experiences drives us forward every day. It's the collective sum of our experiences that makes Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley a powerful, insightful and welcoming community.  

The City of Steamboat Springs is hiring a Police Detective to join their team!

Pay Range: $45.62-58.96/Hourly

GENERAL PURPOSE  

Performs specialized work in the investigation of criminal activities, areas of public interest and crime prevention.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the direct supervision of the Investigations Sergeant.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May supervise and delegate duties to sworn and non-sworn Police personnel during the course of an investigation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serves as an ambassador of the City of Steamboat Springs and upholds City values of Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Well-being, Respect and Compassion, while always espousing safety.

Assumes the role of lead investigator in all felony investigations and appears in court as the case agent to present evidence and testify against persons accused of crimes.  Assume any misdemeanor investigation that is complicated, a high priority, or which will require significant follow-up.

Conducts investigations at the scene of a crime or any location within or outside of the department’s jurisdiction in order to obtain evidence related to crimes and increase the likelihood that the crimes will be successfully prosecuted.

Obtains physical and testimonial evidence in preparation for the arrest of persons alleged to have committed crimes and/or the prosecution of those persons. 

Conducts interviews to obtain statements from suspects, victims, witnesses and complainants. 

Interprets, collects, photographs and preserves evidence. Collects and reviews electronic, phone or computer related evidence when applicable. Attends and witnesses autopsies, as needed to collect evidence.

Prepares affidavits for Courts to secure arrest warrants, search warrants, non-testimonial warrants, production of record warrants, and preservation letters. 

Creates detailed reports and other applicable documents to assist with the apprehension of individuals, seizure of evidence or other information to enhance investigations.

Completes assigned cases in as much of a timely manner as possible. Cases will be worked to a full conclusion in accordance with SPPD Policy 660.6 Discontinuation of Investigations.

Works closely with all members of the department as well as other law enforcement partners to ensure the proper investigation and prosecution of crimes; to include developing a close working relationship with the District Attorney’s Office, the Child Advocacy Center, and Advocates.

Transmits evidence to Colorado Bureau of Investigations. Works with investigators from CBI when their assistance is required.

Maintains a close relationship with all patrol officers to assist and mentor them in advancing their understanding of the criminal investigative process. Assists patrol when needed, to include covering shifts.

At the direction of the Investigation Sergeant, searches for and apprehends suspects.

Maintains good standing on the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) to effectively investigate Sex Assault Crimes.

Performs related work as assigned by the Investigations Sergeant, Commander(s) or Chief of Police.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.

Conducts Department training in investigative skills, crime scene analysis and evidence collection, as well as any other areas that they are instructor certified in, such as firearms, driving, and arrest control.

Is available on a 24/7 “on-call” status for periods ranging from multiple days to a several weeks at a time. Must be able to respond to a call-out in less than one hour.

May be called upon to work unorthodox shifts, long hours, and overtime as dictated by investigative needs and at the direction of the Investigations Sergeant, the Commander(s), or the Chief of Police. Must have flexibility in their hours and be able to work various days and various hours based on need.

Responds to communication from the Investigations Sergeant, Commander(s) or Chief of Police within a timely manner in accordance with SSPD Policy 701 Personal Communication Devices and SSPD Policy 344 Personnel Recall.

Maintains contact with public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of investigation activities.

Serves as a member of various employee and community committees.

Conducts investigations, if assigned, for the Critical Incident Team.

Educates the public by giving presentations and trainings to businesses and citizen groups on a variety of topics related to public safety and the prevention of crime.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

(A)      Must be 21 years or older at the time of employment.

(B)      Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State driver's license without record of suspension or revocation in any State.

(C)      No felony convictions and disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years.

(D)      U.S. Citizen.

(E)      Must be able to read and write the English language.

(F)      Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.

(G)     Must be a Certified Peace Officer.

(H)     Internal candidates must have a minimum of two consecutive years of law enforcement experience. External candidates must have a minimum of four consecutive years of law enforcement experience and in good standing with their agency.  

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

(A)      Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.

(B)      Some skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below.

(C)      Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations; 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 learn the City's geography.

(D)      Must apply knowledge and reasoning to make prompt and effective decisions; evaluates alternative courses of action and selects the most acceptable alternative; makes sound decisions in a timely manner; sizes up a situation quickly and takes appropriate action.

(E)      Must recognize conditions or circumstances that indicate something might be wrong, unusual, or out of the ordinary, utilizing senses of sight and hearing.

(F)      Must speak in a clear and understandable manner and be able to listen carefully to comprehend various types of information. Must be able to use police radio.

(G)     Must be able to write clearly and concisely, using acceptable grammar, pronunciation, and spelling.

(H)      Must be sensitive to the feelings and perceptions of others and resolve problems in ways that do not arouse antagonism.

(I)       Must be assertive when necessary.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

(A)      Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State Driver's License without record of suspension or revocation in any state.

(B)      Ability to meet Department's physical standards.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Police car, police radio, handgun, taser, and other weapons as required, baton, handcuffs, first aid equipment, computer, digital imagery and digital audio equipment, latent fingerprint processing materials, measuring devices, chemicals and other assorted evidence collection tools.

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 50 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 this job.

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 can be moderate to extreme.

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.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal oral board interview, IA file/personnel file review, and supervisor/peer review, interview panel.

Formal application; rating of education and experience; testing including written and physical agility test; oral interview; background check; CVSA examination (external candidates); psychological examination; final selection.

The City of Steamboat Springs is an equal opportunity employer.

If you like serving in a role that will directly and positively impact our great community, you'll enjoy your career with us!

Pay Range:

$45.62 - $58.96

Offers will be negotiated based on each candidate's qualifications.

Merit:
This role is eligible for merit within our pay-for-performance philosophy via our annual performance review process.  Hires after September 1st will take the next year's compensation data into account but would not be eligible for merit until the following year.

Benefits:
Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage options as well as other program offerings such as our Employee Assistance Program and more. You may also contribute to our 401(a) plan that includes a company match.  Seasonal roles are not eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage, but have benefits such as Paid Sick Leave, Ski and Skate Pass, Employee Assistance Program, etc.