Entry Level Government Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $66,437.49 - $103,066.29 Annually
Location : Police & Fire HQ, 601 Douglas Street, Sioux City, IA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 202600062
Department: Police
Division: Police Uniformed Bureau
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 10/5/2026 11:59 PM Central
Description
The Nationally Accredited Sioux City Police Department is seeking dedicated Police Officers driven to preserve law and order and emphasize our desire to work in partnership with the community through community policing, outreach efforts, and establishing strong partnerships with the citizens we serve.
Starting wage for an entry level Police Officer is $66,437.51 Law enforcement officers certified in the State of Iowa or another state with equivalent training for a minimum of (2) two years or possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university will be entitled to start at a minimum of $73,247.33 with higher pay possible. The expected wage range after (3) three years of service will be $73,247.33 to $103,066.33 with potential for more based on the future contract.Certified Law Enforcement Officers are eligible to receive higher starting pay and the City will match their current accrued vacation leave
All officers receive an additional $1,350 per year for uniform allowance, 1.50% of base pay for Taser certification, and 2.75% of base pay in deferred compensation match. Bilingual officers will receive additional compensation of 1.50% of base pay. After 10 years of service officers will receive longevity pay. Comprehensive retirement and benefits package included along with paid vacation, sick, and military leave. For more information on our benefits, click here:
Law enforcement officers certified in another state have the option to gain certification in Iowa through an approved examination course administered by Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA).
Please click on the following links to assist with the application and testing process for Police Officer:

• Police Officer Candidate Cover Letter (PDF)
• Civil Service Rules - Police Officer Entrance (PDF)
• Sioux City PD Background Application Booklet (PDF)
• Police Officer Applicant Elimination Factors (PDF)
• IA Law Enforcement Academy Physical Testing Standards (PDF)
• POST Study Guide and Practice Test

The links listed above 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 pass a physical agility, written examination and oral interview before a conditional job offer. Upon conditional offer of employment, candidates must be able to pass a physical agility again, eye, back x-ray, physical, drug and alcohol screening, and psychological examinations. They must be of good moral character and never been convicted of a felony or have a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence.
If offered a position, candidates must be willing to relocate within (30) thirty miles of Sioux City city limits in the states of Iowa, Nebraska, or South Dakota.
The City of Sioux City is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. EOE/ADA
Minimum Required Qualifications:

1. Completion of High School or GED.
2. Must be 21 years or older by October 5th, 2026.
3. Must be a USA citizen.

and
Must meet minimum qualifications as defined by Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and the Sioux City Police Department. Click here: .
Application period closes on October 5th, 2026, at midnight
Background Packets must be submitted by November 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
Make a difference and become an officer with the Sioux City Police Department.
Duties

• Patrols a designated area of the City on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, or in a patrol vehicle to preserve law and peace, to prevent and discover the commission of crime, and to enforce traffic and parking regulations.
• Checks buildings, parks, playgrounds, and neighborhoods for evidence of burglaries, vandalism, and suspicious activity.
• Answers calls and complaints involving accidents, thefts, public and domestic disturbances, intoxication, fires, and other misdemeanors and felonies, and provides a variety of other miscellaneous services.
• Evacuates people from dangerous areas.
• Drives a motor vehicle under emergency conditions.
• Controls, regulates, and directs vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Issues citations for traffic, non-traffic, and parking offenses.
• Conducts accident investigations providing first aid for the injured and requests emergency assistance and takes safeguards to prevent further accidents.
• Demonstrates the community policing philosophy of the department through participation and innovation.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of departmental technologies to include computers, software, mobile devices, recording devices, and equipment.
• Interviews principals and witnesses at accident scenes, secures scene, takes written statements, examines vehicles in roadway observing traffic control devices and obstructions to view, measures skid marks, takes street measurements, and prepares collision diagrams, collects physical evidence, clears accident scene of obstructions and wreckage and maintains traffic flow.
• Administers roadside sobriety tests using breathalyzers.
• Advises persons of constitutional rights and demonstrates an awareness of constitutional law and police policy.
• Identifies, apprehends offenders and seizes contraband.
• Handcuffs and transports prisoners.
• Subdues and arrests resisting or attacking individuals.
• Pursues suspects in motor vehicles and on foot.
• Demonstrate firearm proficiency and prepared to use deadly force when necessary.
• Collects and preserves evidence.
• Performs investigative work involving crimes, missing persons, child neglect, suspicious persons, or vehicles.
• Conducts surveillance of individuals or locations.
• Searches premises or property, recovers and inventories stolen property, and estimates its value.
• Locates witnesses to crime and interrogates suspects.
• Explains complaints to offenders, victims, and witnesses, and advises them of legal procedures.
• Conducts interviews, mediates family disputes, comforts emotionally upset persons, and refers to appropriate social service agencies.
• Makes public presentations.
• Testifies in and presents evidence in civil and criminal court cases and hearings.
• Prepares written, electronic and supplemental reports.
• Places children in protective custody.
• Determines whether incidents are criminal or civil matters.
• Serves subpoenas and search or arrest warrants.
• Represents department in meetings and acts as liaison with community groups.
• 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 see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer); ability to see details at a distance, 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; ability to work under stressful conditions; ability to make positive corrective response to discipline and criticism; ability to analyze situations and use sound judgment in adopting effective and expedient plans of action; ability to act and work independently and as a member of a team. Ability to establish and maintain control in defusing volatile situations.
Job Knowledge: Knowledge of state, federal, and city laws and ordinances; knowledge of city geography; knowledge of emergency procedures; knowledge of investigation and search techniques and procedures; knowledge of procedures for preserving evidence; knowledge of the rules, regulations, and policies of the Sioux City Police Department; knowledge of proper radio procedures; ability to make accurate oral reports; Ability to safely operate motor vehicles. Ability to record facts and write prepare clear and accurate reports and records. Ability to make observations and remember pertinent facts. Ability to properly use and maintain equipment.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication: Ability to speak English and identify the need for translation. Ability to speak clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Requires effective communication skills and the ability to provides assistance to customers (external and internal). Re-quires the ability to write and speak clearly, distinctly and effectively with fellow employees and the general public; 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; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, and the general public. Requires the ability to work as a member of a team in order to accomplish tasks; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public; and the ability to relate to minorities, women, and other protected classes in the community at all socioeconomic levels.
Physical Requirements: Perform and maintain any of the following physical requirements at any given time. Continuous visual effort, depth perception, color vision, hearing, and speaking. 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. Ability to perform physical functions while wearing protective equipment.
Work Environment: The work involves physical exertion and elements of personal danger. Work in extreme heat, extreme cold, humid and wet conditions. Work in and around moving vehicles. Must be able to work shifts to include weekends, evenings and holidays. Potential exposure to noise, vibrations, fire, chemical agents, hazardous substances, poor ventilation, sharp objects, cluttered areas, poor lighting, fumes, odors, dust, smoke, infectious agents, blood borne pathogens, and gases.
Minimum Required Qualifications
Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Driver's License at the time of a conditional offer by the Police Chief.
Must be able to train, respond, and function as a member of a rapid response team; must maintain required State certifications; example: firearms, CPR, etc. Must be in good physical condition and able to train and perform all police functions, especially in emergency situations.
Completion of High School or GED.
and
Must meet minimum qualifications as defined by Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and the Sioux City Police Department Police Officer Applicant Elimination Factors.
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
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