About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Municipal Law Enforcement / Public Safety.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Role Overview

Confidential Client is building an eligibility list for Entry‑Level Police Officer candidates serving the Minerva Park / Columbus, OH area. This is a full-time municipal law enforcement position that requires successful completion of Civil Service testing (National Testing Network) and police certification training (OPOTA or equivalent) per Ohio requirements.

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What You’ll Do

• Patrol assigned areas to preserve the peace, protect life and property, and enforce laws.
• Respond to emergency calls and citizen complaints.
• Conduct investigations of criminal and traffic offenses; interview witnesses and victims.
• Transport, book, and process suspects; appear in court as needed.
• Provide traffic control, crowd management, and public safety support at events.
• Prepare daily and special incident reports; maintain accurate records.
• Operate police vehicles, radios, in‑car computer systems, and other law enforcement equipment.
• Attend required training, maintain certifications, and participate in community outreach.
• Work rotating shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on‑call hours.

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Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be at least 21 years old (and meet Ohio Revised Code/Civil Service age requirements).
• Valid driver’s license at time of appointment; able to operate department vehicles.
• Entry‑level candidates without current OPOTA certification must be able to complete a basic police academy.
• Candidates with an OPOTA certificate (or comparable out‑of‑state certification) who have not worked as a sworn officer in Ohio for two continuous years may apply as entry‑level; candidates with 2+ years continuous sworn service should review lateral officer opportunities.
• Knowledge of law enforcement principles, local/state/federal laws, arrest/search & seizure procedures.
• Skill in investigation, interviewing, use of firearm and non‑lethal tools, and basic first aid.
• Ability to think clearly and act quickly under stress; strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• U.S. citizenship or authorization to work in the U.S.
• Ability to pass required background checks, medical/physical exams, drug screening, and the Civil Service competitive exam process (NTN).

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Physical & Work Environment

• Must be physically capable of performing law enforcement duties, including running, restraining individuals, climbing, and lifting (including uniform and equipment weight).
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and in potentially hazardous environments.
• May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens and other occupational hazards.
• Must possess normal hearing and vision (with or without correction) sufficient for safe performance.

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Compensation & Career Progression

Salary steps (shift differential of $1.30 applied where applicable). Effective 01/01/2026:

• Cadet/Recruit: $69,036.94 – $70,571.09
• Starting Police Officer: $76,707.71
• After 1 year: $84,249.18
• After 2 years: $93,451.54
• After 3 years: $103,665.63
• After 4 years: $115,006.79
• After 5 years: $118,441.38

Benefits typically include training support, paid leave, retirement contributions, and professional development (details provided by the hiring agency).

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Selection Process & Documents Required

• Entry candidates must create a profile and upload test scores via the National Testing Network (NTN).
• Documents to have available for the NTN profile (upload as requested):
  • NTN Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)
  • Copy of driver’s license
  • Copy of birth certificate
  • OPOTA certificate (if applicable)
  • College diploma (optional — extra points for degree holders)
  • DD‑214 or current military service documentation (if applicable)
• Additional background, physical agility, medical, and psychological testing may be required per Civil Service procedures.

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Why Apply Through Careertakes

• Careertakes is a third‑party recruiting partner that can connect you with this opportunity and other matched municipal public‑safety positions.
• We apply proven third‑party recruitment best practices: clear job expectations, pay transparency, and streamlined candidate support through testing and documentation steps.

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.