Fire and Police Commission Job Application


City of Ottawa Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Accepting Applications to establish a Police Patrolman Register

Application Deadline: January 7, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. 

• Salary base starting at $75,190.00

How to Apply:

  • Visit www.cityofottawa.org to complete the online application
  • Applications must be completed by January 7, 2025, at 11:59 P.M.
  • Questions, please call 815-433-0161 ext. 116 or 110 or email [email protected]

Benefits:

  • Medical insurance, life insurance, vision plan, and dental plan.
  • 12 Hour Shifts. Patrol Officers are only scheduled to work half of the year and are scheduled off every other weekend. 
  • Ballistic Vest and Firearm provided by the department.
  • $1,500 initial uniform allowance plus an annual uniform allowance.
  • Monthly paid firearms training.
  • Career Advancement Opportunities Including: K-9 Handler, Detective, School Resource Officer, Firearms Instructor, Taser Instructor, Field Training Officer, and many more. 
  • All overtime is double time and there are 12 holidays paid at double time. 
  • Vacation starting at 10 days per year. 
  • Pension
  • Continued health coverage for retired officers.

Police Officer Minimum Requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
  • United States citizen
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Must be 21 years of age or any person who is 20 years of age and who has successfully completed 2 years of law enforcement studies at an accredited college or university and must not have reached your 35th birthday as of January 7, 2025.
  • Must be in excellent physical health and be of good moral character
  • Candidates must have a valid POWER card issued by Joliet Junior College (JJC) at time of employment offer. Candidates must contact JJC at 815-280-2674 to schedule the POWER test or go to www.jjc.edu/powertesting. The cost of testing is at candidate’s expense.
  • After being appointed, and within 15 months, residency must be maintained within forty (40) miles of the Ottawa, Illinois corporate limits.
  • Twelve weeks away from home while attending Basic Law Enforcement Training (required to graduate and receive certificate from State of Illinois).

ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR APPLICATION

  • Copy of your birth certificate.
  • Copy of your military service discharge (if applicable).
  • Copy of high school diploma from an accredited institution or GED certificate. The Board reserves the right to determine the sufficiency of the high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Power card issued by Joliet Junior College. If you have an active card at time of application.
  • The signed and dated waivers and release forms.

TESTING AND HIRING PROCEDURE:

  • Candidates must complete an online remote written exam, which requires internet access and a computer. The written exam cannot be completed on mobile devices or tablets.
  • The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will email the candidate the website for the exam and include a username and password to log into the website. The candidate will have from January 13, 2025 – January 15, 2025, to complete the exam.  
  • Candidates that achieve a score of 70% or greater on the written exam will be scheduled for an oral interview on January 29, 2025 and January 30, 2025.  
  • Prospective employment is subject to satisfactorily passing an in-depth criminal background investigation, psychological examination, and a thorough medical examination, which will include a test to screen for the use of drugs and/or narcotics.

Follow the link below to Fill out an Application to join our team

Ottawa FD/PD Online application