NORTH HUNTINGDON TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA
This is an excellent opportunity to live and work in a suburban growing community with a high quality of life and a small town feel, with natural surroundings and an open space/rural atmosphere. Located within easy commuting distance to Pittsburgh and the amenities of a large metropolitan area, North Huntingdon Township is a great place to live. North Huntingdon Township is a middle to upper middle income community that is largely residential, with some commercial development. The Township is located at the western center boundary with Allegheny County and is approximately 27.46 square miles in size. With a current population of approximately 30,000 residents, the Township has an estimated 11,000 plus households with a median family income in the high $30,000 range. North Huntingdon Township’s population is expected to increase by about 6,000 residents during the period from 2000 to 2010. Westmoreland County currently has a total population of more than 370,000. Demographically, North Huntingdon Township’s population is largely Caucasian, with a median age of 42 years. Nearly 90 percent of the Township residents possess a high school diploma and over 21 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher education. Most of the housing stock in the Township is owner-occupied. Most of the residents commute to Pittsburgh or surrounding areas to work. For more information about North Huntingdon Township, see: www.nhtpa.us North Huntingdon Township is a First Class Township, with a seven-member Board of Commissioners. The term of office for a Township Commissioner is four years. The Township Code establishes a pattern of staggered elections so that roughly half of the Board is up for reelection at each municipal election year. The annual operating budget for the Township is $10.5 million. The Township has a number of seasonal employees during the summer months, including interns. North Huntingdon is responsible for the provision of school crossing guards. The Township also has several volunteer, advisory boards such as the Planning Commission, Recreation Board and Civil Service Commission, to name a few. Current issues include: Effectively deal with increasing traffic; Update Township land use ordinances; Manage housing growth; Plan and coordinate infrastructure with development; and Enforce real property codes. The first formally organized Police Department in North Huntingdon Township was started in 1953 with the combination of full- and part-time officers. In 1955, the Board of Commissioners committed to a full-time Police Department. In 1970, two full-time civilian Dispatcher/Secretaries were added. Today the Department is comprised of a Chief of Police, and a unionized workforce consisting of a Lieutenant, seven Sergeants, 15 Senior Patrolmen, four Junior Patrolmen and one Part-Time Officer. The Department now has seven Dispatchers/Secretaries and three Canines. The annual operating budget for the North Huntingdon Township Police Department is currently $2.5 million. The North Huntingdon Township Police Department has one of the most up to date training programs in the country and its Standards, Operations and Procedures manual has been used as a model for many other departments which were upgrading their manual. The Department has a state recognized field training program, D. A. R. E., Community Oriented Policing and K-9 programs. The goal of the Department is to be a part of the community, not apart from it. The Chief of Police of North Huntingdon Township is responsible to the Township Manager and Board of Commissioners for the proper administration and direction of the Township Police Department. He/she is expected to perform a variety of complex administrative, supervisory, and professional work in planning, coordinating, and directing the activities for the Township Police Department. The Chief of Police works under the general guidance and supervision of the Township Manager and exercises supervision over all police department staff directly or through subordinate supervisors. The position of Chief of Police is a salaried, non-Civil Service position and the person filling the position will be an at-will, non-union employee of the Township. Requires ten years of experience as a full-time sworn police officer, five years of which must have been in a supervisory position; and graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice, public administration, or a closely related field. A master’s degree in a related field is preferred. Or, fifteen years of experience as a full-time sworn police officer, 10 years of which must have been in a supervisory position. Evidence of continued professional development through active participation in professional membership associations and activities such as the International Chiefs of Police Association (IACP) and similar organizations at the state level is required. An individual who is a graduate of the FBI National Academy or similar program would be a plus. The expected starting salary range for the new Chief of Police for North Huntingdon Township is expected to be market competitive in the range of $66,783 to $85,478 per annum. Appointment may be made anywhere within the salary range depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. In addition, an excellent fringe benefit package will be expected to be provided to the successful candidate, along with reasonable relocation expenses if the candidate comes from out of town. Residency within North Huntingdon Township is expected of the successful candidate and housing costs are reasonable based on national standards. Resumes should be sent by close of business February 23, 2005, to: James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 5579B Chamblee Dunwoody Road, #511, Atlanta, Georgia 30338. VOICE: 770-551-0403; FAX: 770-399-9749. E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com. Website:www.mercergroupinc.com. North Huntingdon Township is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Township does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, ethnic origin or handicapped status. However, because this is a public safety position, candidates must meet the physical standards of the Township Police Department.