PENNSTATE.png

Police Sergeant

Pennsylvania State University

Job Description

The Penn State University Police and Public Safety Department is responsible for protecting and serving more than 100,000 students, employees, as well as visitors at campuses located throughout Pennsylvania. We are a cohesive and centralized department with sworn police officers who have full law enforcement authority serving the 22 campuses with our headquarters being located at University Park. We are searching for a Sergeant at the University Park campus who holds the values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community.

University Police and Public Safety's values model those of Penn State's and we are especially committed to our vision to establish a cohesive, inclusive, and innovative work environment while also providing consistent professional and value-added service to our communities. As an incoming team member in University Police and Public Safety, it will be expected that all employees embody and model Penn State's and Finance and Business's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Sergeant is responsible for carrying out the functions of protection of life and property, preservation of peace and good order of the community, enhancement of positive community engagement initiatives, enforcement of laws and University policies/procedures, public safety, investigative work, and other related duties. The successful candidate will be responsible for the prevention of illegal, unsafe, or undesirable activity and regulatory violations through patrol, education, inspection, and the deterrent effect of enforcement. Sergeants will also be expected to enforce Federal, State, and local laws, as well as University regulations, through investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of violators.

Successful candidates will possess:

  • Skills necessary to enhance public respect for law enforcement and the University with courteous, devoted, and ethical service
  • Capacity to work cooperatively with various levels of faculty, staff, students, and outside agencies
  • Ability to provide effective, honest, and credible testimony at court hearings
  • Outstanding customer service orientation; excellent verbal and written communication skills; excellent analytical, judgment, ethical decision-making, and organizational skills
  • Ability to work with a wide variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds
  • Respect for the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality, and justice
  • Capability to uphold an excellent standard of conduct at all times, abiding by laws, regulations and policies


The selected individual will report to a Lieutenant and will coordinate the work of both sworn and non-sworn staff and oversee the daily operations of the police force at the campus.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Completion of performance evaluations
  • Investigations and case management
  • Training
  • Disciplinary process
  • Authorizing vacation requests and reviewing employee time cards
  • Interpreting and communicating laws and policies, assuring staff comply with established laws and policies
  • Representing the department on appropriate committees and assisting with the interpretation of laws and criminal procedure
  • May require supervising the parking program, the property inventory and the lost and found program Performing all Police Officer duties, as needed



Minimally requires a Bachelor's degree plus three years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A current Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 Certification is required for employment.

This position requires:

  • Successful Background Investigation
  • Successful BPAD scenario-based evaluation
  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Fingerprint background check
  • PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check
  • Operation of a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties - a valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required
  • Successful completion of a credit history check


Please include a cover letter and resume with your application.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.




Apply online at https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Staff/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Police-Sergeant_REQ_0000060467-2

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: For more about safety at Penn State, and to review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters, please go to http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

*Please mention you saw this ad on NativeAmericansInAcademia.*

Apply Now

Be Seen By Recruiters at the Best Institutions

Create a FREE Profile to be Seen!

Want to stand

Hiring for Native Americans In Academia Begins Here.