Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a University Park Deputy Chief. This role leads police operations at University Park by standardizing procedures, managing budgets, supervising staff, providing incident command, coordinating with external partners, and ensuring adherence to laws and department policies while supporting campus safety and community engagement.

Highlights

Oversee and standardize police operations; ensure policy compliance.
Manage budgets, schedules, payroll accuracy, and staff development.
Provide incident command and coordinate with outside collaborators and large events.
Serve as a member of the University Police leadership team and represent the department on committees.
Perform police officer duties as necessary, including community policing and investigations.
Required technical certifications: Pennsylvania Driver's License, First Aid, Firearms Qualification, CLEAN Certification, CPR, and Act 120 - MPOETC certification.
Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree and at least 8 years of relevant experience with 3+ years in supervisory roles.
Background checks required: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprint Check, credit history check, and motor vehicle records check.
Salary range is $86,300 to $129,500 with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible dependents.
Works within the University Police and Public Safety Department serving over 100,000 students, employees, and visitors across 22 campuses with specialized units such as K9, drone, tactical response, and more.

University Park Deputy Chief Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Penn State University Police and Public Safety Department (UPPS) is dedicated to protecting and serving more than 100,000 students, employees, and visitors across 22 campuses throughout Pennsylvania. Operating as a cohesive, centralized department headquartered at University Park, we employ sworn police officers with full law enforcement authority. We are currently seeking a Deputy Chief to join our team at University Park who embodies our core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community.

We are hiring a Deputy Chief for University Park. This pivotal role is responsible for standardizing and overseeing police operations, ensuring policy compliance, managing budgets, providing incident command, coordinating and working with outside collaborators and partners, and supervising staff and resources. This position will report directly to the Executive Deputy Chief.

Key duties include:

Reviewing schedules and verifying payroll accuracy
Coordinating staff development
Handling employee and operational matters
Ensuring that incidents are addressed promptly and professionally
Representing the department on committees
Assisting with interpreting laws and criminal procedures in alignment with department policies
Collaborating with management as part of the University Police leadership team to lead campus initiatives
Managing, supporting, coordinating large events and specialty units
May perform police officer duties when necessary

Deputy Chiefs are ultimately responsible for protecting life and property, maintaining peace and order, enhancing community engagement, enforcing laws and university policies, ensuring public safety, conducting investigations, and performing other related duties. This leadership opportunity requires a flexible schedule and strong availability as an exempt employee. Command presence, leadership, mentorship, and accountability are essential attributes for success in this role.

University Park Police and Public Safety features specialized units such as K9, drone, criminal investigations, and a tactical response team. The campus is also home to the departmental headquarters, which includes the public safety divisions of Emergency Management, Physical Security, Dispatch Operations, Information Technology, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Behavioral Threat, all working closely with patrol units to respond to major incidents and events.

Serving as a police officer on a university campus offers a rewarding career, supporting students and the broader university community through both community policing and outreach programs, while maintaining the traditional policing standards found in municipal and state agencies.

This position requires:

Successful Background Investigation
U.S. Citizenship
Fingerprint background check

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSBachelor's Degree8+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

acceptedRequired Certifications:Pennsylvania Driver's License - Pennsylvania Department of TransportationFirst Aid Certification - American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other accredited organizationFirearms Qualification - Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training CommissionCLEAN Certification - Pennsylvania State PoliceCardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification - American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other accredited organizationAct 120 - MPOETC Certification - Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission

The following requirements can be obtained after hire:

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification - American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other accredited organization
Firearms Qualification - Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission
First Aid Certification - American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other accredited organization

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCESThis position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks. This position requires that you operate 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 in addition to standard background checks.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITSThe salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $86,300.00 - $129,500.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity 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. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.

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