Police Officer

Department: Executive Administration

Classification: Law Enforcement Officer 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Pay Band: 03

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

The primary purpose/objective/mission of the University Police Department is to provide a safe and secure environment for all university employees, students, and guests. Embracing the principles of community policing, the department works collaboratively with academic and administrative units, individuals, and organizations in furtherance of the mission of the university. The department delivers a comprehensive program in law enforcement to provide the highest level of safety, security, and service for the students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the university, as they pursue their daily work and study activities, consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth, and the policies of the University.

About the Position:

The primary purpose or objective of a George Mason University Police Officer is to exercise general police power within a specific jurisdiction in order to perform law enforcement, crime prevention, security and related public safety functions while maintaining department standards in community outreach efforts. The job is considered essential/designated personnel and is required to work a variety of schedules in a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week configuration which includes nights, weekends, holidays, and during and following natural disasters and emergency situations.

Responsibilities:

• Enforces laws and investigates crimes and traffic crashes;
• Responds to radio calls and assignments made by dispatchers and supervisors, answers calls and complaints, and provides assistance to fellow law enforcement officers;
• Prepares for and attends court to provide complete testimony and the presentation of evidence;
• Provides assistance to the community by utilizing sound decision making and customer service practices;
• Displays appropriate compassion and empathy, providing law enforcement services with a high standard of care;
• Demonstrates competency and employs proper safety procedures with handling a variety of customer service issues with tact and diplomacy in a confidential manner;
• Renders aid and assistance to citizens, fellow officers, and other public safety partners;
• Conducts patrols and participates in crime prevention activities. Provides proactive deterrence and high visibility patrols of all University property by vehicle, foot, and/or bicycle with a community policing philosophy;
• Provides support and assistance to victims, witnesses, and persons in need of services;
• Recognizes situations and incidents requiring crisis intervention and/or mental health resources, and utilizing available resources when appropriate employing proper safety procedures in custodial situations;
• Executes and serves Emergency Custody Orders and/or Temporary Detention Orders;
• Practices personal accountability and follows code of conduct, laws, policies, and procedures, and is in compliance with training and certification required of position;
• Reports to work during emergencies/call-back as an essential/designated employee;
• Promotes a positive, professional image and practices personal accountability and responsibility, demonstrating energy, enthusiasm, and commitment;
• Devotes full effort to job responsibilities during work hours performing assigned duties and responsibilities with the highest degree of public trust; and
• Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct, honesty, and truthfulness at all times.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent; and
• Experience working with the public and/or customer service experience;
• Required to obtain and maintain NCIC/VCIN operator certification in compliance with Virginia State Police and FBI regulations;
• Must have legal authority to carry and possess issued firearms;
• Required to obtain and maintain Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) firearms proficiency/qualifications on an annual basis, at minimum;
• Must have Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Officer certification or successful completion of police academy and field training program;
• Required to maintain biennial in-service education credits regulated by Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Officer recertification process;
• Possession of a valid driver's license is required; and
• Must live within 75 miles of the Fairfax campus.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of law enforcement practices and terminology; and
• Knowledge of basic law enforcement concepts and fundamentals.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and verbal/written communication skills;
• Excellent public relations/customer service skills; and
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to pass a rigid background check;
• Ability to pass a physical fitness examination and psychological examination;
• Ability to successfully complete the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy and department field training program;
• Ability to provide professional/caring community-oriented service;
• Ability to communicate respectfully to internal and external customers, appreciate diversity and respect differences, maintaining confidentiality;
• Ability to identify options and develop solutions for unique or unprecedented situations;
• Ability to work with teams or independently with minimal supervision at times;
• Ability to perform well under stress in a calm, efficient manner;
• Ability to analyze all emergency situations to determine course of action and solve problems;
• Ability to communicate verbally with adequate radio voice with no speech limitations;
• Ability to work independently and solve problems involving many variables; and
• Ability to be compliant with Virginia State Police/FBI/Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) policies;

Other Attributes:

• Dependable work ethic, and high level of integrity, honesty, and accountability.

Disqualifiers:

• No conviction of Driving Under the Influence (DUI/DWI), Refusal to take Blood or Breath Test, Eluding Police, or Racing in the past two years;
• No illegal or illicit drug use within the past two years;
• No felony convictions or convictions of misdemeanors involving crimes of moral turpitude or gross misconduct;
• Must not have been found guilty by reason of mental illness for any crime;
• No convictions or restraining orders for domestic violence, or other disability to carrying firearms;
• No criminal or unethical behavior unsuitable or inappropriate for a Police Officer as determined by the appointing authority;
• Must not have been de-certified of law enforcement or jailor status by the Department of Criminal Justice Services, according to the Code of Virginia 15.2-1707, or similar status in other states; and
• Must not have any record of untruthfulness, falsification, or intentional withholding of any information on any application, certificate, credential, interview, test, or documents/records associated with a position of trust.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in related field;
• Experience working in a law enforcement agency that is accredited or is in the process of seeking accreditation. Prior security, public safety, or military experience is preferred. CIT training is highly desired;
• Substantive knowledge of law enforcement/public safety and emergency management practices; and
• Public speaking skills and abilities.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Police Officer at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: February 27, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: March 12, 2024

Open Until Filled?: Yes