Job Announcement:

Princeton University's

Department of Public Safety (DPS) is Hiring

PTC Certified or Academy Ready (January class)

For full consideration, a cover letter and resume must be submitted in addition to the online application.  

 This position is open to all applicants, with or without police experience.   

 This is a sponsored position.  The Princeton University Department of Public Safety will pay for a successful candidate’s New Jersey police academy tuition at the Cape May residential Police Academy, uniforms, and equipment.  While in the academy, cadets earn a salary per the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contract.  Candidates with current New Jersey Police Officer Certification or approval of New Jersey Training Commission for police commission may be eligible for a sign-on bonus. 

We are "Community Caretakers" who enhance the living, learning, and working experience at Princeton University by protecting life, maintaining order, and safeguarding property for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

About Us:

DPS has 52 sworn officers including the Assistant Vice President, director of operations, the patrol captain, 5 lieutenants, 7 sergeants, 6 corporals, 3 detectives, 27 police officers, and communications center manager. 

Law enforcement accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.

University police officers have full power of arrest deriving their law enforcement authority from New Jersey statutes (Title 18A, Sections 6-4.2 and 6-4.5).

We have access to rifles as needed and do not carry a sidearm.

All officers are required to attend mandatory in-service training throughout the year.

Why Work at Princeton?

Competitive starting salary

Retirement plan that contributes 9.3% of salary without any employee match

Signing bonus paid upon completion of field training program up to $1,500 dependent upon relevant experience.

No impact to NJ pension; can collect without a break in service

Paid time off (including vacation, sick time, and 11 University holidays)

Medical/dental/vision insurance benefits (effective on your first day)

Staff Educational Assistance Plan up to a maximum of $5,250 per plan year

Children’s Educational Assistance Plan (up to a $21,400 tuition grant for college)

Life insurance and short-term disability

Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Union

Regular training opportunities

All uniforms and equipment provided

Campus gym membership

Required Qualifications

High School diploma or equivalent

Officer must demonstrate proficiency with assigned firearms and qualify per Attorney General (AG) guidelines and annually thereafter per policy.

Officer must maintain ability to operate assigned firearms under all applicable law and University Policy.  

Current valid vehicle operator's license

Candidate must successfully complete various fitness for duty assessments, including:

online testing with Wonderlic

a comprehensive background investigation

a psychological evaluation

a post offer, pre-employment (POPES) medical examination

previous Department and/or firearms instructor must certify officer has qualified with firearm in the last year

Must be able to meet Post Offer Pre-Employment Screening (POPES) requirements and found capable of performing the essential functions and physical requirements of the position, both before commencing employment and any time required thereafter under University policy.  

Experience: At least two years of work and/or life experience directly relating to a minimum of two of the following areas:

Community service/involvement

Interviewing, public speaking, and conflict resolution skills

Problem solving, using creative method to resolve issues

Multi-cultural work and life experiences

Work involves considerable exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures and loud noises.

Work environment involves moderate exposure to hazards and physical risks to personal safety

Must be physically fit and able to defend one's self from attack or physical assault.

Must have 20-20 or 20-30 vision either naturally or with corrective lenses.

Must be able to wear required uniform including, but not limited to a protective vest.

This position requires providing evidence of medical immunity to certain diseases that may pose risk to animals within labs/vivarium and is meant to ensure the safety of the employee, co-workers and animals. All testing information is treated in a confidential manner by University Health Services and is part of the animal worker surveillance program medical protocols.

This is a unionized position within the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

Per the FOP contract the starting salary for an officer with their PTC is $63,000 - $70,000 dependent upon experience

Per the FOP contract this position has a 12 month probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's degree

To Apply

For a job with the Princeton University Department of Public Safety visit the Careers at Princeton webpage: https://hr.princeton.edu/careers/search-opportunities  and (1.) apply online and (2.) upload a resume.  A cover letter is optional.

EEO Statement

Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please direct questions regarding this position to linn@princeton.edu