Chicago Defender Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department
OPS DSS Police: Patrol Services
About the Department
The University of Chicago campus is part of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, which contains a significant amount of off-campus housing for undergraduate and graduate students. More than a third of the University's staff reside in areas surrounding the campus, and more than 50% of the University's faculty live in the Hyde Park area. The Department of Safety and Security includes the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD), UC Campus Safety, Management Services, Transportation and Parking Services, Environmental Health and Safety, and Emergency Management. The Department is a unit of the Office of Legal Affairs and aims to provide stronger safety and transportation services to members of the University community. By long tradition, the University Police assists the Chicago Police Department in policing Hyde Park and surrounding neighborhoods. The University of Chicago Police Department has more than 100 sworn personnel. The University Police patrol an area encompassing 6.5 square miles and a population of approximately 65,000 people, many of whom have no direct connection to the University.
Job Information
Job Summary:
Sergeants assigned to specialized units perform specific duties characteristic of the unit. A Sergeant may be assigned to any one of the following: Accreditation, Fleet Management, Investigative Services, Community Relations, Administration, Special Events or Recruitment. In addition to performing some or all the above-described duties, a Sergeant assigned to any one of these specialized units provides knowledge, expertise, and experience which are unique to day-to-day operations of these units as well as unusual situations which may occur during law enforcement operations. The qualifications required of a Sergeant assigned to a specialized unit are subject to change depending on the changes in the Department's policies and procedures.
Responsibilities:

• The position of Police Sergeant within the Department is assigned to a patrol squad, specialized unit, or administrative unit.
• Provides oversight of their area of responsibility. In this capacity, the Sergeant prepares daily shift assignments; prepares and presents roll call briefing and training; inspects personnel and equipment for conformity to Department standards.
• Reviews and approves various types of reports.
• Prepares and investigates personnel complaints; responds to crime scenes; handles radio calls for service and dispatches personnel; keeps their supervisors informed of issues of concern to them.
• Trains and directs probationary officers.
• Manages crimes scenes, serving as the incident commander when required and until relieved.
• Assures all personnel are held accountable for complying with state and federal laws as well as Department and University policies.
• Performs related functions.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated self-restraint in challenging and/or demanding situations required.
• Make sound decisions quickly based on the facts presented required.
• Demonstrate respect and safeguard the dignity and rights of all individuals required.
• Effectively deal with a variety of unpleasant circumstances and unusual human conduct associated with and/or arising from emergency situations including, but not limited to, physical trauma, mental and/or physical stress, panic, etc. required.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and enforcement officials, public, and members of the University Community required. React effectively mentally and physically, quickly, calmly, and rationally during times of conflicts and emergencies required.
• Safely defend self/or others in hostile, combative situations required.

Additional Responsibilities
Education, Experience, or Certifications:
Education:

• High school diploma required.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college required for Sergeants hired after January 1, 2015.

Experience:

• Minimum of three years of experience as a full-time sworn law enforcement officer required.
• No corrective action within the previous six months of employment as of date of promotion to Sergeant required.
• Previous experience as a Police Officer at the University of Chicago preferred.

Certifications:

• Successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Officers' Training course as prescribed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Officers' Training and Standards Board OR equivalent training, as determined by the Illinois Law Enforcement Officers' Training and Standards Board, in another state required.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Working knowledge of Illinois Criminal Statutes, Illinois vehicle code, local ordinances, and civil law related to police work required.
• Knowledge of University and police department rules, regulations, and other written directives required.
• Thoroughly knowledgeable of geographic area and boundaries served by the University Police Department required.
• Demonstrated safe driving performance. Valid driver's license within 60 days of appointment required. First Aid and CPR certifications required.
• Learn and correctly apply University Police Department rules, regulations, general orders, policies, practices, and procedures required.
• Use desktop computer (IBM compatible), pager, two-way radio, firearms, handcuffs and other law enforcement equipment, breathalyzer machine, radar equipment, fingerprint equipment, camera, copy machine, and telephone required.
• Successfully complete a background investigation that demonstrates good moral character, safe driving record, and no prior criminal convictions that would prohibit the individual from meeting the standards set forth by the State of Illinois to become a law enforcement officer required.
• Successfully complete/pass medical examinations including vision screening and drug testing, psychological test required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Exposure to human blood, human blood components, and/or products made from human blood.
• High stress environment.
• On-call responsibilities.
• Operate vehicles/drive motorized equipment.
• Outdoor weather exposure.
• Requires use of personal protective equipment.
• Bend, crouch, or stoop.
• Sit for 4 hours or more.
• Stand for 4 hours or more.
• Run.
• Carry or lift loads of 25 to 49 lbs.
• Hear, including making fine discrimination in sound.
• See, including color, depth perception, or clarity.
• Strenuous physical exertion is sometimes required in providing services under emergency, adverse, unpleasant, or unusual conditions in all weather conditions, and at all hours of the day or night required.
• Effective audio-visual discrimination and perception to make quick and accurate observations including distant binocular and visual acuity of at least 20/40 with or without corrective lenses, peripheral vision of at least 140 degrees, and the ability to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices showing standard red, green, and amber required.
• Hearing sufficient to understand speech and to detect alarms, telephone and other communication devices required. Must not have an average hearing loss greater than 40 decibels (dB) at 500 - 2000 Hertz (Hz) with or without a hearing aid.
• Operate a vehicle safely.
• Climb stairs 5 stories or more.
• Operate equipment necessary to perform job.
• Travel to various on-campus locations.
• Safely defend self/or others in hostile, combative situations.
• Use standard workstation equipment.

Mental Demands:

• Aware of safety hazards and take appropriate precautions.
• Communicate in writing.
• Communicate orally.
• Comprehend technical documents.
• Condense complicated issues to simple summaries that can be understood by a variety of constituents.
• Create and deliver presentations.
• Develop and manage interpersonal relationships.
• Exercise absolute discretion regarding confidential matters.
• Follow written and/or verbal instructions.
• Give directions.
• Handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion.
• Handle stressful situations.
• Learn and develop skills.
• Maintain a high level of alertness.
• Pay attention to detail.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• React effectively, quickly, calmly, and rationally during conflicts and emergencies.
• Train or teach others.
• Work effectively and collegially with little supervision or as member of a team.
• Work with frequent interruptions.
• Work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Listening skills.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Decision making skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Math skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Planning skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Quantitative and analytical skills.
• Reasoning skills.
• Time management skills.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Benefit Eligibility
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.
Pay Rate Type
Hourly
Pay Range
$50.00 - $55.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Union
Non-Union
Job is Exempt
No
Drug Test Required
Yes
Health Screen Required
Yes
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Yes
Posting Date
2026-02-05
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.