Police Lieutenant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Captain of Administration and Operations Bureaus, the Police Lieutenant is responsible for providing leadership, management and motivation within the University Police Department. The University Police Department provides twenty-four-hour professional police services to the campus community, ensuring that it remains a safe and vibrant environment. The Police Lieutenant will also be expected to assume command in the Captain's absence.

The University Police Department is divided into five areas of responsibility: Patrol Division with a Day Watch and a Night Watch (includes oversight of specialized duties such as Emergency Preparedness; Field Training; Martin Luther King Jr. Library Security and the Cadet/Public Safety Assistant program); Administrative Division (consisting of Investigations and Professional Standards (includes oversight of critical functions such as Training; Policy and Procedures; Property and Evidence; Firearms and Tactics and management of fleet and equipment); Records/Communications Division and Parking Services.

The Police Lieutenant will be responsible for oversight and administration of either a Patrol Division Watch, Administrative Division or the Investigations Division. The assignment is subject to change at the Chief's discretion. Work may be evaluated based on feedback from campus community members in addition to the ability to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed below.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and management to operational units, providing strategic direction to their chain of command, oversight for field situations and effective allocation and coordination of Department resources
• Responsibilities include attending meetings with departmental and outside groups, teaching training classes, delivering lectures or briefings, preparing reports, and maintaining personnel records
• Maintains regular contact and interaction with appropriate law enforcement and public safety organizations at the local, state and federal levels
• Leverages professional relationships to identify and recommend best practices that will strengthen the Department's ability to achieve its goals
• Ensures that the Department adheres to a community-oriented policing strategy that supports the overall mission of the University
• The emphasis is on a positive and proactive approach that facilitates the perpetuation of an environment that is diverse, inclusive and accessible

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Advanced knowledge and ability to apply the principles, practices, and procedures of modern public safety administration
• Advanced knowledge of pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances; causative factors contributory to crime and delinquency.
• Skilled in obtaining information through interview, interrogation, and observation
• Maintain a co-operative working relationship with a diverse population of administrators, faculty, staff, students, and parents
• Ability to respond in the event of an emergency or major incident
• Ability to build confidence and trust with the campus community
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relations with the general public, subordinates, and superiors
• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of police personnel, and develop and conduct training courses
• Skilled in leading and motivating police personnel
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED and/or Associate's Degree in Administration of Justice, Business Management, Social Science, or related field from an accredited college or university or have experience equivalent
• POST Advanced Certificate and Supervisory Certificate
• 10 years of experience as a sworn Police Officer in California law enforcement with demonstrated experience in progressively responsible assignments, or a combination of education and experience
• 5 years of sworn supervisory experience in the rank of Sergeant or above

License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• POST Management Certificate
• Graduation from a leadership course (i.e. Sherman Block, LAPD, West Point, etc.)
• Experience taking direct charge of events and emergencies and teaching or mentoring officers
• Experience in various assignments (i.e. patrol, investigations, administrative, specialist units etc.)

Compensation

Classification: Administrator II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $12,917/month - $13,563/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,053/month - $16,221/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San Jose State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• P.O.S.T Certification

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: June 1, 2026 through June 16, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.
The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.
SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San Jose State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.