Police Officer

About Us

Located in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State University is roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta. The university offers employees an adaptable, collaborative environment that fosters professional and personal development.

The university is committed to having a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Clayton State offers multiple certificates, Associates, Bachelors, and Masters Degree programs, which currently enroll over 5,500 students in challenging campus and online courses.

Clayton States main campus is situated on 214 beautiful acres in a lakeside setting just minutes from downtown Atlanta, making access to the vibrant metropolitan area swift. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has named the university a Top Workplace in Atlanta for six consecutive years. The Chronicle of Higher Education also named Clayton State one of 79 higher education institutions across the nation in its list of 2017 Great Colleges to Work For.

Job Summary

The Clayton State University Police Officer reports to an assigned supervisor, depending on the officers assignment. This position involves shift work and may require working nights, weekends, overtime, rotating shifts, and holidays. Work assignments may include any campus location based on departmental needs.

This position involves regular and special-detail police work focused on protecting life and property on the university campus. Responsibilities include responding professionally to incidents, preventing and detecting criminal activity, and maintaining public safety and order. Duties also include patrolling assigned areas, enforcing traffic laws, investigating accidents, preparing reports, and conducting criminal investigations.

Assignments are received from superior officers and are carried out in accordance with established policies and procedures. However, officers are expected to exercise sound, independent judgment and initiative when responding to emergency situations in which supervisors may not be immediately available. Work is reviewed through conferences, written reports, inspections, and observation of results.

Police Officers conduct patrols, assist with investigations, and prepare and review reports. Considerable independent judgment, initiative, and understanding are required when interpreting orders, rules, and regulations and when responding to emergency situations. Work is performed in accordance with established laws, regulations, policies, and instructions from superior officers, who evaluate performance through reports, conferences, and observations of police effectiveness. Police Officers must be able to work any assigned shift.

The applicant selected for this position will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening, polygraph examination or Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA), credit check, criminal background investigation, and psychological evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine patrols, both on foot and by vehicle, of campus grounds, buildings, and parking areas to detect and deter criminal activity, safety hazards, and policy violations.
• Operate a motor vehicle during both day and night, including in emergency situations that may require speeds in excess of posted limits, travel through congested traffic, and navigation of hazardous road conditions caused by rain, ice, snow, or other factors.
• Respond promptly to emergency and non-emergency calls for service, accidents, and incidents; provide assistance; coordinate with emergency services when necessary; and take appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and property.
• Enforce campus policies, regulations, and applicable laws by issuing warnings and citations or making arrests, when necessary, while ensuring the fair and respectful treatment of all community members.
• Exercise independent judgment in determining when reasonable suspicion exists to detain an individual, when probable cause exists to conduct a search or make an arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree.
• Conduct investigations of incidents, crimes, and complaints occurring on campus; gather and preserve evidence; interview witnesses; and collaborate with other law enforcement agencies as needed.
• Perform rescue functions during accidents, emergencies, and disasters, including directing traffic for extended periods; administering emergency medical aid; lifting, dragging, and removing individuals from dangerous situations; and securing and evacuating affected areas.
• Build positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and visitors through outreach initiatives, educational programs, and collaborative efforts that promote safety, awareness, and trust while enhancing the overall culture of safety on campus.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of daily activities, incidents, arrests, and other relevant information using appropriate forms, reports, and databases, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and departmental policies and procedures.
• Participate in ongoing training programs, workshops, and certification courses to enhance job knowledge, skills, and preparedness for handling diverse situations and to remain current on best practices in law enforcement and campus security.
• Fulfill Campus Security Authority (CSA) responsibilities in accordance with the Clery Act.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Possess a valid Georgia drivers license
• Have no felony or other disqualifying criminal convictions
• Possess a Georgia POST Basic Law Enforcement Certification or ability to receive one within one year of employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of a current Georgia POST Council Basic Law Enforcement certificate in good standing.
• Possession of advanced or specialized Georgia POST Council training certificates.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of standard police practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of Georgia criminal and traffic laws.
• Knowledge of the university properties, population, and traffic control problems.
• Knowledge of fire prevention techniques.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine the proper course of action.
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully and with respect for the rights of others.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.
• Ability to obtain information through interview, interrogation, and observations.
• Ability to understand and execute difficult oral and written instructions.
• Ability to express ideas clearly, orally and in writing and to prepare comprehensive records and reports.
• Ability to develop and maintain good public relations.
• Ability to meet such specific requirements as may be established by a competent authority.
• Skill in furnishing first aid an comfort in case of accident, illness, and death situations.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Clayton State University will have a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Our statement of core values is adaptability, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and people-centered. Each Clayton State University community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on Clayton States Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct can be found online at https://www.clayton.edu/strategic-plan/mission-vision-values and https://www.clayton.edu/human-resources/current-employees/resources-policies

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of Clayton State University and the University System of Georgia (USG). Clayton State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individuals age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any Clayton State University program or activity because of the individuals protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individuals protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Other Information

• Starting Pay: $28.09 per hour (equivalent to $61,348.56 annually based on a 2,184-hour work year).
• Eligible for participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Georgia (TRS).
• Tuition Assistance Program: Up to nine tuition-free credit hours per semester after six months of employment, in accordance with USG policy.
• We embrace a modern professional appearance. Beards and tattoos are welcome in accordance with department policy.
• 12-hour Panama schedule, providing every other weekend as a three-day weekend.
• Generous leave benefits: Employees accrue eight hours of sick leave and ten hours of annual leave per month.
• Annual leave accrual increases to 12 hours per month after five years of service and 14 hours per month after 10 years of service.
• Modern, community-oriented policing philosophy.
• Supportive leadership team that values innovative problem-solving, employee contributions, and work-life balance.

Clery Disclosure

This position may be considered a Campus Security Authority, CSA. A Campus Security Authority is a Clery-specific term that encompasses certain departments, groups, and individual employees who have a duty to report crimes they become aware of, as defined by the Clery Act.