Job Description

Application Process

This position is open until filled. For full consideration, please submit an application, along with a cover letter and resume.

Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Cover Letter and Resume

In your cover letter, please identify three roles of the Police Sergeant and specifically address which you see as the most important and why. Additionally, please explain why you feel that developing and maintaining effective police-community relationships are an important part of law enforcement.

2. A complete application includes the SSU Online Employment Application and a POST Personal History Statement

Please review the position description listed above for full scope of responsibilities and qualifications. Evidence of degree(s) or certificate(s) and/or license(s) required at time of hire.

Reporting to the Chief of Police or designee, the Police Sergeant (Sergeant) is assigned primary responsibility as a working, first-line supervisor, in addition to work assignments and general law enforcement duties performed by officers and corporals. Work assignments require the use of sound, independent judgment and the ability to provide leadership to others. The Sergeant’s supervisory duties include, but are not limited to, coordinating work assignments, scheduling assigned staff, participating in the annual evaluation of staff, monitoring and reporting work activities and absences, recognizing good performers, providing corrective counseling, recommending formal discipline, and providing on-the-job training, support and direction to subordinates.

Minimum Qualifications

• The incumbent must meet the minimum selection standards established by Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) or required by state law (Government Codes 1029,1031, 1031.4; and Commission Regulations1950-1955 et seq.) which includes, but is not limited to, being free of any felony convictions, legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, and at least 21 years of age except as provided by Government Code § 1031.4.
• High school graduate, passed the GED or other high school equivalency test, or obtained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution and graduation from a POST academy and a Basic Course Certificate.
• POST Intermediate certificate.
• A minimum of three years of active law enforcement experience with increasingly responsible assignments.
• Experience supervising sworn officers in a law enforcement agency and make field based operational decisions required, this includes, but is not limited to, setting priorities, organizing staff, and making good field-based decisions under rapidly changing conditions.
• Successful completion of oral interviews, pass all background requirements mandated by P.O.S.T., psychological examination, a medical exam which includes drug screening and physical agility test, and be subject to a polygraph or similar examination.
• The incumbent must meet and maintain compliance with state and federal law (e.g. Clery Act, CANRA, etc.), and California POST regulations and certifications for peace officers.
• The incumbent must participate in the California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel), and California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS).
• The incumbent must possess and/or obtain and thereafter maintain a valid California Driver License for the operation of any vehicle required to maintain and operate.

Preferred Qualifications

• An Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree or higher in criminal justice or a related field from an accredited or approved institution. Accreditation shall be by a national or regional accrediting body that is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education.
• A POST Advanced certificate.
• Completion of a POST Supervisory Program is desirable. (Selected candidate must be able to successfully complete the course within one year of appointment).
• Five or more years of active law enforcement experience, in a sworn capacity.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading and training others.
• Knowledge of Google Suite, Regulatory Information Management Software (RIMS), and PeopleSoft.

The Police Sergeant hiring process will include the following:

1. A review of submitted application materials for minimum qualifications.
2. Oral board interviews.
3. Police Chief’s interview.
4. A comprehensive background investigation (including a criminal records check), pre-employment psychological and physical examination must be completed satisfactorily before any external candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of external applicants.

Recommended reading and videos:

1. Sonoma State Policies
2. Exemplary Police Officer
3. 21st Century Protest Response: Promoting Democracy and Advancing Community and Officer Safety (policinginstitute.org)

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range of $7,763 to $9,988 a month. This is a full time, non-exempt position, which will lead toward permanent status following the successful completion of a probationary period.

This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15 paid holidays are offered each year and a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year. Sonoma State University is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer.

A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking here to be taken to the CSU benefits page.

Supplemental Information

Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community.

The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

CSU Out of State Policy - Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Education Code 89521 - 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.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.

Sonoma State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.

For questions related to the application process, please reach out to hr@sonoma.edu The ADA Coordinator is also available ( hraccommodations@sonoma.edu) to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.

Sonoma State University's Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person by emailing the Clery Compliance and Safety Office at clery@sonoma.edu

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available for viewing at https://housing.sonoma.edu/resources/fire-safety The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within Sonoma State University student housing facilities for three 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 Residential Education and Campus Housing at housing@sonoma.edu