Chief of Police - Search Firm

Join the vibrant community at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)!

Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campus—one of the largest in the CSU system—serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic and research initiatives.

As a member of the CSULB community, you’ll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks, collaborative energy, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy, offering miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, a thriving arts and food scene, and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer.

Join the California State University (CSU) and explore career opportunities that advance student success and strengthen California’s future—offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional growth.

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Vice President of Administration and Finance (DAF), this position is independently responsible for the planning, organizing and directing comprehensive crime prevention and law enforcement programs, and daily management of the University Police Department.

Key Responsibilities

• Police Operations - Acts as principle leadership in the daily operations of the Police department and ensures employee actions conform to existing professional standards for, but not limited to, law enforcement activities, Police Field Services, Police Support Services, Dispatch Communications, UPD Finance, Budget, and Human Resources,  UPD Information Technology, crime prevention, criminal investigations, K9 Program, facility security, training and development, emergency preparedness, traffic safety and enforcement, and related environmental health and safety standards.
• Security - Performs periodic review of department operations to ensure full compliance with all related professional standards. Serves as the primary resource for the Office of Strategic Communications concerning public safety issues; works with the university's Office of Strategic Communications as necessary.
• Emergency Operations - Acts as critical-incident commander during major emergencies and disasters, as defined by the President or his/her designee. Provides after action reports, recommendations and guidance to meet LE standard, department, and campus policy.
• Community Engagement - Maintains good working relationships with political leaders and other executives in state government and surrounding political entities, to include participation in regional, community and neighborhood organizations. Actively participates in university governance, committees, and groups as assigned, to include making personal appearances and providing presentations on the scope of departmental operations and programming. Serves on numerous committees such as: The Behavior Intervention Team (BIT), Clery Compliance Committee, Policy Group, Campus Planning Committee, and serve as advisor to the President's Executive Cabinet.
• Employee development - Ensures that all personnel within the University Police Department maintain required credentials and levels of training to provide professional services to the campus community. Directly supervises subordinate personnel and programs as needed.

Department

University Police

Duration of Appointment

This is a regular, at-will position.

Classification

Administrator III

Compensation

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

• Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $16,125 - $20,000 per month commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training.

Benefits

At California State University (CSU), we prioritize the health, growth, and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well-being.

To be eligible for full benefits, employees must be appointed at least half-time (.50 FTE) with an appointment lasting more than six months and one day. Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on appointment type, classification, and applicable collective bargaining agreement. Eligible employees may have access to a comprehensive benefits package that can include:

• Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• Health Coverage: A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
• Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Additional Benefits: Wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.

Candidates are encouraged to review the appropriate CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details specific to their position. Additionally, the CSU Total Compensation Calculator is available to help prospective employees understand the full value of the CSU benefits package and how it complements base salary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate possesses a thorough knowledge of legal issues, including legislation, judicial review, and liability trends, as well as a strong working knowledge of law enforcement operations, facility security, crime prevention, criminal investigations, training, fire prevention, emergency preparedness, traffic safety and enforcement, and related environmental health and safety standards. They demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal laws as they apply to university law enforcement, including regulations related to affirmative action, health and safety, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The candidate is knowledgeable about crime awareness and reporting requirements, including the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act and relevant provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), and understands the principles of crime prevention programs and facility security management. They possess excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and collaborate within an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Highly organized, self-motivated, and results-oriented, they can successfully manage assignments and projects independently while working cooperatively with department leaders to achieve organizational objectives. Additionally, they are proficient in personal productivity tools, including personal computers, Microsoft Word, Excel, and electronic mail, and are able to qualify with a firearm in accordance with state and departmental regulations.

Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.  Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures.  Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in a related field. A graduate level or an advanced degree is highly desirable.

• At least ten years of progressively responsible law enforcement or public safety administration experience, including seven years in management capacity.

• Graduation from advanced law enforcement education, such as FBI National Academy or California POST Command College, desirable.

• Relevant experience in budget and personnel administration, including experience working in a collective bargaining environment.

• Experience at a University-based law enforcement agency or complex organization preferred.

Licenses / Certificates

• Must possess a valid California Driver's License.

• Must possess a Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Supervisory and Management Certificate from the Commission on Police Office Standards and Training (POST). 

• Must have successfully completed a P.O.S.T. Executive Training Course or possess the ability to qualify for and complete the requirements for the certificate or the coursework within the first year of employment.

• Employees who are required to operate motorized vehicles and/or use their personal vehicle more than once a month on University business are required to take a mandatory Defensive Driving course and enroll in the DMV Employee Pull Notice (EPN) Program.

Application Procedures

Another Source has been retained for this search. To ensure your application is received please apply directly through Another Source candidate portal by clicking here.

Physical Summary

Medium work - Job involves lifting heavy weight objects (20-40 pounds) and/or 20% - 40% of the job involves standing, squatting, kneeling, or walking. May require pushing or pulling objects within the weight limits.

Additional Information

CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment, 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 conditionally offered the position.

Due to the nature of this position, current CSULB employees are subject to a criminal record check unless they have successfully completed a criminal background check through CSULB within the past 12 months.

The person holding this position is 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 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

This position serves as a Campus Security Authority under the Clery Act and Executive Order 1107. Incumbent is required to promptly report allegations of Clery qualifying crimes that occur within a campus’ Clery geography.

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.  

Equal Employment Statement

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSULB provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status. CSULB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

California State University Long Beach expects respectful, professional behavior from its employees in all situations. Acts of harassment or abusive conduct are prohibited. Demonstrated appropriate professional behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate abusive conduct is expected of all employees.

Accommodations

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact StaffHR-Accommodations@csulb.edu.

Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Long Beach, 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.