Public Safety Officer - University Police

About Us

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgias Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary

Perform law enforcement work on a university campus.

Responsibilities

Typical Allocation of Duties:

Patrol - 30%

Patrol campus on foot and in a vehicle to detect and deter crime, to enforce campus policies, and to provide security; enforces local, state, and federal laws.

Respond to calls - 25%

Respond to calls for service from students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors and provides assistance in a variety of emergency and non-emergency settings.

Provide security - 15%

Provide security for campus events and activities. Lock and unlock doors. Control traffic flow when needed.

Investigation - 15%

Investigate crimes and traffic accidents; gather evidence and interviews witnesses, victims, and suspects; prepare related reports.

Prepare reports - 15%

Prepare a variety or regular and special reports, including incident reports.

Required Qualifications

High school diploma/GED and related work experience. Certification from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council for the State of Georgia or successful completion of such certification by the end of the probationary period.

Proposed Salary

$23.65/hr ($49,200/annual)

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 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.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information

• documentation of academic credentials

• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation

• VSUs Annual Compliance Training:

• USG Ethics Policy

• Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy

• Drug Free Workplace

• Sexual Misconduct and Title IX

• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

• Motor Vehicle Policy

• Workers Compensation (new hires)

• Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)

• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)

• Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Workers Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Credit

Special Applicant Instructions

Valdosta State University may provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for select positions when consistent with institutional needs, University policy, and applicable law. Sponsorship is considered on a case-by-case basis and is not available for all positions. Applicants who anticipate requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future are encouraged to contact Human Resources early in the recruitment process with questions regarding sponsorship eligibility.

Clery Disclosure

The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires institutions of higher education to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR includes crime statistics for the three previous calendar years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in or on certain non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our institution; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and statistics. The ASFSR is published annually by October 1 and is available online at: https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/finance-admin/police/documents/2025-asfr-final-draft-aa.docx.pdf. You may request a paper copy of the report by emailing openrecords@valdosta.edu.