Sergeant

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 Sergeant will report to an assigned supervisor, dependent upon assignment. The position is shift-work and may require working nights, weekends, overtime, rotating shifts, and holidays. Work assignment may include any campus location dependent on department needs.

This is regular or special detail police work in protecting life and property on the university campus. Work involves professional response to the need for the prevention and detection of crimes, and for generally maintaining law and order. Work also involves patrolling assigned areas, traffic enforcement, accident reporting, and criminal investigations. Assignments are received from superior officers and are carried out under established policies and procedures. However, employees will exercise quick, independent, and sound judgment and display initiative in applying work methods to emergency situations which arise when superior officers are not immediately available. Work is reviewed through conferences, written reports, inspections, and observation of results obtained.

The Sergeant position is responsible for supervising police officers and security personnel in their unit. The Police Sergeant directs officers in policing and assists leadership in ensuring a safe campus environment. This position assigns duties to subordinates, directs, monitors, and evaluates the work of shift officers. The Police Sergeant conducts patrols, assists in investigations, and reviews reports. Considerable independent judgment, initiative and understanding must be exercised in interpreting orders, rules and regulations and in meeting emergency situations. Work is performed in accordance with established rules, regulations and instructions from superior officers who review the work through reports, conferences and observation of police efficiency. Police Sergeant must be able to work any shift assigned.

This position is that of a police officer and employees in this position will be exposed to hazardous situations. Employees in this position will work outside at times in extreme and inclement weather.

The applicant offered this position will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug test, polygraph or CVSA, credit check, criminal background check, and psychological test.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a supervisor and determines personnel and equipment assignments as appropriate.
• Directs the work of subordinates, using sound judgment to determine the best course of action when needed.
• Supervises and participates in the work of personnel, ensuring consistency with established industry standards, policies, and procedures.
• Conducts daily shift briefings, roll-call training, and reviews campus events and activities.
• Conducts training, counseling, and evaluations of subordinates.
• Makes recommendations regarding discipline and commendations for assigned officers.
• Notifies the chain of command of any issues or concerns requiring immediate attention, pursuant to established policies and procedures.
• Reviews and approves the work of assigned personnel, including incident reports, citations, arrest information, accident reports, and other documentation.
• Conducts and documents routine inspections of assigned personnel uniforms, equipment, and vehicles.
• Conducts routine patrols on foot and by vehicle of campus grounds, buildings, and parking areas to detect and deter criminal activity, safety hazards, and policy violations.
• Operates a motor vehicle during both day and night, including in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, congested traffic, and unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as rain, ice, and snow.
• Responds promptly to non-emergency and emergency calls for service, accidents, and incidents, providing assistance, coordinating with emergency services when necessary, and taking appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals and property.
• Enforces campus policies, regulations, and applicable laws by issuing warnings, citations, or making arrests (forcibly if necessary), while ensuring fair and respectful treatment of all community members.
• Exercises independent judgment in determining when reasonable suspicion exists to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest, and when force may be used and to what degree.
• Conducts investigations into incidents, crimes, or complaints on campus; gathers evidence; interviews witnesses; and collaborates with other law enforcement agencies as needed to resolve incidents.
• Performs rescue functions at accidents, emergencies, and disasters, including directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging, and removing people from dangerous situations, and securing and evacuating individuals from specific areas.
• Builds positive relationships with community members through outreach initiatives, educational programs, and collaborative efforts aimed at promoting safety, awareness, and trust to reduce risks and enhance the overall campus safety culture.
• Maintains accurate and complete reports 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.
• Participates in ongoing training programs, workshops, and certification courses to enhance job knowledge, skills, and readiness for handling diverse situations and staying current with best practices in law enforcement and campus security.
• Complies with Campus Security Authority responsibilities under the Clery Act.
• Performs 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 is preferred.
• Possession of advanced or specialized Georgia POST Council training certificates is preferred.
• Possession of a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.

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 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.

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

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Clayton State University, as determined by Clayton State University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

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.

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.