FT Entry Level Officer

GetBadged; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus $6,000 paid over 3 years

Health care through the Commonwealth

Pension plan participation

2 weeks vacation

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Boston Housing Authority Police Department is hiring full‑time entry level officers to begin serving Boston housing communities with integrity and leadership from day one. You will engage with residents, maintain safety, and support community partnerships in a dynamic urban setting.

Ideal candidates will meet the minimum criteria, pass a rigorous process, and carry a commitment to justice, public safety, and service.

Qualifications

• Be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old.
• Must read, write, and speak English fluently.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED; college education preferred.
• Possess or able to obtain MA LTC-A license and CJIS Certification.
• Able to pass background, medical, fitness, and interviews.

Skills

Analytical ability

Report writing

Self-control

Interpersonal skills

Work under pressure

Diversity sensitivity

Bilingual English/Spanish

Housing knowledge

CJIS Certification

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

We are actively recruiting Full‑Time Entry Level Police Officers ready to jump‑in, stand‑out, and lead from day one.

Why BHA PD?

• Policing housing communities—a unique domain where building trust, cultivating relationships, and being a visible force for good matters just as much as enforcement.
• Work side‑by‑side with the Boston Police Department (BPD) — we share an integrated communications center on the BPD network. Real‑time coordination, real‑urban impact.
• Your actions directly affect quality of life: safer buildings, peaceful neighborhoods, empowered residents. It’s public safety with purpose.
• You’ll serve in a culturally rich, diverse environment—every shift brings a new set of faces, stories, and leadership opportunities.
• The agency’s philosophy: fairness + common sense + the correct rules of law. We care about justice and community.
• Career paths are visible: Housing‑specific policing, community liaison roles, multi‑agency task forces, and beyond.
• Operate within Boston’s evolving safety landscape—be part of the change, not on the sidelines.
• Training and resources aligned with major city standards thanks to our integrated operations with BPD—but in an environment where you’re still highly visible, accessible, and accountable.
• The mission is clear: preserve public peace and order, protect life and property. Your motto becomes more than words—it becomes your footprint across Boston’s housing neighborhoods.

Minimum Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen (Birth or naturalization).
• Be at least 21 years of age upon submission of application.
• Must read, write, and speak the English language.
• Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D. Certificate; college education preferred.
• Possess a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.
• Possess or ability to possess an unrestricted Massachusetts Class A License to Carry a Firearm (LTC‑A).
• Not be a convicted felon, or have convictions from another jurisdiction that would be treated as a felony in the Commonwealth.
• Not smoke and stay a non‑smoker.
• Must pass interstate criminal and a driver’s history.
• Must successfully pass the physical fitness test.
• Have the ability to pass a thorough background and psychological examination prior to employment.
• Must pass oral interviews.
• Must pass medical examination.
• Be able to obtain CJIS Certification.
• Achieve 70%+ on the getbadged Entry Exam.

Additional Qualifications

• Must have the ability to analyze information and evidence.
• Possess the ability to write clear, descriptive reports or other required documents relative to events, incidents, or occurrences or activities.
• Ability to maintain self‑control and use sound judgement under stressful situations.
• Ability to work with people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds of all economic levels.
• Ability to follow the orders and directives of supervisors and to act without direct supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with development managers, other Authority personnel, tenants, Department of Public Safety staff members, the staff of the Boston Police Department, and other Public Safety Officials.
• Should have experience that demonstrates his/her involvement with crime prevention programs and community organizing.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of public housing and the Boston Housing Authority is desirable.

Salary & Compensation

Salary: $72,000 to $96,000 after 5 years depending on incentives.

Benefits

• 14 Paid Holidays
• 2 Weeks Vacation
• 3 Weeks of Paid Sick Leave
• 4‑On | 2‑Off Rotating Shifts
• Detail Rate = $60/Hour
• 2.5% Annual COLA (Cost‑of‑Living Adjustment)
• $6,000 Signing Bonus Paid Over 3 Years ($2,000 Per Year of Service)
• MBTA Discount
• Participation in the City’s Pension Plan
• Healthcare through the Commonwealth
• Union: New England Police Benevolent Association, Inc.

Hiring Process

The path to becoming a Boston Housing Authority Police Officer is thorough, fair, and built to find the best. Our process looks beyond basic qualifications to identify candidates with the character, judgment, and community mindset needed to serve Boston’s housing communities. It includes multiple steps—written and physical assessments, interviews, background and medical reviews, and academy training—all designed to ensure every officer is ready to protect, serve, and make a lasting impact.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Boston Housing Authority PD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the BHA PD to hire, recruit, train and promote employees without discrimination because of race, religion, political affiliation, physical disability, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or age. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.