Lieutenant - VUPS

Vanderbilt University; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University is seeking a qualified police supervisor to lead a unit within Public Safety on campus in Nashville. The role requires overseeing incidents, preparing reports, guiding strategy, and coordinating with university leadership to maintain safety.

Ideal candidates will have POST Tennessee certification, academy training, and a track record of responsible law enforcement leadership. A Bachelor’s degree is preferred; a valid driver’s license is required, with nights, weekends, and

Qualifications

• High School Education or G.E.D required.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution preferred.
• Graduate of an accredited, approved Police Academy required.
• Certified police officer meeting all POST Tennessee requirements or eligible upon hire.
• Must meet standards to receive commission and have a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement accountability measures to ensure fair and impartial police services.
• Review and approve incident and crime reports; ensure accuracy and proper classification.
• Utilize data to inform crime mitigation strategies and community collaboration.
• Supervise personnel and monitor field actions to maintain safety and compliance.
• Prepare reports and attend OASIS meetings; provide input to strategy development.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness and contingency planning for the institution.
• May assume or supervise police operations during special events and major incidents.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Communication

Public speaking

Customer service

Conflict resolution

Problem solving

Team supervision

Education

High School Education or G.E.D

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Police Academy graduate

POST certification (Tennessee) or eligible

Valid driver’s license

Job description

About the Work Unit:

Vanderbilt University Public Safety comes under the charge of the Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor/Chief of Police for the Division of Administration. The Public Safety Department includes a staff of over 300 people. The department is organized into two Bureaus: Campus & Administrative, and VU Medical Center, which are both led by a Deputy Chief of Police. The Department employs commissioned officers, non‑academy‑trained officers for security‑related functions, and administrative personnel.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Administrative Duties

• Manages a unit or shift; ensures adequate resources for an area of responsibility; may supervise employees.
• Lead the execution of police services and strategies that are reflective of 21st Century Policing guidance.
• Review and approve all incident reports, accident reports and any other such reports submitted by Sergeants, Corporals, and Officers ensuring accuracy of all information including case number, report number, crime log reportable incidents and classification.
• Lead and implement accountability measures to ensure that police services are delivered fairly and impartially.
• Utilize data to inform and create crime mitigation strategies, identify crime trends, and to enhance community collaboration.
• Makes decisions regarding the need, legality, and liability of pursuits and arrests.
• Supervises and evaluates the work of subordinate personnel (which may include Police Sergeants and sworn officers) and support personnel performing police work or support functions according to performance standards and departmental procedures and policies.
• Monitor, observe, and correct officer actions in the field.
• Provides coverage in the field on a schedule that provides maximum coverage during hours when command presence may not be available.
• Maintains data, files and information related to unit; conducts research; prepares proposals and plans for strategic and contingency needs. Prepares information and attends the Operational Accountability, Strategy Development, and Information Sharing (OASIS) meetings.
• Trains and retrains personnel as necessary.
• Prepares, reviews, and approves police reports. Conducts analysis of information and formulates reports of trends through review of incident reports and statistical data.
• Performs and provides routine audits of operational processes and functions as well as inspections of personnel and equipment to ensure compliance.
• Conducts preliminary investigations of complaints/allegations of employee misconduct; makes recommendations to management when disciplinary action is warranted.
• Participates and attends regular meetings with key staff across the institution to keep current and aware of changing demands relative to security and law enforcement needs within a designated area of responsibility. Compiles and presents reports as required for committees and meetings. Prepares and submits reports/data/records for local and/or state compliance.
• Keeps management informed of significant police related events or activities; prepares and reviews periodic activity reports for management. Participates and provides input in periodic management meetings to keep top management informed of problems and concerns.
• Monitors and coaches others for improved work performance and participates in counseling sessions as necessary.
• Conduct performance conversations with staff in a fair and impartial manner, utilizing the designated departmental forms.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Emergency Services

• Coordinates resources and information related to the overall emergency preparedness for the institution.
• Provides input for contingency planning.

Crime Prevention

• Coordinates programs, seminars, and security risk assessments for the institution.

Special Events and Assignments

• May be assigned or assume police supervisory or command responsibilities during special events on campus, visiting dignitary details, and other assignments as necessary.
• Serves as a resource to officers investigating traffic crashes, investigating criminal acts, monitoring psychiatric patients, and other events/incidents requiring police or security intervention.
• Assumes command and control as necessary for major incidents and ensures implementation of incident command at critical incidents.

Supervisory Responsibility

The position does have supervisory responsibility supervising personnel in the assigned area of responsibility, this position reports administratively and functionally to a higher‑ranking officer.

Education and Certification

• High School Education or G.E.D required.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
• A graduate of an accredited, approved Police Academy is required.
• Certified police officer meeting all the requirements for P.O.S.T. certification in Tennessee, or be eligible for certification immediately upon hire, is required.
  • Must meet standards to receive commission from the Metropolitan Police Department
  • Prior law enforcement experience as a certified officer must be within the past three (3) years or,
  • Graduation from an approved law enforcement academy within the past six (6) months is required.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.
  • Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide up‑to‑date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records
• 21 years of age is required.
• Successful completion of an annual department‑authorized and POST‑approved in‑service training course consisting of at least forty (40) hours of instruction is necessary.
• Possession of a special police commission from the Chief Law Enforcement official in Metropolitan Nashville is necessary.
• Successful completion of the department field training program within the designated time frame is necessary.

Experience and Skills

• Two (2) years as a Sergeant within an accredited law enforcement agency or one (1) year as a Sergeant at VUPS is required.
• The ability to remain calm and objective throughout stressful and unpleasant situations is required.
• The ability to maintain professionalism, credibility, and good customer service skills when dealing with internal and external contacts is required.
• Willingness and ability to make timely, sound decisions and accept responsibility is required.
• The ability to develop the skills of staff and prepare personnel for increased responsibility is required.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and enforcement officials, general public and members of the university is required.
• Ability to work with people of various ages and backgrounds and with diverse constituencies, including students, parents, faculty, and staff in the University and the Medical Center is required.
• Ability and willingness to evaluate job performance of employees through behavioral observation, reviews, or work productivity measures is required.
• The ability to lead by example is required.
• The ability to handle a wide range of assignments with relative independence and limited direction is required.
• Excellent customer service skills necessary.
• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills necessary.
• Demonstrated public speaking skills necessary.
• Demonstrated self‑restraint in challenging and/or difficult situations necessary.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills necessary.
• The ability and skill to give performance feedback to subordinates are necessary.
• The ability and skill to handle disciplinary and performance issues are necessary.
• The ability to remain calm in stressful situations is necessary.
• The ability to remain flexible in the face of constantly changing needs is necessary.
• The ability to supervise and guide individuals or a group of individuals is necessary.
• Ability and willingness to make sound decisions quickly based on the facts presented are necessary.
• Knowledge of police patrol goals and objectives and mission is necessary.
• Knowledge of university and police department rules, regulations, and other written directives is necessary.

Physical Requirements

• Stand for long periods of time
• Walk, climb, and lift
• Meet written departmental standards on appearance/grooming
• Pass a thorough background investigation that demonstrates –
  • Good moral character,
  • Good driving record, and
  • No prior criminal convictions that would prohibit the individual from meeting the standards set forth by the State of Tennessee to become a law enforcement officer.
• Pass a medical examination, including vision screening and drug testing; must obtain immunizations and medical tests as required to be able to work in patient care and high‑risk areas
• Pass a Psychological Evaluation

Working Requirements

• Required to work nights/weekends/holidays
• Must be able to work in inclement weather or weather extremes
• May be confined to a patrol car for an entire shift
• May be exposed to hazardous materials, infectious diseases, blood‑borne pathogens, steam, car battery acid, loud noises, smoke, and fire
• Required to know how to correctly use a TB Mask and other precautionary equipment.