Police Academy Cadet - Sponsorship (July 2027 Class)

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Full benefits package

Retirement plans

Job summary

Penn State University Police & Public Safety Department invites applications for the Police Academy Cadet program at the University Park campus. Cadets will attend the academy starting in July 2027 at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) and will be Penn State employees during training with housing reimbursement and full-time benefits.

Successful candidates undergo MPOETC Act 120 Certification during hiring and transition to full-time sworn officers after graduation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be accepted into MPOETC Act 120 Certification during hiring.
• Strong communication and ethical standards for campus safety.

Responsibilities

• Patrol Penn State campuses to protect life and property.
• Enforce laws, University policies, and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with Field Training Officers during training period.
• Provide credible testimony and engage with the campus community.

Skills

Public safety

Communication

Ethics

Community policing

Testimony

Diversity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

MPOETC Act 120 Certification coursework

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

Accepting Applications through November 16, 2026 (ONLY)

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

The Penn State University Police and Public Safety Department is responsible for protecting and serving more than 100,000 students, employees, as well as visitors at campuses located throughout Pennsylvania. We are a cohesive and centralized department with sworn police officers who have full law enforcement authority serving our campuses with our headquarters being located at University Park. We are searching for Police Academy Cadet candidates to join our team at the University Park campus who hold the values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community. Cadets will attend the academy starting in July 2027 at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).

Penn State University Police & Public Safety Department is sponsoring individuals to attend a Municipal Police Academy/Act 120 Training. Upon hire and while enrolled in the academy, you would be a Penn State employee receiving a housing reimbursement, full-time salary, and benefits. After graduation, be placed as a full-time sworn police officer at the University Park (*) campus where you will partner with Field Training Officers during your training period to learn the campus and department protocols. Policing on university campuses provides for a rewarding career supporting the students and university through a community-policing model.

It takes a special individual to work in campus law enforcement. Campus Law Enforcement work maintains the traditional policing methods found in municipal or state agencies while also requiring a unique skill set. Campus Law Enforcement differs in the following ways:

• More focused on students and their success
• Emphasis on Community Oriented Policing programs and outreach
• Time invested in welfare checks of students
• Response to various building alarms
• Enhanced-security checks at various facilities (i.e., airport, Old Main, building checks at night and during University breaks)
• Special Event Details (i.e., concerts, sporting events and graduation ceremonies)
• Understanding compliance requirements unique to University policing and campus safety

Police officers are responsible for carrying out the functions of protection of life and property, preservation of peace and good order of the community, enhancement of positive community engagement initiatives, enforcement of laws and University policies/procedures, public safety, investigative work, and other related duties. The successful candidate will be responsible for the prevention of illegal, unsafe, or undesirable activity and regulatory violations through patrol, education, inspection, and the deterrent effect of enforcement. Police officers will also be expected to enforce National, Federal, State, and local laws, as well as University regulations, through investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of violators.

The position of Police Academy Cadet minimally requires a high school diploma or equivalent and up to one year of relevant experience and the successful candidate must be accepted in to the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) Act 120 Certification Course during the hiring process. Successful completion of the police academy training is required as part of continued employment. For more information regarding the police academy to include academic and physical requirements please visit: https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/mpoetc.html

Successful candidates will possess:

• Skills necessary to enhance public respect for law enforcement and the University with courteous, devoted, and ethical service
• Capacity to work cooperatively with various levels of faculty, staff, students, and outside agencies
• Ability to provide effective, honest, and credible testimony at court hearings
• Outstanding customer service orientation; excellent verbal and written communication skills; excellent analytical, judgment, ethical decision-making, and organizational skills
• Ability to work with a wide variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Respect for the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality, and justice
• Capability to always uphold an excellent standard of conduct, abiding by laws, regulations, and policies

This position requires:

• Successful completion of a University Police and Public Safety background investigation
• Successful BPAD scenario-based evaluation
• U.S. Citizenship
• Candidates must be at least 21 years of age on or before start date
• Fingerprint background check
• Successful completion of a psychological evaluation and physical examination is required. Must be in good general health as determined by University physical examination
• Successful completion of all MPOETC requirements pertaining to the police academy and related exams
• PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check
• Operation of a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties - a valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required
• Successful completion of a credit history check

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT

This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Penn State University Police Officers Association (PSUPOA). More information can be found here: Labor & Employee Relations Click on Union Agreements and select the applicable Agreement.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.

Salary & Benefits

For details on starting salary and progression, please see the above collective bargaining agreement.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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