Police Lieutenant

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University Police Department is seeking a Police Lieutenant to provide leadership, supervision, and strategic oversight of a designated unit. The role emphasizes community policing, staff development, and coordination with campus partners while maintaining essential public safety services.

The Lieutenant will train and coach officers, oversee scheduling and budgeting, and ensure compliance with state and university policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Officer certification.
• General Instructor certification and/or Field Training Officer certification.
• CIT training is highly desired.
• NCIC/VCIN operator certification.
• DCJS firearms proficiency and biennial in-service education credits.
• Extensive knowledge of law enforcement/public safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the police unit, ensuring staffing and resources meet department needs.
• Schedule, assign, and review shifts; manage training and leave without impacting operations.
• Provide coaching, evaluation, and training to officers and sergeants.
• Conduct proactive patrols, enforce laws, and respond to incidents on campus.
• Coordinate community outreach and liaison activities with university partners.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Public speaking

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Officer certification

General Instructor certification

Field Training Officer certification

CIT training

NCIC/VCIN operator certification

DCJS firearms proficiency

Job description

Department: Executive Administration

Classification: Law Enforcement Manager I

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visasponsorship

Pay Band: 05

Salary: $87,043 - $130,699; commensurate with education andexperience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department

The primary purpose/objective/mission of the University PoliceDepartment is to provide a safe and secure environment for alluniversity employees, students, and guests. Embracing theprinciples of community policing, the department workscollaboratively with academic and administrative units,individuals, and organizations in furtherance of the mission of theUniversity. The department delivers a comprehensive program in lawenforcement to provide the highest level of safety, security, andservice for the students, faculty, staff, and visitors to theuniversity, as they pursue their daily work and study activities,consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth, and the policies ofthe University.

About the Position

The purpose of the Police Lieutenant is to exercise general policepower within a specific jurisdiction in order to perform lawenforcement, crime prevention, security, and related public safetyfunctions while maintaining department standards in communityoutreach efforts. The position leads and directs staff andexercises supervisory responsibility over police officers and firstline supervisors. The job is considered Essential/Designatedpersonnel and will be required to work a variety of schedules in a24-hour, 7 day a week configuration which includes nights,weekends, holidays, and during and following natural disasters andemergency situations. The Lieutenant position also providestraining to others to meet competency and accreditationstandards.

Responsibilities

Manages Administrative and Operational Functions of AssignedOrganizational Unit

Manages administrative and operational functions of their assignedorganizational unit. Manages their assigned unit and ensures theoperational and administrative functions of the unit are conductedunder established professional police performance standards.Ensures unit compliance with laws, policies, and establishedstandards of conduct. Utilizes unallocated time in a productivemanner, demonstrates effective time management and ability to planand organize a daily work routine, and contributes in a positivemanner to department’s mission.

Reviews and approves, in a timely manner, all incident and crashreports, ensuring completeness, accuracy, probable cause, evidence,and statements are included; verifies validation and compliancewith NIBRS. Completes and/or ensures completion of shift dutyreports with thorough detail and maintains accurate records.Ensures written referrals are submitted in a timely manner to theOffice of Student Conduct and/or support resources for incidentsinvolving students for university compliance with the Drug FreeSchools & Communities Act, as well as written referrals toHuman Resources for employee matters. Complies with and maintains aworking knowledge of Clery Act and serves as a Campus SecurityAuthority (CSA), providing written reports of all crimes as definedunder Clery Act in conjunction with, or addition to, those definedby state code.

Manages and coordinates scheduling, adequate staffing levels fortheir unit, and reviews leave and training requests in a timelymanner and makes responsible decisions without negatively impactingstaffing when approving requests. Maintains appropriate staffinglevels and regularly updates work schedules, covering shifts whenplanned or unplanned leave occurs within own unit. Routinelyinspects and accounts for equipment and vehicles, conducts rollcalls and roll call training, and facilitates communication acrossunits. Responsive to subordinates and supervisors and ensuresemail, phone, written, and verbal communications are attended to ina timely manner. Monitors budget/unit expenses for equipment,training, overtime, etc. Commits and ensures resources are usedresponsibly and judiciously.

Maintains a professional working relationship with the UniversityAdministration, University Life, Title IX, and the Universitycommunity, as well as with other elements of the criminal justicesystem including the courts, the Commonwealth’s Attorney, CommunityServices Board (CSB), and other law enforcement agencies. TheLieutenant shall serve as liaison with the clerk of the court toschedule and monitor officer court attendance.

Provides Leadership and Direction to Assigned Unit

Trains, gives direction, and provides support to each officerand/or first-line supervisor assigned to their supervision.Maintains active trainer/instructor certification(s) and providesinstruction (field training and/or general instruction) to officersand/or detectives. Lieutenants are also expected to provideperiodic roll call trainings.

Builds an atmosphere which supports and encourages teamwork, highmorale, inventiveness, dedication, and respect. Ensures that eachpatrol officer or detective under their supervision has theresources, guidance, knowledge, and support necessary to performtheir job in a professional, caring manner to provide lawenforcement and security services to the George Mason Universitycommunity on a daily basis. Ensures that each officer assigned totheir supervision is held accountable to their goals and actions,applying recognition and discipline in a fair and consistentmanner. Effectively handles conflict situations, and addressescomplaints and personnel matters in a professional, caring, andtimely manner. Completes required evaluations, monitorsprobationary performance, improvement plans, and makes trainingrecommendations. Documents performance deficiencies and works withleadership to address training and performance needs. Attends courtand observes and evaluates officer performance. Ensures officersassigned to supervision maintain required training andcertifications.

Supervises and directs staff in performance of law enforcementduties, and provides assistance and guidance with a communitypolicing problem-solving philosophy. Assists officers with theprocess of reviewing and acquiring arrest and search warrants.Provide training to meet competency and accreditation standards;establish goals and objectives; and effectively oversee theallocation and direction of resources. Promotes unity, cooperationand teamwork of the assigned patrol unit with other departmentunits.

Exercises good judgment and analytical skills as needed in makingdecisions and solving problems. Effectively identifies andaddresses root problems, plans and coordinates projects efficientlyand effectively. Fosters positive relationships with public safetygroups and liaises with local/regional law enforcement leaders tocoordinate resources and mutual aid when required.

Provides coaching and training to MPOs, Corporals, and Sergeants toensure learning and knowledge of first-line supervisorresponsibilities; examples of such are scene/incident management,daily administrative tasks, command and university leadershipnotification procedures.

Conducts Patrols, Enforces Laws, and Investigates Crimes and Traffic Crashes

Provides proactive deterrence and high visibility patrols of allUniversity property by vehicle, foot, and/or bicycle with acommunity policing philosophy. Operates police vehicle and conductsfoot/bike patrols to observe for and confront violations of trafficlaws, suspicious activities or persons, and disturbances of publicpeace. Reports and addresses hazardous conditions. Motivatesproductivity and takes initiative to improve job knowledge andskills through conducting proactive patrols and engaging with thecommunity. Maintains public peace and provides the Universitycommunity with the most current crime prevention technology andmethods. Participates in and documents community outreachactivities and events as part of daily patrol routines. Workseffectively and proactively with Community Outreach unit toidentify and participate in activities, events, and trainingopportunities.

Enforces all applicable state and local laws and universityregulations to ensure the proper protection of all Universitypersonnel, visitors, and property. Arrests violators of laws,issues summonses, issues written and verbal warnings whenappropriate, ensures data collection forms for the 2020 CommunityPolicing Act are issued when required. Exercises discretion in asafe, fair, and balanced manner. Provides law enforcement presenceand crowd control at assigned activities and/or locations.Demonstrates professional demeanor and safety techniques duringtraffic control. Responds to radio calls and assignments made bydispatchers and supervisors, answers calls and complaints, andprovides assistance to fellow law enforcement officers.Investigates traffic crashes and provides assistance to theinjured, control crash area, and ensure the safety of other trafficuntil area is clear. Conducts interviews and writes detailed andaccurate reports in a timely manner; is well-versed in laws ofarrest and search and seizure.

Provides complete preliminary and follow-up investigations of allincidents in a professional, caring and timely manner. Preservescrime scenes and collects and processes evidence from a variety ofsources such as citizens, witnesses, suspects, crime scenes andincidents that pose a potential liability to the University. Uses avariety of methods to obtain information and evidence, includinginterviews and interrogations. Prepares for and attends court toprovide complete testimony and the presentation of evidence.

Ensures Quality Delivery of Law Enforcement Services and Provides Assistance to Community Members

Provides assistance to the community by utilizing sound decisionmaking and customer service practices. Ensures that the public isdealt with in a courteous and professional manner, displays nobias, and works to overcome communication barriers. Displaysappropriate compassion and empathy, providing law enforcementservices with a high standard of care. Looks beyond the initialproblem and seeks opportunities to provide exceptional customerservice. Demonstrates competency and employs proper safetyprocedures with handling a variety of customer service issues withtact and diplomacy in a confidential manner. Through problemsolving methodologies, provides solutions or the resources to solveany problem confronting the public. Proactively follows up oncontacts and referrals. Exercises sound judgement; decisions takeinto consideration department and university policy, law, and fact.Renders aid and assistance to citizens, fellow officers, and otherpublic safety partners. Responsive to requests for mutualaid.

Ensures crime victims are assisted, rendering sensitive and caringsupport. Provides victims and witnesses information on cases, courtprocedures, and protective order statuses. Updates victims andwitnesses on case statuses, arrests made, and service ofprocesses/warrants. Assists victims and witnesses with identifyingand utilizing available support resources.

Recognizes situations and incidents requiring crisis interventionand/or mental health resources and utilizes available resourceswhen appropriate and employing proper safety procedures incustodial situations. Executes and serves Emergency Custody Ordersand/or Temporary Detention Orders as required.

Submits annual Community Engagement Plan reflective of currentneeds of community for assigned unit, practices personalaccountability, and ensures those under their supervision meetperformance expectations as outlined.

Practices Personal Accountability and Follows Code of Conduct, Laws, Policies, and Procedures and is in Compliance with Training and Certification Required of Position

Reviews, follows, and maintains a working knowledge of all laws,state, university, and department policies. Complies with FBI,VCIN, and CJIS policies safeguarding confidential/criminal justiceinformation. Follows department’s professional police standards andcode of conduct.

Maintains a professional police appearance in compliance withgrooming, hygiene, body art, and uniform standards. Maintains alevel of physical fitness which meets the daily requirement of thelaw enforcement profession demonstrating ability to respond tocalls for service in accordance with the Position Requirement’sphysical activities and physical requirements. Maintains allcertifications and qualifications for the position of PoliceLieutenant. Complies with state, university, and department leavepolicies; submits written leave requests with reasonable notice,utilizing leave only as approved by supervisor/ department, and forthe purpose of which it is intended. Demonstrates punctuality andreports on time for roll call, court, training, and other duties.Follows assigned work schedule, requests, enrolls in, and attendstraining, obtains approval to work overtime from supervisor,complies with requests to work overtime, and reports to work duringemergencies/call-back as an essential/designated employee.

Promotes a positive, professional image and practices personalaccountability and responsibility; demonstrating energy,enthusiasm, and commitment. Devotes full effort to jobresponsibilities during work hours performing assigned duties andresponsibilities with the highest degree of public trust. Conductthemselves at all times in a manner that supports the mission oftheir agency and the performance of their duties. Reportcircumstances or concerns that may affect satisfactory workperformance to management, including any inappropriate (fraudulent,illegal, unethical) activities of other employees. Workcooperatively to achieve work unit and agency goals and objectives.Demonstrate respect for the agency and toward agency coworkers,supervisors, managers, subordinates, residential clients, students,and customers. Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct,honesty, and truthfulness at all times. Meet or exceed establishedjob performance expectations. Performs other duties asassigned.

Assists in Management of the Department. Lieutenants May be Assigned or Rotated to Various Units and Shifts in the DepartmentBased on Department Need and Training/Qualifications

Through delegated authority, makes decisions required for theeffective execution of responsibilities of the department. Providescommand and direction in a collaborative manner to the universitypolice department, providing support and cooperation at all timesto the command, as a member of the command, of the PoliceDepartment. Exercises sound judgement and timeliness in relayinginformation regarding significant events affecting the community,the university, and the department to senior command staff throughchain of command. Attends and participates in meetings, addressingneeds and accomplishments of patrol unit. Provides oversight topatrol unit, the communications center, and other campuses, whenrequired, in the absence of the direct supervisors of thoseunits.

Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate joint administrative andenforcement efforts with the on campus and off campus community,and public safety agencies. Liaises with local law enforcementcommand and supervisory staff, developing relationships andproviding mutual aid when requested. Acts as ranking commander insituations requiring IC S and/or at pre-planned or unplannedevents.

Provides support, management training, and documentation as neededto ensure the George Mason University Police Department meetscompetency and accreditation standards.

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Progressive and substantive experience as a Law EnforcementOfficer evidenced by accomplishments in meeting goals andobjectives;
• Demonstrated supervisory experience;
• Considerable experience working with the public and/or customerservice experience;
• Active General Instructor and/or Field Training Officercertification;
• General Instructor certifications must include one of thefollowing disciplines: Control Tactics, Firearms, Emergency VehicleOperator Course (EVOC), Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), and/orother approved DJCS law enforcement training discipline;
• Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) LawEnforcement Officer certification;
• Required to obtain and maintain Virginia DCJS firearms;proficiency/qualifications on an annual basis, at minimum;
• Required to maintain biennial in-service education creditsregulated by Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Officer recertificationprocess;
• Required to obtain and maintain NCIC/VCIN operatorcertification in compliance with Virginia State Police and FBIregulations;
• Must have legal authority to carry and possess issuedfirearms;
• Knowledge of complex law enforcement operations and technicaltasks;
• Substantive knowledge of law enforcement/public safety andemergency management practices;
• Working knowledge of administrative functions in areas ofpolicy and supervision;
• Knowledge of law enforcement supervisory concepts andpractices;
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws anduniversity and department policies;
• Considerable skill in the use of police equipment relevant tothe position;
• Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and verbal/writtencommunication skills;
• Excellent public relations/customer service skills;
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills;
• Ability to pass rigid background check;
• Ability to pass a physical fitness examination andpsychological examination;
• Ability to provide professional/caring community-orientedservice;
• Ability to communicate respectfully to internal and externalcustomers, appreciate diversity and respects differences, andmaintain confidentiality;
• Ability to identify options and develop solutions for unique orunprecedented situations;
• Ability to work within teams or independently withminimal/intermittent supervision;
• Ability to perform well under stress in a calm, efficientmanner;
• Ability to provide mentoring, coaching, and training to othersworn officers;
• Ability to provide effective leadership, training and directionto personnel, supervise and evaluate employees effectively;
• Ability to analyze all emergency situations to determine courseof action and solve problems;
• Ability to communicate verbally with adequate radio voice withno speech limitations;
• Ability to make complex decisions independently;
• Ability to work independently and solve complex problemsinvolving many variables;
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the efforts relating tolaw enforcement operations;
• Ability to motivate and influence employees in leading byexample;
• Ability to establish strong, measurable objective goals forsubordinates;
• Ability to problem solve and work collaboratively withemployees;
• Ability to be compliant with Virginia State Police/FBI/Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) policies;
• Other attributes include having a dependable work ethic, and ahigh level of integrity, honesty, and accountability; and
• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motorvehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle UsePolicy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Prior security, public safety, or military experience;
• Advanced experience as a trainer/instructor;
• CIT training is highly desired;
• Successful completion of Law Enforcement first-line supervisortraining and a strategic/civic leadership multi-week trainingcourse;
• Extensive knowledge of law enforcement/public safety andemergency management practices;
• Considerable knowledge of law enforcement training andsupervisory practices; and
• Exceptional public speaking skills and abilities.

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foremployment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/