Police Officer Commissioned (POST Certified)

Montana State University; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University is seeking POST-certified Police Officers to join the University Police Department (MSU-Bozeman). Lateral applicants with current peace officer POST certification or equivalent are encouraged to apply.

The role involves patrol, investigations, writing reports, incident response, and community safety programs on a four-year campus. The position is non-exempt and requires rotating shifts, overtime for events, and full compliance with MSU UPD policies.

Qualifications

• Meet peace officer education and certification standards as set forth by the Montana Code annotated 7-32-303 (2).
• Meet Montana Public Safety Officer Standards & Training Council ( POST ) certification requirements through one of the following:
• Possess a current Montana POST peace officer certification. OR
• Possess a current out-of-state equivalent certification for sworn law enforcement officer.
• To apply for reciprocity, candidates must have completed a law enforcement officer basic course in another state, AND served at least one year with a law enforcement agency AND successfully completed a one-year probationary period with their prior employer. Please Note: You must be appointed by a Montana agency before POST can determine your eligibility for equivalency.

Responsibilities

• Conduct vehicle patrol operations, including safely operating a police vehicle and equipment.
• Detect and take enforcement action on observed violations of the law.
• Conduct DUI investigations and maintain required certifications.
• Conduct foot, bike, or alternate patrol to deter crime and enforce university policies.
• Write comprehensive reports supporting criminal offenses.
• Demonstrate proficiency with computer skills and records management systems.
• Interview victims, suspects, and witnesses to determine facts and circumstances.
• Preserve crime scenes, collect and photograph evidence, and maintain chain of custody.
• Respond to fire and medical emergencies and provide assistance as required.
• Participate in crime prevention programs and safety awareness presentations.
• Provide credible testimony in a court of law.

Job description

Police Officer Commissioned (POST Certified)

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27152

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Classification Title

Classification Title Police Officer Commissioned - MSU/UM

Working Title

Working Title Police Officer Commissioned (POST Certified)

Brief Position Overview

Recruiting highly motivated POST -certified peace officers.

This position is open to lateral police officer applicants only. Candidates for this position must hold a current peace officer POST certificate, or equivalent.

Position Number

Position Number 4M0165, 4M1433

Department

Department University Police

Division

Division Administration

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary Salary range of $37.811101 to $41.939134 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

The mission of the University Police Department ( UPD ) is to provide the students, employees and visitors at Montana State University-Bozeman with a safe and secure environment for living and learning. It is the responsibility of every UPD member to consistently seek and find ways to affirmatively promote preserve and deliver security, safety and quality services to members of our community.

A Police Officer Commissioned is a Public Safety Officer Standards and Training ( POST ) Certified Montana Police Officer who is assigned to either patrol or investigative functions. These officers assist with providing law enforcement and security for the Montana State University community.

This position is for POST certified (lateral) applicants only.

Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct vehicle patrol operations, including:

• Safely and legally operate a police vehicle and equipment such as radar, mobile data terminal, in-car camera, records management system, etc.
• Detect and take enforcement action on observed violations of the law.
• Conduct DUI investigations and maintain required certifications.
• Conduct foot, bike, or alternate means of patrol that include detecting, deterring and investigating criminal activities, identifying unsecured buildings, MSU policy violations, and parking violations.
• Detect and deter crime and apprehend those who violate State, local, and Federal laws as well as University policies.
• Write comprehensive reports that clearly articulate relevant facts and support the elements of the criminal offense.
• Demonstrate proficiency with computer skills including Windows based computer software skills and a records management system.
• Interview victims, suspects, and witnesses to obtain information necessary to determine facts and circumstances of incidents.
• Preserve crime scenes, collect and photograph evidence, and properly secure evidence maintaining chain of custody.
• Respond to fire and medical emergencies and provide assistance as required.
• Participate in crime prevention programs such as Adopt-A-Cop.
• Conduct crime and safety awareness presentations.
• Provide and maintain the ability to provide credible testimony in a court of law.

Secondary duties:

• Participate in special duty assignments such as various trainings, administrative writing assignments, and statistical analysis and research projects.
• Provide police services during special events such as sporting events, concerts, etc., on a regular and overtime basis.
• Maintain training requirements and certifications as mandated by law and as directed by the MSU Chief of Police.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Meet peace officer education and certification standards as set forth by the Montana Code annotated 7-32-303 (2).
• Meet Montana Public Safety Officer Standards & Training Council ( POST ) certification requirements through one of the following:
• Possess a current Montana POST peace officer certification. OR
• Possess a current out-of-state equivalent certification for sworn law enforcement officer.
• To apply for reciprocity, candidates must have completed a law enforcement officer basic course in another state, AND served at least one year with a law enforcement agency AND successfully completed a one-year probationary period with their prior employer. Please Note: You must be appointed by a Montana agency before POST can determine your eligibility for equivalency.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge and experience with the use of firearms.
• Experience participating in community service programs and/or events.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Communicate effectively with employees and the public in-person and over the phone.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and the public.
• Represent UPD and its services to others in a professional and courteous manner.
• Have the ability to effectively respond quickly to emergency situations.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Have proficiency operating computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Have the ability to research, acquire and articulate facts and convey information with a high degree of accuracy and a compelling point of view.
• Have the ability to participate in group presentations to convey information.
• Have the ability to follow progressive steps in order to reach a logical conclusion.
• Be able to make good decisions in stressful and/or emergency situations.
• Have the ability to successfully work and interact within a diverse culture in a college campus setting.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

• Serves as a Campus Security Authority as defined by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Public Safety Policy and Crime Statistics.
• Must complete a one-year probationary period as well as pass an approved medical evaluation, psychological test, and drug screening.
• Must pass an in-depth police background investigation.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain within six months, a valid Montana driver license and have an acceptable driver record (less than 12 points in accordance with the Administrative Rules of Montana 2.6.205).
• Position is expected to work days, nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotational basis. During the first-year, successful applicants will be required to work a rotation on days, evenings, and night shifts.
• Position is expected to respond immediately to emergency situations 24 hours/7days a week/365 days a year.
• Position requires mandatory overtime for Athletics and special events.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to pass a Montana Occupational Health Law Enforcement Officer physical exam.
• Position may require exposure to extreme temperature, noise, heights, or hazardous materials.
• Must be able to qualify and maintain annual certification with various duty weapons.
• Must be physically fit and able to perform foot patrol, bike patrol, and respond quickly to emergency situations.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed in this description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 2

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on 11/16/2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an /adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).