Police Officer I

Colorado State University; United States; On-site; USD 71,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University is hiring a Police Officer I (Lateral) to patrol campus properties, engage with the community, and enforce laws. The role emphasizes safety education, collaboration, and rapid response to incidents, with the CSU Police Department supporting professional growth and community service.

Applicants must possess current P.O.S.T. certification or be eligible for Colorado POST; at least 21 years old; and meet various driving, background, and fitness requirements.

Qualifications

• Must have Current P.O.S.T. certification (attached) OR be eligible to apply for Colorado P.O.S.T. certification.
• One year of experience as a certified Police Officer with a P.O.S.T. recognized agency.
• Combination of experience and education in Psychology, Sociology, Communications, Criminal Justice, Social Justice, Military Science or similar studies equal to one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Patrol campus property, parking areas, and buildings by foot, bicycle, and vehicle to identify and address safety or security concerns.
• Engage with students, staff, faculty and visitors; provide education and outreach on campus safety.
• Promote traffic safety through enforcement, education, and event management; investigate incidents and issue citations or warnings.
• Respond to calls for service; investigate incidents, collect evidence, interview involved parties, and manage disturbances.
• Prepare accurate reports and legal records; may serve in lead or officer-in-charge capacity.
• Enforce laws and policies; provide testimony or coordination with judicial and disciplinary bodies.

Skills

Guardianship mindset

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Education

POST certification (required)

Colorado POST certification provisional eligibility

1 year experience as Police Officer (PO I)

Job description

Application Deadline

To receive full consideration, applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MST on September 30, 2026 (9/30/2026).

Position Summary

The Colorado State University Police Department (CSUPD) is hiring for a Police Officer I (Lateral Police Officer). CSU Police Department is a full-service law enforcement organization. We are committed to working with all our stakeholders to maintain a safe environment which supports the academic mission of the University, and the health and wellness of the community. To learn more about CSUPD please visit: https://police.colostate.edu/join-our-team/.

Police Officers work to fulfill our mission and the University’s mission through training, education, community engagement, active patrol of University properties, crime investigation, identification and resolution of safety/security hazards and problems, assistance to students, staff, faculty and visitors, and handling of accidents and emergencies. Police Officers should have a demonstrated guardian-centric mindset, including excellent interpersonal skills and strong orientation toward education, collaboration, service, and teamwork. A strong work ethic, the demonstrated ability to be self-directed and use reasoning and resourcefulness to determine the best process/resource available is a necessary skillset. Police Officers must be detail-oriented and capable of producing work of the highest quality and accuracy and exhibit an exceptionally high level of personal and professional ethic.

Job Duties

• Self-Initiated Activity: Patrol campus property, parking areas, and buildings by foot, bicycle, and vehicle to identify and address safety or security concerns, deter criminal activity, and proactively engage in community interactions.
• Community Oriented Policing: Build collaborative, positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and visitors by providing assistance, education, and outreach, including presentations and seminars on relevant crime prevention and campus safety.
• Traffic Related: Promote traffic safety through enforcement, education, and special event management, including patrol operations, accident and complaint investigations, roadway hazard identification, and appropriate citation or warning of violations.
• Dispatch Initiated Activity: Respond to calls for service to identify, prevent, and reduce crime, investigate incidents, collect evidence, interview involved parties, intervene and manage disturbances or crises, and take appropriate enforcement action, including arrests and use of appropriate force when necessary. Support campus departments with civil standbys.
• Administrative Duties: Prepare accurate reports, documentation, and legal records to support investigations, compliance, and trend analysis; perform administrative responsibilities and serve in a lead or officer-in-charge capacity in the absence of a formal supervisor, as assigned.
• Testimonial Duties: Enforce laws and policies through citations and arrests and provide testimony or coordination with judicial and disciplinary bodies, including courts, hearings, and campus proceedings.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check; Positions are subject to a background investigation in accordance with the administrative procedures of the State Personnel Director.
• Physical and psychological evaluations are required in accordance with section 24-31-303 (5) (b), C.R.S.
• Pre-employment Physical
• Pre-employment psychological assessment
• Pre-employment Drug Testing
• Valid Driver's License; Have for the past two years a current, valid driver’s license issued in the US or by a US territory. A full description of driving requirements can be found in the University Vehicle policy.
• Essential Services Designation; Willing and able to report to work without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare of the campus community.
• Shift Work; willing and able to maintain availability for shift work as needed.
• Use of Firearms or Other Weapons – Per CO POST standards.
• Special Requirements/Other; Current POST certification required. Candidates must not have any POST-disqualifying incidents. A list of disqualifying incidents is available through the Colorado POST website: https://post.colorado.gov/certification/disqualifying-incidents
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• No Felony Convictions, No Domestic Violence Convictions.
• Must have not acquired more than seven points in the last year and/or more than 12 points within the last two years on a driver’s license.
• Must have no alcohol/drug related traffic convictions in the last three (3) years and repeat alcohol/drug convictions after the age of 18 within the last ten years.
• Must have had no Marijuana use in the past 3 months.
• No more than two at-fault accidents in the past three years (includes accidents resulting in claims, regardless of citation).
• Must not have had any Type A violation in the past three years.
• Must not have had more than three or more Type B violations in the past three years.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current P.O.S.T. certification (must be attached) OR be eligible to apply for Colorado P.O.S.T. certification.
• Out of state PO I applicants must obtain a Colorado provisional POST certification letter before first day of employment and must successfully challenge Colorado POST within 6 months of obtaining a Colorado provisional POST certification letter. CSUPD will support applicants in challenging Colorado POST by providing time to study, time to take the exams and paying for the testing exams required for challenging Colorado POST. It is up to the applicant to successfully challenge Colorado POST and obtaining a Colorado POST certification is a condition of employment.
• One year of experience as a certified Police Officer with a P.O.S.T recognized agency.
• A combination of experience and education in Psychology, Sociology, Communications, Criminal Justice, Social Justice, Military Science or similar studies equal to one (1) year of experience (30 Credits = 1 year).

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of an Associate’s or higher level degree from an accredited college or university are highly desired.
• Demonstrated commitment to education, learning, and growth.
• Ability to verbally communicate with both internal and external constituents in a professional and direct manner while maintaining excellent customer service.
• Demonstrated attention to detail through diligence and maintaining a high standard for finished work product.
• Work experience which encompasses roles leadership and the associated characteristics of a strong leader: accountability, integrity, self-motivated, and a desire to lead others by example.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to establish and build relationships with a diverse range of colleagues and customers.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills to make decisions in emergency/stressful situations as well as the use of problem-solving skills as part of daily work responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience volunteering with the community (volunteer experience should be clearly labelled in the application materials).
• Directly related state service experience.
• Application Documents: Unofficial or Official Transcripts (required if utilizing education in place of experience, as outlined above) POST or Equivalent Peace Officer Certification (required for consideration at the PO I level).

Salary Range

$70,596 - $82,848 Annually

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. Lastly, for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Employment and Appeal Rights

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb. A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: [phone]. Phone: [phone]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.