Police Officer I, II or III

University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina Wilmington, located on the Main UNCW Campus in coastal North Carolina, is hiring Police Officer I, II or III. The role enforces laws and campus regulations, with responsibilities spanning patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, and serving warrants.

All sworn officers provide safety across university properties and may work overtime during emergencies. Minimum qualifications vary by rank, with higher ranks requiring more experience and NC CJETSC certification.

Qualifications

• Police Officer Trainee: Ability to qualify for attendance at a State of North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy including background check and agility requirements.
• Police Officer I: High School diploma or GED; Probationary certification from NC CJETSC and completion of field training program.
• Police Officer II: High School diploma or GED and 2 years sworn law enforcement experience; NC CJETSC certification.
• Police Officer III: High School diploma or GED and 4 years sworn law enforcement experience; NC CJETSC certification.

Responsibilities

• Enforce state and local laws and campus regulations.
• Apprehend criminal offenders; conduct investigations and traffic enforcement; serve warrants and summons.
• Maintain peace, deter crime, and protect lives and property through high-visibility patrols and emergency response.

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associates degree or higher (preferred)

Job description

Benefits of Working at UNCW

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are driven by a clear purpose: to empower student success, advance innovation, and strengthen the communities we serve. Guided by our strategic vision and commitment to excellence, UNCW offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where employees can make meaningful contributions while growing their careers.

Located in coastal North Carolina, UNCW combines the energy of a thriving academic community with the natural beauty of nearby beaches and outdoor spaces. Here, professional opportunity is balanced with an exceptional quality of life-creating a workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.

As a member of the Seahawk community, you\'ll benefit from a culture that values well-being, lifelong learning, and connection. UNCW offers a competitive and flexible benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth. From comprehensive health coverage and retirement options to generous paid leave, tuition opportunities within the UNC System, learning and development opportunities, and wellness programs, UNCW is committed to helping you thrive both at work and in your personal life.

Hiring Range

Determined based on qualifications and/or experience.

Working Title

Police Officer I, II or III

External Link to Posting

https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/40721

Vacancy Number

E1607

Position Number

8018

Location of Workplace

Main UNCW Campus

Home Department

University Police - 35340

Division

Business Affairs - 35 Division

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

Police Officers are responsible for enforcing state and local laws and campus regulations. Employees are empowered with full law enforcement authority and are charged with the responsibility of apprehension of criminal offenders, criminal investigation, traffic enforcement and serving of warrants and summons. Officers have jurisdiction on all property that is owned, operated and/or controlled by the university. Officers are responsible for deterring crime, maintaining the peace, and protecting lives and property by such means as high visibility patrol, intervention in criminal acts in progress and investigation of criminal violations.

Officers apply the laws relating to the rights of suspects, search and seizure, maintaining the chain of evidence, arrest authority, and the appropriate use of force. Officers apply the methods, procedures, and practices used in investigation, complaints filed (orally or in writing) and alleged violations of campus regulations, local, state, and federal statutes. Officers apply emergency response principles and techniques; maintain proficiency in the use of firearms, and other equipment used in enforcement and investigative activities, operate communications equipment and DCI equipment.

Officers act quickly and intelligently in emergency situations, effectively carry out oral and written instructions, effectively communicate and deal with the public and representatives of the legal system, prepare routine reports of activities engaged in and incidents investigated, and apply campus regulations, local, state, and federal laws and statutes in investigations. The officers perform other assigned duties as requested by their supervisor.

All sworn police officers are considered essential personnel for inclement weather and emergencies and may be required to work overtime depending upon the circumstances and special events.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act). This position will be required to complete annual training about reporting responsibilities and report Clery crimes that occur within one of three categories of properties: On-Campus property, Non-Campus Property, or Public Property.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Minimum Qualifications is dependent on rank

Police Officer Trainee: Ability to qualify for attendance at a State of North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy including satisfying all relevant background check and physical agility requirements as required by the NC CJETSC and the hiring agency.

Police Officer I

• High School diploma or GED


• Probationary certification from the NC CJETSC as a commissioned police officer and successful completion of the appointing agency\'s designated field training program for newly appointed Campus Police Officers.


• Note: Lateral hires who are already certified NC law enforcement officers and not first hired as a Police Officer Trainee may be assigned this classification conditional on successful completion of the field training program designated by the Agency Head. Out-of-State lateral hires must be NC CJETSC certification eligible.

Police Officer II

• High School diploma or GED and 2 years experience as a sworn local, state or federal law enforcement officer.


• Certification from NC CJETSC as a commissioned police officer.


• Note: Lateral hires must satisfactorily complete the agency\'s designated field training program and satisfy any provisional NC CJETSC certification requirements before entry into this classification.

Police Officer III

• High School diploma or GED and 4 years experience as a sworn local, state or federal law enforcement officer.


• Certification from NC CJETSC as a commissioned police officer.


• Note: Lateral hires must satisfactorily complete the agency\'s designated field training program and satisfy any provisional NC CJETSC certification requirements before entry into this classification.

Master Police Officer

• High School Diploma or GED and 6 years experience as a sworn local, state or federal law enforcement officer. An advanced degree (JD, Masters, Doctorate) reduces the minimum experience requirement by 1 year. Certification from NC CJETSC as a commissioned police officer.

Master Police Officer II

• 3 years of experience as a Master Police Officer with the agency or equivalent rank at another UNC System law enforcement agency.

Master Police Officer III

• 6 years of experience as a Master Police Officer with the agency or equivalent rank at another UNC System law enforcement agency.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Associates degree or higher and some experience with a campus environment.


• Prior certification as a law enforcement officer or military police experience.

Required Certifications or Licensures

Certification from NC CJETSC as a commissioned police officer is required for all positions except for the level of Police Officer Trainee.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The primary objective of the UNCW Police Department is to provide a safe and secure environment within which students, faculty, and staff can live, learn, and work. Officers within the department are duly sworn, certified, and empowered with the same authority as other local law enforcement officers in the State of North Carolina as regulated by the NC Department of Justice. The department consists of sworn police officers, patrol, investigations, administrative functions, functional authority positions, telecommunicators, and security guards.

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state\'s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation\'s only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university\'s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of \"Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity\" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings

Single Incumbent

Months Per Year

12 Months

FTE

1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Type of Position

Permanent

Job Posting Date

09/04/2026

Posting Close Date

09/20/2026