Police Supervisor - I , II or III (Sergeant)

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina Wilmington seeks a Police Supervisor - I, II or III (Sergeant) to lead a unit, manage shifts, evaluate staff, and ensure policy and legal compliance. Sergeants may patrol, investigate, or oversee other units and may work overtime or on-call rotations as required.

Minimum education includes an Associate degree (or 60 hours) and 4 years sworn law enforcement experience; Level II requires 3 years as a Sergeant; Level III requires 6 years.

Qualifications

• To qualify as a Level I Police Supervisor (Sergeant): Associate degree (or 60 hours) and 4 years sworn LE experience.
• Certification from NC CJETSC as commissioned officer or eligible within specified timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a first-line unit; plan shifts and assignments; coach and discipline as appropriate.
• Respond to calls and emergencies; support unit duties including patrol, investigations, and special events.
• Maintain policy compliance and readiness for overtime or on-call rotations.

Education

Associate degree or 60 hours

NC CJETSC certification eligibility

Job description

Police Supervisor - I , II or III (Sergeant)

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History’ section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

This position is designated as Exempt from the Human Resources Act ( EHRA ).

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

Hiring Range Determined based on qualifications and/or experience.

Working Title

Working Title Police Supervisor - I , II or III (Sergeant)

Job Overview

Sergeants serve in a first-line unit-level supervisory capacity, overseeing a team. Sergeants (at times in conjunction with a lieutenant) must manage schedules, evaluate direct reports, prepare, and recommend development plans, and provide coaching, discipline, and commendations as appropriate. Sergeants must be able to plan for a shift, make assignments, respond to questions from the public, and intake complaints. Sergeants are the first line of officer oversight to ensure compliance with policy, law, and local regulations. Sergeants also must be prepared to support the unit in its duties carrying a case load, responding to calls, emergencies, and crimes, working special events, and other non-supervisory duties as necessary. Sergeants may also be assigned collateral duties based on their departmental role, such as evidence custodian if assigned to Investigations.

Sergeants may be assigned to patrol, investigations, or over another unit or squad. Sworn police personnel may be deployed/requested to assist in the field based on the operational needs of the department and may fulfill other law enforcement or administrative duties as assigned. Sergeants assigned to an investigation will be required to work an on-call rotation. Sergeants assigned to patrol will work regular patrol shift hours.

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

To qualify as a Level I Police Supervisor (Sergeant)

A minimum of an Associate degree (or 60 hours of college credit) and 4 years of sworn law enforcement officer experience. Current certification from NC CJETSC as a commissioned police officer or certification eligible within an agency specified timeframe.

To qualify as a Level II Police Supervisor (Sergeant)

3 years of experience as a Police Supervisor with the agency. At the discretion of the campus hiring authority, documented service as a sworn law enforcement officer at a substantially equivalent classification (rank) may be accepted for lateral hires from outside agencies. Current certification from NC CJETSC as a commissioned police officer or certification eligible within an agency specified timeframe.

To qualify as a Level III Police Supervisor (Sergeant)

6 years of experience as a Police Supervisor with the agency. At the discretion of the campus hiring authority, documented service as a sworn law enforcement officer at a substantially equivalent classification (rank) may be accepted for lateral hires from outside agencies. Current certification from NC CJETSC as a commissioned police officer or certification eligible within an agency specified timeframe.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• North Carolina Intermediate or Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate preferred.
• Prior certification as an advanced specialized law enforcement officer with an advanced level of training and experience or military police experience.

Required Certifications or Licensures

Certification as a Law Enforcement Officer in accordance with the provisions of the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission or the ability to achieve lateral transfer certification within one year of employment.

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.

College/School Information

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

Special Notes to Applicants

PLEASE NOTE : This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History’ section before you apply for this position. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

Months Per Year

Months Per Year 12 Months

FTE

FTE 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Type of Position

Type of Position Permanent

Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited Positions

Job Posting Date

Job Posting Date 07/07/2026

Posting Close Date

Posting Close Date 09/07/2026

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Yes
• No
• * Are you a sworn law enforcement officer in the state of NC?
  • Yes
  • No
• Have you been awarded an Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the NC Training and Standards Commission or equivalent for out-of-state?
  • Yes
  • No
• * How did you learn of this opportunity with UNCW? (2026)
  • UNCW Website
  • UNCW LinkedIn Page
  • UNCW X Account (formerly Twitter)
  • UNCW Employee Referral
  • UNCW Instagram Account (UNCW_jobs)
  • UNCW Job Alert
  • Chronical of Higher Education
  • Glassdoor
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • Indeed
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • North Carolina Job Network
  • Craigslist
  • Career Events/Job Fairs
  • Billboards/Marquee
  • Other
• * If you selected "Other" to the question above, please explain how you found out about this opportunity. Enter N/A if not applicable.

  (Open Ended Question)