Public Safety Officer

WU Wesleyan University; United States; On-site; USD 36,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits

Tuition programs

On-campus work

Job summary

Wesleyan University is seeking a Public Safety Officer to patrol campus, respond to incidents, and maintain safety for all students, faculty and staff. The role requires strong communication, report writing, and the ability to work across shifts, including evenings.

An essential position with a focus on protecting life and property and supporting special campus events. The position is full-time on-campus with probationary period and CT security requirements.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent and related public safety experience.
• Ability to write clear, accurate reports on computers or tablets.
• Strong communication skills, initiative and leadership in challenging situations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety of students, faculty and staff on campus.
• Patrol campus on foot, vehicle or bicycle and check buildings.
• Respond to crimes/accidents and secure scene until authorities arrive.
• Document events and generate written reports for investigations or shifts.
• Provide immediate aid in accidents or illnesses and assist with safety.
• Maintain fire protection and security for events and daily operations.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Patrolling

Written reports

Computer skills

Education

High School Diploma

Some college

Tools

Microsoft Word

Internet searches

Job description

Public Safety, in partnership with the University community, supports the mission of Wesleyan University by providing a wide range of services and assistance to members of the Wesleyan and surrounding communities.

Public Safety is a 24/7/365 operation that is vital for the safety and continued functioning of the community.

Reporting to the shift supervisor, the Public Safety Officer is responsible for the preservation of peace, protection of life and property, prevention of crime and proper enforcement of the rules and regulations established by the University.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring the safety and health of all Wesleyan students, faculty, and staff.
• Patrolling campus on foot, by motor vehicle, and bicycle.
• Checking the security of university buildings and property.
• Responding to the scene of a crime or accident and obtaining necessary internal or external support services as needed.
• Protecting scene until notified authorities arrive.
• Conducting thorough preliminary investigations of crimes or accidents and documenting events electronically on computer or tablet.
• Generating comprehensive written reports of investigations or end-of-shift reports as needed.
• Providing immediate aid in the event of accident or sudden illness.
• Maintaining fire protection/safety.
• Providing security services for special events (eg: homecoming, arrival day, trustee events, high-profile guests,).
• Identifying and reporting any unsafe conditions.
• Correcting problems if possible or reporting to appropriate staff.
• Responding to scenes that may include handling contraband, unlocking room doors, welfare checks and other issues as needed.
• Providing backup to central communications dispatch team as assigned.
• Transporting to local health care facilities as required.
• Perform other similar and related duties as assigned.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Ability to patrol on foot, in a vehicle or on a bicycle, sometimes in adverse weather conditions.
• Walk (minimum of 3 miles per shift, climb stairs and inclines, stand. Maintain physical mobility and awareness of surroundings.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs with or without accommodation.

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week on-campus position in the public safety bargaining unit.

* This position is classified as essential personnel and is required to report to work/remain at work even if classes are canceled and the campus is working on limited operations in an emergency.

*Probationary period for this position is 12 months.

We currently have openings on both second shift (3:30 PM – 11:30 PM) and third shift (11:30 PM – 7:30 AM), with rotating days off.

Shift assignments and schedules are subject to change based on operational needs, and candidates must be available to work any shift as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older to apply.
• High School Diploma or equivalent and at least one year experience in public safety, emergency services, security, military, customer service, academic services, or a relevant field.
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative, provide leadership, handle difficult situations independently and follow detailed policies and procedures.
• Effective communication skills.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Word and ability to complete internet searches.
• Ability to write well-written reports on computers, tablets, or forms.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact collegially with individuals of different backgrounds.
• Must have (or be able to obtain prior to hire) and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must have the ability to be insured under the University’s driving policy.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain State of Connecticut Security Officer certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• State of Connecticut Security Officer certification
• Some college
• Prior security experience

Compensation: $26.35-$27.39

Work Location: On Campus

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non‑position‑related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups.

Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non‑discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html.

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers.

• Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, and employee and dependent tuition programs.
• Benefit eligibility varies based on position type, length of appointment, and scheduled work hours.
• Temporary employees, per‑course visitors, and all other part‑time appointments, including visiting faculty appointments, that are scheduled for less than half‑time work are generally limited to those benefits required by law.

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html.

At Wesleyan, the work you do contributes to something larger. Our faculty and staff bring their creativity, expertise, curiosity, and diverse perspectives to a community committed to transformative education, discovery, creativity, and meaningful impact.

We’re looking for people who want to contribute their ideas, grow professionally, collaborate across disciplines and departments, and help shape an inclusive and dynamic university community. Whether you’re beginning your career or bringing years of experience, Wesleyan offers opportunities to do meaningful work alongside colleagues who value bold thinking, collaboration, and practical idealism.

Explore what it means to work at Wesleyan, discover the benefits, additional resources, and find an opportunity that’s right for you.

Already part of the Wesleyan community? Current employees should apply for open positions through Job Hubs in the Workday portal. There you’ll find a streamlined application designed specifically for internal applicants.