Careers at Virginia Tech

The Public Safety Division at Virginia Tech is comprised of the Police Department, Environmental Health & Safety, and the Office of Emergency Management and has a critical role in supporting the well-being of our community. We are essential in planning for and responding to emergency events, and in creating a culture of preparedness where employees and students are safe in their work and living environments.

Police Captains in the Virginia Tech Police Department protect and serve a diverse community. Captains are a critical leadership position for the police department and are responsible for providing leadership at a division level within the department to multiple units and department programs. Captains exercise supervisory responsibility over other police supervisors, police officers and civilian staff. Responsibilities include facilitating consistent communication among the various units under their control and with senior police leaders; addressing personnel issues using state, university and department guidelines; applying sound leadership skills to promote effective unit performance and individual growth; conducting various administrative and investigative duties to include developing policies, completing analytical reviews, conducting compliance audits; providing oversight to a variety of department programs; and conducting special investigations, to include high-level internal affairs reviews. Captains also perform other duties as requested by supervisor, take initiative to support the best interests of the department and a healthy work environment, strive to fulfill the terms in the Standards of Business Conduct, Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community, and support the university’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

There are three police captain roles, the Administrative Captain (Blacksburg), the Operations Captain (Blacksburg), and the Support Services Captain (Northern Virginia). The three captains are cross-trained and work in concert to ensure the department and university operations are properly supported and provide consistent service on a daily basis. All positions report to the Deputy Chief of Police. A police captain is expected to be able to serve in any of the three roles.

The Support Services Captain is based in Northern Virginia and serves in a hybrid role. The position will hold responsibility for traditional law enforcement duties and is assigned certain emergency management functions.

As sworn law enforcement officers, Captains handle the investigation of criminal matters, motor vehicle accidents, personal injuries, enforcement of state and federal laws, and University policies; prepare reports; provide courtroom testimony; provide traffic direction and crowd management; respond to emergencies; and perform extended foot patrol.

Captains work a varying schedule that may include nights, weekends, and holidays; will report for duty in adverse weather conditions; have frequent public contact; and adhere to all criteria established for an internationally accredited police department.

Knowledge and Certifications
• Must possess law enforcement certification by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (“DCJS certified”) or obtain certification under DCJS Option 5 for lateral transfers within 6 months.
• Knowledge of community policing programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
• Familiarity with ICS protocols

Experience
• Significant law enforcement experience.
• Demonstrated command level experience.
• Experience in law enforcement and security operations.
• Demonstrated experience with strategic and operational planning.
• Experience interpreting and enforcing state laws.
• Extensive knowledge of, and experience with, advanced level police procedures, principles, and techniques.
• Experience in professional development, training, personnel matters, and performance management.
• Experience with national accreditation standards.
• Experience with writing reports or similar documents.
• Experience working with the public.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency.

Skills and Abilities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse department and the university community.
• Ability to give creditable court testimony and comprehend legal documents.
• Ability to use independent judgment and exercise considerable restraint under stressful situations.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle at high speeds in adverse conditions.
• Ability to ascertain facts through personal contact, observation, and examination of records.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Ability to recognize safety and security hazards on campus and take appropriate corrective action.

Physical Fitness
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activities.
• Ability to run, jump, climb stairs, bend, lift, and physically restrain an individual as needed.
• Ability to perform duties on bicycle, vehicle, or foot.
• Must pass physical abilities test by running 1.5 miles within 20 minutes. (1)
• Must be able to use a respirator
• Following a conditional offer, one must pass a medical exam, including vision testing.

Pre-Employment and Ongoing Employee Screening
• Candidates for employment are required to successfully complete an extensive background check and credit history check, with satisfactory results. This includes, but is not limited to, a driving records check, criminal history check (including fingerprinting), and a pre-employment drug screening. (1)
• Incumbents are subject to random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident drug and alcohol screening in accordance with department policy.
• Successful completion of a psychological assessment is required. (1)

Federal, State, Local Government and Other Requirements
• Must be a U.S. citizen as required by Virginia Code Section 15.2-1705.
• Must qualify under federal and state guidelines to carry a firearm. Federal law prohibits a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from carrying a firearm.
• Must be a high school graduate or able to furnish documentary evidence of equivalency degree.
• Must currently possess a valid Virginia Operator's License or be able to obtain it within 30 days of employment.
• Must meet vision requirements: no worse than 20/200 uncorrected, must correct to 20/20; color blindness, including pronounced shade deficiencies, will be disqualifying.
• Must meet all other standards by law (15.2-1705: 9-169 Code of Virginia) and by the policy of the Criminal Justice Services Board.

Visit www.police.vt.edu for details on the above employment conditions.

Pursuant to Virginia Tech policy 4260, Probationary Period for Salaried University Staff Employees, employees who have already completed a probationary period in a different position that accept a transfer/promotion into this position may be required to complete a new probationary period. See https://policies.vt.edu/4260.pdf for more details.

Note: (1) Denotes that current, certified VT Police officers are deemed in compliance with this requirement and are not automatically required to re-test for the purpose of moving into this position.

• Significant campus law enforcement experience
• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, police science, or related field.
• Completion of a police leadership school such as PELS, FBI NA, SPI, or similar.
• Previous military experience.
• Experience with budget/fiscal planning and directing.
• Training and knowledge of emergency management related functions.
• Knowledge of threat assessment processes.

5

Regular

Base salary of $108k. Hiring incentives are available to increase the starting salary for military service and/or completing advanced education degrees (Associates, Bachelors, or Masters).

October 14, 2024

The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete an extensive criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.