Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the, Deputy Chief, the Police Officer’s primary responsibilities, include but are not limited to: protecting students, faculty, staff, campus visitors, property, and facilities from accidents, bodily harm, fire, theft, vandalism, and illegal entry; enforcing laws and traffic regulations; apprehending violators; providing general information and assistance to the public; crime prevention; and assisting in investigations. Special assignments may include Investigations, Bike Patrol, Crime Prevention, Critical Response Unit (C.R.U.), and K9.

Department Summary

The mission of the Public Safety Department at Cal Poly is to promote a safe and secure learning environment by working cooperatively with the campus community to enforce the laws, preserve the peace, maintain order and provide exceptional professional services to our guests and our community. The Public Safety Department consists of an Operations Division and a Support Division. The Operations Division is the Cal Poly Police Department which is a full service professional law enforcement agency that provides service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round. All officers are vested with full police officer powers and are certified by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).

Key Qualifications

• Enforcing Federal and State laws, CSU rules and regulations, and maintaining order.
• Prevent crime through community based policing and education. 
• Patrol campus buildings and grounds by foot, bike or by vehicle; respond to calls for service regarding  disturbances; suspicious activity; traffic accidents; theft; medical aids; conduct searches; and related activities.

Education and Experience

• At least 21 years of age.
• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident alien with an application for citizenship completed at least one year prior to the date of application.
• Selected candidates must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment medical examination, physical agility test, psychological examination, a thorough background check, which requires fingerprinting, and a drug test.

Salary and Benefits:

Anticipated Hiring Range: $96,828 - $113,616 annually

Classification Range: $77,016 - $113,616 annually

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.