Position Summary

Step into a pivotal role as a Corporal, a journey-level, sworn police officer position within our department. Under general supervision, you'll tackle a variety of law enforcement duties, requiring independent judgment and common sense.

Key Responsibilities

• Patrol & Enforcement: Patrol university grounds and buildings by foot or vehicle to maintain safety and security. Enforce laws, rules, and regulations while maintaining a visible presence to deter criminal activity and respond to incidents.
• Law Enforcement & Incident Response: Apprehend and process suspects or violators, initiate police actions, and provide assistance in criminal, civil, and emergency situations. Respond to calls for service and emergencies with professionalism and sound decision-making.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Serve as a lead officer on patrol operations, providing guidance and support to less experienced officers. Foster positive partnerships with students, staff, faculty, and community members to proactively address public safety concerns.
• Reporting & Documentation: Prepare and present clear, accurate, and timely reports—both written and computer-generated—on incidents, investigations, and activities.

Why Join Us?

• Leadership Opportunity: Take on a trusted leadership role as a senior member of the patrol team, helping shape public safety efforts on campus.
• Community Impact: Serve in a unique environment where you can build positive relationships and make a meaningful difference in a diverse campus community.

Supportive Environment: Join a department where your experience and judgment are valued, and where collaboration and integrity are key to achieving shared goals.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible permanent/probationary position.
• This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but these may vary based on operational needs. 
• Corporals may be required and/or mandated to work on-call assignments, work past scheduled shifts, and work overtime with short notice; work overnight shifts, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Department Summary

Safety and security is coordinated by University Police, through a force of 40 sworn police officers and 50 non-sworn support employees. Our police officers are graduates of a California Peace Officers Standards Training Academy with full arrest powers throughout the state. They undergo continued training to upgrade their skills as well as first aid and CPR requirements. University Police officers are armed. They conduct foot, vehicular and bicycle patrols on campus and in the adjacent community 24 hours a day, year-round. Officers are responsible for reporting and investigating crimes and traffic accidents, enforcing state laws and local ordinances, responding to medical emergencies and all other incidents requiring police assistance.

For more information regarding the University Police Department, click here.

Education and Experience

This classification is the second level in the Police Series, requiring a thorough knowledge and understanding of law enforcement methods and procedures, criminal codes and laws, and investigative techniques and procedures. The corporal independently performs general law enforcement and patrol duties and a variety of specialized work assignments. Incumbents in this classification require eligibility to be a police officer in the State of California, graduation from a P.O.S.T. academy, a valid P.O.S.T. Certificate of Eligibility or a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate in good standing, and two or more years of active law enforcement experience.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, interact with all members of the campus community and general public, maintain a calm, courteous and professional manner when dealing with difficult situations and with individuals and groups.
• Working knowledge of and ability to use applicable computerized and automated law enforcement systems and databases to enter, research and retrieve data as necessary with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to independently respond and act quickly, accurately evaluates information and situations.,
• Thorough knowledge of current criminal codes and laws.
• Thorough knowledge of current law enforcement methods, effective investigative techniques and procedures.
• Ability to accurately evaluate, provide effective leadership and direction to field personnel during assigned shifts.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 10 days of hire.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
 Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $7,056 - $10,404/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $9,942/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) 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. SDSU 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. 

SDSU 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 SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

This position is open to current SDSU employees only. Apply by August 21, 2025 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

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. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A thorough background investigation (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. In addition, applicants must satisfactorily pass a polygraph examination, psychological review and medical examination. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background process may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting michelle Puentes at mpuentes2@sdsu.edu.