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Title: Captain - Police Operations Commander

State Role Title: Law Enforcement Officer II

Hiring Range: Commensurate with Education and Experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Virginia State University

Location: VSU/Coop Ext & Agri Res Sta

Agency Website: www.VSU.edu

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Captain’s position is a Faculty Administrator position with a one-year renewable contract.

The Police Captain provides leadership and strategic oversight of daily operations within assigned divisions of the Virginia State University Police Department, ensuring all functions align with VSU policies, Commonwealth of Virginia statutes, and departmental procedures.

The Captain oversees VSU’s Crime Prevention and Community Policing programs, ensuring accurate documentation, strong administrative oversight, and meaningful engagement with students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The position supervises sworn and civilian personnel during Community Policing activities and develops initiatives that strengthen campus partnerships and enhance the safety and well-being of the community. Manages the department’s training and professional development programs to ensure compliance with university, state, and federal law enforcement standards. The Captain serves as VSU’s Continuity of Operations (COOP) Coordinator, ensuring departmental preparedness for emergencies, operational disruptions, and recovery efforts. The position commands major incidents and critical responses on campus, providing tactical and operational leadership during high-stress situations and ensuring alignment with university emergency management protocols. The Captain conducts or supervises internal reviews related to officer conduct, campus incidents, complaints, or policy compliance, ensuring fairness, accuracy, and integrity in all investigative processes. The position supervises sworn and civilian staff, conducts performance evaluations, assigns duties, and initiates corrective or disciplinary action when necessary. The Captain ensures timely and thorough documentation of all performance planning and evaluation requirements, mentoring personnel, supports leadership development, and contributes to succession planning initiatives that strengthen the future readiness of the Virginia State University Police Department.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate must demonstrate considerable knowledge of modern law enforcement principles and practices, including crime detection and prevention, patrol operations, investigations, and campus public safety strategies.

Strong working knowledge of administrative functions—such as policy development, personnel supervision, and organizational management—is required.

Candidates must possess substantial knowledge of Virginia state law, applicable local ordinances, and management concepts relevant to a diverse university police force.

Proficiency with firearms and all necessary police equipment is essential. Candidates must hold current certification as a Law Enforcement Officer as mandated by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).

The position requires the ability to plan, organize, implement, and direct comprehensive law enforcement and public safety programs within a university environment; the ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, and departmental policies; and the ability to analyze public safety issues and implement effective solutions.

The candidate must be capable of functioning effectively—both mentally and physically—during emergencies and high-stress situations.

Strong oral and written communication skills are required. Applicants must meet all standards of personal integrity expected of a sworn law enforcement officer.

They must have no felony convictions, no habitual misdemeanor convictions, and no convictions or plea agreements involving moral turpitude, domestic assault, or any misdemeanor sexual offense.

Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of advanced law enforcement concepts, supervisory practices, and human resource management.

Graduation from an Advanced Leadership School is required.

U.S. citizenship is required.

Additional Considerations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field is preferred; however, an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience is required, including at least four years of service as a Police Lieutenant or higher rank.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You must include a current resume/c.v. and a letter of interest in your application. Official transcripts will be required before hire.

Virginia State University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. VSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY: Virginia State University only accepts applications for this position through the on-line state Recruitment Management System (PageUp). Faxed, e-mailed, and mailed applications and/or attachments will not be accepted. The application must be detailed and fully completed. All employment and periods of unemployment (if applicable) must be listed within the application; either on an attached resume, or manually listed in the “Relevant Work History” section. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide descriptive information. Submitting an incomplete state application, or a state application lacking in detail, may result in your non-selection. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

Final selection is contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation, including reference checks, fingerprint-based criminal history screening (including the sex offender registry), home visits, verification of academic credentials to include (years of education, ranks and service), review of driving history, and inquiries with previous employers. panel interviews, Candidates must also complete psychological, medical, and drug screening evaluations. Applicants currently employed by a Virginia state agency will be required to complete a new probationary period. The selected candidate must also submit a Statement of Economic Interests as a condition of employment. Continued employment is dependent upon compliance with all mandatory DCJS training and certification requirements.

Employment-based visa sponsorship at Virginia State University (VSU) is not guaranteed and will be evaluated carefully on a case-by-case basis. Federal law does not require employers to provide immigration sponsorship, and VSU is not obligated to offer it. Employment at VSU does not permit an individual to work in the United States unless the appropriate employment authorization has been obtained and verified in accordance with federal immigration compliance requirements.




• Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
Immediate vesting | Portable | Investment choice

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
Defined benefit pension | Lifetime monthly income

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP)

• 403(b) (TIAA)

• Comprehensive medical & dental plans

• Employee Assistance Program

• Paid annual and sick leave

• Paid state and federal holidays

• Employer-paid life insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

• Telework opportunities (where applicable)

Contact Information 

Name: Dominique M. Fisher

Phone: 804-524-5075

Email: dfisher@vsu.edu

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.