Application Process

This position is open until filled. For full consideration, please click the apply now button to submit an application.

Please note that the below listed supplemental materials, including results/scores taken within the last year, must be received before being advanced to the second round interview.

• POST Personal History Statement for Police Officer
• Physical Ability Test
• Pellet B (Written Examination Scores)

The incumbent must successfully complete a physical agility test, oral interviews, written examination, comprehensive background investigation, psychological examination, potential polygraph or similar examination, and medical exams which include drug screening, and must possess and/or obtain and thereafter maintain a California Driver’s License. The incumbent must meet and maintain compliance with state and federal law (e.g. Clery Act, CANRA, etc.), and California POST regulations and certifications for peace officers.

Please review the position description listed above for full scope of responsibilities and qualifications. Evidence of degree(s) or certificate(s) and/or license(s) required at time of hire.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief of Police or designee, with additional lead work direction from other sworn administrator(s) or training academy staff, the Police Officer Cadet (Cadet) is a non-sworn individual who has not completed a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) academy or received a Basic Course Completion Certificate. The primary responsibility of the Cadet is to attend the prescribed training. Upon successful completion of the training in the required time frame and the discretion of management, the Cadet may be appointed to the Police Officer classification in a probationary capacity.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduate, passed the GED or other high school equivalency test, or obtained a two-year, four-year, or advanced degree from an accredited or approved institution.
• At least 21 years of age except as provided by Government Code § 1031.4.
• Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation which might adversely affect the exercise of police powers (11 CCR 1954; 11 CCR 1955).
• Free of hate group memberships, participation in hate group activities, or advocacy of public expressions of hate within the previous seven years, and since 18 years of age, as determined by a background investigation (Penal Code § 13681).
• The ability to qualify for and satisfactory meet the ongoing standards of the basic P.O.S.T eligibility requirements and academy training and the mental capacity, physical agility and learning potential to perform all aspects of P.O.S.T training and police work.
• Successful completion of a physical agility test, oral interviews, written examination, comprehensive background investigation, psychological examination, potential polygraph or similar examination, and medical exams which include drug screening, and must possess and/or obtain and thereafter maintain a California Driver’s License.
• Not identified in the National Decertification Index of the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training or similar federal government database that reflects revoked certification for misconduct or reflects misconduct that would result in a revoked certification in California.
• The incumbent must meet and maintain compliance with state and federal law (e.g. Clery Act, CANRA, etc.), and California POST regulations and certifications for peace officers.
• The incumbent must participate in the California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program.
• The incumbent must be self-motivated with experience working independently, and as a member of team.
• The incumbent must possess excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• In addition to the minimum POST required standards, candidates may be subjected to additional standards established by the Department (Penal Code § 13510(d)).

Preferred Qualifications

• BS/BA degree and/or law enforcement experience in a college or university environment.
• Knowledge of Google Suite, law enforcement technology systems and PeopleSoft.

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary placement depends on qualifications and experience and is anticipated to be in the range $3,576 to $6,000 a month. This is a full time, temporary, non-exempt, non-represented position. The university reserves the right to terminate this appointment earlier than the scheduled expiration date.

This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement (CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave.

A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is available online by clicking here to be taken to the CSU benefits page.

After successful completion of a P.O.S.T. approved police academy, the incumbent may be eligible for appointment to the Police Officer classification in a (one year) probationary capacity.

Supplemental Information

Sonoma State University is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning and inclusion. In line with our Strategic Plan and our Seawolf Commitment, our values include diversity, sustainability, community engagement, respect, responsibility, excellence and integrity. We strive to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. We encourage innovation, experimentation and creativity, as well as contributions to equity and inclusion, in the pursuit of excellence for all members of our university community. 

The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. Mandated Reporting: This position may be 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.

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all faculty, staff, administrators, and students who are accessing campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to continue to help us protect and maintain a healthy Seawolf Community. More information related to campus level requirements can be found here: https://risk.sonoma.edu/covid-compliance-and-monitoring-office.

CSU Out of State Policy - Sonoma State University, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

A background check (including a criminal records check), psychological examination, potential polygraph or similar examination, and medical exams which include drug screening must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check and stated examinations may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current employees who apply for this position.

Sonoma State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.

For questions related to the application process, please reach out to hr@sonoma.edu. The ADA Coordinator is also available (hraccommodations@sonoma.edu) to assist individuals with disabilities in need of accommodation during the hiring process.

Sonoma State University's Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person by emailing the Clery Compliance and Safety Office at clery@sonoma.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is available for viewing at https://housing.sonoma.edu/compliance-data/2024-campus-housing-fire-safety-report. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within Sonoma State University student housing facilities for three years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Residential Education and Campus Housing at housing@sonoma.edu.