Career Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with Penn State University Police and Public Safety (UPPS).

Please visit the Penn State Careers website for all vacancies, including those for both sworn police officers and civilian positions. (Note: All sworn police officer positions can be found under the keywords "police officer," and there is one posting for all of UPPS's 22 campuses.)
 

Sworn Police Officer Opportunities

UPPS is actively recruiting sworn police officers at numerous campuses. The current police officer posting can be found here: Penn State Jobs

MPOETC/Act 120 Certification
At the time of application, candidates must be currently Act 120 certified, be currently enrolled in a Pennsylvania MPOETC Act 120 police academy, or have the ability to obtain Pennsylvania MPOETC Act 120 certification during the hiring process (this applies to out-of-state waiver and reinstatement). Please visit the MPOETC website to learn more about certification. If you have an out-of-state certification, it must transfer to Pennsylvania and this department (transfers must be applied for through MPOETC or the candidate will have to attend a MPOETC Police Training academy).

Please indicate on your application materials your status regarding Act 120 certification.

Police Officer Hiring Process
The police officer process includes: a B-PAD exercise, a board interview, a background investigation, and both medical and psychological assessments. As a police officer applicant, an extensive background investigation will be conducted after successful completion of the board interview. You must consent to this investigation of your personal and professional life.

Benefits
Police officers receive the following benefits, among others:

• A competitive salary starting at $65,395 (and a $2,500 sign-on bonus, and annual salary increases based on union contract)
• $2,500 relocation reimbursement for those who qualify
• Benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement, optional disability insurance, and generous paid time off
• A 75% tuition discount for you and eligible family members

Please visit the Penn State Human Resources website for more information.
 

Police Academy Cadet Sponsorships

UPPS occasionally provides police academy sponsorship opportunities for individuals interested in a career in law enforcement to attend Municipal Police Academy/Act 120 training. While attending the academy, the cadet is a Penn State employee and receives a housing stipend, full-time salary, and benefits. Upon graduation, cadets are placed into full-time sworn police officer positions at the University Park Campus.

Open sponsorships are shared on the Penn State Careers website and UPPS's social media accounts (@pennstatepolice).
 

Non-Sworn Opportunities

Non-sworn opportunities for positions such as armed public safety officers, physical security specialists, emergency management specialists, compliance and records staff, police dispatch, and other civilian positions, when available, are posted on the Penn State Careers website. The hiring process typically consists of phone screens and interviews. 
 

Student Opportunities

UPPS utilizes Penn State students to supplement full-time police and security personnel as Student Auxiliary Officers.

At times, policing and/or administrative internships are also available.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity in society and nature, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

FINANCE AND BUSINESS DIVERSITY STATEMENT

University Police and Public Safety is a unit within the University's Finance and Business division.

Finance and Business Diversity Statement