- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Penn State University Police and Public Safety Department is responsible for protecting and serving more than 100,000 students, employees, and visitors across campuses located throughout Pennsylvania. We are a cohesive, centralized department with sworn police officers who possess full law enforcement authority and serve all 22 Penn State campuses, with headquarters located at University Park. We are currently seeking a non-sworn Armed Public Safety Officer (APSO) to support Department of Defense (DoD)–cleared facilities at the University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL). APSOs are responsible for the protection of sensitive materials and property, employee safety, preliminary security investigative duties, and other related responsibilities within a mission-driven, high-security environment.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Monitor and enforce University and Department of Defense regulations.
Patrol designated buildings, ensuring all required security controls and measures are engaged and functioning properly.
Respond to alarms; investigate incidents; take appropriate action; and communicate via radio calls, including requests for assistance or service as needed.
Conduct preliminary investigations of security and safety incidents.
Respond to fires, medical emergencies, and other hazardous situations; effect emergency rescue; suppress fires; and take other appropriate action.
Establish and monitor employee and visitor control procedures, including device controls, restricted personnel access, and the search of materials entering and exiting buildings.
Assist with special University events and other activities as needed.
Successful candidates will possess:
Outstanding customer service orientation; excellent verbal and written communication skills; and strong analytical, judgment, ethical decision-making, and organizational skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively within a mission-driven organizational structure and coordinate with outside agencies as required.
Ability to provide effective, honest, and credible testimony at court hearings.
Ability to consistently uphold an excellent standard of conduct, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Application Instructions
Please include a cover letter and resume with your application.
Compensation
The starting contractual base salary is $54,766.40 as of July 1, 2026. Annual rate changes and service time increases apply. The current contract expires June 30, 2028.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS) 0 to 1 year of relevant experience Required Certifications: Pennsylvania Driver's License - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation First Aid Certification - American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other accredited organization Firearms Qualification - Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission CLEAN Certification - Pennsylvania State Police Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification - American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other accredited organization Act 235 Lethal Weapons Training - Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission
A current PA Act 235 certification is preferred; however, candidates must be eligible for and able to successfully complete all PA Act 235 training and certification requirements within six months of hire. Training will be sponsored by the University. Additionally, candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance as a condition of employment.
This position requires:
Successful completion of a University Police and Public Safety background investigation
Fingerprint background check
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen (required for ARL sponsorship)
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
This position is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Penn State University Police Officers Association (PSUPOA). More information can be found here:Labor & Employee Relations Click on Union Agreements and select the applicable Agreement.
SALARY & BENEFITS
For details on starting salary and progression, please see the above collective bargaining agreement.
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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Skills Required
- High School diploma or GED
- 0 to 1 year of relevant experience
- Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License
- First Aid Certification (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or other accredited organization)
- CPR Certification (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or other accredited organization)
- Firearms Qualification - Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission
- Act 235 Lethal Weapons Training - Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission (or eligibility and ability to complete within six months)
- CLEAN Certification - Pennsylvania State Police
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance
- Successful completion of University Police and Public Safety background investigation
- Fingerprint background check
- Pre-employment drug screen (required for ARL sponsorship)
- Credit history check
- Motor vehicle records check
- Applicants must be U.S. Citizens
- Ability to provide effective court testimony and uphold standards of conduct
- A current PA Act 235 certification is preferred (training sponsorship available)
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
