Chief of Police (Administrator III)

Job/Department Summary

The University's senior Law Enforcement Officer, the Chief, is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the University Police Department (UPD).

This includes planning, organizing, and directing the day-to-day operations of UPD. This position reports to the Vice President for Business and Finance.

Required Education And Experience

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field, or equivalent.
• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in a sworn law enforcement setting, including 3 years of management experience.
• Must satisfy all California P.O.S.T. minimum employment standards and possess, or be able to obtain, a P.O.S.T. Management Certificate.
• Must possess, or be eligible to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Time Base

Full-time

Pay Plan

12/12

Work Schedule

Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm, Summer: Mon-Thurs 7:00am-5:30pm

Anticipated Hiring Range

$190,000 - $200,000 per year

Benefits

This position qualifies for benefits including tuition fee waiver (if eligible). CSU, Chico offers a number of benefits to its employees (e.g., sick leave, vacation, health insurance). For more information please visit here.

Additional Information

Education Code 89521

Requirements

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.

Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

About Chico State

Graduate and undergraduate programs boast high-quality research experiences, exceptional faculty mentoring, and civic and global engagement opportunities.

The campus motto, “Today Decides Tomorrow,” is brought to life by inclusive pedagogy, experiential learning, and co-curricular programming.

The Chico Experience prepares students to be critical thinkers, engaged citizens, and inspired stewards of environmental, social, and economic resources.

Together, they will become leaders solving the challenges of the 21st century.

The campus is located in Northern California, 90 minutes from the state capital, Sacramento, and a three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area.

We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus.

We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status.

Chico State is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).

CSU, Chico'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 at CSU, Chico Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555 . It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report.

California State University, Chico, has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with conducting this search. Review of applications will begin on Friday, July 31, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via here.