Patrol Sergeant

Gettysburg College is seeking a full-time Patrol Sergeant to join Campus Safety as a shift leader, responsible for the planning, staffing, organizing, and directing of daily shift operations.

About the role

The Sergeant is the primary supervisor on shift, providing direct oversight and leadership to officers in the field, while working alongside the Lieutenant, who oversees broader administrative functions for the department. The Sergeant supports employee development, including performance appraisals, counseling, discipline, mentoring, coaching, and training. This position performs regular patrol duties while providing supervision to officers in the field and serves as one of the department’s primary Field Training Officers.

The Sergeant carries a Taser, baton, OC spray, and handcuffs and must hold certification for each of these tools. Building relationships with the college community is an essential part of the role. Sergeants are expected to provide superior service, set a positive example for the college community and fellow Campus Safety members, and are committed to the concepts of Procedural Justice — focusing on fairness, transparency, and trust in both process and outcomes.

This posting is open to external applicants as well as current Campus Safety staff seeking promotion.

Responsibilities

• Plan, staff, organize, and direct daily shift operations.
• Provide direct oversight and leadership to officers in the field.
• Support employee development through performance appraisals, counseling, discipline, mentoring, coaching, and training.
• Perform regular patrol duties while supervising officers in the field.
• Serve as one of the department’s primary Field Training Officers.
• Carry and maintain certification for Taser, baton, OC spray, and handcuffs.
• Build relationships with the college community, providing superior service and setting a positive example.
• Demonstrate commitment to Procedural Justice, focusing on fairness, transparency, and trust.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience as a safety officer, security officer, dispatcher, or customer service specialist/representative preferred; a combination of experience and formal education may be substituted.
• Experience within a campus setting strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one required.
• Willingness to obtain certification in AED use, first responder, Taser/ECD, baton, OC spray, handcuffing, first aid, and CPR. These are not required at the time of hire but must be completed prior to the end of the probationary period; training is paid by the College.
• Completion of an approved Field Training Officer certification within one year of promotion to Sergeant.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, work varying schedules including weekends and holidays, and perform physically demanding duties in all weather conditions.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to make independent discretionary decisions and supervise a shift of public safety personnel.
• Display a high degree of integrity and ethical leadership, and assume responsibility and accountability for personal actions and the actions of subordinates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Knowledge of how to conduct investigations.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed response practices.
• Prior supervisory, shift-lead, or Field Training Officer experience.

Pay

Starting salary of $21.50 per hour.

Benefits

Full-time Sergeants receive a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance and retirement benefits.

This position meets the Clery Act definition of a Campus Security Authority (CSA). The incumbent is expected to faithfully execute the responsibilities of this role in full compliance with law and shall complete CSA training as assigned by the Clery Compliance Coordinator.