Public Safety Officer

Position Title :

Public Safety Officer

Location :

Big Rapids (Main Campus)

Department :

57000 - Public Safety

Advertised Salary :

$25.00 - $30.67 hourly rate pursuant to the FSU and Public Safety Officers / POLC Agreement

Benefits :

Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Police Benefit Plans

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Temporary / Continuing :

Continuing

Part-Time / Full-Time :

Full-Time

Union Group :

Public Safety Officers (Police Officers Labor Council)

Term of Position : 12 Month

At Will / Just Cause :

Just Cause

Summary of Position :

The Public Safety Officer is a sworn law enforcement position which involves protecting life and property, and the preservation of peace and good order through the enforcement of laws, ordinances, and policy. Duties include responding to emergency and non-emergency police calls for service, responsibility for performing assigned police work of varying degree of difficulty, utilizing community-oriented / problem-solving techniques which include community engagement, resource development, the enforcement of laws and ordinances, crime prevention, detection and investigation, apprehension of violators, and other related police functions.

Position Type : Staff

Required Education :

High School Diploma or GED

Required Work Experience :

None

Required Licenses and Certifications :

Applicants must be MCOLES certified or licensable as a police officer as defined by MCOLES at the date of hire.

Applicants must possess a valid Michigan driver's license.

Physical Demands :

Bending

Inclement Weather

Moving

Reaching

Sitting

Twisting

Driving

Lifting

Pulling / Pushing

Repetitive movement

Standing

Additional Education / Experiences to be Considered :

An associate's degree in criminal justice or related field is desirable.

Essential Duties / Responsibilities :

The duties and job descriptions for a Patrol Officer position at Ferris State University have been categorized under the below headings :

Communication Activities

• Interacts and communicates with the public, co-workers, staff, students, and other police departments
• Reports complaints, unusual and / or hazardous conditions, broken / damaged equipment and other emergency information
• Enters, transcribes, records, stores, or maintains information in either written form or by electronic / magnetic recording
• Completes daily logs / work records
• May testify in court

Decision-Making Activities

• Reviews facts, literature, law books, etc., to draw conclusions regarding if laws have been broken or to determine if an arrest is warranted
• Observes and analyzes situations to determine appropriate responses
• Uses evidence collected at accident and emergency scenes to draw valid conclusions
• Reviews policy and procedural guidelines, manuals, and department records to determine appropriateness and conformance with rules and regulations
• Makes decisions on whether to terminate a vehicle pursuit

Staff Assistance Activities

• Provides back up for other officers
• Provides general assistance to other police officers, supervisors and other agencies
• Assists new officers in adapting to the department and instructs them in policing techniques
• Assists others in specialized areas of professional police work

Investigative Activities

• Investigates crimes and motor vehicle accidents
• Reviews criminal and non-criminal reports
• Collects evidence at accident and crime scenes by photographing, recording information, drawing diagrams and lifting fingerprints
• Administers blood alcohol, chemical and / or urine tests
• Complete fingerprinting as needed.
• Seizes and / or transports vehicles, evidence and / or property
• Applies for and verifies warrants
• Follows up on pending case investigations
• May coordinate investigation process
• Interviews victims and witnesses
• Interrogates criminal suspects and prisoners

Planning and Organizing Activities

• Develops plans to accomplish work
• Organizes time to meet assignment deadlines

Patrolling Activities

• Patrols campus
• Locates emergency scenes
• Cites for traffic and other law violations
• Completes accident reports
• Assists motorists with car problems
• Directs and controls traffic
• Controls parking at special events
• Cleans and fuels patrol car
• Provides security during transportation of large sums of cash and / or other valuables
• Maintains key control and / or access to secure and restricted locations
• Provides 24-hour escort service to students, faculty, staff, and guests of the university

Controlling Situations / Activities

• Protects property from unnecessary damage
• Calms distraught persons at emergency scenes
• Responds to violence and crime scenes
• Responds to disturbance calls
• Enforces laws and coverage of special events such as sporting events and concerts
• Restrains suspects and makes arrests when appropriate
• Provides medical assistance to the injured or sick
• Establishes barricades around event parameters
• Performs crowd control activities
• Participates in building checks

Equipment Use

• Patrol officers may use the following machines and equipment :
• Telecommunication equipment (e.g., phone, 800Mhz MPSC Radio)
• Radar unit
• Handcuffs
• Video / audio recording equipment (e.g., copier, facsimile, computer)
• Emergency / first aid equipment (e.g., defibrillator, fire extinguisher)
• Firearms
• Chemical substance (e.g., pepper spray)
• Security checking devices

Policies and Procedures

In addition to the above activities, patrol officers are required to follow department rules and regulations. These include :

• Keeping appointments with interdepartmental meetings, court dates, pre-trial conferences, and training sessions
• Maintaining standards of appearance such as uniform, well-groomed hair and hygiene and physical fitness
• Completing legal forms and documents
• Obeying state laws and department policies under normal and emergency situations
• Participating in training
• Provides security and protection services to the community by patrolling assigned areas or buildings to enforce policies and procedures, which may include security of individual building / stationary locations
• Responds to emergencies by assessing the situation, employing tact, diplomacy, and individual judgment to remedy and / or maintain control
• May require incumbent to provide on-site lead supervision over student service officers who may be present
• Deters, restrains and / or arrests individuals attempting to inflict physical harm on themselves or others or to commit criminal acts
• Completes necessary administrative form / reports related to incidents and / or arrests, to include gathering pertinent information from participants and / or witnesses and organizing it in a logical written form
• Maintains regular communication with student service officers to obtain information about unusual and / or suspicious situations
• Appears in court regarding incidents that occur in the university community when necessary
• Provides traffic control during scheduled activities or during emergency situations as necessary
• Enforces parking rules and regulations
• Provides emergency first aid and / or CPR to injured persons, or assists in the transportation of ill or injured persons when necessary
• Attends internal and / or external training courses, classes and seminars to further develop protection service skills and knowledge
• Provides basic information and directions to students, faculty, staff and / or the general public
• Provides superiors with daily activity reports / summaries related to the overall training and performance of student service officers
• Maintains positive relations with external law enforcement agencies to obtain or exchange relevant protection service information
• Provides programs and presentations which promote safety and security to students, faculty and staff
• Operates university motor or personal vehicles safely while carrying out job responsibilities
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically
• Supports, promotes, and develops university student enrollment and retention initiatives
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area

Marginal Duties / Responsibilities :

Skills and Abilities :

Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

An ability to maintain positive interpersonal relationships with students, faculty, staff, visitors, and fellow work associates.

Required Documents :

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Optional Documents :

Unofficial Transcript 1

Special Instructions to Applicants :

Unofficial Transcript 1 (OPTIONAL) : Attach a copy of an unofficial transcript of associate's degree in criminal justice or related field if applicable as described in the Additional Education / Experiences to be Considered section. Transcript must include : Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.

Initial Application Review Date :

October 6, 2025

Open Until Position is Filled? :

Yes

Posting Close Date : EEO Statement :

Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University's Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit : Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.

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