Sergeant
Location: Stanford, CA, United States · Reference: 200996
The Stanford University Department of Public Safety (SUDPS) exists to
provide a safe, secure atmosphere which is conducive to freedom of expression
and movement, for all people and their property at Stanford University, within
the constraints of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. SUDPS is a
private-employer public safety department.
Peace officer authority Sworn personnel at SUDPS are deputized as
Santa Clara County Reserve Deputy Sheriffs pursuant to California Penal Code §
830.75. While on duty, they hold full law enforcement powers to make arrests
and enforce state law and county ordinances throughout California.
Employment and labor relations SUDPS personnel are covered by federal
labor law (the National Labor Relations Act) rather than California's
public-sector labor relations statutes. Deputies (line level) are
represented by the Stanford Deputy Sheriff's Association (SDSA), and terms
of employment are governed by the MOA between Stanford and the SDSA in
addition to university practices.
Retirement Sergeants participate in Stanford's private-sector retirement
program, which is a defined-contribution plan with employer contributions.
Position Summary
Sergeants are first-line supervisors responsible for overseeing the day-to-day
operations and performance of personnel (both sworn and non-sworn) who work
in a variety of department units including: patrol, investigations, special
events, records, parking and traffic, and administration. Supervisory duties
include but are not limited to: carrying out and overseeing general law
enforcement/public safety functions; setting goals and objectives for the
unit; contributing to the fulfillment of objectives; motivating and developing
personnel; ensuring that personnel meet performance expectations; providing
documentation of performance; and implementing strategies that enhance
department operations. Sergeants are expected to work closely and
collaboratively with their peers within the department to effectively
coordinate the day-to-day operations of the various units as well as the
department.
A SUDPS Sergeant must maintain proficiency and exercise the knowledge, skills,
and abilities necessary to perform basic law enforcement functions as well as
directly supervise personnel assigned to their work group. Required knowledge
includes, but is not limited to: pertinent federal, state, and local laws,
codes, and regulations; rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and
preservation of evidence; techniques and applications of self-defense and
proper use of force; use, operation, and maintenance of police equipment,
vehicles, and tools; department policies and procedures; and institutional
policies and procedures (such as the Administrative Guide).
In addition to their supervisory responsibilities, Sergeants are expected to
perform the same basic job duties as line personnel, including investigating
crimes and arresting individuals, issuing citations, and participating in
community outreach activities. Sergeants must balance their administrative
responsibilities with in-field supervision, spending considerable time working
in the field and directly with the staff in their assigned unit.
SUDPS personnel are considered "essential" or "required" University personnel
and shall respond to campus when directed to do so, even with little advance
notice. Sergeants are integral to the department's overall emergency response
efforts. Absent a higher-ranking sworn SUDPS member, assuring shift
operational efficiency is the primary responsibility of a Sergeant.
Work is performed primarily on-site; the position is subject to shift work
including day, swing, and night shifts.
Job Responsibilities
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Supervision and personnel management
Establish and document individual and group performance objectives for
sworn and non-sworn personnel assigned to the unit.
Provide guidance, support, and discipline of personnel.
Ensure that department personnel conduct themselves in accordance with the
law and meet behavior expectations set forth by department General Orders
and the university Administrative Guide.
Supervise and direct the operations of unit personnel (sworn and non-
sworn), including part-time Special Events Patrol staff and other non-
sworn support roles used to staff large campus events.
Prepare a daily operations plan and conduct a daily briefing to review
directives, issues, and current events.
Investigate employee complaints and infractions of rules and regulations,
and recommend appropriate action, following the disciplinary and
procedural framework applicable to SUDPS personnel
Participate in the selection and hiring of department personnel.
Coordinate the Field Training program for recruit officers.
Field operations and investigations
Respond to all serious incidents and crimes occurring during the shift;
recognize incidents that fall under the Santa Clara County Sheriff's
Office's retained jurisdiction (e.g., homicide, kidnapping/hostage
situations) and coordinate proper transfer of responsibility.
Conduct a variety of criminal and special investigations and effectively
document information.
Identify current campus trends and modify objectives and enforcement based
on community needs.
Implement the Incident Command System during a major incident, including
large planned events and demonstrations.
Campus-specific coordination
Support the department's Clery Act compliance obligations, including
timely-warning and emergency-notification decisions, accurate
classification of reportable crimes, and maintenance of the daily crime
log.
Coordinate with the University's Title IX office on cases involving sexual
assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking, recognizing that these
matters often proceed on parallel criminal and administrative tracks.
Coordinate with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the
Behavioral Intervention Team, or other student-support offices on welfare
checks and student mental-health crises, distinguishing these from
criminal matters where appropriate.
Coordinate with Environmental Health & Safety and relevant research
offices on incidents involving laboratory hazards, controlled substances,
or other research-security concerns.
Plan for and command department response to demonstrations, protests, and
controversial-speaker events, balancing safety with the University's
commitment to freedom of expression.
Coordinate with adjacent and overlapping agencies (Palo Alto PD, Santa
Clara County, CHP) as needed given the campus's location and mixed
jurisdictional boundaries.
Communication, planning, and representation
Utilize effective time management techniques.
Provide guidance to line personnel to develop plans and programs
addressing campus concerns and promoting subordinates' career development.
Identify and propose solutions to improve business operations and address
identified problems.
Interpret, apply, and make decisions in accordance with applicable
federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Think clearly and act quickly in a variety of situations.
Engage tactfully and courteously with the public and law enforcement
personnel; maintain contact and preserve good relations with the public.
Represent the department and university at meetings and conferences.
Respond to critical situations, even when off-duty, and sometimes with
little advance notice.
Work irregular and on-call hours, including weekends, evenings, and
holidays.
Weekend, shift, and holiday work is required.
Other duties, as assigned.
Other duties, as assigned.
Employment Standards
Successful candidates for the position of Sergeant must possess the following
qualifications and/or skills:
Knowledge of:
Principles of organizational dynamics, supervision, training, and
progressive discipline.
Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances including those pertaining
to search and seizure, rules of evidence, interviewing of suspects, court
procedure, criminal law, laws of arrest, and laws governing the care,
custody, and control of prisoners.
Investigative procedures, methods, and techniques, including preserving
crime scenes, identifying the elements of a crime, preserving evidence,
and obtaining statements.
Applicable officer-rights and disciplinary procedures as they apply to
SUDPS personnel under the MOU with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
and the MOA between Stanford University and the Stanford Deputy Sheriff's
Association.
Department policies and procedures, including the General Orders;
university policies and procedures, including the Administrative Guide.
The Clery Act and its effect on campus policing, including timely-warning
and emergency-notification obligations.
Self-defense, officer safety, and crowd/demonstration-management tactics.
Techniques to develop and promote teamwork.
Ability to:
Effectively organize, coordinate, direct, and supervise a diverse
workforce.
Interpret, convey, and ensure implementation of agency policies,
procedures, and methods; ensure personnel have clear guidelines of
authority and responsibility.
Establish and maintain effective community and public relations within a
culturally diverse population, including students, faculty, staff, and
visitors.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Work both independently and as part of a group.
Carry out basic law enforcement functions such as investigating crimes,
apprehending individuals, issuing citations, and managing crowds.
Recognize when a matter calls for coordination with campus partners
(Title IX, CAPS/Behavioral Intervention Team, Environmental Health &
Safety) rather than, or in addition to, a purely criminal-justice
response.
Work in a fast-paced environment and complete work in a timely and
accurate manner.
Take appropriate action in emergency and stressful situations.
Personal Characteristics:
Desire and ability to motivate and inspire others.
Willingness to promote the department's core values.
Conscientiousness, dependability, integrity, and initiative.
Emotional control.
Commitment to the development of personnel and the department.
Ability to effectively deal with personal danger, which may include
exposure to armed/dangerous persons, dangerous animals, communicable
diseases, hazards of emergency driving, and natural and man-made
disasters.
Acceptance that one's behavior off-duty impacts one's on-duty credibility
and ability to function effectively.
Minimum Education and Experience
Proof of satisfactory completion of a California P.O.S.T.-certified basic
police academy, or completion of the California waiver process.
A minimum of three years of recent full-time experience (post-FTO) at a
law enforcement agency performing duties comparable to those of a peace
officer at Stanford University. Campus law enforcement experience
preferred but not required.
Graduation from High School or possession of a G.E.D. certificate, plus
completion of 60 college semester units or 90 quarter units from an
accredited college.
Successful completion of a P.O.S.T.-certified Supervisory school within 1
year of hire.
Not be in violation of Brady v. Maryland , 373 U.S. 83 (1963).
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
Meet all required minimum standards prescribed in Government Code §§ 1029
and 1031, including psychological evaluation, polygraph examination,
fingerprinting, background investigation, and medical/physical demands
examination.
Advanced interviewing, interrogation, and observation skills.
Maintain proficiency and training requirements mandated by the department,
university, Peace Officer Standards and Training, or the Santa Clara
County Sheriff's Office.
Supervisory and leadership skills.
Ability to pass a physical demands test relevant to the job requirements.
Ability to wear and breathe through a respirator.
Certificates and Licenses Required
Deputization as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff by the Santa Clara County Office
of the Sheriff, pursuant to Penal Code § 830.75.
Valid California non-commercial driver's license.
Physical Requirements
Maintain and retain minimal peace officer status requirements to perform
job duties (e.g., arrest and control techniques, defensive tactics, high-
speed driving under stressful conditions, and proficiency with a variety
of firearms).
Must be able to affect arrests, including subjects who may resist or
attempt to flee.
Must be able to wear personal protective equipment, including being able
to wear and breathe through a respirator, including performing an annual
fit test.
Vision not less than 20/100 in each eye; correctable to no less than 20/30
in each eye; without functional color blindness or impairment.
Constantly lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11–20 pounds.
Frequently stand/walk/sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, grasp
lightly/fine manipulation, operate foot and/or hand controls.
Occasionally write by hand.
Rarely kneel/crawl, climb (ladders, scaffolds, or other), reach/work
above shoulders, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork,
scrub/sweep/mop, lift/carry/push/pull objects weighing more than 40
pounds, or use a respirator.
Working Conditions
Work in emergency situations, confined spaces, intense life-threatening
conditions, and inclement weather.
May have exposure to dangerous persons, firearms, bodily fluids, fumes,
moving objects, and noise.
Work irregular hours, including overtime and holidays.
Compensation
The expected pay range for this position is $185,000 to $205,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good-faith estimate
of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay
offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as
(but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the
qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability,
internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable
jobs. Candidates evaluating this range against other Bay Area law enforcement
agencies should also weigh total compensation, including retirement structure
(see below), which differs meaningfully from public-agency pension plans.
Work Standards
When conducting university business, must comply with the California
Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford
colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
Promote a Culture of Safety: demonstrates commitment to personal
responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses
and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies
and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies found
in the University's Administrative Guide, https:// adminguide.stanford.edu/
Selection Process
(specific order of the process is subject to change)
Application
Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)
Written test and skills assessment
Oral Board Interview with department and university personnel
Background investigation, including a polygraph examination
Medical/Physical Demands Exam
Interview with the Director of Public Safety
Why Stanford is for You
We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and
unique perks empower you with:
Freedom to grow. Career development programs, tuition reimbursement,
or audit a course. Join a TED Talk, film screening, or hear a renowned
author or global leader speak.
A caring culture. Generous time off and family care resources.
Retirement, structured differently than public agencies. As a private
employer, Stanford does not offer a public-safety pension; instead, SUDPS
Sergeants participate in Stanford's tax-advantaged defined-contribution
retirement plan, with employer contributions independent of employee
deferrals. Candidates coming from a CalPERS-safety or county-pension
agency should discuss the specifics with HR before comparing total
compensation, since the structure — not just the amount — is different.
A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of
health and fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also
provide excellent health care benefits.
Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and
museums.
Enviable resources. Free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives,
discounts, and more.
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in
this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a
comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific
duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs
without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of
responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide
reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires
accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
Stanford is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will
receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or
any other characteristic protected by law.
Responsibilities
Core Duties :
Plan work and assignments of staff and teams; set specific objectives and
routinely monitor progress towards achievement.
Supervise, coordinate, assign, train, review, evaluate, counsel, and potentially recommend disciplinary action of assigned staff.
Conduct daily briefing to inform officers of the directives, problems, and current events affecting police operations.
May direct and supervise special units (e.g., records, SWAT, parking enforcement, special events, and investigative services).
Teach training classes, conduct meetings and staff briefings, and perform
other public presentations; monitor probationary officers' training
delivered by the field training officers to ensure sufficient and proper
training.
Perform the job duties of a sworn staff:
Investigate complaints, infractions of rules and regulations, crimes, and suspicious occurrences; take or recommend appropriate action.
Respond to all serious incidents and crimes occurring on the shift and take charge at the scene; detain and interview suspects; make arrests.
Serve as a detective or as a supervisor of a detective division team.
Review and/or prepare criminal and administrative reports, correspondence,
and statistical information; appear in court to testify.
In absence of higher ranking officer, maintain department operational
efficiency.
Minimum Education :
Completion of a California basic Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
program
Minimum Experience :
Three years full-time experience performing duties comparable to those of a
deputy sheriff or successful completion of California waiver process for
California basic police academy.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :
Meet all required minimum standards prescribed in Government Code Sections
1029 and 1031, including a psychological evaluation, polygraph
examination, fingerprinting, background investigation, and
medical/physical demands examination.
Advanced interviewing, interrogation, and observation skills.
Maintain proficiency and training requirements mandated by department,
university, Peace Officer Standards and Training, or county sheriff's
office.
Supervisory and leadership skills.
Certificates and Licenses Required
Deputization by Santa Clara County's Office of the Sheriff.
Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C Driver's
License.
Qualifications
REMOVE STATEMENT BEFORE POSTING - KEEP LANGUAGE BELOW, IF APPLICABLE.
REMOVE IF NOT APPLICABLE
Drivers License Requirements
Must possess and maintain a valid California non-commercial Class C
Driver's License.
Ability to drive day or night.
When conducting university business, must comply with the California
Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
