Employment Opportunities

If this job is currently available, it will be listed in the GW Jobs portal as SPO 1

Duties and Responsibilities

Basic Function and responsibility: Special Police Officers protect life and property at the George Washington University community. They enforce District of Columbia law as well as University policy. They receive practical on-the-job and formal training necessary to attain a Special Police Commission from the District of Columbia. 

Qualifications

• Officers must be a minimum of 21 years old.
• U.S. Citizenship required
• Valid driver's license and be eligible to drive GW vehicles as per University policy
• Pass a physical exam, drug screen, psychological assessment, and background investigation.
• Must possess or be able to possess a District of Columbia Special Police Commission within 120 days of employment
• Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have one year of experience in protective services OR an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice or a related field (Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice is preferred)
• Must be available to work rotating shifts

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Officers protect life and property within GW facilities and buildings as well as on GW's campus. They patrol the campus and respond to calls for service by vehicle, bicycle, and foot 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
• Officers observe and report malfunctioning or unsafe utility equipment, access devices, and alarms throughout campus.
• Officers attend professional skills development courses provided within the department and by outside agencies to strengthen capabilities taught during the police academy and to develop new skills over the course of a career(e.g. arrest techniques, emergency procedures and response)
• Officers occasionally assist investigators and higher level officers with fact-finding investigations and special projects.
• Officers may be called to testify in court as witnesses.
• Officers perform a variety of service related functions during a shift (e.g. admitting individuals to locked buildings after hours)
• Officers will be expected to exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills. In the performance of their duties, officers will communicate via radio and provide information to the public. On a daily basis, officers will write detailed, concise, and accurate reports about stressful situations that are often times complex and confusing.

Training

1.) Field Training: The first six weeks of employment consist of a field training period. Two weeks are spent on each shift (morning, evening, and night). The field training consists of five phases of training that occur in the field and in the classroom.

• F.T. Phase I.) DC Criminal Code, Criminal and Investigative Procedure
• F.T. Phase II.) Effective Interviewing and Interrogation
• F.T. Phase III.) Report Writing and Certification Training
• F.T. Phase IV.) Campus Law Enforcement and University Services at GW
• F.T. Phase 5.) Critical Incident Response and Patrol Tactics

2.) Certification Training: Officers receive certificates in Defensive Driving; Verbal Judo; Defensive Tactics Pressure Points Ground and Knife Defense; OCAT (pepper spray),;PR-24 Baton;CPR/AED/First Aid.

3.) Academy Training: Officers receive seven weeks of training at the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area Campus Public Safety Institute.

Benefits

• Starting Salary: $24.09/hr ($50,100/yr)
• Tuition remission for undergraduate and graduate studies
• Paid annual and sick leave
• Two scheduled days off per week
• Readily available overtime
• Comprehensive health and dental benefit package
• Ability to participate in training (all hours of which are paid)
• All equipment and uniforms provided including protective vests
• Retirement Benefits
• Competitive starting salary with potential for increases through promotion and annual adjustments
• Career Advancement opportunities: pay increases with rank.
• Free dry cleaning for uniforms.

Special Opportunities

Throughout their career, officers will have the opportunity to participate in special programs and training offered by the department. For example, opportunities could include assignment to the bike patrol unit, assignment to the special operations unit, participation in the adopt an officer program, certification as an instructor in a variety of skills, and outreach roles to a highly diverse community. In addition, due to the location of The George Washington University, in the heart of Washington, D.C., GWPD officers will have the unique opportunity to coordinate a variety of high profile events in partnership with Federal and local agencies.

If this position is currently available, it will be listed within the GW Jobs Portal

Duties and Responsibilities

 Security Officers provide access control to University buildings as well as basic security and protection for George Washington University community members.

Qualifications

• Officers must be a minimum of 18 years old.
• Pass a physical exam, drug screen, psychological assessment, and background investigation.
• Must possess or be able to possess a District of Columbia Security License within 20 days of employment if necessary.
• Must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED.
• Must have six months of experience in security or a customer service related position
• Must be available to work rotating shifts

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Officers protect life and property within GW facilities and buildings as well as on GW's campus. They conduct foot patrols on campus and are assigned to a variety of stationary posts within GW owned buildings.
• Officers observe and report malfunctioning or unsafe utility equipment, access devices, fire and life safety devices and alarms throughout campus (ex. burned out lights, faulty fire extinguishers, broken doors, and broken locks).
• Officers provide directions and other information to GW personnel, students, and the general public.
• Officers respond to calls for service, incidents, and situations that do not require a commissioned police officer. Officers also respond to back-up a commissioned police officer when requested.
• Officers will be expected to exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills. In the performance of their duties, officers will communicate via radio and provide information to the public. On a daily basis, officers will write detailed, concise, and accurate reports about stressful situations.
• Officers are also expected to attend appropriate training classes as required.

Training

• Field Training: Security officers receive three weeks of on the job training. During this time, they learn the physical layout of the campus as well as the specific duties of a Security Officer
• Classroom training: Security officers complete a minimum of three weeks of classroom instruction to learn the University procedures, customer service skills, patrol tactics and other functions associated with the position.
• Certification Training: Officers receive certification in defensive tactics, pressure points, ground and knife defense, straight baton, and CPR/AED/First Aid.

Benefits

• Starting salary: $20.10/hr ($41,800/yr)
• Tuition remission for undergraduate and graduate studies
• Paid annual leave and sick Leave
• Two scheduled days off per week
• Readily available overtime
• Comprehensive health and dental benefit package available
• Ability to participate in further training (all hours of which are paid)
• All equipment and uniforms provided including protective vests
• Retirement Benefits
• Competitive starting salary with potential for increases through promotion and annual adjustments
• Career advancement opportunities to Senior Security Officer position
• Dry cleaning for uniforms provided.

Special Opportunities

Security officers will be able to participate in a variety of programs within the George Washington University Police Department. These include the adopt-an-officer program, the spirit committee, the planning committee, and opportunities to gain instructor certification in a variety of skills. Security Officers gain valuable experience providing security for a large organization within a major metropolitan environment. There is a strong sense of camaraderie and cooperation as well as a variety of opportunities to become involved in programs within the Department. We strive to make all of our employees feel appreciated and recognized for their contribution to the GW community.

Please note: The SAM program was suspended in March due to COVID-19 pandemic and will remain suspended until further notice.

GWPD recruits talented individuals across all of our Divisions and mission areas.  As positions are available, they will be posted on the GW Jobs Portal.