About the role
Department: University Police - 026100
Hiring Salary: $118,000
Organizational Summary:
The University of South Florida Police Department (USFPD) is a fully certified, accredited law enforcement agency. Under the leadership of Chief Chris Daniel, the department upholds a strong commitment to excellence—serving the best interests of our campuses, community, and public safety. Guided by our mission to be community-minded and service-driven, USFPD has proudly achieved three Excelsior-level accreditation assessments and is currently preparing for the next assessment, which will occur in July 2027. Excellence demands commitment—and commitment requires investment.
In 2025, the University reestablished the Division of Public Safety, resulting in several USFPD civilian staff positions transitioning to the new department, including the Office Administrator, Logistics Manager, Public Safety Coordinator, and Public Information Officer. All members of the Division of Public Safety report directly to the Assistant Vice President/Chief of University Police, including the Directors of Physical Security and Emergency Management.
USFPD is organized into multiple bureaus, divisions, sections, squads, and specialty units that collectively support the department’s mission. The department is led by a command staff composed of sworn and non-sworn members at the rank of Lieutenant and above.
Position Summary:
Oversees and directs all activities directly relating to, or other activities in support of, the law enforcement and support functions of the agency. Ensures that all agency operations and services are conducted in a manner that enhances the community, are sensitive to the many cultures and diversity of the university population and that USFPD provides the best possible service to the community and ensures an environment that allows for student success and academic achievement. Serves as a member of the Chief of Police / Director of Public Safety's Staff. Assists in determining the fiscal requirements of the assigned Division and prepares budgetary proposals for that Division.
Responsible for the management and direction of all personnel (sworn and non-sworn) within assigned bureau. Ensures either directly or through subordinate personnel that law enforcement services are provided for the university consistent with objectives established and promulgated by the State of Florida, Board of Trustees and the USF Administration. Assumes full management responsibility for the Division of Public Safety in the absence of the Director and Asst Director.
Serves as a member of the Chief's / Director's Command Staff. Assists with formulating and approving policies, procedures, rules and regulations that govern departmental activities. Assists with the development and implementation of standard operating procedures that provide guidance to all police personnel. Responsible for the development, coordination, and attainment of goals and objectives for all personnel within assigned bureau. Programs and activities that are undertaken within the Division will reflect a commitment to the philosophy of Community Oriented Policing. Evaluates all personnel directly supervised in accordance with performance standards established.
Assists in determining the fiscal requirements of the Operations and Support elements of the Police Department. Prepares budgetary proposals for the assigned areas of responsibility within the Police Department. Once the budget is approved provides appropriate fiscal controls to ensure expenditures are within the guidelines established by the department.
Conducts and reviews assignments to include internal investigations of complaints against personnel assigned to the Police Department. Designated as a management representative in PBA and AFSCME grievances. Ensures all requirements set forth in Collective Bargaining Agreements and the Police Officers Bill of Rights are met. Formulates and conducts promotional processes for supervisory positions within the agency. Responsible for the on-site coordination of all police field operations during major criminal incidents or disasters on campus. This would include close liaison with USFSP Divisions as well as other local, state, or federal organizations and law enforcement agencies. Maintains assigned duties and agency objectives in accordance with accreditation standards.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
This position must meet the requirements of Chapter 943, Florida Statutes and have at least seven consecutive years of sworn law enforcement experience. Eligible internal candidates must have four years of progressive supervisor experience, including the rank of Lieutenant. External candidates must have held the rank of Lieutenant or above, or served in an equivalent sworn law enforcement leadership position with comparable duties, responsibilities, and authority, within the last 24 months.
This position requires a minimum of bachelor’s degree.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Legal, Licensure, & USF Requirements:
Employees in this classification are required to maintain all mandatory job-related certifications to include but not limited to firearms qualification, first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Florida State driver's license.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's Degree preferred from an accredited college/university. Law enforcement management experience or supervisory experience with specialty units/programs.
Essential Personnel:
This position has been designated as Essential Personnel. Essential Personnel may be required to participate in preparedness/response/recovery activities outside of normal work hours, including USF closings, in response to a major emergency or natural disasters affecting USF operations.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS:
Applicants must be 19 years of age and a U.S. citizen; must possess a high school diploma or equivalent; must have no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude (as required for Florida State Law Enforcement Certification). A COVER LETTER AND RESUME ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION.
Applicants must not have used illegal drugs in the last 3 years and pass a physical ability test. Applicants also must pass a post-offer physical and psychological examination. Applicants are subject to a rigorous background investigation which includes driving record, credit history check, FBI fingerprint check, and a truth verification examination.
For Equivalency of Training (EOT: transitional academy). Please visit http://www.spcollege.edu/ac/SEPSI/EOT.htm.
POTENTIAL APPLICANT DISQUALIFIERS
University of South Florida Police Department (USFPD) Officers are entrusted with the responsibility of keeping our community safe for all who work, study, and visit. Ethical and moral conduct by our members is essential to maintaining confidence and trust within our community. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure we hire applicants who meet the highest professional standards.
In addition to meeting all other hiring requirements, any person under serious consideration for employment will undergo an intensive background investigation. The purpose of this investigation is to assess the quality of a candidate’s character and determine suitability for employment in a university and law enforcement environment. An applicant’s past behavior must demonstrate favorable character and consistently reflect the positive traits expected of a USFPD employee.
The University of South Florida Police Department maintains a strict policy concerning body ornamentation, markings, or physical appearance modifications. Tattoos and/or piercings that can be covered by the Department’s standard issued uniform may not disqualify an applicant from further consideration.
While not exhaustive, the following criteria outline circumstances that may temporarily or permanently disqualify applicants from consideration for employment:
Applicant Guidance:
Review all criteria before applying.
Prepare to fully disclose background information.
Contact USF Police Department Recruiting with questions about eligibility.
Former University of South Florida Police Department Employees: Break in Service and Reappointment
Former University of South Florida Police Department employees who reapply following a break in service are subject to all applicable disqualifiers.
Additionally, any former University of South Florida Police Department employee reappointed after a break in service, regardless of duration, will be placed at the current entry-level salary and step plan.
General Fitness
Failure to truthfully answer every question in the Background Investigation Questionnaire.
Failure to pass medical, psychological, physical agility, and/or drug test screening.
Tattoos
Tattoos or branding on the hands, face, neck, and scalp are prohibited.
Exception: one wedding ring tattoo is permitted on the officer’s ring finger.
It is strictly prohibited to have any visible tattoos or branding that is sexually explicit, depicts intolerance or discrimination against any race, religion, gender, or national origin, or in association with groups that advocate hate, criminal activity, or intolerance.
Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Five (5) or more moving violations within three (3) years of date of application. Moving violations for which there is a factual finding of innocence shall not be included.
Five (5) or more speeding violations in the comprehensive driving history.
Any single instance of a potential life-threatening violation, i.e., reckless driving, racing, suspect of a pursuit, etc. within three (3) years of date of application.
Involvement as a driver in three or more chargeable (at fault) collisions within three (3) years of date of application.
Any driver’s license suspension in the last three (3) years.
Note: Suspensions for financial responsibility will be subject to review.
A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs within five (5) years of date of application, or any two (2) convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in the comprehensive driving history.
Integrity
Any material misstatement of fact, omission of information, or significant admission during the application, or background investigation process, including inconsistent statements made during all phases of the hiring process (to include the polygraph examination*), or discrepancies between the background investigation and investigations conducted by this or other law enforcement agencies.
*Discrepancies noted during the polygraph examination will be further explored if the applicant continues progression in the selection process.
Use of tactics intended to interfere with or manipulate a polygraph examination.
Any forgery, alteration, or intentional omission of material facts on an official employment application, associated document, or repeated episodes of academic dishonesty.
Admission(s) of administrative conviction or criminal convictions for any act amounting to assault or any other violation of federal or state civil rights laws while under color of authority as a criminal justice employee.
Any admission(s) of administrative conviction or criminal conviction for failure to properly report witnessed criminal conduct committed by another law enforcement officer or criminal justice representative.
Discharged, or resigned to avoid discharge, from any position within a criminal justice agency for disciplinary reasons.
History of sustained Internal Affairs complaints or behavior that indicates poor conduct.
Falsifying documentation of law enforcement certification.
Dishonorably discharged from any military service.
Credibility
Conviction for any criminal offense classified as, or equivalent to, a misdemeanor under Florida law within five (5) years of the date of application.
Adult conviction for two (2) or more offenses classified as, or equivalent to, a misdemeanor offense under Florida law within five (5) years of the date of application.
Conviction for any offense classified as, or equivalent to, a misdemeanor under Florida law while employed as a peace officer (including military police officers) within five (5) years of the date of application.
Conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere plea to, having committed any act classified as, or equivalent to, a felony under Florida law within five (5) years of date of application, or at any time while employed as a criminal justice representative (including military police officers).
Admission(s) of administrative conviction of any act while employed as a criminal justice representative (including military police officers) involving lying, falsification of any official report or document, or theft.
Conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere plea any act of domestic violence as defined by law, committed as an adult.
Conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere plea of any criminal act, whether misdemeanor or felony, committed against children.
Exception: Acts of consensual unlawful intercourse accomplished between two minors shall not be included, unless more than four (4) years difference in age existed at the time of the acts.
Conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere plea for perjury or false statements.
Existence of current criminal charges for which a disposition is pending, or if the applicant is on probation or parole.
Applicant has been on probation within five (5) years of date of application.
Any history of actions resulting in civil lawsuits against the applicant or his/her current or former employer(s) as a result of the applicant’s actions, will be subject to review, but may be disqualifying depending upon the circumstances.
Prohibited by the state to own or possess firearms or ammunition.
Dependability
Missing any scheduled appointment during the hiring process without prior
permission. Failure to keep appointment(s) or provide documentation related to the hiring process. At least 24-hour prior notice for rescheduling of appointments is required to avoid disqualification, unless otherwise specified.
Having been disciplined by any employer (including military) for abuse of leave, gross insubordination, dereliction or neglect of duty, or persistent failure to follow established policies and regulations.
Having been involuntarily dismissed (for any reason other than layoff) from two or more employers as an adult.
Having held more than seven (7) paid positions with different employers within the past five (5) years, or more than fifteen (15) paid positions with different employers in the past ten (10) years (excluding military).
Multiple bankruptcies, unpaid legal judgments, or significant financial instability.
Resigning from any paid position without notice.
Having any outstanding warrant of arrest at time of application.
Unprofessional or Discriminatory Behavior
Having been disciplined by any employer (including the military), or any criminal justice training facility, for acts of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, sexual harassment or any other category protected by law, policies or regulations.
During the hiring process for this agency, uttering any epithet derogatory of another person's race, religion, gender/sex, ethnicity, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
Having been disciplined by any employer for fighting in the workplace.
Membership, association, or other affiliation with any group which advocates the denial of civil rights to any person or group.
Illegal Use or Possession of Drugs
Use or possession of any illegal drug that constitutes a felony within ten (10) years of the date of application (excluding marijuana/cannabis).
Use or possession of marijuana/cannabis within one (1) year of the date of application.
Any use of a legal or illegal substance (including the use of prescription medications), for the purpose of impairment or to “get high,” within three (3) years of the date of application.
Any illegal use or possession of a drug while employed in any criminal justice capacity (including military police).
Any adult manufacture or cultivation of a drug or illegal substance.
Failure to divulge to the police department during the background investigation any information about personal illegal use or possession of drugs; including the use of marijuana or synthetic substances.
Any drug test of the applicant, during the course of the hiring process, where illegal drugs are detected.
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.