Position Title:
Public Safety Officer
Location:
Big Rapids (Main Campus)
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.).
Public Safety
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.
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 headings below:
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 the 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 the 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 forms/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 backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.
An ability to maintain positive interpersonal relationships with students, faculty, staff, visitors, and fellow work associates.
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:
April 20, 2026
Open Until Position is Filled?:
Yes
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.
