Commander, Patrol Operations

Job Description:

Commander, Patrol Operations

Description

At CSUN we aspire to continually grow as an inclusive, cooperative community!

CSUN strives to be a destination workplace, where everyone understands that they belong to a community that is vital in advancing student success and providing exemplary service to all stakeholders. We foster an environment of success, both for our students and our employees. We have a relentless passion for celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as being an employer of choice. You will also have the opportunity to realize your own personal goals and be recognized for the work you do and enjoy the unique value the CSUN community can offer. As a leader you will have the opportunity to thrive in a community in which our leaders share common traits as identified in our Leadership Principles https://www.csun.edu/leadership-principles . If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place.

Responsibilities

Under general supervision, the Commander, Patrol Operations administers patrol operations across multiple shifts, coordinates law enforcement and crime prevention activities, evaluates emergency responses, supports personnel development, ensures compliance with departmental standards, and collaborates with campus partners to provide effective public safety services throughout the university community.

• Plans, assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of police officers, corporals, sergeants, dispatchers, and Community Service Officers (CSOs) assigned to patrol operations.
• Serves as the Watch Commander with primary responsibility for coordinating police operations during special events conducted during evening and weekend hours.
• Identifies organizational and individual training needs and assists in the development, coordination, and delivery of training programs that support departmental objectives, professional development, and operational effectiveness.
• Evaluates routine and emergency situations and determines appropriate operational responses during patrol shifts, including complex law enforcement incidents.
• Reviews reports, correspondence, memoranda, case files, and other documentation prepared by subordinate personnel to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with departmental policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
• As a leader, demonstrates a commitment to student success that is mission aligned with the university’s vision, values and priorities. Establishes an ethical and collegial work environment, promoting a collaborative, accountable and inclusive team. Encourages a courageous and resilient solution-oriented environment by participating in new opportunities to further the mission of the university. Participates in developing initiatives that further support the campus mission with a service-oriented and catalytic mind set. Strengthens employees by being communicative and a talent builder that develops team attributes, furthering departmental goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

*NOTE: To view the full position description copy and paste this link into your browser: https://mycsun.box.com/s/f5y7lfj5zjwszqad8235myvt2y8ibwyd

Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field, or equivalent. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Must have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a sworn law enforcement setting, including one (1) year of supervisory experience. Management experience preferred. Working in an educational setting is a plus.
• Must satisfy all California POST minimum employment standards and possess, or be able to obtain, a POST Management Certificate.
• Eligible to be a peace officer in the state of California.
• Must possess, or be eligible to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Leadership

• Ability to coordinate complex patrol operations, emergency responses, and specialized law enforcement activities.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills in routine, critical, and high-profile incidents.
• Ability to develop staff through training, coaching, performance evaluation, and professional development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for responding to inquiries, reviewing reports, and collaborating with internal and external partners.
• Ability to interpret and apply departmental policies, legal requirements, CSU standards, and accreditation requirements.
• Ability to foster an ethical, inclusive, collaborative, service-oriented, and accountable work environment.

• Lead diverse teams to support the operational mission and vision of employers by fostering an ethical, inclusive and collegial work environment.

• Demonstrated ability to support ongoing improvement through courageous, resilient, and catalytic leadership.
• Lead varying initiatives through a collaborative, service-oriented and communicative approach.
• Demonstrated commitment to employee development, recognition, and accountability to further operational goals.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience. The University offers excellent fringe benefits.
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $160,000 - $168,204 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.
• Work is performed in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments under both routine and emergency conditions. The incumbent is regularly exposed to varying weather conditions, traffic hazards, noise, dust, fumes, and other environmental conditions associated with law enforcement operations.
• The position may require exposure to hazardous or potentially dangerous situations, including confrontational individuals, violent incidents, crime scenes, bloodborne pathogens, and other biological or chemical hazards.
• The incumbent may be required to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and extended or irregular hours, and must be available to respond to emergencies, critical incidents, and major campus events.

General Information

• This position is a sensitive position as designated by the CSU.
• A POST background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position. The selected candidate must pass a fingerprint clearance (Live Scan).
• The person holding this position may be considered a 'limited reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• Please note: California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is not currently sponsoring staff or management positions for H-1B employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
• Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
• Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN on-line application. To submit an application and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers
• Applications received through September 4, 2026, will be considered in the initial review and review of applications will continue until position is filled.
• The CSU recommends that faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities at any university location be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Disability (physical or mental), Gender, Gender Identity (including Nonbinary or Transgender), Gender Expression, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Pregnancy or related conditions, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion or Religious Creed, Sex (including Sex Stereotyping or Sex Characteristics), Sexual Orientation, and Veteran or Military Status. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Talent Acquisition at 818-677-2101.

Work with purpose at the CSU.
Your career can change lives, communities, and futures. Watch why CSU is more than a job: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VXk4PPlSl4

Advertised: Aug 18 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: