Police Chief

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is seeking a dynamic leader for the UAF Police Department with a proven record of Community Policing. This position plans, directs, and integrates all activities of the UAF Police Department to protect life and property through law enforcement and crime prevention activities to promote a safe and secure environment across UAF and its community campuses and research sites.

The Police Chief is responsible for the full scope of law enforcement operations on campus. The position requires extensive knowledge and experience in all phases of police work including supervision and leadership and career development of a team, principles and practices of modern crime prevention, community policing concepts, investigation, criminal identification, apprehension, rules of evidence, traffic control and safety, transfer of individuals, record keeping, emergency dispatch services and all other aspects of law enforcement and administration in a uniquely Alaskan environment. Ability to apply these standards in a higher education context is required, ensuring student and employee wellness and success within the campus communities.

This position provides leadership, direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the UAF Police Department, and must be able to foster a team environment. The Chief provides direct oversight to police operations, the emergency communication center, and the community service officer program, ensuring that policing policies and practices are followed and that safety operations are coordinated across all areas of campus. This includes but is not limited to emergency response and Clery Act, FERPA, and TIX compliance.

The Chief coordinates assigned activities with other UAF departments, outside agencies, and the public, and fosters cooperative working relationships. The Chief assures appropriate programs are in place to meet the compliance needs of the University, and administers federal and state law and university policy to ensure campus security remains in compliance. The position requires knowledge of management and administrative practices and procedures as it relates to higher education in a residential campus setting. The Chief ensures high customer satisfaction by analyzing complaints, concerns and suggestions and providing appropriate follow-through. Additionally, the Chief facilitates cooperative and collaborative community and institutional relationships and participates in campus and university-wide committees. The Chief provides highly responsible and professional assistance in areas of expertise to the University.

The Chief acts as a catalyst between departments, faculty, staff, students, and external entities to ensure quality of service and support of the University’s goals and mission. Requires well-developed human relations skills to build an effective team through leadership and training. Maintains sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of students, faculty, and staff.

The Chief may develop or review programs and procedures to ensure a safe and secure educational, living, and working environment. The Chief provides proactive leadership in the areas of threat assessment and emergency response planning, and may coordinate with student life areas to provide training/guidance as it relates to safe student behavior. The Chief acts as a liaison with local, state, federal law enforcement agencies on all matters pertaining to campus security.

The position provides strategic direction by setting short and long-term goals, estimating operating budgetary requirements for staff and equipment planning, and implementing special projects to meet safety goals of campus. The Chief is responsible for a comprehensive staff of up to 12 full-time sworn officers, 8 dispatchers and 10 student community service officers and oversees a budget of approximately $2.5 million.

The candidate must meet the minimum standards for Police Chief per the Alaska Police Standards Council as well as all of the requirements of the UAF Police Department job description. An advanced certification under Alaska Police Standards or equivalent is required. Applicants must successfully complete a background investigation, polygraph (or equivalent), medical and psychological examination.

The successful candidate will encompass the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Possess strong management/supervisory skills, with the proven ability to lead and build a modern, trained and capable team in support of campus safety operations.
• Possess considerable knowledge of federal requirements for use, distribution, release and storage of Criminal Justice Information system data (CJIS).
• Possess considerable knowledge of Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems and Report Management Systems (RMS)- (preferably ARMS).
• Possess knowledge of Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR).
• Possess considerable knowledge of FERPA and Clery Act requirements in a higher education context, and be able to competently apply knowledge for compliant reporting and management.
• Ability to plan and coordinate large special events.
• Ability to interpret written materials such as safety rules/regulations and procedural manuals.
• Ability to solve problems and relate to faculty, staff and students and other community members in a positive and professional manner.
• Recognize the cultural diversity of the campus community and ensure sensitive and equitable treatment of all citizens.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Alaska driver's license within 30 days of hire.
• Qualified applicants must successfully complete the department-approved physical fitness test, a thorough background investigation, polygraph (or equivalent), medical and psychological examination and meet all requirements of the APSC, which may include DPS refresher training in Sitka AK.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration or related field and 10 years of civilian law enforcement experience with (5) years of that as senior officer experience or 15 years of progressively responsible experience as a sworn police officer with five (5) years of that as senior officer experience.

• Must have Incident Command Certification in ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, and IS 700 and 800.
• Must have completed a civilian law enforcement academy.
• Must possess Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) Advanced Police Certificate or equivalent state certification that can be transferred through APSC.
• Must be able to obtain State of Alaska APSIN security clearance within 30 days and maintain throughout employment.

Preferred Experience and/or Education:

Minimum ten (10) years civilian law enforcement experience, depending on education, with progressively responsible experience to include five (5) years of that as senior officer or supervision experience.

Prefer:

• Strong preference given to applicants with law enforcement experience in a higher education (academic) or campus-based environment with a diverse student body and residential population or campuses.
• Experience in training and response for emergency situations that may impact a campus population, e.g violent intruder/active shooter, research-driven security standards, proactive education programs including drug/alcohol intervention and training, risk mitigation, student life and safety, and community-oriented practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the criminal laws of the State of Alaska.
• Knowledge of the University of Alaska BOR policies and regulations.
• Leadership training, such as the F.B.I. National Academy or similar programs.
• Experience/training in Clery compliance and/or matters relating to higher education.

Position Details:

This position is on-site, located on the Troth Yeddha' campus in Fairbanks, Alaska. This is a full-time, executive management, Exempt Senior Administrator staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. 

This position is designated as an officer of the university or senior administrator at the discretion of the president.

Please attach a resume, cover letter, names and contact information of three (3) professional references, and the Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) completed F-3, which can be found here.

To be considered for this position, applications must be submitted no later than Tuesday, January 28, 2025 by 11:55 pm, Alaska Standard Time.  Application Review will begin on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Applicants will be reviewed until a successful candidate has been identified.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Valerie Rickards, UAF Police Department Administrative and Fiscal Officer at vsrickards@alaska.edu, or 907-474-6290.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.