How to Apply
Please include a cover letter, attached as the first page of your resume.
**You must pass a comprehensive public safety background investigation, psychological exam, physical and drug screening**
Job Summary
The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) is seeking a Police Lieutenant to provide operational command and leadership for the Protective Security unit. Under the direction of the Director of Protective Security, the lieutenant will serve as second-in-command within the unit, directly supervising the sergeant(s), sworn officers, and other assigned personnel.
The Protective Security unit is responsible for intelligence coordination, executive protection, and high-value asset protection. The lieutenant ensures these interdependent functions are integrated through effective planning, leadership of personnel, and coordination with both internal and external partners.
This position requires the flexibility to work variable schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as dictated by executive protection needs and special event requirements.
This role is designated as a long-term special assignment under the Special Assignments and Positions Memorandum of Understanding within the Command Officers Association of Michigan (COAM) collective bargaining agreement.
What You'll Do
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as the day-to-day operational leader of the Protective Security unit, ensuring preparedness, staffing, and execution of the unit's specialized law enforcement functions
- Exercise line-level supervision over personnel, including sergeants, sworn officers, and support staff; provide mentoring, guidance, and performance management
- Serve as acting Director of Protective Security when designated, with authority to make operational and strategic decision
- Act as incident commander during planned and unplanned events, ensuring appropriate responses and multi-agency coordination
- Provides direct supervision to the lead officer overseeing the Intelligence function, ensuring alignment with Protective Security objectives and effective integration of intelligence into executive protection and threat management operations
- Direct the planning and coordination of executive protection assignments, including risk assessments, advance logistics, and operational briefings
- Develop and administer elements of the Protective Security budget related to personnel, training, equipment, and special operations
- Represent DPSS and the Protective Security unit on various division and university committees
- Ensure that executive protection operations adhere to national best practices and evolving standards within higher education law enforcement
- Liaise with external public safety entities, including local, state, federal, and peer institutions, to maintain intelligence sharing protocols and interagency partnerships
- Conduct administrative investigations and after-action reviews related to protective assignments, confidential operations, and high-level security incidents
- Travel as necessary, including out-of-state and international, in support of executive protection
- Collaborates with the Special Events Unit to inform and coordinate operational plans when executive protection is required as part of the event, ensuring appropriate resource allocation and risk mitigation strategies are in place
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned
Who We Are
The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) leads all public safety functions within the university, including police, security, and emergency management, and offers an integrated approach to safety and security, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. DPSS combines Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint operations to provide students, visitors, faculty, and staff with a safe and secure environment. Through our partnerships across the university and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, we use a blended service model to meet the needs of our community and exceed expectations.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future.
Benefits Include:
- Generous time off (including parental leave)
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance including "Other Qualified Adult" coverage
- Dental, Vision and Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Tuition Support
Required Qualifications*
- You must pass a comprehensive background investigation and drug screening
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive law enforcement supervisory experience, preferably at the sergeant level or higher
- Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, or a closely related field
- MCOLES Certification (or eligibility to obtain MCOLES licensure within the first 3 months of employment)
- Demonstrated experience in managing personnel and operations in a structured chain-of-command environment
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to lead operational briefings and write detailed reports
- Proven ability to make high-stakes decisions under pressure and coordinate complex law enforcement responses
- Strong skills in project management, delegation, and organizational leadership
- In-depth knowledge of criminal law, risk mitigation, and university public safety policies
- Experience managing confidential or sensitive security operations
- Strong collaborative skills, with the ability to build trust with senior administrators and external agencies
- Experience in executive protection, dignitary security, or protective intelligence gathering is strongly preferred
Additional Information
All members of the Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) are considered Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) under The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. As such, you are required to report Clery reportable offenses that come to your attention. DPSS employees are required to complete Clery Compliance Training within the first 14 days of employment and annually thereafter.
Union Affiliation
This is a COAM (Command Officers Association of Michigan) union position covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Command Officers Association of Michigan union, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.