Patrol Officer

Relocation assistance and Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

The Cornell University campus, situated in picturesque Ithaca, New York, the heart of the Finger Lakes, is admired as one of the world’s most beautiful academic settings. The Division Public Safety is committed to providing the highest quality service to the faculty, students, staff, alumni, and visitors through an approach that is grounded both in justice and equity.

The Division of Public Safety utilizes a comprehensive approach prioritizes transparency and empathy in delivery of public safety services, recruitment of community-focused employees, and training focused on contemporary issues such as de-escalation, procedural justice, and trauma-informed interactions with our community.

The Cornell University Police department is an internationally accredited organization that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from its headquarters in Barton Hall. The department is comprised of staff and sworn officers who patrol campus on foot, in vehicles, on bicycles, and with explosive detection K-9s. Our staff consists of highly trained, certified law enforcement (armed Peace) officers supported by an outstanding group of civilian employees. As one of the finest internationally accredited law enforcement agencies in the country, we are a group of dedicated professionals committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The Mission of the Cornell Police is “Service”. The Cornell Police will perform the same basic activities as any municipal police department, in addition to the activities peculiar to the academic institution that this Department has been created to serve. Not only does it thus respond to required police services, preserve the peace, protect life and property, and recover lost and stolen property, but it also enforces, in a fair and impartial manner, the regulations which comprise the Cornell University Student Code of Conduct, as well as applicable local, State and Federal laws. We appreciate our role in enhancing the quality of life at Cornell by our contributions that foster a safe and secure environment, the cornerstone of academic freedom. We also recognize that justice is the foundation for peace, and to this end, our department is built on a foundation of community service and crime prevention which respects and preserves the human dignity of all individuals served.

Cornell Police employees are service oriented, promoting the concept of the community as our customers and the police employee as the provider.  The needs of the community become the goals of the police employee in delivering professional, client-centered service that is effective, efficient, and accountable.  The Cornell Police employee is the primary link to connecting those in need with the many resources of the University.

As a Cornell University Patrol Officer, you will work for an employer that takes pride in offering generous benefits to support and enhance your health, wealth, and wellness.

All employees are accountable for supporting our values of collegiality, integrity, initiative, excellence, civility, and stewardship; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities.

What Will You Do

This position requires enjoying working in an environment of collaboration and trust. You will be provided with the resources a patrol officer needs to provide our campus safety and security.

In a fast-paced, demanding, team oriented and customer focused environment, Cornell University Patrol Officers are responsible for protecting life and property, preserving the peace, and preventing crime.  This involves serving as first-responder in emergency situations and providing on-scene assessments to respond appropriately.  Patrol Officers will provide initial investigation for all calls of criminal activity and accidents; collect and preserve evidence; protect and maintain crime scene; interview victims, witnesses, and suspects; and prepare reports. 

Other responsibilities include:

• Apprehend and arrest suspects; issue citations; prepare court documents and testify in court as prosecuting officer or witness. 
• You will provide emergency services and deliver general police and other law enforcement and security services unique to the Cornell campus, including receiving and responding to complaints, direct traffic when needed, and providing security for university events.
• Provide initial investigation for all calls of criminal activity and accidents; collect and preserve evidence; protect and maintain crime scene; interview victims, witnesses, and suspects; and prepare reports.
• Be service oriented, promoting the concept of the community as our customers and the police employee as the provider. The unique needs of our community become the goals of the police employee in delivering professional, client-centered service that is effective, efficient, and accountable.
• You will be provided with critical, intense training to minimize the potential of bodily harm which could occur in the course of your duties while investigating criminal activity or during other public safety functions.
• Due to the nature of law enforcement work, overtime is offered and is required.
• This position is a bargaining unit position and is shift work.

This is a bargaining unit unionized position within the Cornell Police Union.

The current hire rate is $32.29. Per the union contract this rate increases to $33.42 effective 7/1/26.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.

• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
• Two-year degree or equivalent education and/or experience in a law enforcement or related field. 
• Must be a United States citizen. 
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid New York State driver’s license, lawfully possess a firearm, be able to obtain and maintain a New York State pistol permit (must be 21 years old), and New York State Police Information Network (NYSPIN)/eJustice certification. 
• Must satisfactorily complete the probationary period and pre-employment physical/psychological exams and physical fitness standards.  Cornell Police will use the Physical Fitness Testing Standards recommended by the Bureau of Municipal Police [Part 600]. If a candidate does not successfully score to the 40th percentile of fitness in the appropriate category for each of the elements of the test battery (sit-up, push-up, 1.5-mile run), the candidate shall not be deemed to have successfully completed the physical fitness test.
• Physical Fitness tests (2 in total) will be administered on separate dates during the first two full weeks in April.
• Must successfully complete the New York State MPTC basic course for police.
• Possess strong interpersonal communications skills (verbal, written, listening and comprehension), work as an effective team member and build and maintain strong relationships, and handle multiple tasks and priorities.
• Strong technical computer skills and customer service experience required.
• Must be service oriented and able to handle multiple tasks and priorities, while always exercising appropriate confidentiality. 
• Possess a high level of concentration requiring acute hand/eye coordination. 
• Must be able to lift more than 50 lbs. in an emergency and carry 20 pounds regularly. 
• Shift work required.  Must be able to work weekends and evenings in sometimes adverse weather conditions.
• Diplomatic, courteous, accountable, flexible, and adaptable. 
• Shows initiative and is self-directed. 
• Shows respect for differences in backgrounds, lifestyles, viewpoints and needs of others.
• Punctuality is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pre-employment completion of the New York State MPTC basic course for police.

Additional Factors:

• You must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check that includes, but is not limited to, the following disqualifying factors.

Application Information

• When applying through our system, please remember to attach your application materials (Resume and Cover Letter) in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. In the Experience section of your application, use the ‘Drop Files Here’ box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online please click here as an external candidate or click here if you are an internal candidate. Please note:  Cornell employees must apply through the Internal Cornell Career site.

What we offer:

Nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives, Cornell University provides excellent benefits that include professional development, access to many wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options and generous paid leave provisions: including paid vacation, health/personal time; paid holidays, and employer retirement contributions.

   

University Job Title:

Patrol Ofcr Cornell Police

   

Job Family:

Cornell University Police Union

   

Level:

002

   

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

   

Pay Range:

Refer to Union Pay Rates Link Below

   

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

   

Company:

   

Contact Name:

Susie Jackson

   

Contact Email:

smm77@cornell.edu

   

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator.

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

Current Employees:

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Online Submission Guidelines:

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume/CV and cover letter.  You can upload documents either by “dragging and dropping” them into the dropbox or by using the “upload” icon on the application page. For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit How We Hire on the HR website.

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell Office of Civil Rights at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at accommodations@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

2026-03-17