Salary: $39,100
Pre-hire testing will take place one each quarter as long as there are open positions. Once your application is received, a testing date and information packet will be sent to the email listed on your application. Any questions regarding pre-hire testing should be directed to the Arkansas Tech University Department of Public Safety at (479) 968-0222.
About Arkansas Tech:
Founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech University is a comprehensive public institution with a rich history, maintaining regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and classification as a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) level III institution. ATU was ranked the No. 1 regional public university in Arkansas by U.S. News and World Report in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and CollegeNET recognizes ATU as the No. 1 institution in Arkansas on its Social Mobility Index. Since 2019, Arkansas Tech has been the host institution for the prestigious Arkansas Governor’s School. The 559-acre Russellville campus, located in the scenic Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, is just one hour from the capital city of Little Rock. Russellville features a charming blend of historic and modern architecture as well as the recreational opportunities provided by Lake Dardanelle and several state parks. Offering more than 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degree and certificate programs across five academic colleges and two campuses, Arkansas Tech strives to provide a solid educational foundation for life-long learning to a diverse community.
Position Summary:
Detects and apprehends individuals who break the law by patrolling in an assigned area. Responds to emergency calls. Investigates complaints and works to resolve conflict. Makes arrests, issues citations, and serves warrants and subpoenas.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Minimum Requirements:
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
Preferred Qualifications:
Work Location, Environment, and Physical Demands:
SPECIAL JOB DIMENSIONS:
What to Submit:
To be considered for the position of Public Safety Officer, all applications must be received and processed through our applicant tracking system Cornerstone.
Please go to https://atu.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=atu to apply now.
This position is subject to a pre-employment criminal background check. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Arkansas Tech University is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, national origin, religion, veteran status, genetic information, or disability.
Pre-hire testing will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each quarter. In the event the eligibility list is exhausted and an open position exists, additional test dates may be added.
Candidates will be notified by phone in the event the test is rescheduled due to inclement weather.
You must bring a photo ID and your signed and notarized waiver form with you to the
testing. If you do not have access to a printer, you can pick up a copy of the pre-hire
packet at our office (716 N El Paso Avenue) during regular business hours. We also
have a notary available at no charge.
The pre-hire testing takes place at the Pope County Law Enforcement Training Complex
(290 Galla Park Road, Pottsville, AR 72858). Smartphone GPS will take you to the entry
gate where there will be a representative to direct you. Please note, cell reception
at the test location is poor.
The entire testing process takes approximately five (5) hours. Candidates may leave
between the physical and written testing if they choose. Drinks and/or snacks during
the testing process are authorized.
Candidates should wear appropriate physical training attire and must bring a photo
ID and signed waiver form. Below is the estimated timeline for the pre-hire testing
date:
0830 Gate Opens / Check-in Begins
0850 Gate Closes
0900 Physical Ability Test (PAT) Orientation
0915 PAT Begins (must pass to progress to written exam)
1000 Written Exam Begins (must pass to progress to interview)
1300 Testing Concludes

Physical Ability Testing (PAT) Protocol
Orientation for the PAT will be conducted and will consist of an explanation of the
course, purpose of the course, and success criteria for the course. Orientation will
end with a demonstration of the course.
Candidates will be allowed to ask for clarification of any issue concerning the course
prior to beginning. Candidates will complete the PAT in alphabetical order. Each candidate
will be allowed one attempt to successfully complete the PAT.
Course Description:
The course measures a total of 870 feet (290 yards/ 265.2 meters). The course consists of a series of nine interspersed individual tasks, arranged in a continuous format that are viewed as being essential (physical) job-tasks for law enforcement training:
The candidate starts the course at a point, indicated in green on the course map. The course is outlined as such:
Course Standards:
The standard for successful completion of the PAT will be for the candidate, unassisted
during the event, to complete the course in less than three minutes (3:00). [Note:
The police academy standard is 2:06. If hired, you may be required to meet the police
academy standard in order to graduate the academy.]
A time penalty (two [2] seconds) for failure to negotiate the low hurdle, low crawl,
or the ditch jump will be imposed and added to the candidate’s cumulative score. Failure
to negotiate any obstacle and/or stop continuous motion will not constitute a “failure”
but will be subject to time penalties.
Candidates will be allowed three (3) attempts to successfully negotiate obstacles
(e.g., stairs, fence, wall/window). At each failed attempt, the safety will tell the
candidate to back-up to a designated point in attempt to gain momentum to negotiate
the obstacle. Following a third failed attempt at a given obstacle, the candidate
will be instructed to walk around the obstacle and finish the course in order for
the candidate’s time to be recorded for purposes of the comparison of performance
(time) to ability (non-negotiation of obstacle).
Candidates will not progress to the written exam if they do not successfully complete
the PAT.
Once the candidate has successfully completed the PAT, they are required to report back at 10:00 a.m. for the written testing. The written testing takes approximately two hours and fifteen minutes (2:15:00) to complete. The written test consists of the following:
At the conclusion of the written exam, each candidate will be given a date and time
for a panel interview, typically within the next week. Once the exam results are received
by the agency, the candidate will be notified if they do not pass, making them ineligible
to interview. If the candidate does not receive a call, they are expected to interview
at their scheduled time. All interviews will take place at the ATU Department of Public
Safety:
Arkansas Tech University
Department of Public Safety
716 North El Paso Avenue
Russellville, AR 72801
(479) 968-0222
Once the interviews have concluded, a hire eligibility list will be published within
5-7 business days. The eligibility list is based on final scores after the PAT, written
exam, and interview panel. Although the list is updated each quarter, names added
will remain in place on the list for a period of one year, or until the candidate
becomes ineligible or is offered a position.
Prior to receiving a job offer, candidates must pass a police background investigation.
Each job offer is contingent on succesfully passing a medical exam, psychological
exam, and drug screening.