Employment

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:

Patrols assigned areas to detect and prevent crimes, enforce traffic laws, recognize parking violations, issue traffic citations, and identify safety hazards and violators.
Performs security checks of agency or campus buildings.
Conducts investigations of crimes, accidents, and reports incidents committed on agency or campus premises.
Directs traffic during periods of high density to facilitate smooth flow.
Arrests violators, writes incident reports, and testifies in court, as required.
Responds to alarms, calls for assistance, checks for locked or unlocked buildings and offices, as necessary, and assists stranded motorists and others in need of assistance.
Monitors security and fire panel for security and fire detection, assists with checking the alarm systems and emergency power supply, and inspects and maintains fire extinguishers.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of traffic laws, rules and regulations, for security.
Knowledge of general law enforcement methods and techniques.
Ability to direct traffic and to maintain order.
Ability to prepare reports of incidents and accidents.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to operate motor vehicles used in patrol duties.

Minimum Requirements:

Must possess valid Arkansas driver's license.
Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
Must successfully pass pre-hire testing to include a written exam and a physical ability test.
Must be 21 years old before graduating the police academy.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Must be certified as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, or a similar academy, in accordance with ACA 12-9-106, or must have the ability to become certified within nine (9) months of hire.
Must possess valid Arkansas driver's license.

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:

At least two (2) years of experience in criminal justice or related field.
Certified law enforcement officer (including military police certification).
Experience working in a university setting.

Work Location, Environment, and Physical Demands:

SPECIAL JOB DIMENSIONS:

Frequent travel and carrying and use of a firearm are required.
Must be able to work 12-hour rotating shifts including nights, weekends, holidays, and inclement weather.
Required to successfully pass medical fitness examination, psychological examination, and drug screening upon job acceptance.

What to Submit:

Resume.
Cover Letter.
Applicable Certificates.

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.

January 20, 2026
April 21, 2026
July 21, 2026
October 20, 2026

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

PAT Waiver Form

Pre-Hire Testing Packet

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:

running,
jumping (low hurdle),
climbing stairs,
low crawling,
jumping (broad-type),
climbing a fence (chain-link, four feet),
climbing through a window,
moving/dragging a weight (150 pounds), and
changing direction to run.

The candidate starts the course at a point, indicated in green on the course map. The course is outlined as such:

The candidate runs 1 ¾ laps around the perimeter of the course and then enters the interior at the point indicated in orange on the course map.
The first obstacle encountered in the interior consists of two low hurdles (1 ½ ft tall), placed approximately 13 feet apart.
After clearing the hurdles, stairs (five steps up to a 32” wide landing and five steps down) must be negotiated twice. The candidate must touch at least two steps going up and two steps going down.
Once the stair event is completed, another low hurdle must be cleared. Then, the student must successfully negotiate a low crawl under an obstacle set 2 ½ feet above the ground.
The candidate then makes a turn (blue cone) and clears a simulated ditch that is six foot long.
After another turn (red cone), a four-foot-high chain-link fence must be climbed.
Two additional turns are made (green and yellow cones), and then a four-foot-high window (opening is 3’ wide and 4 ½’ high) must be successfully entered.
The candidate must then drag a 150-pound dead weight a distance of 20 feet.
After the drag, the candidate exits the course, completes one final lap around the perimeter, and finishes at the point indicated in red on the course map.

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:

Situational Judgement Test: Multiple-choice, video-based simulation test that measures candidates’ judgment when dealing with common stressors and situations experienced by law enforcement officers. The test is designed to simulate critical components of law enforcement duties. Candidates do not have to have experience in order to do well. After viewing each video scenario, candidates choose, in a multiple-choice format, the best response to each question.
Reading Test: Designed to measure the level of reading ability needed for success in law enforcement. Based on typical training materials officers must read as part of the job. Certain words are left blank and candidates must choose a word that best fits in the blank.
Report Writing Test: Designed to measure the level of written language ability needed for success in law enforcement. Consists of a multiple-choice writing test based on a report prepared by the candidate after watching a video scenario. Candidates are given a sample of an excellent written report that may be used during the exam.

A proctor will be present throughout the test and will monitor for cheating. Cell phones, smart watches, and calculators are prohibited during testing. The exam will NOT be stopped for restroom breaks.

A practice test is available for purchase at the candidate's expense at https://ergopracticetests.com/?FLB/.

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.

Employment

Want to work at public safety?

Job Description and Requirements

Upcoming Pre-Hire Test Dates

What to expect on test day

Physical Ability Course

Written Testing Protocol

Next Steps