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Hiring

Working at the Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) means joining a team of dedicated public safety professionals who protect and serve at one of the top public universities in the U.S.

Photo of a group of four security officers standing by a street sign.

We are looking for service-oriented individuals who are committed to excellence and integrity. If that’s you, and you are looking for unique opportunities within the public safety profession with a competitive salary and robust benefits package, then we’ve got you covered.

View Job Postings

Working for DPSS

  • A photo of DPSS security officers standing in front of a car.
  • A photo of two UMPD officers laughing.
  • A photo of UMPD officers on motorcycles.
A photo of DPSS security officers standing in front of a car.

A photo of two UMPD officers laughing.

A photo of UMPD officers on motorcycles.

Who We Are

DPSS offers a truly integrated approach to safety and security, partnering across the university and helping everyone in the U-M community take charge of their safety. We believe that everyone plays a role in contributing to a safe and secure environment.

Our ability to achieve our mission depends on the relationships and partnerships we build with our vibrant community. We are only at our best when everyone in our community feels welcomed and safe.

Benefits

The health and well-being of our faculty and staff are a top priority. From competitive benefits to on-site wellness programs, we provide resources to support you and your family’s health and happiness.

Types of Positions

Hiring Process

Overview of the Process

The DPSS hiring process will depend on what job you are applying for and can take from 5 - 8 weeks to complete.

In general, all potential applicants will submit a cover letter and resume through the U-M Careers website. If you are selected, you may be invited to a phone interview, Zoom interview, or be sent a link to submit a video via SparkHire.

The next step would be a panel interview and other interviews may be scheduled as needed. Successful candidates will need to pass a background investigation.

Lastly, the new hire may have additional steps such as a drug screen, medical physical, and psychological evaluation, depending on the job.

Phase 1: First Interview

If you are selected, you may be invited to a phone interview, Zoom interview, or be sent a link to submit a video via SparkHire. Your initial interview will be reviewed by the hiring manager and top candidates will be selected for panel interviews.

This phase lasts approximately 2 weeks.

Phase 2: Panel Interview

The panel interview is when the candidate meets face to face with a hiring panel. The panel consists of front line and administrative staff who will ask behavior based questions of the candidate. Candidates are encouraged to respond with experiential examples including a situation, task, action and result.

This phase lasts approximately 1 week.

Phase 3: Background Check

The background investigation phase includes an interview with background investigators who will conduct a thorough criminal, professional, and personal investigation of each candidate prior to hire.

This phase lasts approximately 2 weeks.

Phase 4: Administrative Panel

The administrative panel consists of:

  • A director interview
  • Conditional Offer
  • Medical exams:
    1. Psychological evaluation
    2. Drug screen
    3. Physical
  • Administrative review
  • Final offer and start date

This phase lasts approximately 3 weeks.

Note: The process may differ from the steps above, based on the requirements of the position.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Expected Salary for a Position at DPSS?

Pay ranges can be found on the position posting. Many of our positions are unionized and follow the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Applicable Union Wage Schedules

What Benefits Are Offered to DPSS Employees?

The health and well-being of our faculty and staff are a top priority. From competitive benefits to on-site wellness programs, the University of Michigan provides resources to support you and your family’s health and happiness. Learn more at benefits.umich.edu.

What Is the Work Schedule?

Work schedules differ by department. Some departments have a variety of 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts. DPSS is a 24-hour operation, so some positions will offer a day, afternoon, or midnight shift option.