American University is a student-centered research institution
located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges,
internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating
meaningful change in the world. Learn more about
American University
Department:
University Safety and Security Services
Time Type:
Full time
Job Type:
Regular
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Work Modality:
Full On Campus Presence
Union:
Excluded
Job Description:
Summary:
Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Vice President (AVP)
of University Police Services, Emergency Management, and
Transportation Programs, the Senior Police Investigator serves as
the principal investigative resource for the American University
Police Department (AUPD). This position is responsible for leading
complex criminal, administrative, and internal investigations,
overseeing threat assessments, and ensuring full compliance with
Clery Act and related federal regulations.
The Senior Investigator develops and implements advanced
investigative strategies, coordinates multi-agency investigative
efforts, and provides senior-level consultation to AUPD leadership
on crime trends, security risks, and policy development. This
position requires specialized expertise in crime analysis,
intelligence gathering, and risk mitigation, supporting the
university’s commitment to campus safety and compliance.
The incumbent also plays a critical leadership role in training,
mentoring, and advising police personnel on investigative best
practices and emerging security threats.
Essential Functions:
1.) Complex Investigations & Leadership
- Leads high-level and sensitive investigations involving
criminal activity, student misconduct, employee misconduct, fraud,
and external threats impacting American University.
Develops and implements advanced investigative strategies,
including surveillance, intelligence gathering, forensic analysis,
and behavioral threat assessments.
Conducts comprehensive interviews of victims, suspects, and
witnesses using advanced interrogation and rapport-building
techniques.
Obtains and executes arrest warrants, subpoenas, search
warrants, and court orders, working closely with prosecutors and
legal entities.
Supervises, trains, and provides technical guidance to junior
investigators and AUPD officers engaged in investigative
duties.
Acts as the lead investigator in critical incidents, including
sexual assaults, violent crimes, and major administrative
investigations affecting university personnel.
2.) Advanced Threat Assessments & Risk Mitigation
- Conducts in-depth assessments of internal and external threats
to American University students, faculty, staff, and
property.
- Provides strategic threat intelligence to AUPD and university
leadership, recommending risk mitigation strategies and emergency
response protocols.
- Serves as liaison to federal, state, and local law enforcement
agencies, ensuring coordinated response to potential threats.
- Utilizes advanced threat analysis tools, social media
monitoring, and investigative databases to assess risk indicators
and prevent incidents.
- Plays a critical role in emergency management planning,
assisting with active threat response strategies.
3.) Clery Act, HEOA, & Regulatory Compliance Leadership
- Oversees the university’s compliance with the Jeanne Clery
Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics
Act and related regulations.
- Supervises the preparation, publication, and distribution of
the Annual Security Report and submission of annual crime
statistics to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Leads campus-wide training initiatives to ensure compliance
with the Clery Act, Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), and
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
- Advises university leadership on regulatory changes affecting
security and investigative policies.
- Directs the issuance of timely warnings, emergency
notifications, and crime alerts to ensure the safety of the AU
community.
4.) Crime Analysis & Intelligence Integration
- Leads crime trend analysis and predictive policing strategies,
leveraging data to drive resource deployment.
- Oversee crime mapping, statistical reporting, and
intelligence-sharing efforts between AUPD and external law
enforcement agencies.
- Implements and manages advanced investigative technologies,
such as AI-driven crime pattern recognition and digital forensics
tools.
- Provides data-driven recommendations to senior leadership,
ensuring a proactive approach to campus security.
5.) Investigative Liaison & External Partnerships
- Represents AUPD in high-level interagency investigations and
joint task forces with federal, state, and local law enforcement
agencies.
- Coordinates intelligence-sharing and investigative
collaborations related to terrorism, cyber threats, human
trafficking, and organized crime.
- Serves as the primary liaison for law enforcement briefings,
interdepartmental intelligence meetings, and external audits of
investigative operations.
6.) Senior-Level Reporting & Policy Development
- Develops and enforces university-wide investigative policies
and best practices, ensuring alignment with national law
enforcement standards.
- Prepares and delivers detailed investigative briefings for
university leadership, legal counsel, and oversight
committees.
- Advises on policy improvements related to investigative
protocols, compliance, and security enhancements.
7.) Training & Professional Development
- Develops and leads training programs for AUPD officers and
campus security authorities on investigative techniques, threat
assessments, and compliance requirements.
- Mentors’ junior investigators, fostering a culture of
continuous professional development and leadership.
- Identifies and implements cutting-edge investigative
methodologies, ensuring AUPD remains at the forefront of campus law
enforcement.
Supervisory Responsibility:
- Provides senior-level guidance and mentoring to junior
investigators and police personnel.
- Leads investigative teams and oversees critical incident
response protocols.
Competencies:
- Advanced Investigative Techniques.
- Threat Analysis & Behavioral Risk Assessment.
- Crime Analysis & Intelligence-Led Policing.
- Strategic Decision-Making & Policy Development.
- Interagency Coordination & Multi-Jurisdictional
Collaboration.
- Training & Leadership Development.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
- Full-time.
- 40 hours per week, with a possibility for overtime.
- This position is considered essential and must be able to work
various hours, including nights and weekends, and to respond to
incidents on-call.
- The Investigator will be placed on an on-call rotation, subject
to on-scene response for certain incidents and emergency
situations.
Salary Range:
- $42.83 - $44.00 per hour.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- At least 5 years of progressive law enforcement investigative
experience, with expertise in interviewing, surveillance, forensic
evidence handling, and case management.
- Extensive experience in multi-agency investigations, Clery Act
compliance, and strategic threat mitigation.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science,
Intelligence Studies, or related field preferred.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
- Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a University
Special Police Commission in the District of Columbia.
- Must possess and maintain a current driver’s license.
- Ability to obtain and maintain the University’s approval to
drive University vehicles.
- Must pass required drug-testing and random drug testing.
- Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain issued weapons
certifications, CPR and AED certifications, and other training as
directed.
Other Duties:
- Please note this job description is not designed to cover or
contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or
responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with
or without notice.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package.
Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit
options .
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful
completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must
deliver their services to the university from either the District
of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the
university.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or
contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or
responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time
with or without notice.
- American University is an
E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their
employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American
University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report
which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University
careers site, email
theworkline@american.edu
.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action
institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and
regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy),
age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal
appearance, gender identity and expression, family
responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran
status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases
under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its
programs and activities.
