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1. What is the pay?

The starting hourly rate for CSOs is $25.00 per hour. Housing for the summer is available for $110.00 per week.

(Rate effective May 17, 2023)

2. Opportunity for overtime?

Traditionally the CSO program does not have opportunity for overtime work.  

However throughout the summer opportunities will arise to work traffic or special event third party details.

Third Party detail pay is $60 per hour.  

3. Will I be working alongside full time Officers?

While most days you will be on patrol with other CSO officers, on occasion you will have the opportunity to ride along with a full time officer or will be working with them on a 3^rd party detail. 

4. What style of housing is available?

The housing is dormitory style with 1-2 CSOs per room. 

The two buildings contain a total of 40 dorm rooms along with shared kitchen, laundry and bathroom spaces. 

The beds are twin XL, former CSOs recommend a mattress topper.

Storage in the dorm rooms are limited, each CSO will have a closet or a dresser. 

5. What additional dorm items should I bring?

Many former CSOs have found these items very helpful:

• AC unit or fan (AC highly recommended)
• Moisture absorbing packs
• Slippers to wear in communal areas
• Shower shoes
• Brita or water filtering water bottle

6. Should I bring my car?

Yes, we do recommend a vehicle for ease of mobility. 

While the housing is only .16 miles from the beach, other amenities such as (grocery store, station, downtown, and restaurants) are much farther away. 

The Wave public transportation bus stop is 1 mile from housing. 

If you decided to bring your vehicle, the Steamship Authority is the vehicle transportation to the island.  We recommend to make a reservation as soon as possible (if the date you are interested in is not available you can wait list for that date and time) a morning arrival is recommended. 

7. Can I buy groceries on the island?

Nantucket does have two grocery stores and multiple other small market.   However many of the items will be more expensive and limited selection.  If you are able to do a grocery shop at a big box store for dry goods prior to arriving to the island you might find this helpful. 

8. What are uniform requirements and additional helpful items to have?

The NPD recommends a minimum uniform purchases of, 2 shirts, 2 pants, a pair of boots and a jacket.  Other items that have been helpful to CSOs in the past are a pack of white t shirts, good pairs of socks, pens, a small notebook (pocket size), a pair of sunglasses, and if on ATV patrol a face gator.

9. What is proper uniform etiquette in the CSO position?

Uniforms should always be properly ironed, pants should have a crease down the middle of the leg, while shirt sleeve should have a crease. Two pens in the shirt sleeve, name tag property affixed to the chest area. Hair should be neat and tidy, female hair should be slicked back in a tight bun. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum.