Here's the deal with Nantucket Summer Specials:
After you send in your application, you will get an interview appointment in the mail or a letter saying no thanks. After the interview, you will receive another letter telling you what assignment you will have, your start date, and all the uniform requirements (or "no thanks").
Typically 30-35 college students get hired each season. To become a full-time Nantucket officer, you must have worked two years full-time with another department, or have worked as a Summer Special.
Pay is $13/hour to start; if you are a returnee, you typically get an appropriate raise based on how many seasons you have worked there.
Reserve academy is not required (but would certainly help your chances of being hired); everyone (including returnees) completes in-house department training during the first two weeks of June.
Everything but chapter 90 and a gun. Good chance you will break out the cuffs.
Housing available dorm-style at a retired USCG barracks for $85/week, 25 minutes outside of town.
You must purchase your own uniforms (~$300, depending on assignment); duty gear is provided.
You are assigned on a 5-and-2, 40-hour schedule: foot or bicycle patrol in town, ATV patrol on the beach. Once you are assigned, you stay with that unit for the season.
Not much overtime, but PLENTY of details, rate was at least $30/hour.
Very good relationship with most of the full-time patrol officers and Troopers -- many of whom started off in your shoes.
Firm but approachable command staff.
Anyone who gets this gig will have fun, and it can be very rewarding to your future career as long as you do your job and stay out of trouble. They will not hesitate to remove someone from the island for being an idiot!
If anyone has any other questions, PM me.
-Mike
NPD Bike Patrol '02 Alum 8)