Director of Public Safety and Emergency

The Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management provides leadership, vision, and oversight for the College’s comprehensive safety and security programs. This position is responsible for:

This position reports directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs at West Virginia Wesleyan College and the Dean of Students at Davis & Elkins College.

General Areas of Responsibility

• Provide leadership and management for the Department of Public Safety, including recruitment, training, scheduling, supervision, and evaluation of full-time and part-time officers.
• Serve as Chair of the Safety Committee-Critical Incident Response Team, developing and maintaining crisis management and emergency preparedness plans.
• Ensure compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act by serving as the College’s Clery Coordinator, overseeing the Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports, Daily Crime/Fire Logs, timely warnings, and campus-wide training and programming.
• Coordinate with local police, fire, and emergency agencies, as well as internal stakeholders, to ensure effective emergency and crisis response.
• Oversee day-to-day public safety functions, including campus patrols, incident response, investigations, and parking enforcement.
• Develop and implement departmental policies, standard operating procedures, and training programs that reflect best practices in higher education safety.
• Ensure consistent and accurate documentation of incidents and reports, providing training to staff on compliance and reporting protocols.
• Manage and administer the departmental budget.
• Develop and deliver safety education, crime prevention, and awareness programs for students, faculty, and staff.
• Maintain excellent relationships with students, employees, visitors, and community members to foster trust and cooperation.
• Conduct and oversee investigations into on-campus incidents, ensuring accurate documentation, reporting, and resolution.
• Continuously assess and improve departmental services to meet the evolving needs of the College community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of criminal justice, law enforcement, higher education, public safety protocols, and emergency management practices.
• Expertise in Clery Act compliance and federal/state crime reporting requirements.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills to effectively manage a staff working a 24/7 schedule.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, organizational, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to handle crisis situations calmly and effectively.
• Strong ethical character, maturity, and ability to engage with diverse populations.
• Understanding of current student issues and campus life dynamics.
• Experience in developing and leading emergency preparedness and crisis response initiatives.
• Knowledge of OSHA, NFPA, FEMA NIMS, and related regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or an equivalent combination of education and experience; Master’s degree preferred in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Emergency Management, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in security, law enforcement, or public safety, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory/management role.
• Demonstrated experience with Clery Act compliance, emergency management planning, and public safety operations in higher education or a similar environment.
• FEMA Emergency Management Institute certification preferred.
• Current First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications (or ability to obtain).
• Valid driver’s license; must pass a pre-employment background check.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Moderate physical activity required, including walking, standing, and handling average-weight objects.
• Exposure to varied environmental conditions, including inclement weather, crowds, and occasional hazards.
• Work schedule is full-time, 12-month basis with flexible hours, although generally 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., including evenings, weekends, and 24/7 on-call responsibilities.

TO APPLY:

Please submit resume, cover letter and three professional references via the application below. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.