Associate Director for International Safety and Security

Duties & Responsibilities

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation
  • Lead ISS review of study abroad programs and independent student travel abroad.
  • Monitor major global events and trends to assess the potential impact on the health, safety, and security of university travelers.
  • Lead ISS review of new programs and program sites for education abroad activities to ensure programs meet institutional standards appropriate for the location, activities, and participants. Consult with location-specific experts and external resources as necessary.
  • Provide expert guidance on program planning to colleges and study abroad units. Identify program- or site-specific risks and recommend mitigation strategies to align proposed programs and travel with the university’s risk tolerance.
  • Guide travelers to appropriate pre-departure health and safety resources based on individual concerns or risk profiles.
• Incident Response and Crisis Management
  • Initiate emergency protocols and support university travelers during emergencies abroad.
  • With the Director’s oversight, maintain unit response plans for all levels of incidents abroad, including illness, injury, mental health, crime, unrest, natural disaster, and other threats to safety and security.
  • Oversee the unit’s 24/7 on-call program, emergency responder training, and afterhours protocols.
  • Serve as an incident manager in the unit’s afterhours on-call rotation.
  • Collaborate with university units and external partners to implement emergency protocols and support affected travelers abroad and upon re-entry.
  • Connect travelers to appropriate support services and resources.
  • Conduct welfare checks of travelers during critical incidents.
  • Partner with campus communications units to provide timely updates during critical incidents to travelers and internal stakeholders.
  • Participate in after-action reviews to strengthen future responses.
• Operations and Administration
  • Oversee daily operations for the unit and supervise civil service staff.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of ISS strategies, plans, and procedures.
  • Daily supervision of unit civil service staff, to include training, delegating tasks, and evaluating staff.
  • Assist with insurance cases, enrollment, claims, and vendor management, as required.
  • Contribute to the development of annual unit plan.
  • May represent ISS on committees or working groups.
  • May lead or participate in occasional RFP or procurement processes.
• Training and Outreach
  • Lead safety and preparedness training program for study abroad students, faculty, and staff.
  • Lead in-person and online training for students, faculty, and staff as part of a rotating schedule.
  • Establish the direction of ISS training to reflect current policies and best practices.
  • Assist in university-wide outreach related to international travel safety and unit initiatives.
  • Manage the development and delivery of emergency preparedness drills for internal stakeholders.
  • Build and maintain relationships with relevant internal offices for coordination and outreach on cross-functional topics.
• Professional Development and Industry Engagement
  • Stay informed of evolving trends and best practices in international health, safety, and security.
  • Participate in relevant professional organizations such as the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) and Pulse International.
  • Attend conferences and trainings, both domestic and international, to support professional growth and represent the university.
  • Travel internationally as needed to support unit initiatives.