What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Safety position at St. John's School?
Purpose
Director of Safety (the “Director”) will manage security department personnel and develop appropriate safety plans to ensure a safe and secure campus for students, visitors, and employees. The Director will also ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulatory and statutory requirements.
Education and Experience
This position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience working in a similar position for a large, complex employer and with a background in law enforcement or military, or a combination of both. Also, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and a state and federal license to carry a firearm are required.
The Director must be organized and able to set priorities, meet deadlines and, multi-task. The position requires exceptional poise, tact, and diplomacy. The Director position requires successful and demonstrated experience in organizations that promote teamwork in a fluid, dynamic environment.
The Director must communicate effectively within the department as well as with other departments. He or she must also have the ability to work under pressure well and affably.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Serve as the School’s key ambassador and cultivate a school environment that is both safe and welcoming.
2. Develop written department objectives based on documented research on best practices for other similar educational facilities.
3. Provide consistent, effective leadership and management of department employees, including the establishment of clear expectations in all phases of work.
4. Establish effective departmental structure and determine appropriate combination of in-house and contract resources. Will direct personnel, which includes hiring, training, and performance management. Must also balance workload demands of the department, working within the budget to determine cost effective allocations of personnel, equipment, and space resources. Ensure department operates within the approved budget and budgeted work hours.
5. Provide overall protection of personnel and property of the school, access control, and maintain tight key and fob control and control traffic control during carpool and other traffic on campus.
6. Oversee the on-going emergency response planning process. Involve others across campus in the effort to proactively prepare for emergencies.
7. Monitor school calendar daily to ensure appropriate security coverage, monitor, and arrange shift activities according to the needs of the school, and make necessary changes to schedule. Coordinate with HPD lead officer to ensure campus and necessary events have adequate coverage and coordinate emergency response if necessary. Coordinates with HFD lead to ensure campus has adequate coverage.
- Advise and educate school leadership and faculty/staff of the threat assessment process.
- Ensure continuous monitoring of campus property including security inspections of all doors, windows and gates, establish routes, patrols, and inspections for security personnel.
- Maintains contact and is accessible to School Administrators via cellular phone, and/or 2-way radio, (during both regular work hours and after hours.) Primary contact for SJS’s emergency call list (24 hours/ 7 days).
11. Ensure that all monitors and/or control panels, alarms and all related security equipment are frequently checked along with fire and security systems for proper operation. Must be able to troubleshoot and correct minor difficulties or ensure others can do so.
12. Bring a spirit of enthusiasm and energy and multi-cultural awareness. Exhibit effective communication skills (writing, spelling, listening, and speaking) with excellent interpersonal skills in the areas of creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, group planning, and decision-making processes.
13. Comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations; follow all safety precautions/standards and school policies and procedures. Ensure compliance with applicable safety codes, OSHA, and emergency disaster planning, laws, and regulations.
14. Responsible for minimizing and/or preventing loss from mischievous and criminal activity.
15. Develop, conduct, and maintain surveillance to provide risk identification and control through analysis of incidents, patterns, and problem areas. Coordinates the review of accidents and policy development.
16. Educate employees on security requirements when needed.
17. Responsible for extensive knowledge of all fire alarm systems, their locations, and operating procedures. Also need knowledge of fire safety, evacuation procedures, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers. Coordinate fire drills for the school on a regular scheduled basis.
18. Knowledge of elevator procedures, rescue, fire service, independent service, keys, exterior patrols, and parking and traffic regulations.
19. Effectively establish and maintain cooperative relationships within the department and on campus, while still being able to achieve departmental goals.
20. Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build rapport quickly with all students, visitors, and employees.
21. This position will involve some weekend and night hours.
22. Other responsibilities as assigned.