Director of Safety, Security

Director of Safety, Security

Position Summary:

The Director of Safety, Security, provides executive-level leadership for all security, safety, emergency management, environmental health and safety (EHS), transportation, parking, and valet operations at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and its affiliated offsite locations.

The successful candidate will bring leadership credibility, sound operational judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to move complex policies and processes forward in a timely, effective manner. This role ensures that all safety and security initiatives, programs, and procedures are aligned with the standards and strategic objectives of the Stony Brook Medicine Health System and with applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.

The Director serves as the Hospital Safety Officer and Work Place Violence Committee Coordinator with responsibility for safety oversight data collection, analysis, reporting, and regulatory coordination. The position requires the ability to respond 24/7 to emergency events.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Management and Administrative Leadership.
• Provide overall leadership, direction, and oversight for all hospital safety, security, emergency management, EHS, and transportation functions.
• Supervise assistant director and manager of emergency management, providing guidance on operational strategy, employee relations, discipline, and performance management.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate hospital security and safety functions through subordinate staff and/or contracted service providers.
• Develop and manage the department operating budget including staffing, equipment, and contracted services.
• Prepare and approve work schedules; assign or delegate responsibilities to ensure continuous coverage and operational effectiveness.
• Interpret, implement, and communicate hospital policies, procedures, and system standards to subordinate personnel.
• Evaluate employee performance and support professional development, succession planning, and supervisory readiness.
• Coordinate administrative operations, including scheduling, procurement of supplies and equipment, fleet and vehicle maintenance, and deployment of personnel.
• Recommend and implement strategies to improve safety, security, and operational efficiency.
• Assist in the development, revision, and implementation of policies, procedures, and the Department Security Management Plan.

Physical Safety and Security Operations:

• Ensure compliance with Health system security standards to plan, analyze, evaluate, and supervise all hospital security operations, including physical security assets, access control systems, cameras, weapons detection, and staffing models.
• Partner with hospital leadership and facility stakeholders to resolve operational and physical plant issues affecting patient, visitor, and safety.
• Evaluate existing security procedures and practices; update and improve methods to align with best practices and healthcare security standards.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on short- and long-term facility security projects to ensure standards are met and maintained.
• Provide direct security planning and support for construction and renovation projects, including traffic control and site security.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve security-related incidents and operational concerns.
• Conduct audits of security operations and perform physical surveys of hospital premises, including inspection of security equipment and infrastructure.
• Supervise and prepare reports related to internal investigations involving theft, loss, policy violations, or other security matters.
• Serve as the hospital liaison with local, county, and state law enforcement, fire departments, emergency management agencies, and other public safety entities.
• Coordinate executive protection services when required.
• Establish deadlines and accountability measures to ensure timely completion of security initiatives.

Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, and Training:

• Coordinate and oversee department-wide training and professional development ensuring the development of leaders and supervisors who can maximize department operation excellence.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive training program for security staff, including threat assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, emergency response, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage and oversee the hospital’s weapons detection program.
• Plan, implement, facilitate, evaluate, and continuously improve training programs for all security personnel.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, and hospital system standards, including DCJS licensing requirements.
• Coordinate responses to regulatory, risk management, and compliance requests related to safety, security, competencies, and employee education.
• Conduct routine risk assessment tours of sensitive and restricted areas to ensure adherence to safety and security protocols.
• Attend and lead departmental participation in the hospital’s quality and safety improvement initiatives.
• Lead after-action reviews following incidents or exercises to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Organize and participate in community outreach, educational programs, workshops, and public safety initiatives.

Emergency Planning and Exercise Coordination:

• Lead hospital emergency preparedness, response, and recovery programs in coordination with executive leadership and system emergency management.
• Ensure compliance with Incident Command System (ICS), NIMS, and healthcare emergency management requirements.
• Plan, coordinate, and evaluate emergency exercises, drills, and real-world incident responses.
• Serve as a key member of the Hospital Incident Command Team during emergencies.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS):

• Oversee Fire and Life Safety programs, including compliance monitoring, inspections, drills, and corrective actions.
• Oversee EHS-related functions such as waste management, hazardous materials coordination, and environmental safety initiatives.
• Coordinate with Facilities, Engineering, and clinical leadership on regulatory compliance and life safety matters.
• Oversee Fire and Life Safety and Environmental Compliance.
• Managing all Fire and Life Safety programs, ensuring a continuous "survey-ready" state for Joint Commission, CMS, and state audits. This includes maintaining the Statement of Conditions (SOC), conducting regular inspections of fire-rated barriers and equipment, and implementing Interim Life Safety Measures (ILSM) during construction or system impairments.
• Coordinate quarterly, multi-shift fire drills to evaluate staff emergency response and ensure the cradle-to-grave management of hazardous materials and waste streams, including regulated medical, pharmaceutical, and chemotherapy waste.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Facilities, Engineering, and Clinical Leadership to align with systems security standards. This role serves on the physical environment committees, policy committees, work place violence and other committees as necessary to ensure safety for the hospital.

Transportation, Parking, and Valet Services:

• Provide executive oversight of hospital courier service, parking, and valet operations to support patient access, staff commuting, and visitor services.
• Develop operational policies, staffing models, and service standards for transportation-related functions.
• Oversee deployment, utilization, and maintenance of the hospital vehicle fleet.
• Coordinate traffic flow, special events, construction impacts, and emergency transportation needs.
• Ensure compliance with safety, licensing, and vehicle inspection requirements.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, emergency management, public administration, healthcare administration, or a related field and seven (7) year’s progressive experience in safety and/or security operations with at least three (3) years in a healthcare environment. OR High School Diploma (or GED) and eleven (11) year’s progressive experience in safety and/or security operations with at least three (3) years in a healthcare environment.
• Proven leadership experience managing staff and operating within a complex, matrixed organization.
• Candidate must demonstrate competency in emergency management planning with a combination of experience, course work and credentials.
• Demonstrated record of critical thinking and exemplary judgement skills.
• Valid New York State Driver License, free of major violations, maintained throughout employment.
• NYS Security Guard License or NYS Security Guard Instructor Certificate (or equivalent).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association, obtained within three (3) months of hire.
• Incident Command and Emergency Management NIMS coursework (Basic: IS-100, 200, 700, 800).

Preferred Experience and Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in a related field.
• Experience working within regulated healthcare environments and accreditation frameworks.
• Experience in a multi-site healthcare system.

As part of employment at Southampton Hospital, there may be occasions when travel to other locations is needed to support operational needs.

• Stony Brook Medicine is a smoke free environment. Smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on campus, including parking lots and outdoor areas on the premises.
• All Hospital positions may be subject to changes in pass days and shifts as necessary.
• This position may require the wearing of respiratory protection, which may prohibit the wearing of facial hair.
• This function/position maybe designated as “essential.” This means that when the Hospital is faced with an institutional emergency, employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or to report to work to protect, recover, and continue operations at Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook University Hospital and related facilities.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established based on relevant experience.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents SBSH’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number in your paycheck!

• Successfully complete pre-employment physical examination and obtain medical clearance from Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Employee Health Services*
• Complete electronic reference check with a minimum of three (3) professional references.
• Successfully complete a 4 panel drug screen*
• Meet Regulatory Requirements for pre-employment screenings.
• Provide a copy of any required New York State license(s)/certificate(s).

• The hiring department will be responsible for any fee incurred for examination.

Company Overview:

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital as part of Stony Brook Medicine provides direct access to the highest level of academic-based medical care. Located in the heart of the village of Southampton, two hours from New York City, the hospital provides healthcare services to a diverse community of year-round residents, second homeowners and vacationers. The population, about 75,000 in the winter months, increases sharply to more than 300,000 in the summer. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital has been recognized as a Long Island Top Workplace by Newsday among large employers (defined as having 500 employees).

StaffCo is a Professional Employer Organization, commonly referred to as a PEO, duty organized and registered under the New York Professional Employer Organization Law. StaffCo and SUNY have entered into a professional employer agreement under which StaffCo is the employer of Stony Brook Southampton employees and responsible for employment, including, promotions, disciplines, terminations, the day-to-day direction and supervision of work, as well as labor relations and collective bargaining. StaffCo is fully responsible for providing all payroll and human resource services, including the payment of wages, collecting and reporting payroll taxes and maintaining any and all employee benefits. SUNY Stony Brook Hospital is responsible for the operation of the hospital and provision of health care and is the co-employer as is necessary to conduct its responsibilities and for related licensure, regulatory or statutory requirements and obligations.

Given StaffCo’s employment responsibilities, it is deemed the “employer” for employment and labor law purposes. Thus, the employees are private sector employees of StaffCo, not public sector employees of SUNY. The private sector nature of the StaffCo employees has been approved by NYS Civil Service and upheld in a decision by the US National Labor Relations Board.

Stony Brook Medicine is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, consistent with our shared core values and our intent to achieve excellence, remains dedicated to supporting healthier and more resilient communities, both locally and globally.