Director Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Sweet Briar  is a liberal arts college for women with a long history of forging female leaders.  Sweet Briar College is repeatedly named by the US News and World Report as one of the most innovative liberal arts colleges in the nation. Sweet Briar College is growing rapidly, attracting students who are drawn to it for its excellent liberal arts program, coupled with distinctive programs in women leadership, engineering, sustainability, arts and its legendary equestrian program. Its finances are robust, and validated by balanced budget and positive bond ratings. Located in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 54 miles south of Charlottesville. Its campus is one of the nation’s most spectacular, replete with nature sanctuaries, lakes, forests, trails, and most recently, vineyards, apiary and greenhouses.

The College boasts a modern core curriculum focused on women's leadership in the 21st century and undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching. It is one of only two women’s colleges in the United States with an ABET-accredited engineering degree. The women’s leadership core curriculum is innovative and energizing.  When students graduate, they are persuasive communicators who know how to think on their feet and bring people together. No matter what they study or where they go, Sweet Briar women are prepared to lead. The campus community is a family of faculty, staff, coaches, and alumnae who support and encourage students and each other. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, students lead research, ask questions and forge supportive relationships with faculty that can last for decades.

Job Title: Director Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Vice President for Finance, Operations, and Auxiliary Enterprises

Job Summary/Objective: To foster a welcoming environment while ensuring the safety and security of the Sweet Briar Community by serving as the chief safety and security officer for the campus and having overall responsibility for budget, human resource management, and priority setting for campus safety, including short and long range emergency plans.

Position Type/Expected Work Hours: Full time, Monday through Friday, with requirement of being on call 24/7 and able to respond to emergencies.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Campus Safety Officers (currently a staff of 10-13 full and part-time officers) and an Administrative Coordinator.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Plans, organizes, and directs the activities involved in the preservation of the College’s constituencies (students, employees, residents, visitors, and other individuals on-campus) and physical assets (land, buildings, horses, equipment, residences, vehicles, etc.).
• Ensures officers are providing appropriate support to all constituencies (students, faculty, staff, parents, residents, visitors, guests, etc.), are appropriately trained for providing that support, and training is kept up to date.
• Promotes a collegial spirit within the department and with the community. Instills and requires a “lead by example” and “customer focused” approach for all Campus Safety staff. Supports the institutional culture of individual/group responsibility and accountability.
• Reviews police reports of subordinate officers and takes appropriate follow-up action.
• Ensure that appropriate equipment is available and properly maintained for use by the Department of Campus Safety.
• Ensures staff members are trained on the mass notification system and the College’s Emergency Plan.
• Ensures appropriate staffing for all shifts.
• Ensures state and local ordinances and campus policies are maintained relating to the prevention of crime, traffic safety, and parking regulations; responsible for accurate and timely reporting of incidents as required by laws, regulations, policies and best practices.
• Collaborates with key departments (e.g. Student Life, Academic Affairs, Human Resources, Physical Plant, Grounds, etc.) and, when appropriate, student leaders to formulate and review safety/security policies, procedures and regulations and approaches to enforcement/community education.
• Serve as liaison between College and local/state/federal law enforcement officials.
• Ensures effective security processes, services and systems are used, including but not limited to: ID/card access systems, key systems, parking passes, crime reporting, etc.
• Ensures that the Department of Campus Safety is prepared to handle all types of emergencies and/or disasters and communicates potential adverse upcoming weather events
• Implements best practices in the field of campus public safety.
• Develops (through leadership with and participation on the College's Crisis Response Team) and implements emergency and contingency plans.
• Represents Campus Safety at the Behavioral Assessment Team and Threat Assessment Team meetings.
• Facilitates the creation and delivery of educational opportunities to the campus community related to safety and security.
• Serves as the Investigator for Title IX cases and other college matters and ensures additional officers are trained as investigators if needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Finance, Operations, and Auxiliary Enterprises.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of an Associate’s degree in Police Administration, Criminal Justice, or related field
• Five years in law enforcement, security, military police or similar occupation
• Knowledge of current law enforcement techniques and familiarity with Virginia and federal laws and regulations applicable to the College, including but not limited to FERPA, CLERY Act, Title IX, and VAWA.
• Demonstrated ability to implement community policing strategies and manage a staff to build relationships as a component of effective policing with a diverse group of constituents (students, staff, faculty, residents, visitors, alumnae, parents, etc.).
• Proven ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with students, staff, faculty, and other First responders.
• Successful track record of providing broad leadership, including planning, organizing, supervising and establishing goals and objectives.
• Proficiency with firearms, including handguns and shotguns.
• Must be licensed by the DCJS as an Armed Security Officer.
• Current certifications to include: CPR/First Aid, CSO, and FEMA/ICS, Administration of Narcan.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license and insurability.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or similar field
• Administrative experience with supervising personnel

Work Environment: Required to be on call 24 hours a day/seven days a week and able to respond to emergencies in potentially hazardous environments.

Physical Demands: Must be physically able to discharge a firearm, confront or restrain subjects, and perform well within physically and/or mentally stressful situations. Extended periods of sitting, standing, or working at a computer may be required.

Travel: N/A

Deadline for Submission: Ongoing until filled.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

How to Apply: If applying for a faculty or staff position, please submit a Sweet Briar College employment application, cover letter, résumé and three professional references.

Sweet Briar College is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to enhancing our community and encourage applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences and ideas who would increase the diversity of the College.

Salary : $44,400 - $56,200