Director of Public Safety and Risk Management
Warren Wilson College is seeking an experienced and dedicated professional to join our team as the Director of Public Safety and Risk Management. Under the leadership of the Executive Director of Operations and Strategic Ventures, this position is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of our campus community, developing and implementing emergency response and risk management strategies to foster a culture of preparedness and resilience. We are seeking a dynamic relational leader with robust communication skills to lead our Public Safety department and team members, and develop positive relationships and partnerships working directly with students, faculty, staff, as well as local, regional, and national allied agencies, to achieve campus wide safety goals.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in public safety, exceptional leadership skills, and a commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff. This position requires some evening, holiday and weekend hours related to emergency response, public safety staffing and communication to our community. This is a full-time, exempt, 12-month position.
Interested individuals should read further to learn more about the qualifications and key responsibilities for this position. Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter that describes their prior experience working with individuals from a diverse range of identities and experiences. All applications must be received electronically. First consideration will be given to candidates who apply by Sunday, December 15, 2024.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business, or related field.
- Five years of professional public safety experience with progressive responsibility, including three years of experience in a supervisory role.
- Computer proficiency in MS Office and Google Suite.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively problem solve, de-escalate conflict, maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive situations.
- Demonstrated evidence of detail orientation, customer service orientation, ability to work independently, and great levels of responsibility required.
- Evidence of working knowledge and reporting practices related to the Clery Act.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
- Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, written and oral communication, problem-solving, organizational and presentation skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with Emergency Management planning and implementation.
- Knowledge of budget management principles.
- Knowledge of public safety principles as related to college campuses.
- OSHA 30 hour certification
- CPR/ First Aid Instructor
- Evidence of experience in handling dynamic critical incidents.
- Additional experience in working with college/university constituencies and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
- Possess knowledge of federal and state laws related to higher education campus security (such as Title IX, VAWA) along with Investigative experience.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Public Safety
- Assists in maintaining Clery Reporting, to ensure compliance with federal regulations related to the safety and security of the campus; compile campus crime statistical reports.
- Chairs the Safety Committee and Emergency Response Team.
- Ensures the completion of safety inspections and required documentation.
- Development and review of existing departmental policies and procedures.
- Oversees and implements safety protocols and traffic planning for special events.
- Supervises department staff to ensure compliance with all campus and departmental policies, protocols, and standards.
- Conducts sensitive investigations (Title IX & personnel)
- Works in partnership with Student Engagement to support students in crisis or with medical needs
- Monitors the departmental budget.
- Recruit, hire, and train staff and complete performance evaluations.
Emergency Response
- Develops and maintains campus emergency management plan; assists in the related training of department and college staff; while also maintaining related documentation.
- Serves as the Warren Wilson College liaison to local allied emergency agencies.
- Responds to emergency situations, including after-hours emergencies, as needed.
- Coordinates the Emergency Response Team/Crisis Management Team and associated training.
Risk Management
- Develop and implement institutional Risk Management program plans to assist in the tracking and documentation of OSHA requirements and institutional safety training.
- Reviews and updates policies, programs, and procedures ensuring inclusion of any new legal requirements for risk management specific to OSHA
- Interprets insurance coverages and communicates policy and procedure changes to appropriate users.
- Responsible for the claim filing process for property and liability incidents.
- Conducts site assessments, reviews and self-inspections. Analyzes and interprets results, recommends appropriate corrective actions, communicates results and follows up on issues or concerns until completion.
- Develops, implements, and maintains Warren Wilson College policies and procedures ensuring adherence to local, state, and federal environmental, health and safety regulations.
- Keeps abreast of changes to laws and regulations that impact the organization. Serves as a contact with federal, state, and local regulatory bodies.
- Responsible for conducting and evaluating periodic safety, fire and/or hazardous conditions or substance inspection of all College facilities, equipment and employee work practices; recommends changes and coordinates implementation.
- Designs, directs and coordinates risk programs of the College to control exposures and minimize loss.
- Reviews and investigates accident/incident reports, compiling findings and recommendations for corrective actions into summary reports.
- Develops, implements, and coordinates Safety, Health, and Environmental College wide training.
- Assists with the design and development of facilities, work areas and work procedures and ensures the implementation of environmental, health and safety requirements accordingly.
- Supports the values and institutional goals as defined in the College's Strategic Plan.
- Participates in the process for systematic review and evaluation per the institutional effectiveness model adopted by the College.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions
- Working hours may include evenings, holidays or weekends depending on deadline requirements and special events.
- Must be physically capable of entering all campus facilities, able to drive appropriate vehicles, and work indoor and outdoor in all weather conditions.
- Must be capable of lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Must be capable of standing or walking for prolonged periods, walking up and down inclines, climbing stairs, and occasionally running, stooping, lunging, reaching, crawling, or other physical activities required to respond to calls.
Our mission: Warren Wilson College's distinctive approach to education intentionally integrates academics, work, and community engagement to cultivate curiosity, empathy, and integrity. We empower graduates to pursue meaningful careers and lead purposeful lives dedicated to a just, equitable, and sustainable world.
We are committed to a culture of educational access and to ensuring that students and employees from a diverse range of identities and experiences will thrive in this community. We seek and support an academically and culturally diverse faculty and staff with a genuine interest in our innovative approach to education and focus on inclusive excellence, as well as a willingness to fully participate in the life of the College. We welcome applications from individuals who have experience working with diverse student populations.
Warren Wilson College is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.