Director of Campus Safety

Job Title: Director of Campus Safety

Department: Campus Safety

Reports To: Executive Vice President for Student Experience and Strategy

Status: Full-time Exempt

Job Summary:

The Campus Safety Director is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of all campus participants staff faculty and visitors. This role involves developing implementing and overseeing comprehensive safety protocols emergency response plans risk management strategies and campus safety professionals. The Campus Safety Director will work closely with various departments across Calvin University to create a safe and secure environment that adheres to the latest industry standards and regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Management:

• Provide strategic leadership and manage the human resources of the department by selecting training directing and evaluating professional and support staff members which include armed officers.
• Supervise coach and partner with the Assistant Director of Campus Safety to oversee day-to-day departmental operations.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide feedback to direct reports.
• Ensure that the Campus Safety team is adequately trained and equipped to handle safety-related tasks.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team environment to achieve strategic goals and department objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-divisional senior leaders and their teams to ensure enterprise safety remains a top priority.
• Manage and ensure fiscal accountability for the Campus Safety operational budget.
  

Safety Protocol Development:

• Design and implement safety protocols that address current and emerging risks.
• Regularly review and update safety procedures to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Manage campus parking and traffic policies and procedures.
  

Emergency Response Planning:

• In collaboration with the Emergency Management Planning Team develop and maintain emergency response plans for various scenarios including natural disasters medical emergencies and security threats for both Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary.
• Conduct regular drills and training sessions to ensure staff readiness and effective response.
  

Compliance & Risk Management:

• In consultation with other campus leaders and stakeholders identify potential risks involving people and property and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Conduct regular safety audits and inspections to ensure adherence to safety standards.
• Oversee university compliance with federal and state regulations (Clery Act Violence Against Women Act Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act state fire laws etc.); act as Clery Compliance Officer for Calvin University. Facilitate education and drills in accordance with regulations and Calvin policies.
• Establish and maintain a Use of Force Procedure for the Campus Safety Department and review all use of force incidents to ensure compliance.
  

Incident Response:

• Manage investigation processes by developing and supervising a team approach to incident response to ensure effective and efficient action.
• Provide support for special situations by being available for crisis management needs outside of regular working hours to provide safety expertise and input.
  

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with campus staff medical personnel and local authorities to ensure a coordinated approach to safety and campus security.
• Communicate safety policies and procedures to all campus participants and staff.
• Participate in divisional planning and contribute to divisional and university projects and committees.
• Establish cooperative relationships with local first responders including police fire ambulance and other emergency units to enhance campus safety and emergency preparedness.
• Participate in and build collaborative partners with professional networks including West Michigan area Campus Safety Directors MACLEA and NACCOP.
• Assist in preparing and disseminating emergency communications alerts and notifications to the campus community during emergencies or significant events.
  

Training and Education:

• Foster an environment of continual learning by regularly updating safety protocols and education materials to reflect current standards and emerging trends ensuring all members of the campus community are well-informed and prepared to respond appropriately to evolving safety practices.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from a four-year university in either law enforcement/safety emergency management or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a safety-related role preferably in a campus or recreational setting; and prior administrative experience.
• Strong knowledge of safety regulations and best practices.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to relate effectively to a wide variety of people of many backgrounds with an understanding and appreciation of cultural ethnic and individual differences.
• Ability to promote a positive image of Calvin University both when responding to issues or interactions on campus and when interacting with external constituencies.
• Understanding and appreciation of both traditional students (emerging adults aged 18-22) and adult students (aged 22).
• Prior administrative experience.
• Ability to work under pressure and in emergency situations.
• Ability to solve problems and to deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists (instructions may be furnished in written oral diagram or schedule form).
• Ability to engage with people from various perspectives and handle controversial issues.
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems through expertise influence persuasion and/or other interpersonal skills with infrequent supervision.
• Demonstrated skill in acting with independence and authority or making decisions that will affect processes policies and people throughout the organization and with all constituents who are served. This position includes substantial latitude to execute within the context of approved goals and budgets.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficient in the use of email spreadsheet database and presentation software and use of the Internet to access data maintain records generate reports and communicate with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification in First Aid CPR and AED.
• Experience with modern safety technologies and tools.
• Familiarity with digital safety management and access control systems.

University Committees and Teams:

• The Director of Campus Safety currently serves on the following institutional committees and teams:
  • Emergency Management Planning Team (Chair)
  • Executive Safety Committee (liaison from the Emergency Management Planning Team)
  • Care Team (focused on behavioral intervention)
  • Clery Compliance Committee (Chair)
  • Coordinated Community Response Team (Office on Violence Against Women OVW grant management)
  • Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) womens self-defense program (Chair)

Working Conditions:

• Administrative work is typically performed within routine office conditions usually without exposure to hazardous or unpleasant conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Outdoor work in various weather conditions.
• Valid drivers license and the ability to drive an automobile van or truck on campus roads as well as public roads and highways.
• Ability to possess a State of Michigan concealed pistol license with exemption status from weapons free zones.
• May sometimes require working with chemicals or other substances in emergent situations where extreme caution is required to avoid illness or injury.
• Must be available to work evenings weekends and holidays as needed (e.g. previously scheduled large scale campus events rare emergencies or to provide additional staffing coverage).

FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT

1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.

2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith learning and student development.

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including but not limited to race gender physical limitations class or religious perspectives.