Summary
The Director of Safety and Security oversees all aspects of campus safety, emergency preparedness, and security operations, fostering a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Director cultivates strong external partnerships with law enforcement, emergency response services, community organizations, and relevant agencies while building internal relationships across our campus community to ensure effective operational safety measures and a cohesive security strategy. This position will report to the Vice President of Operations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and oversee comprehensive safety and security programs to ensure the protection of people, campus facilities, and university assets, ensuring effective year-round operation and coordination. Serve as the primary liaison with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency services to maintain strong partnerships. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including Clery Act reporting and other safety mandates. Oversee campus emergency preparedness, including the development and execution of emergency response plans, drills, and training sessions. Manage and lead a safety and security personnel team, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and leadership development. Implement staff training programs to enhance knowledge and skills, ensure compliance with safety standards, and foster leadership development. Review and enhance security department policies and procedures. Prepare and manage the department's annual budget, ensuring cost-effective operations. Collaborate with university leadership to address safety concerns and ensure alignment with institutional goals. Ensure regular patrols of all facilities on our academic campus, public clinics, and offsite properties to maintain a safe and secure environment. Manage security technology systems, such as surveillance cameras, access control technologies, university ID systems, fire command monitoring, emergency notification, and communication systems, to enhance operational efficiency. Conduct monthly testing of all emergency response systems, including phones, EMS, and technology, to ensure functionality and readiness. Assist with sensitive matters, including investigations and employee terminations, and provide security information and reports as requested. Attend Security-related meetings and give security presentations for orientations for new students and new employees. In conjunction with Student Services and Human Resources, ensure compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Safe Campuses regulations. Other duties as assigned.Supervisory Responsibilities
This has direct supervisory responsibility of the Security Shift Supervisor with indirect supervisory responsibilities of the security department.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Qualifications
Must have strong written and verbal communication skills. The ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos. The ability to communicate effectively to all levels of management, including delivering information in verbal and written form. The ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. The ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. The ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.Education and/or Experience
High school diploma or GED is required. A bachelor’s degree is highly preferred. Must have 10 years of experience working in the safety and security field with at least 5 years supervisory/management experience. Experience working in a team and customer service-oriented environment; maintain excellent relationships and always willing to assist others. Must be able to remain calm during tense situations and maintain professionalism at all times. Must have working knowledge of the Clery Act and meeting requirements. Clery Act Certification is preferred. Must have a valid driver's license is required.
Computer Skills
Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). Working knowledge of security technologies to centrally manage campus environments (facility access control, surveillance cameras, ID systems, fire command, emergency notification). Certifications in job-relevant technologies are preferred.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, and crouch; climb or balance and smell. The employee must regularly lift and or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by his job include, close, distance and peripheral visions.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Occasionally the employee will be working near moving mechanical parts and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account. We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.
Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, including 41 C.F.R. 60-1.4(a), 250.5(a), 300.5(a) and 741.5(a). Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.