Position Title:

Director of Safety and Security

Department/School:

Security

Salary/Pay Rate:

$135,000 - $180,000

Job Summary:

The Director of Safety and Security reports to the Executive Vice President and is a member of the President’s Cabinet. The successful candidate will have strong leadership and innovation skills and a proven ability to manage emergency planning, protocols, technology, and procedures for a complex campus environment such as Marist and its global community. They will have a keen understanding of strategic issues related to security and awareness of best practices, important trends, and the use of technology in support of safety and security. The successful candidate will work with other College leaders to create policies and procedures in accordance with the strategic plan that enhances a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment. These include but are not limited to working with Cabinet colleagues to help manage cross-functional issues and operations related to information technology, budget, insurance, legal and risk management, and communication, among others.

This position will provide leadership, management, and direct oversight to the College's entire security force, including critical incident response and emergency management, campus investigations, dispatch, and parking services, as well as liaising with appropriate agencies and individuals for the College’s wide range of international sites. The Director will need to lead the 39 members of the officer corps, two full-time support staff, and dozen or more student workers with vision and engagement, ensuring the strategies and needs of the community are met with a coordinated vision and implementation. The Director will provide leadership, guidance, training, and support for all assigned personnel and will ensure appropriate levels of staffing to ensure a safe and secure environment. Special emphasis will be given to candidates with an understanding of the importance of technology, as Marist’s implementation includes CCTVs across campus, license plate readers, Amberbox gunshot detection software, the OpenGate detection system, and the single-touch Alertus notification system, and drone technology, among other systems.

As the visible leader of campus safety, the successful candidate will have the skill set to engage with students, faculty, staff, prospective families, community members, and others as an important ambassador of the College, including partnerships with Marist and various state/local/federal agencies. The Director must be committed to providing excellent customer service, and dedication to campus interaction and participation, community engagement, employee involvement and development, and incontestable personal ethics are essential.

The Director of Safety and Security will also serve as a key liaison to the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as well as the first responder community to ensure alignment between the College and the community on security issues. Marist College is a leading institution in the region, employs over 1,200 full and part time individuals, enrolls over 6,000 students, and draws over 60,000 visitors to the region every year. The Director will be a visible, strategic, and tactical leader in that engagement for the College and the region. An appreciation for and understanding of the skills needed for successful engagement with the local community will be essential.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 10 years of safety and security-related experience, including work in law enforcement, police administration, or campus security
• 5 years of direct management/supervisory experience and sound knowledge of planning and budgeting principles
• Valid Driver's License

Essential Functions:

• Oversee, develop, communicate, implement, and monitor appropriate and up-to-date policies, procedures, and training/education programs to ensure the safety and security of the campus for all members of the Marist community.
• Work with College administration, faculty, and other campus stakeholders to provide campus safety in accordance with best practices and ensure all facets of daily operations comply with federal, state, and local requirements, including Clery, Title IX, FERPA, and college policies.
• Oversee reporting and official submission of official reports such as Clery and Fire Safety Compliance related to Campus Safety and Security.
• Provide leadership and coordination in the planning, development, implementation, and operation of college-wide integrated security systems, including alarms, access control systems, video and drone surveillance, technical platforms, and physical hardware.
• Provide strategic leadership to departmental staff, creating long-term and short-term departmental goals and objectives consistent with the College’s strategic plan.
• Continue to develop and maintain close working relationships with local police and fire departments, state and federal enforcement agencies, along with other local officials to ensure College’s successful engagement on safety and security operations, event planning, and issues of concern for the region.
• Continue to work closely with Student Government to ensure effective communications with the student population and the development of strong student/security relations.
• Perform and/or directly oversee on-campus investigations of both criminal and non-criminal incidents, working closely with other applicable campus offices, providing support for outside law enforcement agencies, and coordinating their on-campus efforts.
• Collaborate with Student Affairs staff to ensure effective orientation, training/education programs for students and housing staff, in addition to resolving issues/incidents involving students.
• Provide oversight of all environmental, fire safety, and OSHA initiatives, and other campus programs, working collaboratively with the Title IX Coordinator and ADA/504 Coordinator.
• Lead and manage emergency preparedness planning and procedures which include mass communication systems, training, and emergency exercise.
• Manage and respond to emergencies and assist in decisions to delay or cancel operations due to weather or manmade circumstances. Must remain aware of current weather and forecasted weather conditions, local hazards, alerts, and law enforcement risks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or other appropriate/related graduate degree
• Prior experience as a campus safety officer working in a college, school, or university environment in a supervisory or management position
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment within a complex organizational structure
• Skilled in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures
• Knowledge of building and fire safety, along with prior experience in a higher education setting
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Must possess a keen understanding of current issues in higher education beyond security (mental health, drug abuse, retention, admissions, housing)
• Must have a proven ability to work collaboratively with all other departments, including but not limited to Student Affairs, Faculty, Athletics, Admissions, DEI and stakeholders
• Must possess a thorough understanding of current security technology and how it can be applied
• A demonstrated ability to lead crisis management
• An ability to solve complex problems that may involve multiple stakeholders
• Experienced supervisory security oversight of event management
• An ability to work productively with labor unions
• Ability to utilize data-based operational metrics to effectively manage staffing and distribution of resources

Required Application Documents:

Resume, Cover Letter, & Contact Information of 3 Professional References 

Benefits:

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  • First 6 years College contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • College contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity – Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
  • College pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.

*Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the College.

About the Department/School:

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and guests are always our priority in the Office of Safety and Security. Our team of 39 full-time staff integrates itself into the overall educational mission of the College by fostering cooperation, professionalism, respect, and teamwork among the College community.

The Marist College security staff are trained to respond appropriately to all calls for assistance; Our areas of responsibility encompass a comprehensive approach to campus security, crime prevention, fire safety, workplace safety, event planning, and providing for an overall atmosphere of safety and community.

About Marist College:

Located on the banks of the historic Hudson River and at its Florence, Italy campus, Marist College is a comprehensive, independent institution grounded in the liberal arts. Its mission is to “help students develop the intellect, character, and skills required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.” Marist educates approximately 5,000 traditional-age undergraduate students and 1,200 adult and graduate students in 53 undergraduate majors and numerous graduate programs, including fully online MBA, MPA, MS, and MA degrees, and also Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant programs. Marist is consistently ranked among the best colleges and universities in America by The Princeton Review (Colleges That Create Futures and The Best 386 Colleges), U.S. News & World Report (3rd Most Innovative School/North), Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (“Best College Values”), and others. Marist’s study abroad program is ranked #1 in the nation by the U.S. State Department’s “Open Doors Report” and has also received the Senator Paul Simon Award for First Year Abroad programs in Italy and Ireland. Marist’s Joint Study partnership with IBM, which began in 1988, has brought the College the kind of world-class technology platform typically found at leading research institutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.marist.edu/about 

Type of Position:

Full-time

Classification:

Administrative (Exempt)

Months per Year:

12

Work Schedule:

Normal schedule Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm with variations for weekends and special events, and as needed depending on circumstances. 

Hours per Week:

37.5

Location:

Marist College Main Campus

Number of Position Openings:

1

Equal Employment Statement:

Marist College is committed to creating a diverse workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the College will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of minorities, women, people with disabilities, and any other protected groups found to be under represented.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The College will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated. The College will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist's policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the College. It shall be considered a violation of College policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with respect to employment or attendance at Marist College on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.