Director of Public Safety

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

The Director of Public Safety is entrusted with the leadership and day-to-day management of all public safety and security operations for Lenoir-Rhyne University. The Director will provide strategic direction for administrative and financial operations of the Public Safety Department to include Security Services, Parking, IDs, Investigations, Communications, Special Operations, Emergency Management and Campus Access. The Director is also responsible for oversight of the College's compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act and its reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct and evaluate all activities of the department, ensuring compliance with all laws, as well as adherence to university and department policies and procedures.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of University and Department goals.
• Analyze campus security and safety requirements and determine the proper deployment of staff for each shift, when overtime work is needed and what emergency or other equipment is desirable. Must be knowledgeable about current products and technologies available for safety and Public Safety enhancement.
• Review incident reports each morning, daily logs and other information to evaluate the effectiveness of Public Safety operations and to identify crime trends or other Public Safety issues. Take corrective actions to minimize such incidents in the future.
• Serve as co-chair of the College's Emergency Preparedness Team with responsibility for development of the emergency plan, training the campus community on the plan and organizing tabletop exercises with senior team members on the plan.
• Prepare written recommendations and plans concerning measures to be taken with regard to actual or potential dangers in connection with university buildings, roads, campus facilities and shrubbery, and in connection with needed improvements in lighting, parking facilities, traffic control and concerning places and occasions in which people gather in large groups. 
• Serve as the University's liaison to various units in the criminal justice system, and other local emergency services, most importantly the Hickory Police Department and their team of police officers dedicated to serving LR.
• Provide recommendations and manage the Accreditation Process for the Public Safety Department.
• Strategically partner with and proactively engage students, faculty and staff on campus safety initiatives. Coordinate and provide quality education and training programs related to crime prevention, safety, security and emergency response for university employees and students.
• Design, recommend and implement policies and procedures regarding on-campus traffic control, the issuance and validation of parking permits and the ticketing and towing of vehicles parked or operated improperly. Maintain strict control of parking in emergency access lanes and in areas reserved for persons with physical disabilities.
• Ensure the University’s adherence to the requirements of the Jeanne Clery Act and all other applicable Federal or State compliance legislation pertaining to campus Public Safety. Work with the Dean of Student’s Office to carefully handle confidential reporting mechanisms and subsequent public log entries. Prepare and submit Clery Act Annual report to the Department of Education.
• Manage the University's identification cards, campus access list and other campus access mechanisms.
• Interview candidates for vacancies in the unit and make timely recommendations regarding hiring, disciplinary action, performance evaluations and other personnel matters.
• Ensure personnel coverage 7 days per week, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
• Prepare and manage a budget, as well as capital projects, for unit operations and monitor the expenditure of funds.
• Design, conduct or make referrals to ongoing training programs for Public Safety employees to assure that they are able and equipped to perform all responsibilities of their positions in the context of currently accepted practices in the Public Safety field.
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with University Administrators, student groups and private vendors concerned with Public Safety and with the general public in order to ensure an effective, functional Public Safety program at LR. 
• Promptly investigate, as appropriate, any allegations of conduct unbecoming or other related offenses directed against any member of Public Safety
• Ensures the Public Safety Department advances a campus culture of safety, equity, compliance and respect.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Graduation from an accredited college/university with at least an AA degree; degree in Law Enforcement or related field preferred
• Certified Law Enforcement Officer
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience with a multi-shift Public Safety or Law Enforcement force. Employment history supervising work force strongly preferred. Experience with a residential and diverse student body is strongly preferred. Experience with emergency preparedness, particularly managing a complex organization during emergency/crisis situations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to upholding the University's mission to promote diversity, equity, inclusiveness, student engagement, and community involvement.
• Knowledge of the Jeanne Clery Act and its importance on a campus environment.
• Knowledge of the principles of budget planning and development.
• Ability to establish liaison and maintain cooperative working relationships with other staff and organizations.
• Reside within reasonable distance of the University
• Valid NC driver’s license 
• Minimum lifting capability of 50 lbs.

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references by May 10, 2024. Questions can be directed to Jeremy Shreve (Vice President for Business and Finance) at jeremy.shreve@lr.edu.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, political affiliation, age, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, disability status, genetics, pregnancy or veteran status.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy extends to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, reassignment, demotion, discipline, discharge, performance evaluations, compensation and benefits as well as the education setting. Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to providing an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers and visitors.

Lenoir-Rhyne University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

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