Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety

Gettysburg College, in historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is seeking an experienced professional for a full-time position as the Executive Director of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Gettysburg is an undergraduate liberal arts and sciences college, which enrolls approximately 2,600 primarily residential students. The College is seeking a dynamic and innovative individual who has a strong administrative, collaborative, and student-focused background to serve in this position. Reporting to the Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students, the person in the position will be a member of the College Life Division leadership team, and will also work closely with departments and colleagues across the institution including, but not limited to, Facilities, Dining, Athletics, Human Resources, and Academic Departments.

The Executive Director will provide institutional leadership for maintaining safety on campus while building relationships with and working closely with students, faculty, and staff in support of a positive campus experience for all members of a diverse and learning-focused community. The Executive Director must have a deep commitment and track record of success related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice, having effectively infused these values into the ethos of their staff/department. The Executive Director must be knowledgeable and prepared to implement current and emerging best-practices in the field of public safety including prioritization of prevention and community caretaking; utilizing procedural justice initiatives to ensure organizational impartiality, transparency, fairness, respect, and dignity; and campus collaboration through relationship building.

As the top public safety official on campus, the Executive Director is responsible for critical areas including campus emergency operations, federal and state compliance related to the Clery Act and Title IX, and enforcement of local, state and federal laws as well as institutional administrative polices relative to campus safety and community conduct. The Executive Director also oversees the College’s outreach to the local borough community as a liaison with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the district attorney’s office.

The Executive Director will:

• Develop, and recommend for approval, policies, plans, programs and procedures designed to enhance College campus safety in the areas of security, law/policy enforcement, fire safety, traffic control, and parking.
• Develop and implement the mission, purpose, strategic vision, and plans of the department, working with the VP for College Life to ensure a progressive public safety strategic agenda that focuses on authentic relationship building and advances social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Manage the daily operation of a service-oriented public safety department in fiscal, budgeting, human resources, purchasing and other related administrative functions.
• In partnership with the department’s administrative leadership team that consists of an Associate and Assistant Director, supervise the command structure of the department of public safety to ensure the appropriate delivery of routine and emergency services.
• Provide training and hiring to ensure that the college has the best possible public safety and professional staff personnel; establish and maintain effective performance management system for all assigned personnel in accordance with established College policies and best practices associated with campus security and law enforcement.
• Chair the CERT Advisory Committee and perform duties related to the institution’s emergency coordinator as defined by the emergency operations plan and CERT guidelines.
• Ensure College compliance with appropriate federal and state laws concerning campus safety. This includes overseeing all federal and state crime reporting requirements as stipulated by the Clery Act and PA Uniform Crime Reporting Act and partnering with the Title IX coordinator and Human Resources in ensuring institutional compliance related to the response to and investigation of gender-based crimes and harassment.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Act as chair of and membership on a variety of institutional committees, task forces, and boards as deemed necessary and appropriate by the President and Vice President for College Life.
• Respond to campus emergencies on an on-call basis.
• Maintain a contemporary working knowledge of security, safety and law enforcement practices, state and local laws, student leadership, student development, risk management, and student program development.

In keeping with its strategic focus, Gettysburg College is interested in candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to providing leadership in building an inclusive, equitable and diverse campus community. Applicants must be student-centered and able to connect with a broad array of faculty and administrative colleagues. Candidates should demonstrate qualities of innovation and creativity that help foster vibrant and engaged residential communities and a demonstrated record in supporting and advocating for inclusion across a broad spectrum of campus life. 

Qualifications - Successful candidates will:

• Have an earned Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, organizational development, or related discipline.
• Experience and education in the field of law enforcement and public safety.
• Possess and demonstrate an outstanding ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrate outstanding interpersonal skills, communication skills, and a strong ability to work collaboratively.
• Have a commitment to and track record of success related to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice.
• Interpret and practically apply federal and state legislation as it relates to regulatory oversight and compliance in areas impacting the work of public safety.
• Possess experience, skill, and interest in conflict resolution and creative problem solving utilizing traditional and contemporary models

Preferred education and experience includes:

• Having an earned Master’s Degree in college student personnel, counseling, criminal justice, organizational development, higher education, or related discipline.
• Seven or more years of full-time professional experience in campus security/public safety.
• Experience working on compliance with Clery Act requirements in a higher education environment will be considered highly valuable. 
• Previous experience in working in a liberal arts context is preferred; the ability to translate past work to a liberal arts context is required.

The Executive Director is a 12-month, full-time administrative appointment. Salary and title are commensurate with experience and complemented by an excellent benefits package. 

Please visit our website to submit application materials (cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references) through our on-line system: https://gettysburg.peopleadmin.com/postings/3833.
For full consideration, please submit application materials by August 13, 2021. Gettysburg College is committed to creating a more diverse community and the College encourages candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

Gettysburg College, an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal, state, local laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and admission. The College prohibits discrimination and harassment, and provides equal opportunity without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital/familial status, possession of a General Education Development Certificate (GED) as compared to a high school diploma, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, age, or genetic information in all aspects of employment, educational programs, activities, and admissions. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Gettysburg College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (i.e., which includes but is not limited to the prohibition of sexual misconduct and relationship violence, including sexual assault and harassment) in all of its educational programs and activities.