Chief of University Police/ Director of Public Safety

Company Description:

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs and, while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, and working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham. FSU is unapologetically a public institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of antiracism, encouraging a challenging yet collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. FSU is designated as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and also belongs to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence community, providing national leadership in science education and exploring strategies that will lead to more inclusive science education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and professional students, offers 39 undergraduate majors, and enrolls 41% BIPOC students in our undergraduate programs. Ideally situated between Boston and Worcester, FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Framingham State University's Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety serves as the chief administrative officer and the representative of Framingham State University Police on campus and in the MetroWest Community. The chief is responsible for leadership in maintaining public safety on campus, progressive community police engagement, and racially just policing as well as directing the enforcement of all federal, state, and local laws. The chief oversees a department that includes the Deputy Chief of Police, University ID Office, Accreditation Manager, Patrol Sergeants, Patrol Officers, Dispatchers, Parking Enforcement Officer, Detective, and student employees.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and maintains the Framingham State University Police Department mission and the policies and procedures in support of that mission, which is aligned to the university mission.
• Supervises departmental operations and directs departmental planning necessary to provide comprehensive law enforcement and public safety services.
• Engages in recruitment of a diverse police department, oversees ongoing staff development and training, as well as staffing, hiring, disciplinary action, evaluation, and promotion.
• Responsible for managing and appropriately allocating the police department budget; analyzes, monitors and evaluates staffing utilization against budgeted staffing base.
• Promotes an interactive, positive relationship between the University Police Department and other departments or offices of the University, students, parents, faculty and staff with the goal of building trust and strong working relationships between the department and the community.
• Plans and develops strategies in conjunction with the Deputy Police Chief for the preparation and response to University emergency management.
• Serves as a member of the university Threat Assessment Team.
• Develops and reviews department policy ensuring compliance with state and national accreditation standards and best practices.
• Develops and sets measurable goals for pro-active community engagement.
• Analyzes crime trends and incident reports; develops program utilizations of personnel to offset the trends; maintains department crime statistics, including the compiling and filing of the annual security and fire safety report to the Department of Education (Clery Act) and monthly summary reports for the Executive Vice President of Administration, Finance, and Technology.
• Oversees security concerns of university buildings and property, including security technology and routine security inspections on main and satellite campuses.
• Collaborates with other university leaders, to develop policies and procedures for and to carryout effective, unified responses to emergencies, planned and unplanned events and community needs; issues crime and emergency alerts as appropriate; acts as responsible authority for the department in emergency response situations; and participates in supporting university-wide emergency response efforts.
• Develops campus outreach, education, and prevention programs related to public safety. Advises campus administrators of legal and liability issues related to campus safety.
• Develops and administers departmental budget in support of fiscal initiatives
• Serves as liaison with local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as local fire department and emergency management agencies (MEMA and FEMA)
• Accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for reporting to the Equal Opportunity Officer or Title IX Coordinator knowledge or receipt of reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation from students or other members of the university community.
• Designated as Campus Security Authority under the Clery Act.
• Other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

On call responsibility required; valid license to operate a motor vehicle; must successfully undergo a comprehensive background investigation, physical examination, psychological examination; eligible to obtain and maintain Commonwealth of Massachusetts License to carry a firearm. Work will include evening and weekend responsibilities as needed.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Graduate of full time Municipal Police Academy Training certified and approved by the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC). Candidates MUST be a certified police officer in Massachusetts per MPTC/POST standards.
• Possess academic credentials and experience suitable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Possess at least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in campus safety and protection or other law enforcement with at least three years of experience in a related supervisory position.
• Experience and knowledge of law enforcement policies and procedures, crime prevention, investigations, training for law enforcement personnel, life safety programming.
• Knowledge of budget operations and management specific to a public safety agency.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of racially just policing.
• Ability to adapt policies and procedures to police reform measures on the local, state, and federal level.
• Demonstrated ability to address community concerns in a compassionate, forthright manner and to be visible on campus and to participate in the life of the campus.
• Possess an understanding of mental health issues, as well as the value of having officers trained as mental health officers and being front-line contacts in this area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience and knowledge of higher ed security and law enforcement, higher ed operations, and higher ed traffic and parking control management.
• Knowledge of and experience with higher education principles, practices and procedures.
• Documented professional competence as a public safety administrator in higher education
• Ability to speak Spanish or Portuguese
• Understanding of social media platforms and their use in for community engagement, crisis management, and law enforcement

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible, non-unit position. The annual salary range is $110,000-125,000.

It is the policy of Framingham State University that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine is required of all individuals hired by FSU, to be verified after a verbal offer of employment has been accepted, and before employment begins. Prospective employees may submit a request for a medical or religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement to Human Resources.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter,
• Resume/CV,
• Equity and Inclusion Statement*,
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

*The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials.

For best consideration, application materials should be received by June 3, 2023. The search committee may continue to review applications received beyond that date at their discretion.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.

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