Director of Security Services

University of Puget Sound
Director of Security Services

The mission of the University of Puget Sound is to develop in its students the capacities for critical analysis, aesthetic appreciation, sound judgment, and apt expression that will sustain a lifetime of intellectual curiosity, active inquiry, and reasoned independence. Puget Sound is a 2,100-student, residential, national undergraduate liberal arts university in Tacoma, Washington, drawing students from 46 states and territories and eight countries. Seventy percent of students live on the 97-acre campus, and the remainder typically live within a mile in the surrounding neighborhood. A low 11:1 student-faculty ratio provides students with personal attention from faculty members who have a strong commitment to teaching. The university offers 1,200 courses in more than 50 areas of study, numerous experiential learning opportunities, 21 DIII varsity sports, and extensive co-curricular and leadership opportunities. Ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger, Washington Monthly, Forbes, The Princeton Review, and others, Puget Sound is one of only two independent colleges in Washington state, and one of five in the Northwest granted a charter by Phi Beta Kappa, the country's most prestigious academic honor society.

The urban culture of Tacoma, known as the City of Destiny, is quintessential Pacific Northwest—a mix of low-key cafés, highbrow art museums, and laid-back music venues. Located in Tacoma's residential North End neighborhood, the Puget Sound campus offers easy access to some of the best shops, eateries, and coffeehouses in the city. Known as one of America's most livable cities, Tacoma is positioned 35 miles south of Seattle and 30 miles north of Olympia, the state's capital. Add to that the magnetic pull of Mount Rainier, the ocean, the rain forests—and you know you are in a special place.

The Position
Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the Director of Security Services leads a collaborative effort to ensure that the University of Puget Sound is a safe place for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, providing comprehensive vision, direction, and management for a Security Services Department that is a 24/7/365 operation. The Director acts as the university liaison and ensures effective and successful working relationships with Tacoma Police and Fire Departments, Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, and other area agencies to coordinate university emergency planning and preparedness, including designing, preparing, and executing bi-annual, all-campus emergency response drills. The Director oversees the university's parking management program; reviews, investigates, and provides appropriate follow-up to reported security-related incidents on campus and related neighborhood complaints or issues; maintains and manages the installation and repair of university card access, surveillance camera, and burglar alarm systems; and supports the State of Washington transportation reduction efforts. Additionally, the Director maintains a high level of interaction with the university community, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods; continually evaluates and updates department operating procedures; provides security planning and execution for all large events on campus; participates in on-campus and external committees; and ensures all required Department of Education compliance reporting.

The Director of Security Services supervises, evaluates, trains, and provides professional development for an unsworn and unarmed staff of 18, including one direct report, the Assistant Director of Security, and administers a total departmental budget of approximately $1.3 million.

Qualifications
The position requires a college degree, ideally in a field related to criminal justice, public safety, emergency management, or a related field, with demonstrated progressive supervisory and administrative experience, preferably within higher education safety and security. The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal, organizational, oral and written communication, intercultural, and listening skills, and will demonstrate qualities that contribute to a setting where teamwork is highly valued and the goal of advancing student learning and development is prioritized. The successful candidate must understand or be able to quickly learn Washington State and City of Tacoma laws and ordinances, demonstrate a commitment to the idea of community-based public order, foster a high level of confidence and trust in the campus community, and maintain the physical and mental ability to defend self and others. The University of Puget Sound is seeking candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to cultural competence and providing leadership in building equitable, diverse, and inclusive environments.

Application and Nomination
Review of applications will begin June 10, 2022, and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to J. Scott Derrick at jsd@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.


Visit the University of Puget Sound website at https://www.pugetsound.edu//spanspan style="" ">https://www.pugetsound.edu/, and the Security Services website at https://www.pugetsound.edu/security-services/spanspan style="" ">https://www.pugetsound.edu/security-services.

The University of Puget Sound does not discriminate on the basis of sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), race, color, nation of origin, religion, creed, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, gender identity, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and applicable federal, state or local laws.

We Acknowledge the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a University community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; and that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives. We Aspire to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; and to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community. We Act to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; and to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world.

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