Assistant Director, Safety and Security for the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
The University of Chicago

Department

DSS Campus Safety: Lab School

About the Department

The University of Chicago is a private, non-denominational institution with an extraordinary history of world-renowned research and education programs across a broad spectrum of fields. Founded in 1890 by John D. Rockefeller, the University has grown to encompass the undergraduate college, which offers 50 concentrations, six professional schools, four graduate divisions, the Oriental Institute, and the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies, which support over 80-degree programs. The University is one of the largest employers in Chicago, with over 23,000 faculty and staff on campus and worldwide. More than 2,100 full-time academic staff teach or conduct research at the University, and Chicago faculty and alumni have won 89 Nobel Prizes. The University enrolls over 5,000 undergraduate students and over 9,000 graduate and professional students. Chicago continues to build a strong global presence, with a university center in Paris and newly established centers in Beijing, Delhi, and Hong Kong. The University is consistently ranked among the finest universities in the world.

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, founded by the renowned educator John Dewey in 1896, are among the nation's best. Being part of the University of Chicago means that the importance of intellectual life-of thought and exploration-infuses everything they do across all aspects of their curriculum. The Schools enroll just under 2,200 students from nursery school through high school and employ 257 teachers. The Schools are located on two campuses: Earl Shapiro Hall, an early childhood facility for Nursery through Grade 2 students; the Historic Campus, comprising five distinct but connected buildings, an outdoor classroom, and a gym complex for Grade 3 - 12 students.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Safety and Security, the Assistant Director of Safety and Security for the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools is part of the Department of Safety and Security (DSS). The Assistant Director is responsible for supporting the Lab School's comprehensive safety and security program, including leading the development and implementation of comprehensive physical security, school safety, and emergency preparedness programs. The Assistant Director will promote a safe and secure educational environment for students, staff, parents, and visitors of both Lab's campuses - the Historic Campus on Kimbark and Earl Shapiro Hall on Stony Island.

The Assistant Director supervises and evaluates a team of 13 safety and security personnel, including employees and contractual staff, provides recommendations for enhancements to school security and emergency preparedness systems, recommends new school safety initiatives, supports incident investigations when appropriate, and conducts regular general safety and security assessments. The Assistant Director must work with the Director of Safety and Security and collaboratively with organizational leadership to develop, implement, and maintain programs that promote a safe and secure school.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Director of Safety and Security, develops and implements security operation policies and procedures that are compliant with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA) Campus Safety standards.
• Works collaboratively with the Director of Safety and Security and Lab school organizational leadership to develop, implement, and maintain programs that promote a safe and secure school.
• Oversees the daily operational management of the Department, including scheduling, staffing, and overtime deployment.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the Laboratory School Division Heads and other key school partners, including the Deans of Students.
• Contributes to the pre-service, annual in-service, and other ongoing career development for security staff following security best practices.
• Supports incident-based investigations and ensures security staff adhere to unit-specific policies and procedures.
• Under the direction of the Director of Safety and Security and in collaboration with DSS and the Lab School Emergency Management team, updates and maintains the School's Emergency Operations Plan and Emergency Action Plans.
• Works collaboratively with the Director of Safety and Security to develop and conduct, at minimum, the following annually, Emergency management tabletop exercise for school leadership and Emergency preparedness training program for the School's faculty, staff, and students that includes instruction on the School's emergency management and emergency action plans.
• In partnership with Lab Operations, recommends and develops a yearly schedule for emergency preparedness drills as approved by the Laboratory School Leadership and conducts approved drills for faculty, staff, and students in collaboration with other Laboratory School units, DSS, as well as other outside departments (i.e., Chicago Fire Department).
• Assesses training needs and requirements related to the Department's safety and security mission. Works collaboratively with the Director of Safety and Security to develop an annual in-service training program.
• Maintains the daily operational performance of physical security and emergency management systems and the management of safety and security systems and technology.
• In collaboration with the Director of Safety and Security, conducts ongoing assessment of the School's physical security and emergency response systems and recommends additions and improvements of that technology (i.e., cameras, card access, public address systems, etc.) to school leadership.
• Works collaboratively with DSS Security Technology Unit, IT partners, and Lab School Operations to make enhancements, additions, and updates to physical security and emergency management technology.
• In collaboration with the Director of Safety and Security, recommends, develops, and conducts school safety education programs, and collaborates with other DSS divisions to coordinate specific safety education programs for the school community (e.g., active threat, fire safety education, crime prevention safety, etc).
• Reviews all incident reports and takes action when appropriate, including working with the local Police or other law enforcement agencies.
• Responds to requests from key administrators, including principals, regarding school safety and security matters.
• With the support of the Lab Operations team, updates access control for staff, students, and parents.
• Supervises employees directly including selection, training, performance appraisal and work allocation.
• Coordinates an operation responsible for preventing and investigating crime, conducting crime analyses, enforcing the law, resolving conflict within the campus environment, and employing security services and programs.
• Performs other related work as duties as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• A bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• Considerable experience in managing an organization of comparable size in law enforcement, security, or other related field.
• Professional experience in K-12th grade settings.

Certifications:

• ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or Physical Security Professional (PSP) Certification or the ability to obtain certification within one year.
• Valid driver's license that grants reciprocity in the State of Illinois or is eligible to obtain one and do so within 60 days of appointment, good driving record.
• Successfully complete/pass medical examinations, including vision screening and drug testing, psychological test, and physical fitness tests.
• Successful completion, annually, of a department authorized and approved in-service training course consisting of at least twenty hours of instruction.
• Successfully complete a background investigation with no prior criminal convictions that would prohibit the individual from meeting the standards set forth by the State of Illinois to become a law enforcement officer.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Familiar with current safety and security best practices including physical security (to include electronic security systems), personnel security, emergency preparedness and response and risk assessment.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and ordinances related to school safety and security, the ability to plan, organize, monitor, and evaluate a comprehensive safety and security program.
• Knowledge of organizational staffing and human resources.
• Use desktop computer and telephone.

Preferred Competencies

• Communicate effectively and consistently with multiple stakeholders, verbally and in writing.
• Schedule and manage competing job activities.
• Evaluate the job performance of subordinates through behavioral observation, reviews or work product, informal conversations, etc.
• Initiate, implement and lead a team through projects, programs or assignments.
• React effectively, quickly, calmly, and rationally during conflicts and emergencies.
• Work effectively and collegially with little supervision or as a member of a team.
• Work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated skill in dealing with bureaucratic protocol at all levels of the Department of Safety and Security and University Laboratory School organizations.
• Commitment to serving the interest of the University Laboratory School community and the strategic goals of the Department of Safety and Security.
• Absorb and interpret the information given while maintaining perspective on the goals of the Department.
• Function as part of a team. Work with team members to ensure that all knowledge and skill sets are shared amongst the team to eliminate single points of failure.
• Maintain professionalism, credibility, and good customer service skills when dealing with all contacts, internal and external.
• Lead by example.
• Remain calm and objective throughout stressful and unpleasant situations.
• Make timely, sound decisions and accept concomitant responsibility.
• Communicate effectively and consistently with others, using tact when necessary.
• Develop the skills of staff and prepare personnel for increased responsibilities.
• Knowledge of importance/priority in determining what should be communicated to supervisors.
• Negotiate compromises between others.
• Fully understand the mission, values, objectives, and goals of the Department and incorporate them into the daily operations of the Department.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and enforcement officials, general public, and members of the University community
• Work with people of various ages and backgrounds and with diverse constituencies, including students, parents, faculty, and staff in the University Laboratory School.
• Evaluate job performance of employees through behavioral observation, reviews or work productivity measures.
• Build consensus and credibility across the campus.
• Resolve conflicts and manage sensitive emergency situations appropriately.
• Demonstrated self-restraint in challenging and/or difficult situations.
• Demonstrate good moral character.
• Mentally and physically react effectively, quickly, calmly, and rationally during times of conflicts and emergencies.
• Initiate, implement and follow through on projects, programs or assignments with completed staff work.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Develop and manage interpersonal relationships.
• Give directions.
• Handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion.

Mental Demands:

• Aware of safety hazards and take appropriate precautions.
• Condense complicated issues to simple summaries that can be understood by a variety of constituents.
• Exercise absolute discretion regarding confidential matters.
• Follow written and/or verbal instructions.
• Handle stressful situations.
• Learn and develop skills.
• Maintain a high level of alertness.
• Pay attention to detail.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• React effectively, quickly, calmly, and rationally during conflicts and emergencies.
• Train or teach others.
• Work effectively and collegially with little supervision or as member of a team.
• Work with frequent interruptions.
• Work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Active listening skills.
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Math skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• Organizational and planning skills.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Reasoning skills.
• Time management skills.

Physical Effort:

• Bend, crouch, or stoop.
• Hear, including making fine discriminations in sound.
• See, including color, depth perception, or clarity.
• Operate a vehicle safely.
• Climb stairs 5 stories or more.
• Operate equipment necessary to perform job.
• Perform strenuous physical exertion at times.
• Effective audio-visual discrimination and perception.

Working Conditions

• Fast-paced environment.
• On-call responsibilities.
• Operate motor vehicles.
• Outdoor weather exposure.
• Use of personal protective equipment.
• Office environment.
• On call and available to work nights/weekends/holidays as necessary.
• Work in inclement weather or weather extremes.
• Sit for 4 hours or more.
• Use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
• Travel to various on-campus and off-campus locations.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Undergraduate Transcripts, unoffical transcripts may be submitted (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Police & Security

Role Impact

People Manager

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Yes

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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