Director of Safety and Security

Director of Safety & Security

Under the direction of the Chief of Safety and Security, this position provides departmental leadership and oversight for the safety, security, and emergency management programs of Hays Consolidated Independent School District.

The Director supports the Chief in the administration and coordination of departmental operations and serves as a key resource in the implementation of safety and security initiatives, policies, procedures, and programs. The Director provides operational direction and oversight for assigned personnel, programs, and activities; establishes and promotes standards for campus adherence to safety and security protocols, guidance, and training; and ensures alignment with applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and District policies and standards.

Qualifications

Education and Certification Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in criminal justice, emergency management, public safety, or a related field.

Current Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Peace Officer License, with a minimum of an Intermediate Peace Officer License. Active commission with a local law enforcement agency. Completion of TCOLE Course #41501 – School-Based Law Enforcement (SBLE) Introductory Training.

Mental Health Peace Officer certification preferred.

Special Knowledge and Skills Advanced knowledge of, and demonstrated experience in, emergency operations planning, emergency management principles, risk management, safety, security, and emergency preparedness.

Knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) procedures and practices.

Knowledge of school safety programs, public-school operations, and applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal emergency response procedures.

Strong public information, organizational, written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to work within the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), when applicable.

Ability to assess safety and security concerns, coordinate response efforts, and communicate effectively during emergency and non-emergency situations.

Knowledge of budget development and management, grant administration, and contract and vendor management.

Experience Minimum of five (5) years of experience in school-based law enforcement, emergency management, public safety, or a related field.

Experience working within a public-school system, with an understanding of school operations, student populations, campus administration, and the unique safety and security considerations of K–12 educational environments strongly preferred.

Experience working collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, school administrators, district departments, and community partners preferred.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Safety, Security, and Emergency Management

Provides leadership and operational support to the Chief of Safety and Security in the administration and coordination of the Safety and Security Department. Serves as a key departmental resource to the Chief and assists with the implementation of departmental initiatives, policies, and procedures. Provides oversight of daily departmental operations and directs assigned programs, personnel, and activities in support of the District's safety and security objectives.

Collaborates with the Chief of Safety and Security in overseeing local law enforcement services provided to district campuses in accordance with applicable agreements, including the Memorandum of Understanding with the Hays County Sheriff's Office.

Collaborates with the Chief of Safety and Security, department staff, local law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and other investigative or governmental agencies as necessary to address safety, security, emergency management, and investigative matters.

Serves as a liaison and coordination point with local law enforcement agencies, school resource officers, fire and emergency medical services, emergency management officials, governmental agencies, public safety organizations, and community partners involved in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and mitigation.

Directs the development, review, update, and continuous improvement of the district's Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and related emergency preparedness documents, and ensures campus emergency plans and procedures remain current, coordinated, and aligned with applicable laws, regulations, standards, and best practices.

Directs the district's emergency management programs, including the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), Standard Response Protocol (SRP), and Standard Reunification Method (SRM).

Serves as Emergency Management Coordinator in the absence of the Chief of Safety and Security, including coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities as assigned.

Establishes districtwide expectations for emergency procedures and required drills and evaluates campus and district compliance with drill mandates through observations, after-action reporting, and follow-up on corrective actions.

Responds to and provides command-level direction during crisis situations occurring on district property, including emergencies, critical incidents, drills, and exercises conducted under the Standard Response Protocol and Standard Reunification Method.

Monitors the district's weather conditions, environmental hazards, and other emerging threats, and advises district and campus leadership on preparedness and operational impacts, including class schedules, transportation, extracurricular activities, and campus events.

Evaluates and recommends emergency notification, communication, and security technologies; directs system testing and performance analysis; and prioritizes improvements in coordination with the Technology Department.

Oversees the district's physical security, vulnerability, and site-based risk assessment program; reviews assessment findings; and prioritizes and tracks recommendations and corrective actions for identified deficiencies.

Provides operational direction for the districtwide mobile security team, working through the Coordinator of Safety & Security.

Advises campus and district leadership on behavioral threat assessment processes and serves on, or provides oversight of, multidisciplinary teams addressing student, staff, campus, or district safety concerns, as directed.

Policy, Compliance, and Risk Management

Interprets applicable federal and state laws and regulations, Texas Education Agency requirements, Texas School Safety Center standards and guidance, local board policy, administrative regulations, and insurance requirements; develops and recommends district procedures and board policy revisions related to school safety, security, emergency management, and preparedness; and oversees district and campus compliance, including student and staff identification requirements, campus access and visitor procedures, and security protocols.

Monitors, assesses, and evaluates district and campus compliance with safety and security requirements, including student and staff identification requirements, emergency plans, campus access and visitor procedures, emergency preparedness, security protocols, and other district safety initiatives.

Maintains current knowledge and proficiency regarding NIMS, ICS, emergency management principles, incident response, risk management, school safety practices, and other professional standards applicable to K–12 educational environments.

Compiles, maintains, reviews, and organizes reports, records, audits, assessments, plans, after-action reports, compliance documentation, and other records required by law, regulation, district policy, or department procedures.

Maintains strict confidentiality and security of records and information involving students, faculty, staff, investigations, district operations, and safety and security matters.

Training, Education, and Professional Development

Directs program-related staff development and training activities for faculty and staff in collaboration with campus and district personnel.

Provides classroom, campus, and community presentations on safety, security, emergency preparedness, crime prevention, emergency response, and other program-related topics in coordination with instructional and administrative staff.

Administrative, Budget and Program Management

Assists the Chief in developing the department's annual operating budget and oversees approved budgets, including grant and bond-funded safety and security projects; reviews purchases and expenditures; and evaluates, recommends, and oversees contracts and vendor agreements for security services, equipment, and technology in accordance with district purchasing procedures.

Operates independently, exercises sound judgment and initiative, prioritizes competing demands, and consistently meets established deadlines and operational expectations with limited supervision.

Demonstrates exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills and maintains effective working relationships with district personnel, law enforcement, emergency responders, students, families, and community members.

Serves as a team member and professional role model by demonstrating the district's organizational core values and promoting a culture of safety, preparedness, professionalism, accountability, and service.

Other

Maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, manage sensitive information, and interact professionally with students, staff, law enforcement, emergency responders, families, and community members.

Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises and evaluates district safety coordinators and assists the Chief of Safety and Security with the supervision, coordination, scheduling, training, and evaluation of district security guard personnel and the department administrative assistant.

Mental Demands / Physical Demands / Environmental Factors

Tools/Equipment Used: District vehicles; alarm and emergency notification systems; fire extinguishers; security equipment, including radios/scanners; computers and associated software and technology platforms used for security monitoring, communication, data management, and report preparation; copier/scanner; telephone; and other equipment necessary to