Director of Public Safety

POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Public Safety serves as the senior civilian leader responsible for the strategic direction, administration, and operational oversight of the Wisconsin State Fair Park (WSFP) Public Safety Department. Reporting to the Chief of Police, this position leads a comprehensive public safety program that supports the annual Wisconsin State Fair, Harvest Fair, Milwaukee Mile events, and hundreds of year-round events held on State Fair Park grounds.

The Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing all Public Safety Department operations, including event security, access control, emergency preparedness, crowd management, and public safety staffing. This position oversees the recruitment, training, deployment, and performance of over 500 Limited Term Employees (LTEs) and seasonal staff while fostering strong partnerships with our internal WSFP Police Department (PD), emergency management agencies, event promoters, contractors, and internal stakeholders. This position is also responsible for the fiscal management of the Public Safety Department, including budget development, financial oversight, resource allocation, and long-range planning to support safe and efficient event operations throughout the year.

The Director of Public Safety ensures the safety and security of patrons, employees, exhibitors, vendors, and guests through proactive planning, risk management, and the implementation of best practices in event and venue safety.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-Time, permanent position in the unclassified service of the State of Wisconsin.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications in alignment with the State of Wisconsin’s Compensation Plan for new hires, promotions, and transfers. As an unclassified position, this position best aligns to the pay range 81-01 for salary purposes. This p osition includes a comprehensive fringe benefits package , including pension, health insurance, and paid time off .

WHO CAN APPLY
This position is open to all qualified candidates who meet the outlined criteria.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Leadership and Administration

• Direct and manage all operations of the Public Safety Department, ensuring alignment with Wisconsin State Fair Park's mission, goals, and strategic priorities.
• Develop departmental policies, procedures, standards, and operational plans that promote a safe and secure environment.
• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and performance management for year-round and seasonal supervisory staff.
• Establish departmental goals, objectives, performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and administer departmental budgets, monitor expenditures, and manage resources effectively.

Event Safety and Security Operations

• Lead public safety planning and operational execution for the annual Wisconsin State Fair, Harvest Fair, INDYCAR events, and other events hosted throughout the year.
• Develop staffing plans and deployment strategies to support events of varying size and complexity.
• Oversee crowd management, traffic and pedestrian safety, access control, incident response, and venue security operations.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies to address operational and public safety concerns.
• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in venue and event safety management.

Emergency Preparedness and Incident Management

• In conjunction with the WSFP PD Coordinate emergency planning activities and maintain emergency response procedures for the fairgrounds and associated events.
• Serve in a leadership role during emergencies, critical incidents, severe weather events, and large-scale operational disruptions.
• Collaborate with public safety partners to develop and implement incident response and continuity plans.
• Participate in emergency exercises, drills, and after-action reviews to improve organizational preparedness.

Workforce Management

• Direct recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and retention efforts for approximately 500 LTE and seasonal public safety staff.
• Develop training programs that promote professionalism, customer service, safety awareness, emergency response readiness, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, workplace safety requirements, and agency policies.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, customer service, and employee engagement.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Relations

• In conjunction with the WSFP PD, serve as a liaison with law enforcement agencies, fire departments, EMS providers, emergency management organizations, event promoters, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal departments to support event operations and organizational objectives.
• Represent Wisconsin State Fair Park at meetings, committees, and professional organizations related to public safety and event management.
• Provide recommendations and reports to executive leadership regarding public safety operations, risks, and strategic initiatives.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure departmental compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, policies, and safety standards.
• Evaluate incidents, trends, and operational data to identify opportunities for risk reduction and service improvements.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation related to departmental operations and incidents.
• Support agency-wide safety, security, and risk management initiatives.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop, administer, and monitor the Public Safety Department budget, ensuring effective stewardship of financial resources and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Forecast annual staffing, operational, training, equipment, and event-related expenditures to support department operations and strategic initiatives.
• Analyze budget trends, staffing costs, and operational data to identify efficiencies and opportunities for cost savings while maintaining service levels.
• Prepare budget requests, justifications, and financial reports for executive leadership and agency stakeholders.
• Monitor expenditures and approve purchases in accordance with agency policies, state procurement requirements, and budgetary constraints.
• Oversee contracts, vendor relationships, and service agreements related to public safety operations, security services, equipment, uniforms, and training.
• Collaborate with Finance and executive leadership to support annual budget development, long-range financial planning, and operational forecasting.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Business Administration, Event Management, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public safety, security management, emergency management, venue operations, event operations, law enforcement administration, military leadership, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience leading large teams in a complex operational environment.
• Experience developing operational plans, staffing models, policies, procedures, and budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale event operations and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution, and organizational skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, public safety partners, and community organizations.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by event operations and emergency situations.

• Experience managing security or public safety operations for large venues, fairs, festivals, sporting events, or entertainment facilities, preferred.
• Experience overseeing large seasonal or event-based workforces, preferred.
• Knowledge of crowd management principles, emergency preparedness, venue security, and public safety best practices, preferred
• Experience working within a governmental or public-sector organization, preferred
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

SPECIAL NOTES
The candidate must be able to work all 11 days of the annual Wisconsin State Fair and the weekends of both INDYCAR and Harvest Fair. Prior to appointment to this position, the candidate will be subject to a comprehensive criminal background check.

TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter below. Application materials must be received by noon Thursday, June 25, 2026 . The most qualified applicants will be invited to interview.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Wisconsin State Fair Park is a year-round entertainment venue, hosting activities, events, meetings and more throughout the four seasons. Home to the Exposition Center, Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center, the Milwaukee Mile Speedway, WI Products Pavilion, and many other facilities, hundreds of events are held at the Fair Park each year. Perhaps the most notable and certainly the signature event, the Wisconsin State Fair, welcomes more than one million Fairgoers over 11 summer days. Visit wistatefair.com for more information.

Wisconsin State Fair Park’s central location within the largest metro area in Wisconsin makes it a desirable place to work, live, and play. As a world-class city, Milwaukee and the Greater Milwaukee Area are full of opportunities galore for living, working, and playing. Visit discovermilwaukee.com for more information.

Wisconsin State Fair Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.