Associate Vice President of Public Safety

Associate Vice President of Public Safety The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Public Safety is the senior leader responsible for the strategic direction, operational management, and continuous improvement of campus security/safety, emergency management, and environmental health & safety (EHS) across WesternU’s California and Oregon campuses. The AVP will ensure a safe, secure, and compliant environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and will champion a culture of humanism, accountability, and operational excellence. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Comprehensive knowledge of public safety, campus security, emergency management, and environmental health & safety (EHS) best practices in higher education. Strong understanding of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements (e.g., Clery Act, OSHA, Title IX, FERPA) and the ability to integrate compliance into daily operations. Expertise in crisis management, business continuity, risk mitigation, and threat assessment. Familiarity with emerging technologies in public safety, including emergency notification, access control, surveillance, and incident reporting systems. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire multi-site teams with a culture of accountability, professionalism, and humanism. Excellent strategic planning, organizational management, and resource allocation skills. Skilled communicator with the ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and partner effectively with students, faculty, staff, external agencies, and community stakeholders. Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and consensus-building abilities, particularly in sensitive or high-stakes situations. Proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and performance metrics to support decision-making and continuous improvement. Ability to remain calm, decisive, and effective during crises, while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality. Capacity to balance strategic leadership with operational detail and to adapt quickly to evolving institutional and environmental needs. Demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism. Required Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public safety, emergency management, environmental health & safety, law enforcement, or related field. Experience Must be a current or retired sworn Peace Officer with a minimum of 15 years of experience, including at least 7 years as a supervisor. Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in public safety, campus security, emergency management, environmental health & safety, or law enforcement, preferably in higher education. Demonstrated experience managing multi-site operations and matrixed teams. Proven track record in regulatory compliance, risk management, and crisis response. Certifications/Licenses and Qualifications Must possess or have the ability to obtain a current and valid Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) Firearms Permit/Exposed Firearms Permit (including Guard Card) and a legal firearm, as defined by the State of California. Must hold a valid California Concealed Weapons Permit if the incumbent plans to carry a concealed weapon. Valid California drivers’ license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire). Must pass the CORI criminal background check. Preferred Qualifications Professional certifications (e.g., CPP, CEM, CHMM). Key Responsibilities Leadership & Oversight Develop and implement a comprehensive public safety strategy aligned with WesternU’s mission, values, and strategic plan. Directly supervise the Director of Campus Security, Security Clerk, and Oregon Campus Security Supervisor. Coordinate safety activities for the Oregon campus in collaboration with the AVP of ISS Oregon Operations. Serve as the primary liaison to university leadership, external agencies, and community partners on public safety matters. Directly supervise the Clery Compliance Officer to ensure accurate reporting, training, and adherence to Clery Act requirements. Operations & Compliance Oversee daily operations of campus security/safety, emergency management, and EHS departments. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (Clery Act, OSHA, Title IX, etc.). Direct safety training, drills, and professional development for all public safety staff. Emergency Management Develop, implement, and maintain emergency management plans, business continuity strategies, and crisis response protocols. Environmental Health & Safety Oversee environmental health & safety programs, hazard assessments, and regulatory compliance. People & Culture Build a high-performing team that reflects WesternU’s commitment to humanism. Promote professional development, collaboration, and open communication within the public safety division. Perform other related duties as assigned to support the mission and evolving needs of the University and the ISS Division. Posting Details Work Schedule While standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the Associate Vice President of Public Safety position requires a high degree of flexibility and responsiveness in support of a 24/7 university environment. The incumbent is expected to be available on-call as needed for emergencies, critical incidents, threat assessment matters, major campus events, and other operational or safety-related issues that may arise outside normal business hours. Benefits Competitive salaries Generous paid time off and retirement benefits Health insurance plans and reimbursements Focus on collective student success and community support Opportunities to build personal relationships within the university community Commitment to humanism, authenticity, and innovation in health sciences Culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and inclusive engagement Expected Pay Scale Minimum: $195,000.00 annually; Maximum: $212,000.00 annually. Physical Demands Essential functions require frequent use of hands to operate a PC, speaking, hearing, sitting, reaching, standing, walking, stooping, and lifting up to 40 pounds. Vision abilities include close, distance, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus. Reasonable accommodations may be available. Work Environment Dynamic university environment including office, campus, and field settings; may require carrying a firearm in accordance with policy. Use of computers and communication devices common; occasional travel between campuses. Noise level typically low to moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be available. Equal Opportunity Statement (EEO) The policy of Western University is to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time. #J-18808-Ljbffr Western University of Health Sciences