Director of Safety & Security/School Resource Officer

Position Summary : 

St. Richard’s Episcopal School seeks a mission-aligned, experienced safety professional to serve as Director of Safety & Security / School Resource Officer (SRO) . This position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all aspects of campus safety, security, risk management, and transportation.

The Director is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive safety and security protocols across the St. Richard’s and Trinity campus. This leadership role ensures a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors by coordinating safety planning, emergency preparedness, campus security operations, and risk mitigation efforts. Additionally, the Director coordinates and supervises the enforcement of federal, state, and local laws, as well as school policy, rules, and regulations, to maintain a safe environment for students, faculty, staff and the public.

Key Responsibilities:

Campus Safety & Security Leadership

• Serve as the School’s lead safety official and visible security presence.
• Serve as the 24/7 primary contact on the SRES emergency call list.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update campus safety and security protocols.
• Oversee daily security operations, including arrival/dismissal and special events.
• Regularly patrol school grounds to monitor safety conditions and identify risks or unauthorized activities.
• Coordinate vehicle traffic routes for daily drop off and pick up to ensure student safety and efficient traffic flow.
• Coordinate and lead emergency response efforts.
• Maintain strong working relationships with local law enforcement, fire, and emergency agencies.
• Manage emergency drills (lockdown, evacuation, shelter-in-place, reunification, etc.).
• Serve as a member of the School’s Incident Command Team.
• Promptly respond to on-campus incidents, initiate appropriate protocols, and file necessary incident reports.

School Resource Officer Functions

• Build positive, developmentally appropriate relationships with students.
• Serve as a mentor and safety educator within the school community.
• Provide age-appropriate instruction on safety, digital citizenship, and personal responsibility when requested.
• Assist administration with student investigations when safety concerns arise.

After-Hours Security Oversight

• Recruit, schedule, supervise, and evaluate after-hours and event security officers.
• Ensure proper coverage for athletics, performances, and special events.
• Establish clear expectations and post orders for contracted or part-time officers.

Risk Management

• Partner with school leadership on enterprise risk management initiatives.
• Support CFO in maintaining and updating the School’s risk register.
• Oversee incident reporting systems and conduct post-incident reviews.
• Coordinate safety training for faculty and staff.
• Collaborate with Business Office regarding insurance inspections and recommendations.
• Support compliance with applicable safety regulations and best practices.

Transportation Oversight

• Oversee all student transportation safety protocols, including:
• Field trips
• Athletic travel
• International and domestic travel programs
• Ensure proper driver vetting, vehicle documentation, and safety procedures.
• Coordinate transportation risk assessments and emergency preparedness planning.

Policy & Planning

• Lead review and implementation of the School’s Emergency Operations Plan.
• Assist in development of safety-related board policies.
• Monitor emerging school safety trends and recommend improvements.
• Prepare regular safety reports for school leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 5–10 years of experience in law enforcement, school safety, campus security, military, or related field.
• Current or prior law enforcement certification with full police powers.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
• Experience in emergency response and crisis management.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially with children and families.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Calm, steady leadership under pressure
• High emotional intelligence
• Visible presence balanced with relational warmth
• Strategic thinker with operational discipline
• Collaborative leadership style
• Deep commitment to child-centered safety

Preferred:

• Experience serving as a School Resource Officer.
• Access to or ability to operate a marked patrol vehicle.
• Indiana School Safety Specialist Certification (or willingness to obtain)
• FEMA ICS/NIMS training.
• Experience in independent school or educational settings.
• Risk management or safety certification. 

 Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend and move around the campus extensively throughout the day
• Ability to respond rapidly to emergency situations
• Ability to engage in close visual work and maintain close physical proximity to students and staff
• Regular outdoor duty in varying weather conditions is required
• Ability to work evenings and weekends for events as needed
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 75 pounds occasionally