Director of Public Safety at Elms College

Job Summary:

The Director of Public Safety is responsible for the overall leadership and oversight of the College's safety and security services including residence halls, academic and administrative buildings and property, emergency planning and parking enforcement.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Public Safety Lieutenants

Full-Time Public Safety Officers

Part-Time Public Safety Officers

General oversight for Student Monitors

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements public safety policies and procedures for the College consistent with general safety and campus police principles and legal and regulatory requirements.


• Continually assesses the College's safety needs and establishes a plan, priorities and strategies for upgrading public safety services and addressing public safety Issues.


• Assesses the College's safety needs and manages ongoing assessment of the College's entire public safety program.


• Has general responsibility for coordinating safely and security for events: lectures, performances, athletic games, concerts, commencement, summer programs, etc.


• Works with appropriate College departments and external constituents in the planning of major events.


• Develops and manages the Public Safety budget.


• Conducts investigations of criminal law that compromise the safety and security of the College.


• Enforces all College policies, such as work place violence, sexual harassment, the employee code of conduct, etc. and works in conjunction with Student Affairs to enforce the rules In the Student Handbook.


• Assesses and implements emergency preparedness programs and conducts public safety information sessions with campus community.


• Develops and maintains collaborative relations with local law enforcement, and peer institutions' Public Safety Departments.


• Assures that crime prevention Information Is made available to the College community including immediate crime advisories when necessary.


• Assesses College need with regard to security communications technology.


• Ensures that the Collage is in compliance with campus crime reporting requirements, inclusive of the Jeanne Clery Act and the Massachusetts Open Police Log law.


• Acts as a liaison with the Chicopee Fire Department for all fire safety matters and works with Director of Operations and local officials to implement fire and safety inspections.


• Conducts regular drills and emergency response training in cooperation with Residence Life staff and administrators.


• Oversees the enforcement of parking regulations.


• Oversees and manages the College's key control system; including, issuing keys, auditing keys, policy development and vendor contracts.


• Other duties as may be assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to be sworn as a special state police officer under MGL 22C-63.


• Must be able to read, Interpret, apply and explain policies, procedures and regulations and create and maintain an atmosphere of cooperation, tolerance, respect and professionalism within the Public Safety Department and the campus as a whole.


• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational and team-building skills.


• Ability to analyze, make recommendations, and implement appropriate course of action.


• Must be results-oriented, highly motivated, flexible, and able to manage multiple competing responsibilities and projects.


• Stays current with issues, developments and initiatives pertaining to college campus safety. Willingness to attend/participate in seminars/meetings and engage in ongoing professional development in the field of public safety.


• Requires working some evening, night, and weekend hours.


• Valid driver's license with good driving record required.


• First Aid and CPR certification required.

Education and Experience:

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or related field; Master's degree preferred.

Graduate of a full time Municipal Police or a Special State Police academy and minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years proven experience working at a supervisory level in college campus safety/law enforcement or functional equivalent.

Emergency Management/Preparedness and Crisis Management experience in a higher education setting required.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable Individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Use of general office equipment in an office setting. Requires an equal amount of standing, sitting, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing multiple levels of stairs, light lifting, near vision and manual dexterity to perform essential job functions.

Requires ability to travel between buildings on campus with exposure to inclement weather conditions.

May require driving or traveling to locations in the local and outside the local area on official college business.

Background check will be conducted upon hire and on a routine basis thereafter. Valid driver's license and good driving record required.

Elms College’s diversity statement embodies the charism of the founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph, including embracing “the love of neighbor without distinction” and whose Catholic heritage guides our intellectual, social, educational, and community endeavors.

Elms College seeks applicants who demonstrate a commitment to justice, equity and inclusion and have experience working with diverse groups, proven through educational background, professional development and lived experience. For faculty positions, application materials must include a statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through teaching, research, professional activity and/or service. For staff positions, applicants are strongly encouraged to address past and/or potential contributions to diversity.

Elms College is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.