| SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under the direction of the Chief of Schools, leads and supervises the Department of Safety and Security, including the development, planning, implementation, maintenance and communication of a 24-hour comprehensive personal and physical security and school safety program for MCPS to ensure a safe and secure educational environment for students, staff, parents, and visitors. Supervises and evaluates department staff; provides leadership for department responses to security incidents, emergencies, and school safety initiatives and improvements. Works with schools to support the development and implementation of comprehensive safety and security training programs for staff. Works collaboratively with regional associate superintendents, school directors, and system leadership, public safety partners and cross-functional teams to plan, train staff, respond to incidents and develop programs, procedures, technology-supported systems and initiatives that ensure safe and secure schools.
Physical Demands: None
Special Requirements: Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays in order to respond to emergencies. |
|
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the organization, policies, regulations, operating and capital improvements program budgets of MCPS or a comparable large public-school system. Thorough knowledge of current safety and security strategies, protocols and communications technology. Thorough knowledge of current safety and security strategies, protocols, emergency preparedness practices, incident command structures, crises response procedures and communications protocol; knowledge of technology systems that support and enhance school safety, including access control, video surveillance, visitor management, emergency notification, radio communication, alarm, and incident reporting systems. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, regulations and ordinances related to school safety and security. Ability to plan, organize, monitor, and evaluate a comprehensive safety and security program in a large public-school system. Ability to analyze incident data, security audit findings, and safety trends to recommend staffing, training, technology, equipment, and operational improvements. Ability to lead emergency response activities, coordinate with public safety agencies, and provide guidance to school and central office leaders during critical incidents. Ability to develop, implement, and monitor standard operating procedures, emergency response plans, crisis management plans, drills, and safety/security training programs. Excellent oral and written communication and human relations skills. Excellent organizational and negotiation skills. Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn and apply the six leadership standards established for MCAAP/MCBOA and the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (PGS), including the supervision, evaluation, and professional development of staff. |
|
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in law enforcement, public administration, emergency management/public safety, education, public administration or a related field. Master’s preferred. Minimum of five years of progressively more responsible experience in safety and security field, which includes managing school and school system safety and security, emergency preparedness, incident command structures, and responsive strategies following an emergency or safety incident. Experience leading organizational change and utilizing safety data to implement strategic improvement plans. Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive safety and security programs in a large, complex organization, preferably in a public school system. Knowledge of safety and security technology, equipment, and systems used to support safe and secure school environments. Experience in budget preparation and administration, supervision, and training. Experience collaborating with school administrators, central office staff, public safety agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders to support prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Experience supervising, coaching, evaluating, and supporting staff in a safety, security, emergency management, or related operational environment. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid Maryland Class C license or equivalent. |
|
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (The duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by this job classification. This is not an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements and does not limit the assignment of additional related duties for the position. Not all duties assigned are included, nor are all duties listed performed in every office or every day.)Leads, plans, develops, implements, and monitors MCPS school safety and security operations to ensure a safe environment for students, staff, and community members using MCPS facilities.Provides departmentwide leadership, direction, and accountability for the implementation of MCPS safety and security policies, regulations, procedures, emergency preparedness plans, and operational protocols.Supervises, coaches, supports, and evaluates security supervisors, cluster security coordinators, and other assigned department staff using applicable standards of the MCAAP and SEIU Professional Growth Systems (PGS).Directs and coordinates the deployment of the Districtwide Incident Command Team in response to school and community incidents, emergencies, and other critical events.Supervises safety and security management at schools, central locations, depots, and other MCPS facilities, and ensures consistent implementation of safety expectations across locations.Provides guidance, technical assistance, and operational support to administrators and security staff in maintaining safe, secure, and welcoming school and work environments.Leads regular department and staff meetings with school-based and office-based security staff to communicate system priorities, policies, procedures, expectations, trends, and operational updates.Directs the implementation and continuous review of MCPS safety and security policies, regulations, standard operating procedures, and emergency response protocols. Establishes and maintains collaborative partnerships with police, fire, emergency management agencies, community safety groups, and other external organizations to enhance school safety and support coordinated prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.Represents the department in meetings, committees, work groups, and task forces related to school safety and security at the local, regional, state, and national levels, as appropriate.Communicates with families, staff, community members, and other stakeholders through written correspondence, telephone calls, meetings, presentations, and personal visits in ways that reflect cultural responsiveness and support public confidence in MCPS safety and security practices.Prepares correspondence, reports, briefing materials, and presentations for and on behalf of the superintendent, Chief of Schools, chief safety officer, and Board of Education members, as requested.Supervises regular assessments of school facilities to identify potential vulnerabilities and recommends appropriate safety and security measures, including operational, staffing, equipment, infrastructure, and technology-based solutions.Directs the development, implementation, review, and improvement of emergency response plans, including lockdown procedures, evacuation protocols, reunification procedures, shelter-in-place protocols, and crisis management strategies.Supervises drills, tabletop exercises, and other preparedness activities to ensure staff and students are prepared to respond effectively to emergencies and that lessons learned are used to improve planning and practice.Evaluates MCPS school safety and security programs using incident data, audit findings, stakeholder input, and emerging best practices, and recommends improvements to senior leadership to strengthen safety, equity, consistency, and effectiveness.Recommends school safety and security staffing levels for schools and offices and collaborates with the Office of Human Resources and Development in screening, selecting, onboarding, and supporting school-based and central office security staff.Responds to and provides leadership support for requests from principals, school leadership teams, systemwide administrators, and central office leaders regarding school safety and security matters.Directs the development and implementation of safety and security in-service training programs for security staff, administrators, and other staff, including training related to emergency response, incident reporting, de-escalation, visitor management, student supervision, and safety protocols.Reviews MCPS serious incident reports, identifies trends, and ensures appropriate follow-up action in collaboration with schools, offices, and external partners, as needed.Develops, updates, and ensures consistent implementation of standard operating procedures for school-based and centrally based safety and security staff.Supervises the maintenance and use of an efficient incident reporting system and uses data from the system to inform planning, training, staffing recommendations, resource allocation, and continuous improvement efforts. Supervises school security audits and ensures recommendations are communicated, prioritized, and monitored to improve safety in individual schools and across the system.Directs the development, review, and implementation of local school crisis management plans and provides guidance to ensure plans are current, practicable, and aligned with MCPS expectations.Collaborates with appropriate agencies and MCPS offices to maintain safe and secure buildings for after-hours programs, community use of school facilities, and special events.Recommends placement, replacement, and improvement of security equipment, infrastructure, and related safety systems based on school needs, audit findings, incident trends, and available resources.Provides leadership for safety and security technology systems in collaboration with appropriate MCPS offices, including access control, video surveillance, visitor management, emergency notification, radio communication, alarm, and incident reporting systems.Collaborates with technology, facilities, operations, and school leadership staff to support effective selection, implementation, maintenance, evaluation, and improvement of integrated safety and security systems.Stays informed of current and emerging practices, legal requirements, and technologies related to school safety, security operations, emergency preparedness, threat prevention, incident response, and crisis recovery.Supports systemwide planning and response for critical incidents, emergencies, and special events in coordination with schools, central office leadership, public safety agencies, and community partners.Performs related work as required. |
