Director of Public Safety

The Director of Public Safety is responsible for the safety of all students, staff, and faculty of the University.  This includes monitoring all aspects of daily operations, assessing the effectiveness of programs, policies, and procedures, supervising personnel, educating the campus, maintaining a relationship with other agencies, and administering the departmental budget.  Transylvania University is a Special Local Peace Officer (SLPO) agency and requires the incumbent in this position to obtain and maintain a commission as such.  Transylvania University is not a KLEFPF agency.

Essential Duties:

1. Manages a staff of Peace Officers, Dispatchers, Security Officers and Administrative Assistant.

• Screens, recommends for hire and assists in training staff.
• Schedules and supervises to provide 24 hour safety and security coverage for students, faculty and staff of the University.
• Ensures all Peace Officers receive required training including biannual First Aid, CPR and AED certification, penal code updates and weapons training including handguns and pepper spray. Also arranges external training opportunities within budgetary limitations.

2. Oversees the Department’s daily activities and ensures that the Department functions in a professional manner.

• Responds to all calls and emergencies.
• Provides backup support to other agencies in the area.
• Monitors and maintains campus security cameras.
• Responds to hazardous material spills and locates appropriate MSDS sheets.
• Complies with OSHA regulations and ensures up-to-date MSDS sheets are maintained.
• Provides traffic control on Broadway at designated times and during special campus events.
• Maintains equipment and vehicles and sends in work orders to maintenance when necessary.
• Ensures students, faculty and staff abide by parking regulations.
• Maintains campus lighting, fire alarms and smoke detectors to secure campus facilities.
• Maintains accurate records of work orders, purchase orders, time records, citations, daily logs, arrest reports, investigations, as well as injury and non-injury reports.

3. Keeps current with law enforcement practices and crime trends.
4. Maintains membership with professional organizations and attends professional development conferences.
5. Prevents campus crime by informing the University community of safety and transportation policies and crime statistics through email, an Internet website, bulletins and campus newsletters.
6. Works with administration, faculty, staff, students and the local community in determining and providing the most needed and effective services possible.
7. Reviews, enforces and recommends changes in the Department’s operations manual and safety procedures.

• Ensures evacuation procedures for natural disasters (tornadoes), disasters, man-made emergencies (bomb threats) and other crisis situations are kept up-to-date and all staff are prepared for potential disaster situations.
• Oversees campus parking procedures.

8. Provides safety, security and information for special events on campus.

• Provides assistance for summer programs.
• Provides traffic control on Broadway during special events.
• Informs students and parents of campus safety issues during open house events.

9. Monitors and makes recommendations for the Department budget.
10. Serves as Chair for the Campus Emergency Response Team to direct and lead the proper resources in responding and handling any type of critical incident. The Chair is also responsible for compiling and updating the Emergency Response Plan Manual and for having the proper document posted for the Transylvania University web site.
11. Serves as Chair of the Campus Safety Committee. Convenes meetings and ensures campus educational forums are conducted on safety related issues.
12. Responsible for the Campus Safety and security compliance statistical information and data known as the Clery/Menger Acts. Skilled in categorizing and analyzing crime data.
13. Advises the Chief Financial Officer on a regular basis regarding campus activities, attitudes, behaviors and trends.
14. Performs other duties that may be assigned or required.

Education and Experience

Graduation from a certified law enforcement academy is required.  

A bachelor’s degree, preferably in Management, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, or Law Enforcement is preferred.  Transylvania University uses equivalencies to determine if a candidate meets the minimum education and experience factors.   A minimum of 5 years in managing organizations, preferably Law Enforcement Organizations, is required.  Demonstration of continued growth in leadership positions is strongly preferred.  Effective interpersonal communication and human relation skills are necessary.

Licenses and Certifications

The Director of Public Safety must obtain a Special Local Peace Officer commission within 60 days of employment.  This commission must be maintained throughout the employment term.

Transylvania University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of the university community. In support of this goal, we seek qualified candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We embrace diversity and encourage all who are interested to apply.

Please apply by March 14, 2025, however, we will continue to accept resumes until the position is filled. 

Qualified candidates may submit their cover letter and resume by following the staff job opening link at www.transy.edu/jobs.  Please write your cover letter to the attention of Chief Robert Gowdy.