Assistant Chief of Security

SAFER FOUNDATION•Chicago, IL

62d

About The Position

The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment. General Summary: Each Assistant Chief of Security is responsible for leading facility security operations and staff training during their designated shift, at their assigned center. This position ensures compliance with security protocols as mandated by the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), supervises CRC II staff, and serves as a shift trainer for CRCI and CRCII teams, overseeing their professional development in security, safety and correctional best practices. All Assistant Chiefs work collaboratively to maintain operational consistency and training standards across both centers. This position requires strong leadership, shift-based security oversight, crisis intervention expertise, and staff development and training skills to maintain a secure, well-prepared workforce in a correctional environment. This role involves direct supervision, performance evaluation, training, and development of personnel while ensuring alignment with Safer Values. The Assistant Chief of Security staff must also be available for on-call emergencies, short staffing situations, and crisis intervention, contributing to a secure and professional correctional facility. Each Assistant Chief is expected to coordinate to ensure seamless communication and operational continuity. The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values. Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity and Evidence Based Innovation.

Requirements

Strong understanding of correctional security operations, facility safety, and compliance regulations.
Expertise in staff supervision, training, and mentorship in a correctional setting.
Crisis management, emergency response, and conflict resolution skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, particularly in documentation and reporting.
Ability to analyze security protocols and improve operational efficiency.
Hands-on experience and self-sufficiency with Microsoft productivity tools, including Outlook (for email), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and online collaboration tools (video conferencing, Zoom/Teams, messaging).
BA in Criminal Justice, Public Safety or related field preferred.
A combination of education and experience totaling at least 10 years may be considered.
10+ years of experience I corrections, law enforcement, or military service with increasing responsibility, preferred.
Demonstrated leadership and training experience in security, compliance and operational oversight.
Experience developing and mentoring staff.

Responsibilities

Oversee facility security operations during the assigned shift, ensuring full compliance with all policies and procedures.
Supervise CRC II staff, ensuring all security functions are executed professionally and in alignment with Safer values.
Authorize and monitor vehicle use by staff.
Conduct and oversee security procedures, including shake-downs, strip searches, contraband control, and resident drug testing.
Monitor facility conditions, security compliance, and safety hazards, ensuring corrective action is taken when necessary.
Act as a liaison between security teams, administration, and external agencies, including law enforcement and IDOC officials.
Be available on-call for emergency responses, staffing shortages, and crisis intervention as needed.
Ensure smooth transition between shifts, providing detailed handoff reports to the next Assistant Chief to maintain continuity.
Recruit, assess in interviews, and onboard security personnel, ensuring alignment with organizational and regulatory standards.
Establish and maintain stronger partnerships and relationships with IDOC officials, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to support compliance and training efforts.
Ensure all security team members meet IDOC compliance standards and complete mandated training.
Represent Safer Foundation in meetings with external agencies, stakeholders, and auditors, advocating for security excellence.
Maintain accurate records of security incidents, staff training, and compliance documentation.
Oversee daily security reports, facility counts, and incident logs to ensure full transparency and compliance.
Ensure proper documentation of disciplinary actions, commendations, and employee evaluations.
Monitor security-related financial transactions, including training costs, facility upgrades, and operational needs.
Conduct facility audits, oversee compliance assessments, and assist in scheduling and completing audit processes.
Document and report any incidents involving the use of restraints, armory operations, or security breaches.
Maintain training logs and provide updates to leadership on staff development progress.
Oversee budgetary compliance related to facility operations, security needs, and staffing requirements.
Monitor and manage expenses within approved budgetary constraints.
Assist in financial planning by analyzing operational costs and making recommendations for budget adjustments.
Ensure proper documentation of financial transactions related to equipment, training, and security resources.
Provide leadership with financial reports regarding budget utilization and resource allocation.
Directly supervise CRC II staff, ensuring adherence to policies, procedures, and professional conduct expectations.
Conduct staff evaluations, provide performance feedback, and assist with goal development.
Assign tasks, monitor performance, and provide real-time feedback to support professional growth.
Facilitate training, mentorship, and career development for staff under supervision.
Address performance issues through coaching, discipline, or recognition as appropriate.
Foster a collaborative and accountable work environment by encouraging teamwork, communication, and integrity.
Ensure equitable workload distribution and resolve personnel conflicts effectively.
Lead by example in upholding professionalism, security standards, and ethical behavior.
Be available on-call for emergency staffing shortages and crisis situations requiring immediate leadership intervention.
Develop and implement a structured training curriculum for CRC I and CRC II staff, ensuring compliance with IDOC training requirements.
Conduct security and safety training for all new hires and existing staff, covering emergency response, de-escalation, and correctional best practices.
Establish a mentorship and shadowing program, assigning senior staff to new team members for hands-on learning.
Maintain training documentation, track completion records, and report progress to leadership.
Coordinate with other Assistant Chiefs of Security to ensure alignment in training content and implementation across all shifts.
Organize quarterly refresher courses to reinforce evolving security policies, emergency response procedures, and compliance standards.
Work with IDOC trainers and external partners to enhance staff preparedness for correctional environments.