Dean, Public Safety Programs

Monroe Community College • Rochester, NY

7h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Dean of Public Safety Programs serves as the senior academic and administrative leader for Monroe Community College's Public Safety Training Facility (PSTF). This position provides strategic vision, academic oversight, and operational leadership for a multidisciplinary public safety education and workforce training enterprise serving Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Probation, Corrections, and Emergency Communications professionals throughout the region, as well as a positive working relationship with PSTF partners (Monroe County and the City of Rochester). The Dean is responsible for ensuring academic quality, regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and programmatic innovation across all public safety training programs and facilities. This includes leadership of academic programs aligned with SUNY and MCC standards, oversight of a revenue-generating training facility operating on a profit-and-loss model, supervision of instructional, operational, and administrative staff, and cultivation of strong partnerships with public safety agencies, government entities, and workforce development partners. The Dean reports directly to the Vice President, Economic & Workforce Development & Career Technical Education, and works closely with the PSTF Operating Practices Council in the exercise of its oversight function of the PSTF. The position serves as the primary institutional representative for public safety training initiatives and contributes to the College's broader workforce development and community engagement strategies.

Requirements

• Earned master's degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Fire Science, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited higher education institution; Earned bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Fire Science, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited higher education institution, with extensive experience, may be considered equivalent.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible command-level or executive leadership experience within a public safety organization.
• Demonstrated experience in executive-level public safety organizational leadership, budget management, and operational oversight.
• Demonstrated experience supervising personnel and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with community partners, government agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Experience in adult education, training, or application of adult learning theory.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Computer literacy and proficiency in relevant systems.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate of the FBI National Academy Program, the U.S. Fire Administration Executive Fire Officer Program, or Executive Level First Responder experience.
• Experience in workforce development, career and technical education, or continuing professional education.
• Experience in Curriculum Development or Instruction in a higher education college or university.
• Completion of Instructor Development School or obtaining New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Master Instructor Certification.
• Completion of Fire Service Instructor I or Fire Service Instructor II Certifications.
• Direct experience operating in a revenue-generating or enterprise-funded environment.
• Familiarity with relevant New York State and/or national public safety training accreditation standards and processes.
• Bilingual and able to read, write, and speak Spanish, or other languages, proficiently.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for public safety academic programs and training operations at the PSTF.
• Leads academic oversight functions, including curriculum development, program assessment, instructional quality, and alignment with SUNY, MCC, accreditation, and regulatory standards.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive strategic vision for public safety education and workforce training aligned with institutional priorities, regional workforce needs, and evolving public safety standards.
• Oversees planning, budgeting, monitoring, and management of PSTF operations, including responsibility for operating within a revenue-generating, performance-driven enterprise model.
• Ensures programs meet or exceed academic, operational, financial, and partner performance benchmarks.
• Supervises administrative, managerial, instructional, and support personnel. Leads hiring, evaluation, professional development, and organizational planning efforts.
• Cultivates a collaborative, multidisciplinary learning environment that promotes interoperability among law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and emergency communications disciplines.
• Provides leadership in the identification, development, evaluation, and expansion of innovative training programs responsive to emerging trends, technologies, and workforce demands.
• Serves as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the PSTF at the College, regional, and state levels.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with public safety agencies, government partners, workforce development organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards, contractual obligations, and training mandates.
• Contributes as a subject matter expert and instructional leader in areas aligned with background and credentials, including direct instruction when appropriate.
• Supports data-informed decision-making through the use of performance metrics related to enrollment, student success, completion, workforce placement, and financial performance.
• Identifies, pursues, and oversees external funding opportunities, including grants, contracts, and inter-agency agreements.
• Collaborates with College leadership, faculty, and shared governance bodies to advance institutional goals and program excellence.
• Promotes and expands public awareness of PSTF programs and capabilities.
• Works closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure adequate facility maintenance and improvements occur on a planned basis.
• Responsible for the oversight and management of the 110-acre Rush Firearms Range located in the Town of Rush.
• Ensures the Rush Range Protocol document is strictly followed to ensure the safety of authorized range users.
• Responds to concerns raised by nearby residents and town officials.
• Makes personnel hiring decisions in accordance with College hiring protocols.
• Reports financial statements and personnel matters to the Operating Practices Council Finance/Personnel Subcommittee and the Full Board of the Operating Practices Council on a quarterly basis.
• Compiles and completes an annual financial report for presentation to College executive leaders and the Operating Practices Council.
• Collaborates and responds to the needs and concerns of the various governmental agencies that are co-located within the PSTF facility.

Benefits

• Flexible Work Policy for benefit-eligible employees. Types of flexible work arrangements include flextime/staggered shifts, remote work/telecommuting, and compressed work schedules.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive