Director, Campus Safety and Security

Gavilan College•Gilroy Campus, CA

22h

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Vice President of Administrative Services, the Director plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and evaluates the Gavilan Community College District’s comprehensive safety and security program. This director-level role has full management accountability for safety and security functions across district sites, including strategic planning, policy development, budget management, staffing, and inter-agency coordination. The Director serves as the district’s primary subject matter expert for physical security, emergency management, and public safety, and provides senior leadership for campus security operations, emergency preparedness, security systems administration, and personnel safety. The Director is responsible for advancing a professional, proactive, and data-informed security program that supports the district’s mission and a safe, welcoming learning environment. The position oversees security personnel and systems, develops and evaluates plans and policies, coordinates with internal departments and external agencies, and uses performance data and security assessments to guide operations and improvements. The Director also leads emergency planning and training, supports regulatory compliance, and serves as evening administrator. The position may require on-call response to emergencies and critical incidents.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Emergency Management, Public Administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in security management, law enforcement, or a directly related field.
At least two years of experience in a supervisory or management capacity.
Demonstrated experience administering physical security systems, including access control and video management systems.
Knowledge of modern principles, practices, and techniques of physical security management and campus law enforcement.
Knowledge of physical security systems, including access control platforms, video management systems, intrusion detection, and emergency notification systems.
Knowledge of threat and risk assessment methodologies, including ASIS International frameworks.
Knowledge of federal and California laws and regulations applicable to campus security, including the Clery Act, California Education Code, and relevant Penal Code provisions.
Knowledge of emergency management principles, including NIMS/ICS.
Knowledge of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles.
Knowledge of data analysis, performance metrics, and reporting methods applicable to security operations.
Knowledge of budget preparation, administration, and fiscal management practices.
Knowledge of personnel management, training, supervision, and employee development.
Knowledge of the collective bargaining environment and ability to work effectively in a unionized setting.
Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, multi-site safety and security program.
Ability to administer, troubleshoot, and direct the use of physical security systems, including access control and video management systems.
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret security data and metrics and present findings clearly to executive leadership and the Board of Trustees.
Ability to use metrics to identify vulnerabilities, patterns, and trends and adjust staffing, deployment, and resources accordingly.
Ability to develop and deliver comprehensive security training programs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with college administration, faculty, staff, students, law enforcement agencies, and community partners.
Ability to exercise sound independent judgment in high-pressure or emergency situations and lead effective incident response.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in writing and orally, and prepare clear and accurate reports, policies, and correspondence.
Ability to plan and manage a departmental budget, including capital expenditure planning for security infrastructure.
Ability to collaborate with and align multiple stakeholders around shared safety goals and institutional priorities.
Ability to foster trust, respect, and psychological safety so community members and security personnel can report concerns and escalate issues without fear of retaliation.
Ability to use critical thinking to evaluate complex situations, anticipate risks, weigh competing priorities, and develop proportionate responses.
Ability to influence decision-makers and campus leadership through data, clear reasoning, and compelling communication.
Ability to build consensus and navigate organizational dynamics with diplomacy, tact, and a solutions-oriented approach.
Ability to demonstrate cultural competency and sensitivity in interactions with a diverse campus community and adapt communication to varied audiences.
Degrees and credits used to meet minimum requirements must be from accredited institutions. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by a third party and the evaluation attached to the application.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic vision, direction, and leadership for safety and security programs and operations across district sites.
Develop, implement, and evaluate the district’s Security Master Plan in alignment with institutional goals and industry best practices.
Serve on the district administrative leadership team and advise the Vice President of Administrative Services and other senior administrators on security matters.
Represent the district in interactions with law enforcement agencies, county emergency services, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, and other external partners.
Oversee the development, implementation, and regular review of security policies, procedures, and protocols.
Prepare and administer the department budget and identify and recommend capital expenditures for security infrastructure, technology, and training.
Direct security patrol operations, parking enforcement, and emergency response activities across district facilities and campuses.
Ensure operational readiness of campus security personnel and security systems.
Oversee administration of physical security systems, including access control, video management, intrusion detection, and emergency notification platforms.
Coordinate with Facilities and Information Technology on physical security system design, installation, maintenance, and integration.
Respond to or direct responses to security emergencies, critical incidents, and after-hours situations; serve on call as required.
Ensure timely and thorough investigation of security incidents, criminal activity, and safety hazards, and maintain accurate records and documentation.
Develop, manage, and report department performance metrics to identify vulnerabilities, patterns, trends, and gaps across district sites.
Analyze crime statistics, incident reports, patrol activity, and response-time data to support evidence-based decisions.
Use metrics analysis to adjust staffing levels, patrol deployment, resource allocation, and operational priorities in response to emerging risks.
Prepare and publish the annual Clery Act Right-to-Know crime statistics report in compliance with federal requirements.
Conduct periodic vulnerability assessments and security audits of district facilities; develop corrective action plans and track remediation.
Present data-driven security reports and briefings to district leadership, the Board of Trustees, and other stakeholders.
Recruit, select, train, supervise, evaluate, and develop security department personnel, including Campus Security Officers and support staff.
Develop and administer security training covering emergency response, de-escalation, crisis intervention, campus policy enforcement, access control, report writing, and customer service.
Support ongoing professional development through training plans, certification pathways, and continuing education opportunities.
Establish performance expectations; conduct evaluations; provide coaching, mentoring, and progressive discipline as appropriate.
Foster a department culture grounded in integrity, service, and continuous improvement.
Develop, maintain, and exercise the district’s Campus Emergency Operations Plan in coordination with the President’s Cabinet and district administrators.
Serve as the district’s primary liaison to Cal OES, FEMA, and local emergency management agencies.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, including the Clery Act, security-related Title IX provisions, relevant California Penal Code provisions, and California Education Code.
Coordinate Threat Assessment Team activities and participate in the assessment and management of behavioral threats to campus safety.
Plan and coordinate campus emergency drills, tabletop exercises, and after-action reviews.
Serve as evening administrator and perform other duties as assigned.