Director of Public Safety and Risk Management

Warren Wilson•Asheville, NC

About The Position

Warren Wilson College is seeking an experienced and dedicated professional to serve as Director of Public Safety and Risk Management. Reporting to the Executive Director of Facilities and Operations, this position provides leadership and administration for the College’s public safety operations, with a focus on Clery Act compliance, life safety inspections, and insurance oversight. The Director will act as the primary liaison for emergency response planning and coordination, designing and implementing effective strategies that safeguard the College community while fostering resilience and preparedness. This role calls for a collaborative leader who can build strong relationships across campus and with local, regional, and national agencies, ensuring that safety, compliance, and risk management remain central priorities. The ideal candidate will bring a solid background in public safety, exceptional leadership skills, and a commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff. The position requires flexibility, with some evening, holiday, and weekend hours dedicated to emergency response, public safety staffing, and community communication. Interested individuals should read further to learn more about the College and the responsibilities for this full-time, exempt position. Applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter that describes how your previous experience will contribute to the Progressive Promise and the mission of Warren Wilson College. First consideration will be given to candidates who apply by January 11, 2026. All applications must be received electronically.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business, or related field.
Five years of professional public safety or law enforcement experience with progressive responsibility, including three years of experience in a supervisory role.
Demonstrated experience planning and leading risk management or loss control initiatives and collaborating with insurance carriers.
Computer proficiency in MS Office and Google Suite.
Demonstrated ability to effectively problem solve and handle sensitive situations.
Demonstrated evidence of detail orientation, customer service orientations, ability to work independently, and significant levels of responsibility required.
Evidence of working knowledge of reporting practices related to the Clery Act.
Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, written and oral communication, problem-solving, organizational and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Emergency Management planning and implementation.
Knowledge of budget management principles.
Knowledge of public safety principles as related to college campuses
OSHA 30 hour certification
CPR, First Aid Instructor
Evidence of experience in handling dynamic critical incidents.
Additional experience in working with college/university constituencies and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Possess knowledge of federal and state laws related to higher education campus security (such as Title IX, VAWA) along with investigative experience.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with Residence Life staff to maintain Clery Act Reporting data; compiles relevant campus crime statistical information from local / county / state law enforcement agencies to be included in those data.
Writes the Annual Security Report and submits the annual Campus Safety and Security Survey as required by the Clery Act, to ensure compliance with federal regulations related to the safety and security of the campus.
Serves on a variety of campus committees, task forces, and teams throughout the community.
Chairs: Emergency Response Team.
Ensures the completion of building life safety systems inspections and required documentation.
Develops, reviews and updates existing departmental policies and procedures as necessary.
Oversees and implements safety protocols and traffic planning for special events.
Directly supervises the Lead Public Safety Officer (LPSO); in the LPSO’s absence directly supervises Public Safety Officers (PSOs)
Indirectly supervises PSOs through the LPSO to ensure compliance with all campus and departmental policies, protocols, and standards.
Conducts sensitive investigations (Title IX & personnel).
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Trained in de-escalation and works in partnership with Student Engagement to support students in crisis or with medical needs.
Monitors the departmental budget.
Recruit, hire, and train staff and complete performance evaluations.
Develops and maintains campus emergency management plan; assists in the related training of department and college staff; while also maintaining related documentation.
Serves as the Warren Wilson College liaison to local allied emergency services agencies.
Responds to emergency situations, including after-hours emergencies, as needed.
Coordinates the Emergency Response Team/Crisis Management Team and associated training.
Develop and implement institutional Risk Management program plans to assist in the tracking and documentation of OSHA requirements and institutional safety training.
Reviews and updates policies, programs, and procedures ensuring inclusion of any new legal requirements for risk management specific to OSHA.
Serves as primary point of contact for the College’s insurer; interprets insurance coverages and communicates policy and procedure changes to appropriate users.
Serves as a campus resource for all risk management related issues for risk and insurance issues in all College activities.
Designs, directs and coordinates risk programs of the College to control exposures and minimize loss.
Responsible for the claim filing process for property and liability incidents.
Conducts site assessments, reviews and self-inspections.
Analyzes and interprets results, recommends appropriate corrective actions, communicates results and follows up on issues or concerns until completion.
Develops, implements, and maintains Warren Wilson College policies and procedures ensuring adherence to local, state, and federal environmental, health and safety regulations.
Keeps abreast of changes to laws and regulations that impact the organization.
Serves as a contact with federal, state, and local regulatory bodies.
Responsible for conducting and evaluating periodic safety, fire and/or hazardous conditions or substance inspection of all College facilities, equipment and employee work practices; recommends changes and coordinates implementation.
Authority to issue safety directions and when necessary may suspend work in any location deemed unsafe; once safety protocols are met, has sole authority to resume work at suspended job site.
Reviews and investigates accident/incident reports, compiling findings and recommendations for corrective actions into summary reports.
Develops, implements, and coordinates Safety, Health, and Environmental College wide training.
Assists with the design and development of facilities, work areas and work procedures and ensures the implementation of environmental, health and safety requirements accordingly.
Uses interpersonal skills and makes sound judgments to decide how duties and responsibilities are completed between coworkers, the supervisory chain, faculty, staff, students, and customers.
Supports the values and institutional goals as defined in the College’s Strategic Plan.
Participates in the process for systematic review and evaluation per the institutional effectiveness model adopted by the College.
Performs other duties as assigned.