Director of Safety and Security

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences•Yakima, WA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Safety and Security provides strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of campus safety, physical security, and emergency preparedness at PNWU. This role develops and sustains a comprehensive safety program that supports a secure, resilient, and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Director serves as the University’s senior authority on campus safety and risk mitigation, overseeing security services, emergency preparedness, threat assessment processes, regulatory compliance, and coordination with external public safety partners. The Director serves as PNWU's primary liaison to local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management agencies, and ensures the University's readiness to respond effectively to a broad range of safety and emergency scenarios. The role requires availability to respond in person to campus emergencies and after-hours calls, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and regular presence across campus outside of standard business hours as needed. The Director reports to the Vice President of Operations, serves as the senior security authority on campus, and advises executive leadership on risk mitigation, safety strategy, and operational readiness. The Director works collaboratively across the institution, supporting PNWU's commitment to a campus culture where every member of the community feels safe, respected, and cared for.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public safety, emergency management, public administration, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in campus safety, law enforcement, emergency management, or institutional security, with at least three years in a supervisory or leadership role
Demonstrated experience building, significantly restructuring, or leading substantial change within a safety or security function
Experience participating in threat assessment, behavioral intervention, or multidisciplinary safety teams

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a relevant field
Prior experience in a higher education or health sciences environment
FEMA Professional Development Series certification or equivalent emergency management credential
Experience managing a transition from contracted to in-house security operations
Familiarity with behavioral threat assessment models such as NABITA
Knowledge of Clery Act reporting requirements and campus emergency management frameworks

Responsibilities

Design, build, and oversee daily campus safety operations, including supervision of security personnel and vendor performance, while serving as the primary point of contact for security matters including incident response and after-hours coordination, and ensuring timely review of incident reports, trend monitoring, and appropriate follow-up and escalation.
Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and standard operating guidelines that reflect best practices in higher education safety and align with PNWU's institutional values.
Provide strategic leadership for campus safety and security by setting long-range direction, aligning programs and policies with institutional priorities, accreditation standards, and best practices, while establishing performance metrics to drive continuous improvement and overseeing the safety budget, contracted services, and investments in security technology and infrastructure.
Oversee day-to-day security operations—including patrols, access control, monitoring, incident response, and visible campus presence—while managing campus security technology systems such as CCTV, alarms, badge and key control, and emergency notification platforms (e.g., Rave Mobile Safety), and conducting regular safety assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
Partner with the Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, and Student Affairs on matters at the intersection of campus safety, civil rights, accommodation, and threat response, while participating in the University’s Threat Assessment and CARE Teams to ensure coordinated and timely case management.
Develop, maintain, and annually update PNWU’s Emergency Operations Plan and continuity procedures in alignment with Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance and the National Incident Management System, while coordinating campus-wide emergency drills, tabletop exercises, and preparedness training, and serving as the primary operational coordinator during critical incidents in collaboration with the President’s Cabinet and Emergency Response Team.
Collaborate with Facilities to address environmental and physical security needs—including access control, lighting, and infrastructure enhancements—while providing safety and security input for campus planning, construction, and renovation projects, and serving as the primary liaison with local law enforcement, fire, medical, and emergency management agencies.
Ensure institutional compliance with applicable local, state, and federal safety regulations and standards including the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, completing all Daily Crime Log, Annual Security Report, emergency notifications, and required disclosures. Oversee security reporting, policy updates, and audit readiness.
Foster a campus safety culture grounded in care, dignity, and trust that reflects PNWU’s mission of service and commitment to an inclusive community, while actively engaging students, faculty, and staff through education, communication, and community-building, and maintaining a visible, accessible presence that models values-based leadership characterized by transparency, shared responsibility, and a strong connection to purpose.
Serve as PNWU’s primary liaison to the Yakima Police Department, Yakima Fire Department, and Yakima County Emergency Management, while building and sustaining collaborative relationships with neighboring institutions, community partners, and state and federal public safety agencies.
Advise the Vice President of Operations and senior leadership on emerging safety trends, shifts in the risk landscape, and institutional needs.
Assist with budget planning, resource allocation, purchasing, and vendor oversight related to safety and security operations.
Perform other related duties as assigned and based on departmental need.