Director of School Safety and Student Services

POSITION TITLE: Director of School Safety and Student Services

EXEMPTION STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: per contract, 2025-2026 school contract

Primary Purpose:

Responsible for the overall management, strategic planning, development, evaluation, and implementation of the district’s safety and security program. Oversee mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases of the District’s school safety and emergency management. Direct and facilitate support programs related to student services.  

Qualifications:

Education/Certification

Master’s Degree, preferred

Principal or Mid-Management Certification, preferred

Valid Texas Teacher Certification

Special Knowledge/Skills

Strong organizational, communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, and public relations skills

Working knowledge of alternative certification programs and legal issues related to student discipline

Knowledge of curriculum and program assessment

Ability to interpret data and evaluate instructional programs, campus leadership and teaching effectiveness

Knowledge of emergency operations planning

Knowledge of National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) procedures

Knowledge of health and school safety programs and applicable laws

Strong public information, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Knowledge of local, state, and federal response procedures

Ability to work within the city and county emergency operations center as applicable

Experience

Five years teacher experience and five years instructional leadership experience

3 years emergency management, school administration, or safety and security experience

Experience in public education

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Instructional Program Management

• Provide administrative support for alternative school leaders in implementing long-range plans for program improvement and student achievement, and monitoring curriculum delivery through coaching and mentoring protocols.
• Chair the alternative education placement committee and maintain placement record

Student Services

• Administer and monitor student discipline and expulsion procedures, collaborate with principals to reduce referrals, serve as the Superintendent’s designee and hearing officer for discipline matters, and assist with student/parent grievances.
• Advise District staff in the areas of guardianship, custody, enrollment, and access to student records, and serve as the District’s liaison for homeless students and students in foster care.
• Administer the student transfer process by implementing and communicating District procedures and deadlines, processing applications, notifying parents, maintaining records, and collaborating with human resources staff.
• Monitor student truancy and develop strategies to reduce the truancy rate.
• Provide a clearinghouse for court related cases and serve as the District liaison with law enforcement and community supervision personnel.

Safety and Security

• Provide leadership for the development, planning, and implementation of the districtwide school safety and security program. 
• Responsible for district safety, emergency management, NIMS, and ICS, training of administrators, staff, and volunteers.
• Develop and provide guidance to campuses and other facilities for emergency procedure drills. Plan and coordinate drills with all instructional and noninstructional facilities to ensure readiness when needed.
• Plan agendas and serves as chair for the school safety and security committee; prepare the committee to staff the Emergency Operations Center.
• Oversee the annual review of the district emergency management plan using data, state guidance, and stakeholder feedback to assess effectiveness and make recommendations for improvement. 
• Inform campus leaders of the status of campus preparedness and planning for weather-related or unexpected emergencies. Monitor weather and approaching storms and makes recommendations if the weather is likely to alter campus class schedules or affect campus events.
• Assess availability of appropriate technologies for emergency response, including testing emergency communication technologies, tracking and analyzing the speed of communications, timing of messages, and communication delays. 
• Oversee the physical and technical security infrastructure of the district and maintain facilities to ensure effective daily operations and readiness when needed.
• Act as the district liaison with local law enforcement, fire agencies, emergency management officials, and community leaders involved in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Provide direction and oversight to the school resource officer program.*

Policy, Reports and Law

• Implement policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and the local board.
• Prepare, submit and maintain file reports, records, audits, and other documents as required.
• Oversee the Stay Alert School Safety Hotline and maintain records.
• Oversee development, maintenance, and implementation of the district’s multi-hazard emergency operations plan; ensure campus plans are up-to-date and in compliance with the latest standards in emergency response.
• Implement federal and state laws and regulations, local board policy, and insurance regulations and ensure compliance. 
• Stay abreast of local, state, and federal public policy changes that could impact the district in addition to relevant procedures and strategies outlined by NIMS and ICS. 

Fiscal and Personnel Management

• Oversee the department budget and ensure programs are cost-effective and funds are managed prudently.
• Serve as liaison between campuses, parents and the community.
• Observe employee performance, record observations and walk-throughs, and conduct evaluation conferences, as needed.

Professional Growth and Development

• Participate in professional development programs to improve job performance; share ideas and information with other educators; and provide leadership in identifying best practices, trends, and opportunities for growth and improvement in alternative education programs.
• Routinely conference with staff and support individual professional growth and development.

Communication

• Demonstrate skill in conflict resolution with parents, campus leaders and staff, and the community.
• Serve as a member of committees as assigned.
• Articulate the District’s mission, instructional philosophy, and curriculum implementation to alternative school leaders and solicit their support in realizing the mission.
• Adhere to the District’s standards of conduct and educator’s code of ethics.
• Ensure that established goals and expectations related to district safety and security are communicated clearly, consistently, and in a timely manner to all appropriate stakeholders.
• Prepare and deliver written and oral presentations regarding security and safety issues to the board, staff, and community, as required.    

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise and evaluate the performance of the department secretary.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer, peripherals, and telephone
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and walking, occasional kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, keyboarding, use of mouse, wrist flexion/extension
• Lifting: Lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds without assistance, 30-55 pounds with assistance, and more than 55 pounds with appropriate assistance 
• Environment: Work is performed in an office setting and on campuses, occasional prolonged hours, frequent districtwide travel, occasional statewide travel
• Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress, work with frequent interruptions

*Note: A commissioned peace officer can only be supervised by a commissioned peace officer.