Director of the Center for Safe Schools

JOB ASSIGNMENT:  This full-time position follows a regular Monday through Friday (37.5 hours per week) work schedule with the opportunity to allow a hybrid work schedule consisting of three (3) days in-office work at the Center for Schools and Communities office located in Camp Hill, PA location and two (2) days telework from home and/or approved off-site locations.  In addition, face-to-face interaction with clients, meetings and trainings may be required on days deemed as teleworking days.  Certain requirements, based upon CSIU telework policy and administrative regulations, must be met.  The CSIU has the right to cancel or suspend the employee teleworking privileges at any time, for any or no reason due to the requirement of the CSIU and client needs.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:  The Center for Safe Schools Director reports directly to the Chief Programs Officer and in their absence, the Center for Schools and Communities Assistant Director.

JOB DEFINITION:  The Director of the Center for Safe Schools (CSS) provides strategic leadership, management, and administration of CSS within the Center for Schools and Communities (CSC), a division of the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU). This role oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with CSIU priorities. The Director manages daily operations, sustainable funding strategies, and revenue-generating initiatives while supervising professional staff and assessing program effectiveness. Responsibilities include leading grant administration, professional learning, and technical assistance efforts. Additionally, the Director serves on the Center for Schools and Communities leadership team and represents CSS on the regional school safety committee at CSIU.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Development and Planning:

• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of CSS projects, including grant administration, training, resource development, funder reporting, technical assistance, and professional learning opportunities (virtual and in-person) for LEAs and other organizations.
• Develop, implement, and assess a strategic plan for the Center for Safe Schools, aligning goals and outcomes with CSIU and CSC strategic priorities.
• Conduct research and establish a platform for sharing best practices, data, and strategic insights.
• Create concept papers and program content for grant applications to secure funding for new and existing programs.
• Develop protocols and consultation services to support LEAs in addressing school climate challenges through training and professional learning.
• Lead quarterly Regional Safety Personnel Networking Meetings in collaboration with school safety consultants, providing leadership at local, state, and multi-state levels.
• Develop and implement sustainable funding strategies for the Center for Safe Schools, Center for Schools and Communities, and CSIU.

Project Management and Supervision:

• Oversee planning and execution of CSS initiatives, including training, workshops, conferences, site visits, technical assistance, and communications.
• Manage project budgets in collaboration with the Statewide Grants, Operations, and Fiscal Manager.
• Ensure compliance with contracts, regulations, and grant requirements.
• Lead all aspects of the grant process, including application procedures, budget oversight, and monitoring.
• Coordinate and monitor program development, consultation services, and professional learning initiatives.
• Supervise and evaluate assigned staff, providing development plans and performance appraisals.
• Support staff in data collection, special projects, and action plan implementation.
• Conduct regular team and one-on-one meetings to ensure progress and alignment with goals.

Inter-Project Coordination:

• Assist in facilitating resources, sharing and availability of services between and among other related youth-serving programs.
• Represent the Chief Programs Officer in the event of their absence and upon request.
• Work collaboratively with other CSC leadership to promote the maintenance and growth of the CSC as a whole.

Liaison Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain relationships with CSIU staff, education service agencies, and related programs.
• Facilitate resource sharing and service coordination among youth-serving programs.
• Participate in task forces, stakeholder groups, committees, and agency meetings focused on school safety.
• Build and maintain partnerships with funders, state and national agencies, and organizations.
• Present on school safety initiatives at state and national conferences.
• Represent CSC, CSS, and project funders at meetings as needed.
• Engage in CSC staff, team, and task force meetings.
• Attend relevant conferences to stay informed and strengthen professional relationships.
• Facilitate meetings, workgroups, and other collaborative efforts as required.

Data Management and Communication:

• Develop and implement evaluation methods and data collection tools to measure program effectiveness and customer satisfaction.
• Train staff and partners on data collection processes and instruments.
• Oversee data collection, processing, and analysis, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare and distribute evaluation reports for funders and stakeholders.
• Develop content for print and digital resource materials.
• Prepare and monitor monthly, quarterly, and annual programmatic and fiscal reports.
• Maintain communication with statewide programs through correspondence, calls, and site visits.
• Facilitate cross-system meetings to enhance collaboration and project implementation.
• Respond to media inquiries in coordination with the Communications Director and CSIU Chief Programs Office

OTHER MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or their designee.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Middle Management supervisors are required to keep abreast of current trends, best practices regarding instruction and research to ensure quality special education programs and related services. Additionally, they must attend regularly scheduled full staff, Leadership Roundtable and other supervisory meetings.
• Required participation in local and state training that is pertinent to their job assignment, and participate in CSIU sponsored activities.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Minimum requirements are a Master’s degree in education, social sciences or related field and a minimum 10 years of relevant experience working in schools, community-based programs and/or youth service organizations.
• A minimum of three (3) years in law enforcement, juvenile justice is required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of direct supervisory experience is required.
• Extensive knowledge of school safety and climate issues, specifically in relation to threat assessments, training and experience in effective youth violence prevention, bullying prevention, and other school safety practices.
• Experience with fiscal management, grant writing and grant management
• Knowledge and experience with project management practices.
• Knowledge and experience with public and private funders.
• Proficient knowledge of Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) physical and behavioral health assessment standards and process.
• Knowledge of equity issues, specifically in relation to school safety and youth violence prevention, training and experience in effective youth violence prevention, bullying prevention, and other school safety practices.
• Excellent critical and analytical thinking skills.
• Understanding of program evaluation methodologies.
• Understanding of adult theories of learning and organizational training, including experience in developing training.
• Excellent writing skills, including experience in writing for professional publications including resource and research articles, grants, web newsletters and correspondence.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and manage multiple activities.
• Excellent inter- and intrapersonal and communication skills, including public speaking experience.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with colleagues and clients both internal and external.
• Experience with work involving children, adolescents and families.
• Must maintain a high level of professionalism, integrity, trust, and confidentiality.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proficient in the use of virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, GoTo Webinar, Teams) and collaborative document-sharing applications (Google Suite, Teams)
• Experience in developing new and sustainable funding streams.
• Understanding of legislative and regulatory procedures and processes preferred.
• Experience with public and private education, including charter, cyber, and magnet schools preferred. 
• Knowledge of processes related to government funding and educational agencies preferred.
• Excellent research skills, utilizing the internet, vetted artificial intelligence as well as print and other credible sources preferred.
• Understanding of data collection, analysis, and reporting using platforms such as a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software preferred.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (revised Act 15 of 2015).
• Current, approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours training every five (5) years.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary: Able to sit for extended periods of time, occasional walking, standing (as necessary) and able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Dexterity: Finger movements (computer keyboard, calculator), eye-hand coordination (office equipment, etc.).
• Audio-Visual Requirements: Within normal range with or without correction.
• Is able to move throughout all buildings, floors and grounds.
• Worksite Environment: Primarily indoors-office setting with occasional exposure to outdoor elements/climate during the day.
• Mental demands: Steady response to unpredictable situations, ability to remain calm and productive during stressful situations. Demonstrates independent judgment, discretion and is able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to travel to various work site locations and meetings as needed.

TIME AND SITE REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a full time, exempt Act 93 middle management position following a 12-month work schedule.
• Some evening meetings and overnight travel to site visits, conferences, workshops and other activities as directed by the Chief Programs Officer or Executive Director. As well as overnight travel for site visits, meetings and conferences.
• Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; any and all absences must be approved by the immediate supervisor.

CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS: 

1. All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of employment from the CSIU.  
2. The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.
3. The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled “Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too” and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.

MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENT: As a supervisory/management staff member, this position is also responsible for representing the CSIU in public networking and partnership activities by maintaining knowledge about and promoting CSIU programs and services and by relaying information about potential grant or other funding sources to appropriate CSIU staff members.

The position holder must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. It is the responsibility of the employee to inform their supervisor and the Director of Human Resources of the need for any accommodations that may be required

Salary : $85,000 - $95,000