Vice President of Public Safety

Summary: This position provides leadership and oversight of safety, security operations, and emergency preparedness operations at all six airports. The oversight includes RIAC’s Police, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), workplace safety, and airport security functions. The role is responsible for ensuring airport readiness and preparedness for emergency     events. The incumbent will plan, direct, and implement organization’s safety program to maintain a safe, healthy, and accident-free work environment either directly or through subordinate managers. This position ensures that all departments operate effectively to uphold safety, security, and customer service standards. Additionally, the role leads the Safety Management System (SMS) for the airport.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Emergency Preparedness
  • Ensures RIAC Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) and Police departments train and comply with all applicable Federal and State laws, including but not limited to 49 CFR Parts 1542, 1544, and FAA Part
  • Ensures that public safety departments meet and successfully pass all required testing and assessments conducted by external agencies.
  • Develops, drafts, and implements comprehensive emergency response plans, ensuring compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal rules and
  • Leads the planning, coordination, and execution of mandatory training programs, including FAA and TSA tabletops and triennial drill.
  • Direct the planning and implementation of mutual aid agreements and associated training initiatives.
  • Ensures ongoing updates and training for the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), Airport Emergency Plan (AEP), Airport Security Plan (ASP), Incident Command System (ICS 100-200), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS - FEMA training).
• Organizational Safety
  • Leads the plannings and execution of RIAC’s FAA-required Safety Management System (SMS) across the organization.
  • Regularly reviews and updates airport safety policies, manuals, and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance and effectiveness.
  • Coordinates SMS-related projects and communicates findings through detailed oral and written reports.
  • Conduct site visits across airport facilities to investigate safety incidents, address inquiries, and follow up on anonymous tips.
  • Issue safety citations when violations occur to ensure proper enforcement and compliance with safety regulations.
  • Maintain accurate records for safety incidents, compliance efforts, and SMS program performance.
  • Analyzes safety data to identify trends and patterns, prepares management reports to track key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Actively participates in RIAC’s Safety Committee, conducts safety meetings on a periodic
  • In collaboration with Human Resources and other departments, plans and implements training programs for managers and employees on workplace safety practices, fire prevention, and the proper handling techniques for chemicals, toxins, equipment, and other materials.
• Emergency Response
  • Serves as the Airport Emergency Operations Center (AEOC) manager during incidents, ensuring effective coordination and response.
  • Leads the investigation of accidents and injuries and collaborates in preparing material and evidence for the organization’s use in hearings, lawsuits, and insurance
  • Provides guidance, coordination, and support to RIAC leadership during emergencies, focusing on maximizing response efficiency, minimizing operational impacts, and expediting recovery.
  • Compiles and submits accident reports in compliance with regulatory agency requirements.
  • Represents the organization in community or industry safety groups and programs, promoting safety initiatives and fostering relationships.
  • Establishes and maintains effective communication and collaboration with airport stakeholders on security and operational matters, including TSA, FAA, airport tenants and federal, state, and local law enforcement and fire protection agencies.
  • On-call to respond as needed to an emergency.
• Security
  • Oversees the Airport Security Coordinator (ASC) in developing, implementing, and maintaining security programs in compliance with TSA regulations, federal, state, and local laws.
  • Ensures ongoing coordination with TSA and other relevant agencies (such as local law enforcement and federal security agencies) to address security concerns, threats, or incidents.
  • Maintains regular communication with TSA to keep updated on evolving regulations, guidance, and security threats.
  • Ensures the development, implementation, and regularly updating of airport security policies, protocols, and procedures, ensuring alignment with TSA requirements and best practices.
  • Ensures that the Airport Security Coordinator and relevant personnel receive proper training on TSA security requirements, emergency procedures, and general safety protocols.
  • Promote a culture of security awareness within the airport community, providing ongoing training and education on emerging security threats and protocols.
  • Oversees the ASC in the investigation and response to security incidents or breaches, ensuring that the necessary steps are taken in collaboration with TSA and other agencies.
  • Ensures prompt and effective communication during security incidents or threats and ensure appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.
  • Manages and allocates the budget for public safety and security operations, ensuring that the necessary resources are available for maintaining a secure airport environment.
  • Maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including airport management, local law enforcement, TSA, and other partners.
• Represents management’s interests in grievance hearings and collective bargaining negotiations as needed.
• Prepares departmental budget and procurement document as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises the Police Chief and ARFF Chief, who in turn oversee employees in the Police and ARFF departments. Additionally, the role supervises the Airport Security Coordinator, and the Safety and Training Officer. This position is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. It also includes indirect supervision of non-supervisory employees within these departments. Supervisory responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws, and include employee training, work planning, performance appraisals, addressing complaints, and resolving issues.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty well. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Thorough understanding of 49 CFR Parts 1542, 1544 and FAR Part 139
• Knowledge of applicable standards as they apply to Airport Fire
• Experience and knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NMIS) and the Incident Command System (IS-700, ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400 and IS-800).
• Ability to be certified to serve as the Airport Security Coordinator.
• Possess a valid MV Operator's License issued by any state and must obtain valid Rhode Island MV Operator’s License within 180 days of hire date.
• Must work well and think clearly under high stress
• Experience in direct management of collective bargaining units strongly preferred.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication
• Customer Centricity– Understands cross-functional roles to produce a positive customer experience, makes decisions based on the best interest of all or most stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking – Analyzes financial, brand and employee impact of major project decisions prior to implementation, able to identify industry trends and understands competitive landscape.
• Communication – Articulates long-term vision in a compelling way that inspires the team, actively engages in discussions with peers, able to confront peers to challenge thinking respectfully, able to handle adverse and divergent opinions.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university required.
• Seven (7) years minimum progressive leadership experience directly related to Public Safety, Police, or Firefighting Department at a commercial airport.
• Related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• May need to stay awake for extended hours during emergency situations.
• Ability to drive and walk around the airfield.
• Ability to sit at desk for long periods of time.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sometimes in inclement weather when responding to emergencies, loud noise, air quality outside.
• Mainly a climate-controlled office environment.

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Rhode Island Airport Corporation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

This organization welcomes and encourages applications from minorities, veterans, and persons with physical and mental disabilities, and will reasonably accommodate the needs of those persons in the application process. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation request will be made on a case-by-case basis.