Deputy Chief Safety Executive

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 200,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision.

Will you join us?

Job Summary
Provides leadership and guidance in the ongoing administration of school climate and safety operations for the School District. Work involves overseeing the daily operations of the Office of School Safety. Assists the Chief in developing and carrying out the mission and vision of the department. The Deputy Chief is responsible for coordinating, planning, reviewing, and overseeing departmental activities. Directs personnel and operations, including supervising subordinate leaders and staff. Develops and revises procedures and methods for protecting District personnel and property. Serves as a liaison between the
School District, law enforcement agencies, internal and external partners.

Essential Functions:

• Assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of the day-to-day operations of the Office of School Safety; determines, defines and outlines operating procedures for achieving the goals, objectives and priorities of the department; ensures the operations are in compliance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Assists in directing, managing, and participating in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the department; recommends within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Assist in managing the department’s strategic planning process, including assessing progress made toward goals and objectives.
• Provides administrative management, leadership, and motivation to departmental personnel to facilitate the provision of efficient and effective public safety measures.
• Conducts research to improve services and evaluates effectiveness.
• Provides assistance to the Director(s), Assistant Director(s), Project Manager(s); present staff reports, written, materials and other necessary correspondence.
• Conducts investigations of all complaints and report findings to the Chief Safety Executive.
• Provides input on hiring and disciplinary actions and oversees processes.
• Address news media as necessary and/or as directed by the Chief Safety Executive.
• Ensures vehicles, facilities, uniforms and equipment are properly maintained.
• Assures clear lines of communication between executive staff, supervisors and line safety officers and that the department policy, procedures and practices are clearly transmitted and understood.
• Ensures new employees complete orientation, any required and in-service training; and ensures personnel meet certification standards established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Represents the Chief at public events, internal department meetings, and community meetings.
• Provides leadership and oversight during major emergency situations and natural disasters utilizing standardized Emergency Management Systems.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that affect school safety operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Develops school police deployment strategies; develops new security approaches to address problematic areas.
• Defines staff performance requirements; plans and develops the training materials for professional development workshops which will be attended by supervisory and non-supervisory staff.
• Monitors and implements programs in compliance with the mandated Comprehensive Safety Plan; oversees the implementation of the crisis/safety plan for the elementary, middle and senior high schools.
• Performs tasks in developing, implementing, and managing programs designed to effectively address security and school safety needs.
• Responsible for coordinating a comprehensive school safety program, which includes working with local law enforcement agencies.
• Assists with the coordination of internal offices around safety issues; provides assistance and support to administrative and school staff; advises administrative and school staff on the appropriate methods to resolve various concerns.
• Acts as a liaison to the Philadelphia Police Department, District Attorney’s Office, Mayor’s Office, juvenile justice agencies and other external partners.
• Acts as a liaison to the Office of Student Supports, principals and school personnel on crisis and safety planning.
• Provides training on various safety and security topics to school staff; provides a forum to discuss departmental initiatives.
• Monitors the budget; assesses and implements the most efficient use of resources.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Ten years of full-time, paid, professional experience in public safety, emergency management or a related field, five of which have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity.

OR

• Any equivalent combination of training and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Talent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the principles and practices of public safety programs.
• organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the department.
• the current trends and developments in school safety and security measures.
• the principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation and the training of staff in work procedures.
• local law enforcement and related municipal agencies.
• principles and practices of budget administration.
• recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of school safety departments.
• supervisory techniques.

Demonstrated ability to:

• exercise judgment and discretion in developing, applying and interpreting guidelines related to school safety.
• coordinate, lead and direct personnel engaged in the delivery of school climate and safety services.
• analyze training needs and to evaluate training effectiveness.
• organize and conduct staff development programs.
• monitor and evaluate operations and make cogent recommendations for improvement.
• lead and direct the activities of staff.
• organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• review situations accurately and determine appropriate course of action using judgement according to established policies and procedures.
• prepare clear and concise administrative and activity reports.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish, maintain, and foster positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination
The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.