Executive Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police

The Executive Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police provides management, leadership, and oversight for all aspects of public safety at the University, including police management and operations, parking and transportation, emergency management, and environmental health and safety.

• Develops and implements goals, objectives, strategies, policies, and procedures for the Public Safety unit, comprised of the Police Department, Parking and Transportation, the Office of Emergency Management, and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
• Applies the unit's fiscal, equipment, and human resources to support activities and provide services that enhance campus safety/security
• Commands and controls law enforcement operations for major investigations, emergency management situations, and large university special events
• Assists and develops supervisory staff of each area within the unit; provides program and activity reports to senior management; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; makes recommendations for the addition of new programs
• Organizes, directs and controls personnel and resources of the unit, including holding subordinate supervisor positions accountable for the effective and efficient conduct of members under their supervision and control
• Applies advanced and innovative concepts and best practices in campus law enforcement, parking and transportation, emergency management, and EHS to achieve unit objectives and continuously improve performance
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of law enforcement, crime prevention, campus security, emergency preparedness, EHS, and related support services; incorporates new developments as appropriate
• Serves as the primary liaison to local, state, and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies
• Writes, edits, or coordinates the preparation of correspondence, reports, or other printed materials; researches content items for precedents, correctness of presentation, and applicability
• Serves as Campus Security Survey Administrator as mandated by Federal law and produces the federally mandated campus security survey

• Prepare and submit Federal and State reports as required
• Assists in criminal investigations when required
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Direct Reports:

• Full-time Employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• Makes final decision on evaluating employee performance; hiring new employees; disciplinary actions; scheduling employee work hours; coaching and counseling; training; provides recommendations on handling employee grievances and complaints; and makes final decision on granting time off.

Required Education:

• Master's degree from an accredited college of university; years of related training and experience, knowledge and skills, and past job performance may be substituted for a Master's degree.
• Completion of an advanced police management and leadership training such as the FBI National Academy, PERF's Senior Management Institute for Police or a state law enforcement command college such as the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas

Required Experience:

• Completed a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive years of increasingly responsible broad based service as a licensed peace officer immediately prior to the start of the application/selection process, with five (5) years of major command responsibility as a Police Lieutenant or above.
• Experience and knowledge in the areas of event management, homeland security, risk management, emergency management, dignitary protection and building security

License/Certification:

• Possession of valid Driver's License
• Possession of an appropriate certification as a peace officer in the State of Texas or an equivalent licensing entity in another state
• Possession of at least an Advanced Peace Officer Proficiency Certificate issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement or an equivalent proficiency certificate issued by an equivalent licensing entity in another state
• A Chief of Police must meet all the requirements for an entry level Police Officer and possess an active license as a Police Officer issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).

• Experience in higher education/academic environment
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) training and certification

Knowledge:

• Operation, services and activities of law enforcement.
• Principles, practices and methods of law enforcement, traffic control and patrol services.
• Methods and techniques of report preparation.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management pertaining to law enforcement.
• Property and evidence handling procedures.
• Principles of record keeping and reporting.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations, including but not limited to: -Civility Liability -Excessive Force -Discipline
  • Laws of arrest, search and seizure
• Development and administration of program goals, objectives and procedures
• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to the position

Skills:

• Candidates must have strong analytical and problem solving skills, as well as excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills

Abilities:

• Participate in law enforcement programs including patrol, field operations, crime investigations and support services
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, especially other members of the department
• Command respect and maintain discipline.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implementer commendations in support of goals
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Maintain effective audio-visual perception needed for: -Making observations, -Vision corrected to 20/40, both eyes -Color vision – ability to distinguish all colors, both eyes -Reading and writing, -Communicating with others, -Acute hearing required, both ears
• Maintain mental capacity which permits: -Making sound decisions and using good judgment, -Demonstrating intellectual capabilities, -Evaluating the effectiveness of programs, -Recommending effective policies and procedures, -Communicating clearly
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following: Standing, sitting or running/walking for extended periods of time in a wide range of areas from stairways in buildings to outdoor undeveloped areas Standing 15% of time; Sitting 60% of time ;Running/Walking 25% of time; Lifting in excess of 50 pounds; Carrying, dragging or restraining individuals from 50 to 300 pounds
• Performing peace officer responsibilities such as effecting arrests, subduing resisting individuals, and operating assigned equipment
  • Preparing and presenting materials in a formal setting
• Effectively handle a work environment and conditions which involve:
  • Working closely with others,
• Must be available to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays according to assigned schedules; Hazardous situations.
• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community

Primary Work Location:

• Primarily an inside office environment, except when assigned as police shift supervisor; some travel involved to meetings, school and other sites; when assigned to perform all duties of a peace officer
• Exposure to emergency public safety environment; exposure to emergency and disaster situations; exposure to potentially hostile environments; exposure to dangerous and/or hostile people; animal and human body fluids
• Hazards of emergency driving; hazards associated with traffic control and working in and near traffic; working in and near natural and man-made disasters, exposure to inclement weather conditions
• May be required to work in and around heavy vehicles and equipment; possible exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes and gases when assisting in emergency calls; possible exposure to hazardous chemicals, high voltage and toxic materials; exposure to waste and infectious diseases
• Frequent contact with the public

Physical Demands:

• Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, or walking for prolonged periods of time; adequate speech, hearing, visual acuity and ability to distinguish color; may be required to carry, push, pull, drag or hold medium to heavy weight objects
• When performing duties as a peace officer essential and other important duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for medium to heavy lifting; bending stooping, kneeling, crawling, jumping and climbing; the use of fingers, both hands and both arms; the use of both legs
• May be required to take offensive and/or defensive action during physical confrontations
• Ability to discharge a firearm
• Ability to operate motorized equipment and/or assigned vehicles

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Accountability

• Accountable for oversight of organizational unit's projects and initiatives; monitors utilization of allocated resources and status of projected time frames.
• Ensures organizational unit's operation are in compliance with university and department policies and procedures; responsible for development and revision of policies and procedures for assigned area(s).
• Resolves complex issues after careful consideration of all relevant information.
• Collaborates with other university administrators to keep the university apprised of significant developments and issues.

Change Management

• Manages the development and implementation of change initiatives to advance the university's goals and objectives.
• Assesses the availability of resources and ascertains additional resources required to effect change within projected timelines.
• Promotes the benefits of new methods, technology, and/or work environments resulting from changes.
• Addresses concerns to minimize impact of potential consequences of changes.
• Provides encouragement and support to employees through the change process.
• Supports changes in the university's organizational structure.

Leadership

• Leads the organizational unit's endeavors to achieve its goals and objectives in support of the university's vision and mission.
• Oversees the organizational unit's operations in accordance with the university's shared values of excellence, student success, inclusiveness, respect, and integrity.
• Fosters a dynamic work environment that encourages teamwork and cooperation.

Financial Administration

• Assesses and modifies organizational unit's budget annually to provide sufficient resources for organizational unit's operations aligned with goals and objectives, in consideration of the university's budget constraints.
• Directs administration of the organizational unit's budget to ensure effective utilization of financial resources and compliance with federal, State, and university policies and procedures.
• Approves disbursement of funds consistent with the organizational unit's budget.
• Monitors status of organizational unit's budget, and directs the resolution of deficiencies and/or discrepancies.

Organizational Engagement

• Positively represents organizational unit to internal and external constituents in support of the organizational unit's efforts and in recognition of its accomplishments.
• Coordinates with other university administrators to collaborate endeavors across organizational units.
• Builds rapport with external constituents to advance the organizational unit's goals and objectives and engage the community with the university's efforts to address the needs and advance the development of the region.
• Competently responds to audits and requests from governmental entities and UH-System on behalf of the organizational unit.

Strategic Planning

• Develops organizational unit's short- and long-term goals and objectives that align with the university's strategic plan.
• Establishes assessment measures to evaluate the organizational unit's progress toward accomplishing its goals and objectives.
• Determines priorities and allocates resources to achieve the organizational unit's goals and objectives.
• Anticipates potential difficulties and concerns, and develops feasible contingency plans.
• Collaborates with other university administrators to coordinate efforts across organizational units.

Talent Management

• Communicates the organizational unit's priorities and initiatives to employees and the importance of their contributions to the organizational unit's goals and objectives.
• Motivates employees by encouraging a commitment to excellence and recognizing employee accomplishments.
• Clearly defines employee responsibilities and expectations; provides guidance and constructive feedback.
• Encourages employee participation in professional development and training, and supports mentoring and on-the-job training to provide the tools for employees to be successful.
• Promotes teamwork and a work environment that fosters cooperation.
• Manages the resolution of performance issues expeditiously and with discretion.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.