Executive Director, Safety - Office of Chief of Staff (2024-25)

$152,715 - $194,919/Yr

Oakland Unified School District - Oakland, CA

Full-time - Executive

Oakland, CA

Educational Services

About the position

The Executive Director of Safety ensures a safe, secure, and conducive environment for both students and staff by providing strategic direction and leadership for safety, critical incidents, and security programs across the school district. This critical role sets the strategic direction for the district's security infrastructure and develops long-range goals and objectives aligned with the district's vision, mission, values, and strategic plans, including Board Policies like the George Floyd Resolution. It aligns existing safety efforts across various OUSD departments and schools while collaborating with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and emergency responders as needed. The Executive Director proactively engages district and department leaders, principals, and school communities in developing safety priorities, defining roles and responsibilities, building capability, and creating systems of accountability to ensure safe and secure school climates and workplace environments. The position involves overseeing the administration and coordination of safety, emergency management, and secure school programs. This includes managing immediate crisis response, ensuring proper oversight of safety personnel, coordinating with law enforcement, conducting comprehensive facilities risk assessments, and collaborating with the Behavioral Health Team to address potential behavioral threats. The Executive Director will also manage the technology infrastructure related to safety and security, ensuring effective operation and integration with overall safety strategies. In terms of strategic leadership, the Executive Director will develop and implement a comprehensive district-wide safety and security strategy, set long-range goals, and ensure compliance with relevant laws and district policies. Collaboration with various departments and external agencies is essential to enhance school safety and security, as well as to lead the district's response to critical incidents. Stakeholder engagement is a key component of this role, requiring the Executive Director to work closely with district leaders, principals, and community partners to develop safety priorities and foster positive relationships within the school community. Resource management, incident response, policy development, and staff supervision are also critical responsibilities, ensuring that the safety department operates efficiently and effectively while continuously assessing and improving safety programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration and coordination of safety, emergency management, and secure school programs.
• Directly manage immediate crisis response with site leadership, central leaders, and city.
• Ensure regular drills are taking place to prepare all staff and students for various emergency scenarios.
• Ensure proper oversight of the management of school site and department personnel that support safety culture and climate.
• Act as the primary liaison between the school and law enforcement and other local safety support agencies regarding student and school safety.
• Oversee comprehensive facilities risk assessments to identify potential security threats and develop mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with Behavioral Health Team and Community Schools Students Services Department responding to potential behavioral threats.
• Collaborate closely with Technology Information department on a multi-layered security infrastructure.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive district-wide safety and security strategy.
• Set long-range goals and objectives for the safety department in alignment with the district's vision, mission, and values.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and district policies.
• Lead and coordinate the district's response to critical incidents, ensuring effective communication and action.
• Develop and implement a safety-focused communication strategy, including responding to media inquiries and internal communications.
• Engage with district and department leaders, principals, and school communities to develop safety priorities and define roles and responsibilities.
• Manage the budget and resources for the safety department efficiently.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all safety and security incidents within the district.
• Conduct thorough investigations of safety incidents and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Develop and update district-wide safety policies and procedures.
• Assess, evaluate, and provide for training and professional development of department staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Five (5) years of experience in strategic and operational planning, budgeting, and supervision of staff.
• Five (5) years of experience in a supervisory role within the fields of security, community-based safety, violence prevention, law enforcement, or education.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience managing a complex operation in a union setting is highly desired.
• Experience serving on task forces or other groups focused on safety.
• Experience in a large, diverse school district especially with regard to the differing needs at elementary, middle, and high school levels.
• Progressive experience with emergency critical incidents and community safety infrastructure in large complex organizations.
• Proven ability to navigate and lead change in large systems.
• Experience developing internal and public-facing communications.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Dental insurance coverage
• Vision insurance coverage
• Life insurance coverage
• Disability insurance coverage
• 401k benefit for retirement savings plan
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling
• Professional development opportunities