- Executive Director Emergency Management & Institutional Safety Worcester
- Worcester State University in Worcester, MA, United States
- jobs
- 2 weeks ago
jobs description
About Worcester State University:
WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY is a liberal arts and sciences
university with a long tradition of academic excellence dating back
to 1874, as well as an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer that seeks to reflect the diversity of its community. Our
workforce is dedicated to academic quality, student-centered
programming, engaged citizenship, open exchanges of ideas,
diversity and inclusiveness, and civility and integrity. We are
looking for job applicants who share these values and commitment to
our students.
Worcester State is centrally located in Massachusetts, about an
hour's drive from Boston, Springfield, and Providence, Rhode
Island. Our 58-acre campus is nestled in the residential northwest
side of Worcester--the second largest city in New England and home
to 37,000 college students at more than a dozen colleges and
universities. Over 6,000 of those students attend Worcester
State--approximately 5,300 are undergraduates and 1,000 are
graduate students. Learn more about us at worcester.edu/about .
Job Description:
OFFICIAL TITLE: Executive Director Emergency Management
& Institutional Safety
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Vice President of Administration and
Finance
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Emergency Management Team, University
Police Department (UPD) and Environmental Health and Safety
(EHS)
General Statement of Duties: Reporting to the Vice President
for Administration and Finance, the Executive Director of Emergency
Management & Institutional Safety is responsible for the
leadership and oversight of university-wide safety and emergency
management operations and activities. This position will oversee
Worcester State University's (WSU) Emergency management program,
University Police Department (UPD) and Environmental Health and
Safety (EHS) departments. This role is charged with developing and
implementing strategic plans that support the overall mission of
the university.
The Executive Director is tasked with building a culture of
collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, providing
guidance on emergency preparedness, and ensuring the university is
well-equipped to handle a variety of emergencies. This individual
serves as primary point of contact for emergency management,
stakeholder engagement via outreach, training, and education
opportunities. The position requires strong leadership skills,
strategic planning abilities, and a commitment to fostering a
culture of safety and preparedness across the university
community.
Essential Functions:
Leadership and Program Oversight:
• Lead the Emergency Management Program, aligning its objectives
with the university's mission and goals.
• Provide oversight and guidance to the University Police
Department (UPD) as it relates to the delivery of police services
and public safety initiatives.
• Oversee Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) operations in
accordance with all Federal, State and local authorities, and all
campus-wide sustainability initiatives and promoting a culture of
safety across all departments.
• Develop and manage comprehensive emergency preparedness,
response, mitigation, and recovery plans tailored to the needs of
the WSU campus.
• Administer the operating budget of the Department of Safety and
Security and make recommendations for the department, equipment,
systems, personnel, and operating needs.
• Develop and implement comprehensive public safety programs,
policies, and procedures.
• Oversee security access control programs for all campus
buildings including residence halls.
• Act as the primary resource for issues of emergency risk
management pertaining to emergency planning, mitigation and
preparedness; provide practical and technical expertise to guide
and coordinate departmental efforts in an emergency; consult
regularly with the Director of Environmental Health and Safety and
Chief of University Police.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local and state agencies
including Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), State
Police, Regional Hazardous Materials Team, and the City of
Worcester to plan and respond to emergencies.
• Collaborate and assist with maintenance of emergency response
systems and resources, including the RAVE, RAVE Guardian, disaster
supplies, and other items.
• Oversight and publication of Annual Security Report (ASR) in
collaboration with Student Affairs and other key campus
stakeholders.
• Serve as a Campus Security Authority (CSA).
• Member of campus-wide Clery Compliance Committee.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Strategic Planning and Coordination:
• Coordinate, develop, and implement all aspects of the WSU
Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), reviewing and revising the plans
annually or as an emergency dictates.
• Develop and implement strategies to assess and manage the
impacts of significant natural or human-caused events, such as mass
casualty incidents, hazardous material exposures, and natural
disasters.
• Analyze complex interrelationships between multiple
governmental entities and academic institutions to develop tailored
emergency management strategies and processes.
• Prepare and submit annual budget proposals and manage the
administration of Department of Safety and Security budgets.
• Coordinate with the Office of Marketing and Communications
(MARCOM) to review both emergency communications protocols and
general campus safety messaging.
• Direct and participate in the preparation of reports (e.g.,
after action, inspection, etc.) and other emergency documents
following emergency exercises and major emergencies; Prepare
quarterly updates on emergency preparedness and risk management
progress for distribution to campus leadership.
• Work closely with Director of EHS to develop and implement
safety programs for students, faculty, and staff as mandated by
authorities having jurisdiction.
• Oversee campus-wide environmental and safety programs and
protocols.
Training and Community Engagement:
• Provide training and education to faculty, staff, and students
on emergency response plans, the Incident Command System, crime
prevention, personal safety, and other relevant topics through
simulations and exercises.
• Develop guidelines and programs to assist campus constituencies
in emergency preparedness and continuity planning, ensuring all
community members are equipped to respond effectively.
• Serve as the campus spokesperson on general safety matters,
through ongoing presentations, sessions at orientation programs,
and regular campus communications beyond emergency situations.
Collaboration and Partnership Development:
• Establish and maintain cross-campus collaborations with key
university stakeholders, including facilities, residence life,
counseling, student affairs, and the Office of Marketing and
Communication.
• Serve as a liaison between WSU and local, state, and federal
emergency management agencies to foster partnerships and enhance
collaborative efforts.
• Actively participate in regional emergency preparedness
activities and represent WSU in professional organizations and
committees, promoting best practices and shared learning.
• Seek and manage resources, including grants and funding, to
support the university's safety and security initiatives.
• Oversee and facilitate external communications related to
emergency management activities, ensuring transparency and
alignment with WSU's strategic objectives, in conjunction with the
university's Primary Information Officer (PIO).
Requirements:
Licensure/Certification:
• Completion of FEMA ICS courses (ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300,
ICS-400, IS-700, and IS-800)
• Must have a valid Massachusetts driver's license or the ability
to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
Required Qualifications:
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in
emergency management, public safety, or law enforcement.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing emergency
preparedness programs, including policy development, planning, and
response coordination.
• Experience working in environments that require strategic
planning and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including
government agencies, community organizations, and internal
departments.
• Strong communication skills both verbally and in writing,
effectively presenting ideas and providing plans and procedures in
a clear and concise manner to internal and external constituents
and stakeholders, and senior university leadership.
• Experience in managing environmental compliance in either a
university or manufacturing setting.
• Ability to pass a thorough pre-employment background check
including CORI.
• Ability to design and conduct training sessions, workshops, and
exercises to educate various audiences on safety and security
topics in addition to emergency management protocols and best
practices.
• This position is classified as essential personnel and requires
the ability to respond to emergencies 24/7.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor's and/or Master's Degree.
• Familiarity with medical or other emergency response
organizations and their operations during emergencies.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws,
policies, and procedures that promote campus security.
• Working knowledge of Clery Act, Title IX, and VAWA.
• Demonstrated ability to implement a comprehensive
safety/security and emergency response plan.
• Extensive knowledge of hazard/risk analysis to apply federal
and local regulations to address moderate to highly complex
health/safety and security issues.
• In-depth understanding of state and local government disaster
recovery protocols.
• Experience working with diverse groups, including faculty,
students, staff, and community members.
• Experience working in a higher education environment.
Physical Requirements: The Executive Director of Emergency
Management & Health Safety must be able to sit and stand for
extended periods, move around the work environment, and
occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 50 pounds. The role
requires exposure to varying environmental conditions, including
extreme temperatures, hazardous materials, and atmospheric
conditions.
Additional Information:
This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, professional non-unit
position. The firm annual salary range for this position is
$130,000- $140,000, commensurate with education and
experience.
Here at Worcester State University, it is strongly recommended that
all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin
employment.
Worcester State University offers a competitive benefits package
that includes:
• a choice of 8 different pre-taxed, health insurance plan
options
• a choice of pension or 401(a), and supplemental plan retirement
options
• life insurance up to 8x the annual salary
• long-term disability coverage
• dental insurance
• 20 vacation days accrued per year
• 15 sick days accrued per year
• 5 personal days per year
• paid holidays
• tuition remission for self, spouse, and dependent children
• and more...
We are an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. M/F/D/V.
Members of traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly
encouraged to apply.
Application Instructions:
Applicants must apply online and may do so by visiting
www.worcester.edu/careers, and submitting a cover letter, resume,
and the contact information of three professional references.
For assistance with uploading materials, log a ticket via the
HelpDesk link, or contact us directly at 508-929-8053.
URL: www.worcester.edu
Worcester MA United States