Director of University Safety and Security/Police Chief

Make a difference at one of Florida's premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.

The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly's deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Budget & Planning: Oversees the planning, budgeting, organizing, and execution of activities for the department. Monitors and evaluates expenditures and recommends budget strategies and actions to direct supervisor.
* Compliance: Ensures compliance with all applicable Federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, regulatory agencies' regulations and rules, and all University regulations, policies, and procedures.
* Department Management: Directs all operations of the University Police Department by organizing, directing, staffing, and evaluating the administrative and operational activities of that department. Develops work schedules for personnel designed to provide optimum workforce and resource utilization on a 7-day, 24-hour basis. Manages investigation activities, in concert with the University's General Counsel, to assure maximum utilization of investigation personnel, resources, and techniques.
* Personnel Management: Leads and develops staff to ensure the continued effectiveness and efficiency of daily operations, exceptional customer service, and the ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the University. Provides day-to-day leadership, assigning tasks, projects, and programs to staff; evaluates and reviews work processes, methods, and procedures for both department and contract personnel. Contributes to the selection and promotion of department staff by assessing employee performance. Identifies performance issues and determines appropriate disciplinary actions. Guides and supports department committees, task forces, and special project teams. Leverages diverse human resources in an entrepreneurial environment to maintain cost efficiency while ensuring continuous safety and security coverage across the campus.
* Police Duties: Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
* Professional Development: Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
* University Representative: Maintains effective communication with police administration and personnel within the University community, and with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies through personal contact, correspondence, and attendance at meetings. Serves as liaison between the university and other state or federal agencies/departments and other organizations on matters of Public, Environmental, and Health Safety Issues. Agencies to include: Public Health, EPA, FBI, Fire Rescue and HAZMAT, County Emergency Operations Center, FEMA, and FDLE. Serves on State and local law enforcement committees, as necessary and appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, including five (5) years as a manager in a police or other law enforcement/safety organization, is required.
• Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities are achieved may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in and strong, unwavering commitment to community-based law enforcement.
• FBI Academy, Southern Police Institute (SPI), FDLE Criminal Justice Training Academy, or an equivalent command officer course equal to the listed.
• Must possess current Florida Basic Law Enforcement Certification and maintain inservice training requirements, or certification as a sworn Police Officer in the State of Florida.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Science, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration, Higher Education Leadership, Leadership, Social Science, Law-related field, or other related fields from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Doctoral Degree in Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Public Safety, Organizational Behavior, Public Administration, or Social Science will be considered a factor in candidate ranking.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of organizational and management policies, principles, practices, and techniques, and skill in applying them.
• Knowledge of law enforcement policies, principles, practices, and techniques in a University environment.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Knowledge of and experience in budget theory, formulation of budgets, and budgetary control.
• Knowledge of the capacities of available state-of-the-art computerization affecting law enforcement activities and the skill to utilize management reports.
• Skill in planning, staffing, organizing, directing, and evaluating a law enforcement organization, motivating staff, and developing personnel.
• Skill in both verbal and written communication.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective professional working relationships.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW:

• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• This position requires a criminal background check, which may include a Level II screening as required by Florida Statute *435.04.
• This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations.

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE: This position is salary exempt. The normal work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. However, this position is an essential employee of the University, as defined by Florida Statute, and as such will be available when required.

PROXIMITY OF RESIDENCE: This position requires the selected candidate to establish permanent residency within 30 minutes of 4700 Research Way, Lakeland, FL 33805, on the first day of duty and maintain that residency throughout his/her entire tenure in this position.

PHILOSOPHICAL DECLARATION: This position demands full commitment to the mission, vision, and guiding principles of Florida Polytechnic University. Additionally, the individual in this role is expected to support the decisions and direction of the university's senior administration in areas such as budgeting, staffing, scheduling, policy development, employment processes, and overall department management. The university envisions the safety and security department as a community-focused service, distinct from a municipal police or county sheriff's department.

TARGET HIRING SALARY: $110,000 - $120,000, Commensurate with university compensation standards.

APPLICATION PROCESS: In addition to completing the online application, all Applicants are required to upload the following as an attachment to the application (preferably in PDF format):

• Cover Letter that includes the responses to the following questions:
  • Share why you are particularly interested in this position at Florida Poly and how your experiences have prepared you for this opportunity.
  • Provide a couple of paragraphs about yourself, including any information you wish to share about your career. If you have ties to the Lakeland/Polk County area, you may wish to include this information as well.
  • Within your organization's administrative structure, are you the person in charge of your department? To whom do you report?
  • Tell us about your current salary and compensation package, and what expectations you have for this position.
  • If you are not presently employed and/or have recently left your position, please explain.
  • Please describe the reasons for your change of employment for your past three positions.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.

Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATION

Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.

Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.

RETIREMENT

Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click here for more information.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS

• Perks and Discounts
• Annual Leave
  • To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008.
• Sick Leave
  • Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program.
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

EXPLORE LAKELAND FLORIDA

Conveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS:

Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered.

An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire.

Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.

This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute*435.04.