Associate Director, Physical and Protective Safety

Updated: 2 months ago
Location: Ann Arbor, MICHIGAN

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How to Apply

Please include a cover letter by attaching it as the first page of your resume, address your specific interest in the position and DPSS, and outline the skills that directly relate to this position.

If selected to move forward in the process, you may be contacted through email by Spark Hire (video interview vendor) and may submit a video presentation answering pre-screening questions, at no cost to you.

**You must pass a comprehensive public safety background investigation and drug screening**


Summary

The Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) leads all public safety functions within the university, including police, security, and emergency management, and offers an integrated approach to safety and security, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

We employ those who actively embrace and uphold our values of respecting differences, promoting equitable practices, and fostering intentional inclusion. This means creating an environment where everyone in our community feels valued, welcomed, and safe.

At the forefront of the U-M Division of Public Safety and Security's mission is the protection of individuals and assets. Workplace, student, and visitor safety is paramount to lessen the probability of physical harm coming to our campus. We must provide a multidisciplinary approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating concerns of intentional violence. We are actively recruiting for the position of Associate Director of Physical and Protective Safety, responsible for coordinating security vulnerability and behavioral threat assessments across the enterprise. 


Why Work at Michigan?

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this outstanding institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

Benefits Offered at Michigan

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future, including:

  • Generous time off, including parental leave
  • A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
  • Many choices for comprehensive health insurance, including "Other Qualified Adult" coverage
  • Life insurance
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
  • Tuition Support Program

Responsibilities*

You will: 

  • Provide leadership for real-time threat assessment, including potential threats of and/or acts of violence by individuals, whether affiliated or unaffiliated, that may affect the university community
  • Identifying threat assessment processes, engaging key stakeholders with effective program analysis, leading the development of faculty, staff, and student training, establishing proactive policies and protocols
  • Assist in the development of educational programs for the university community on topics related to threat assessment and management, crisis intervention, de-escalation of volatile situations, and reporting
  • Provide oversight for ongoing support for access control infrastructure, including hardware and software systems, while conducting thorough vulnerability analysis and areas for improvement in security protocols
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders and university partners (such as technology, and emergency management) to address security concerns and integrate necessary support resources 
  • Collaborate with various departments to assess risks, develop safety protocols, and provide training to mitigate potential threats to promote a safe and secure environment for all members of our community 
  • Develop and implement strategic plans for personal safety programs, aligning with organizational goals and objectives to ensure security accountability 
  • Provide oversight for continuous assessment and improvement of the effectiveness of security measures, systems, and designs to adapt to evolving threats and challenges
  • Serve as subject matter expert for projects involving design, procurement, and installation of physical security systems and countermeasures
  • Manage highly sensitive and urgent threat concerns to assess risks, and develop safety protocols
  • Lead and conduct behavioral threat assessments, evaluate intelligence information, and develop mitigation strategies and responses in coordination with stakeholders
  • Lead and conduct protective investigations to identify incidents or concerning behaviors, investigate and assess those individuals, and implement strategies designed to prevent an attack
  • Serve as the leadership liaison and subject matter expert to multiple layers of the organization and cultivate positive relationships with stakeholders as it relates to threat analysis, action planning, and preventative measures  
  • Build collaborative cross-functional partnerships and contribute to Multi-Disciplinary teams within DPSS, Human Resources, Employee Relations, and Legal teams, leading training and awareness sessions to focus on incident prevention, not just incident response
  • Apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts to mitigate the fear of crime and the incidence of crime and to improve the quality of life for those working, visiting, and living on the entire University of Michigan campus
  • Administer ongoing surveys, threat assessments, and inspection processes for assignment buildings and facilities, including but not limited to gap analysis and strategy development
  • Participate in local, state, and Federal advisory groups to stay current with security-related information and events

Required Qualifications*
  • Bachelor's degree in security management, criminal justice, or related field
  • Five years of operational and leadership knowledge and experience in investigations, personal safety, security management law enforcement, intelligence, protective investigations and/or threat assessment 
  • Industry qualifications and/or certifications such as CPTED, Certified Threat Manager (CTM), NIOSH, workplace violence, etc.
  • CTM or commitment to become certified within 2 years of employment date.  
  • Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or Physical Security Professional (PSP) certification with a commitment to becoming certified in both
  • Experience with integrated security systems, physical security, investigations, and workplace violence prevention/mitigation. 
  • Strong knowledge of safety regulations, threat assessment methodologies, and emergency response protocols.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality, handle sensitive information discreetly, and exercise sound judgment in high-pressure situations.

Additional Information

All members of the DPSS team are considered Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) under The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. As such, you are required to report offenses that come to your attention.


U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.



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