Security and Law Enforcement Technology Lead

Department
 

DSS Police: Security Systems Staff

About the Department
 

The Department of Safety and Security (DSS) encompasses Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Campus Safety, Security Systems, Transportation and Parking Services, and the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD). DSS is a unit within the Division of Finance and Administration, reporting to the Vice President and General Counsel, and is led by the Associate Vice President for Safety and Security. The Department is tasked with developing and implementing comprehensive safety strategies that serve the university community, strengthen collaborations between the DSS and students, faculty, staff, and neighbors, and are appropriately aligned with institutional values and priorities. The University of Chicago campus is part of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, containing many off-campus University properties. In addition to the students housed on campus and in the adjacent areas, more than a third of the University's staff resides in the residential areas near campus. In addition, more than 50% of the University's faculty resides in the Hyde Park area. By long tradition, the University works with the city of Chicago, providing safety and security options in Hyde Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Job Summary
 

The Security and Law Enforcement Technology Lead is responsible for the leading the operations of security technology systems. In addition, this position is responsible for the administration and oversight of projects, including project quotes, vendor coordination, invoicing, and billing. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Security and Law Enforcement Technology and leads a team of Security Systems Coordinators.

Responsibilities

• Directly leads a team of Security Systems Coordinators, assigning work activities, projects, and programs to appropriate staff members; reviewing the effectiveness of current work projects and methods and identifying process improvements.
• Diagnoses, troubleshoots, and resolves identified operational deficiencies that are atypical. Escalates complex issues to more senior team members.
• Reviews proposals, and oversees and manages security systems projects to ensure technical and departmental requirements are met, while monitoring time and expenditures to ensure projects and budgets meet established targets.
• Provides quality assurance and customer satisfaction (internal and external) and best-in-class support for Physical Security Systems following the operational mission of the Department.
• Ensures campus partners, clients and end-users are provided professional, courteous, and timely support and service.
• Develops and documents a robust working knowledge of campus partners' clients' and users' areas of responsibility.
• Evaluates and analyzes the performance and operation of the University of Chicago security systems and technology to ensure high service levels are provided, and all appropriate standards are met.
• Maintains operational records documenting security systems performance and metrics.
• Prepares and presents regular status updates on critical projects, initiatives, and staff assignments to ensure they are in accordance with the operations.
• Identifies and resolves problems critical to the operation of the Department. Meets with other administrators and professional staff to discuss issues, causes, and strategies, and works with appropriate personnel to implement solutions.
• Assesses training needs and requirements related to security and law enforcement systems with the Department.
• Prepares and presents in-service training programs for end-users of security system technologies.
• Develops training plans for new staff within Security Systems.
• Works with system vendors' technical support to troubleshoot and resolve problems or address system improvements in support of the systems in use by the Department.
• Provides 24/7 operational support for security and law enforcement systems as part of an on-call rotation.
• Serves as a project manager for security systems installation projects.
• Ensures that services and projects meet clients' and users' needs and expectations of quality and functionality while also meeting the Department's operational needs.
• Assists in developing and maintaining business continuity plans supporting critical security and police operations.
• Assists in developing short- and long-term phased law enforcement technology strategic plans, including establishing priorities regarding system upgrades, integration, projects, and procurement of hardware and software.
• Develops, implements, and reviews security technology policies, standard operating procedures, and design standards consistent with best practices and contemporary standards.
• Provides input in the development of RFP and contract specifications for hardware, software, and other security or law enforcement-related systems.
• Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with the Department of Safety and Security Divisions and other key campus partners, including IT Services and Facilities Services.
• Ensures that tasks are processed in accordance with the schedule of computer operations.
• Maintains daily operational performance of electronic security systems.
• Monitors quality assurance and customer feedback, incorporating them into daily plans to deliver optimal security and technology services.
• Ensures that team addresses customer needs in accordance with quality assurance standards. Participates in the design and management of security systems projects at the University.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Experience:

• Supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Working in a campus public safety or campus law enforcement strongly preferred.

Certifications:

• Valid driver's license that grants reciprocity in the State of Illinois or eligible to obtain one and do so within 60 days of appointment; demonstrate a good driving record.
• Successfully complete a background investigation with no prior criminal convictions that would prohibit the individual from meeting the standards set forth by the State of Illinois to become a law enforcement officer.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Evaluate job performance of employees through behavioral observation, reviews or work productivity measures.
• Write policy and procedures for department use.
• Comprehend technical documents.
• Condense complicated issues to simple summaries that can be understood by a variety of constituents.
• Create and deliver presentations.

Preferred Competencies

• Skill in dealing with bureaucratic protocol at all levels of the Department of Safety and Security and University organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and manage organizational change.
• Commitment to serving the interest of the University community and the strategic goals of the Department of Safety and Security.
• Absorb and interpret the given while maintaining perspective of the Department.
• Function as part of a team. Work with team members to ensure that all knowledge and skill sets are shared to eliminate single points of failure.
• Maintain professionalism, credibility, and customer service skills when dealing with all contacts, internal and external.
• Lead by example.
• Remain calm and objective throughout stressful and unpleasant situations.
• Make timely, sound decisions and accept responsibility.
• Communicate effectively and consistently with others, using tact when necessary.
• Develop the skills of staff and prepare personnel for increased responsibilities.
• Understand the mission, values, and goals of the Department and incorporate them into the daily operations of the Department.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and enforcement officials, general public, and members of the University community.
• Work with people of various ages, backgrounds and diverse constituencies, including students, parents, faculty, and staff in the University and the Medical Center.
• Build consensus and credibility across the campus.
• Resolve conflicts and manage sensitive emergency situations appropriately.
• Demonstrated self-restraint in challenging and/or difficult situations.
• Demonstrate that he/she is of good moral character.
• React effectively, quickly, calmly, and rationally during times of conflicts and emergencies.
• Initiate, implement and follow through on projects, programs or assignments with completed staff work.
• Incorporate new information after one has arrived at a conclusion in a problem analysis process.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Develop and manage interpersonal relationships.
• Give directions.
• Handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion.
• Be aware of safety hazards and take appropriate precautions.
• Exercise absolute discretion regarding confidential matters.
• Follow written and/or verbal instructions.
• Handle stressful situations.
• Maintain a high level of alertness.
• Attention to detail.
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Work with frequent interruptions.
• Work with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Active listening skills.
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Math skills.
• Negotiation skills.
• Organizational and planning skills.
• Quantitative and analytical skills.
• Reasoning skills.
• Time management skills.  

Working Conditions

• High stress environment
• On-call responsibilities
• Operate motor vehicle
• Outdoor weather exposure
• Requires use of personal protective equipment
• Office environment.
• Be on call and available to work nights/weekends/holidays as necessary.
• Work in inclement weather or weather extremes.

Physical Effort Requirements

• Bend, crouch, or stoop.
• Hear, including making fine discrimination in sound.
• See, including color, depth perception, or clarity.
• Sit for 4 hours or more.
• Use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
• Operate a vehicle safely.
• Climb stairs 5 stories or more.
• Operate equipment necessary to perform job.
• Perform strenuous physical exertion at times.
• Travel to various on-campus and off-campus locations.
• Effective audio-visual discrimination and perception.
• Use standard work station and office equipment.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Police & Security

Role Impact
 

People Manager

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

Yes

Health Screen Required
 

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

Yes

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.