POSITION:   Safety Director

Purpose

The job of the Safety Director is done for the purpose/s of developing, evaluating and implementing disaster response and crisis management activities for the Shasta County Office of Education (SCOE); provides disaster preparedness training to SCOE staff, school districts, parents, students, and community leaders; represents SCOE within the County of Shasta emergency response and coordination efforts and activities; plans and coordinates emergency preparedness and security drills with SCOE community partners and government agencies; plans and implements the safety and security program for SCOE; maintains the readiness of SCOE’s emergency response and provides expertise, knowledge and ability during an emergency; may supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff.

This job reports to the Assigned Administrator/Supervisor

Essential Functions

• Plans and implements disaster response and crisis management activities for SCOE; develops and writes standard operating procedures and continuity of operations programs to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and other natural disasters, health emergencies, outbreaks, gas leaks, environmental hazards and extraordinary catastrophic events such as nuclear accidents, terrorist attacks, actives shooters, and recover from these events

• Assures Cabinet members and other members of the leadership team are trained and knowledgeable of safety and emergency procedures

• Develops, evaluates and implements SCOE’s Strategic Safety Plan

• Collaborates with SCOE Student Programs administrative team and chairs safety committees for SCOE’s Student Programs which includes developing agendas, action plans, studies, project planning and management, facilitation and implementation of projects

• Collaborates with Districts, program managers, community, students and parents to set priorities for long-term strategies and plans for implementation

• Represents SCOE within the County of Shasta emergency response and coordination efforts and activities

• Maintains a list of administrators and point of contact for each classroom of SCOE operated programs to include both the SCOE representative and the local District or leaseholder whenever the classroom is not the property of SCOE

• Fosters rapport with District personnel and provides support and leadership to their disaster response and crisis management activities

• Identifies needs and ensures school and student safety standards adhere to industry best practices, corrects any deficiencies, and constantly seeks out ways to improve while collaborating with educational partners, specifically throughout the collocated spaces in Districts

• Prepares and delivers trainings on school safety and security to SCOE leadership and staff, parents, students, community leaders and Districts to support policy and enforcement, and strengthen prevention, mitigation and response capabilities

• Conducts routine site visits and safety checks and coordinates with school, staff and collocated District principals on emerging needs and safety concerns

• Assists District and school personnel with safety and security planning through site visits, professional development opportunities, one-on-one consulting services, and other means as needed to ensure school safety

• Plans, coordinates and evaluates emergency drills, functional tests, scenario discussions, and simulation exercises to test the effectiveness of emergency plans and communication systems

• Proactively engages SCOE and District 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

• Identifies and recommends improvements to physical security, video surveillance systems and other technology solutions

• Collaborates and coordinates with other SCOE department heads/leadership where there are overlapping areas of responsibility (e.g., building safety inspections; emergency contact systems; safety trainings)

• Responsible for the development, review, and management of the safety budget for SCOE and works with SCOE staff in the process of securing any related grant funding

• Collaborates with various departments to provide leadership regarding capital and infrastructure needs; develops plans to equip schools and departments with assets necessary to ensure the safety of schools

• Collaborates with various agencies to review timely and sensitive topics occurring on school sites and relaying that information to LEAs.

• Works with school site principals and program leadership to ensure that the unique student and program needs and vulnerabilities are considered in providing the highest levels of safety for students and staff

• Maintains the readiness of SCOE’s emergency response at all times and provides expertise, knowledge and ability during an emergency; responds to emergencies on an on-call 24/7 basis

• Collaborates with internal and external personnel in planning standardized responses to critical incidents in accordance with the state and federal Incident Command System (“ICS”) model

• Conducts planning and research activities in collaboration with districts, administrators, first responders and community agencies relating to all aspects of public safety and security in a public-school system environment

• Assures each classroom of the SCOE Student Programs has a known, posted, and distributed plan for emergencies that accounts for the unique components of the location; ensures continuous collaboration and communication with the personnel of a hosting District

• Safeguards and maintains accurate administrative records and inventory control of disaster equipment

• Assures compliance with federal and state laws and mandates; fulfills monitoring and reporting requirements regarding school safety

• Collaborates with others in securing grant funding to support school safety initiatives

• Operates a computer and assigned software program; operates other office equipment as assigned; drives a vehicle to conduct work as assigned

• Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:  Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE of Federal, State, and county regulations pertaining to emergency management and response; principles, concepts, and terminology of emergency management and response; emergency preparedness and response standards; principles, best practices, and trends of safety and security management, community and governmental organizational and resources, principles of training and education, issues related to Emergency Preparedness for natural and human caused disasters, such as earthquakes, hazardous materials incidents, civil defense, and floods; principles and techniques used in the development and utilization of emergency response and disaster preparedness systems, including but not limited to the Incident Command System (ICS), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), State Emergency Management Systems (SEMS), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS), principles of effective written communication, including the preparation of clear and concise reports, documentation and revisions to procedures and plans; techniques and practices of effective implementation and management of budgetary and other management procedures

ABILITY to Plan, promote, coordinate, and implement programs for emergency preparedness and school safety; develop and write standard operating procedures related to emergency preparedness, response and recovery; work with and engage the cooperation of diverse groups, including volunteers; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with all levels of SCOE leadership and staff, LEA leadership and staff, community partners, and representatives of regulatory agencies; prepare professional reports and develop program materials and plans; maintain effective public relations with public safety organizations, government officials, and others; provide training on emergency preparedness and ICS; analyze administrative problems and conduct studies in disaster planning; maintain records and controls and prepare correspondence and reports; work independently to identify needs and emergency management system deficits and tactfully recommend improvements of emergency management planning operations; use independent judgment and initiative; respond to school-related emergencies on an on-call 24/7 basis; work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; supervising the use of funds. Utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 80% sitting, 10% walking, and 10% standing.  This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience      Three (3) years increasingly responsible experience as a program administrator which included program planning, development, implementation, evaluation, coordination, budgeting, and research and report production. Experience in working in a school setting or law enforcement desired; demonstrated experience in emergency or crisis management

Education        Bachelor’s degree in emergency and disaster management, business administration, business management, public administration, criminal justice, engineering or a related field

Equivalency    Any combination equivalent to: bachelor’s degree in business administration, business management, public administration, criminal justice, engineering or a related field and three years increasingly responsible experience as a program administrator in a school or law enforcement setting

The stated education and experience requirements are the preferred minimum qualifications for this job. However, relevant experience to substitute for the education requirement and relevant education, certificates and/or licenses to substitute for the experience requirement may be allowed.

FLSA Status                                                    Approval Date                                              Salary Range

    Exempt                                                       November 2024                                             27