VT School Safety Center Director

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking a Director to lead the Vermont School Safety Center in coordination with the Agency of Education and on behalf of the Commissioner of Public Safety. This position provides statewide leadership on school safety, preparedness, and crisis response, and serves as the primary Department of Public Safety liaison for operational school safety concerns.

The Director oversees all DPS staff assigned to the Vermont School Safety Center and works closely with state, regional, and federal partners to support Vermont's K-12 and higher education communities before, during, and after critical incidents.

The Director is responsible for:

• Coordinating and advancing school safety planning, preparedness, and response efforts statewide. This includes promoting and supporting crisis planning for schools related to active threats, natural disasters, and other hazardous or life-threatening events, and ensuring timely communication and coordinated responses among relevant state and local partners, including the Agency of Education.
• Providing direct support to school leadership during critical incidents, including threats of targeted violence, bomb threats, cyber threats, weapons on school grounds, deaths of students or staff, transportation incidents, "swatting" events, and school lockdowns. Due to the nature of these incidents, the position requires availability to respond outside of normal business hours, including 24/7 support as needed.
• Collaborating with state, regional, and federal partners to share best practices in school safety, security, and emergency preparedness and serves as a subject matter expert on national school safety standards and emerging trends. The position leads and participates in regular meetings with the Vermont School Crisis Planning Team and other coordinating agencies, including facilitating discussions and advancing school safety initiatives. After six months, the Director transitions into a Co-Chair role for the School Crisis Planning Team, co-setting agendas and facilitating meetings.
• Coordinating monthly Vermont School Safety Center meetings with Department of Public Safety and Agency of Education leadership to share program updates, assess school safety trends, and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
• Providing legislative testimony on school safety initiatives and best practices, under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Safety and in coordination with the Agency of Education. The position also participates on the Child Fatality Review Committee and presents annually at the Governor's School Safety Conference on emerging trends in K-12 campus safety and security.
• Providing guidance to the Higher Education Public Safety Directors Consortium, designing and delivering school safety trainings and exercises for superintendents, principals, school board members, educators, and school crisis planning teams, and supporting all-hazards emergency planning, crisis communications, drills, and family reunification efforts.
• Supervising the School Safety Grants Program Manager and other Department of Public Safety staff assigned to the Vermont School Safety Center, including supporting community-based planning, grant development and administration, and training and exercise initiatives.
• Completing required evaluations and data reporting and may be assigned to qualified roles within the State Emergency Operations Center during activations. This work may involve extended hours, high-pressure decision-making, and coordination of emergency response and resource management.

This position requires availability outside of standard business hours, including evenings, weekends, and emergency response situations, as school safety incidents and emergency activations demand.

This position, VT School Safety Center Director (Job Requisition #54024), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact Deputy Commissioner Dan Batsie at daniel.batsie@vermont.gov.
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

PUBLIC SAFETY BACKGROUND CHECKS: Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position to include Motor Vehicle/Criminal Records, Personal History, Credit and any additional background check(s).

Work is usually performed in a normal office setting. Incumbents must be able to concentrate on details and perform accurate work in the face of frequent interruptions. Human relations skills will be needed to deal with staff, criminal justice agencies, and the public. Pressure from work deadlines is predictable as well as inherent liability issues due to the sensitivity of the work. Moderate work-related travel will be required. Testimony before legislative committees may be required.

Bachelor's degree or higher in public administration, criminal justice, criminology, or a related field AND four (4) or more years of experience in emergency or crisis management and response .

OR

Six (6) or more years of experience in emergency or crisis management and response.

Experience with Legislative testimony and bill tracking

Supervisory or team lead experience

Experience with Vermont schools or in the field of education

Knowledge of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program

Experience creating and/or facilitating trainings

Ability to respond to emergency situations during off hours. While this is not an "operational" or sworn position, there is an expectation that the director would play a leadership role in a true emergency.

Successful completion of a criminal background check is required.

Must pass a federal secret clearance to retain employment. This may take longer than the normal six (6) month probationary period, but employment in this position may be terminated for failure to have the ability to attain the secret clearance.

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium
• Dental Plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Flexib
• le Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation457(b) plan
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan; many jobs also allow for a flexible schedule
• Low cost group life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.