Director 2 of Safety and Emergency Mgt

Location: Hattie Mae White

Department: Police Department - Chief

Area:Northwest

Contract Months:12

Salary Range: $150,000.00 - $175,000.00

Academic Year: 25-26

JOB SUMMARY

Serve as primary advisor to the Chief of Police to lead and manage the district's strategic and operational work related to school safety and security as directed by federal, state, local laws, and the Texas Education Agency; lead efforts to build and maintain coherence across all safety and security related departments, including business operations, curriculum and instruction, administrative services, access control, and various law enforcement and emergency management agencies across the district's boundaries.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Establish and oversee a comprehensive safety plan that outlines emergency and safety procedures for students and staff. The plan will address roles, duties, and responsibilities.

2. Coordinate safety compliance, facilitate safety training, and exercise programs in compliance with the guidelines from Texas School Safety Center (TEC Sec. 37.108).

3. Develop and maintain the district's multi-hazard emergency operations plan.

4. Participate in the development and implementation of emergency management goals, objectives, and practices.

5. Ensure that safety and security inspections and audits of district facilities are conducted to mitigate potential safety hazards.

6. Coordinate and report all safety and security audits of district facilities in compliance with the guidelines of the Texas School Safety Center.

7. Serve as liaison and representative for HISD between all first responders, Region 4 Education Service Center, Harris County Department of Education, Harris County and City of Houston Emergency Management, and partnering school districts regarding hazards and critical incidents.

8. Coordinate budget, procurement, and policy activities of all police department safety and security initiatives, vetting and making recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding grants, allotments, and capital improvement projects as guided by safety and security objectives.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

9. Maintain records and submit reports as required by the Texas Safe Schools Act and other authorities as it relates to safety and security.

10. Prepare, review, and submit Board agenda items to the Chief of Police regarding school safety and security required by law or policy.

11. Coordinate the development and execution of an emergency notification system to keep appropriate personnel informed of critical incidents or events.

12. Assist in developing, preparing, and revising mutual aid agreements and memorandums of understanding as appropriate.

13. Assist with safety and emergency management activities on a 24-hour basis as required.

14. Confirm campuses and facilities follow the five phases of emergency management (prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery).

15. Monitor legislative bills on school safety and security and provide guidance to achieve compliance.

16. Provide consultation and technical assistance for safety and security features during the design phase of new schools, facilities, or buildings scheduled for renovations.

17. Present safety and security presentations related to emergency management.

18. Report security incidents and unusual or hazardous conditions to appropriate authorities.

19. Participate in professional development activities to maintain current knowledge of Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code and school safety and security directives.

20. Provide oversight and coordination of the Safety and Emergency Management (SEM) Team to include protocol development and leadership over day-to-day operations.

21. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree

Well versed in knowledge of Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code regarding school safety.

Well versed in knowledge of federal and state regulations governing emergency and disaster plans.

Knowledge of federal and state grant programs related to emergency management and school safety.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum of three (3) years of effective managerial or executive level experience in safety and emergency management, preferably in a public school system or an equivalent amount of emergency management experience in the private sector or other public entity.

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

• 100, 200, 700, and 800 Independent Study Courses in National Incident Management System (NIMS) or any related certification.
• Beginner and Advanced Behavioral Threat Assessment Training.
• Texas School Safety Audit Process and corrective/improvement strategies.
• Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) instructor provided by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) center, preferably.
• Behavior Based Safety Practices and special event management/ crowd control planning.
• Understand emergency communications and operation mobile platforms (RAPTOR, Navigate 360, P3, Gaggle, Navigate DETECT) and other social media monitoring platforms.
• Understand Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and other required collaborating platforms.
• Knowledge of Incident Command and Unified Command procedures.
• Ability to interpret law, policy, and procedures with an emphasis on school safety.
• Knowledge of security and fire systems and related applications.
• Knowledge of two-way communication and communication devices.
• Knowledge of the interactions of physical safety/security, technology, and their dependency upon each other.
• Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to conduct group instruction and interface with school district administrators at all levels.
• Proficient in the use of software applications and technology platforms and in developing and delivering webinars.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with departments to assist with and organize various aspects of school safety and security to promote a safe and secure environment.
• Develop, present, and facilitate effective professional development sessions within collaborative response agencies.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with local emergency management departments and other local, federal, and state law enforcement emergency response agencies.
• Work collaboratively with the Information Technology Solutions department on the design, implementation, and staff training of school emergency alert, communication, and response systems.
• Assist districts with identifying mitigation strategies to prevent or proactively limit the effects of on-campus hazardous incidents of intruder and active threat hazards.
• Assist Houston ISD with oversight of tabletop exercises with district-level executive leadership.
• Oversee intruder safety audits of district campuses.
• Lead quarterly leadership network of School Safety contacts to allow regions within Houston ISD to determine needs, targeted supports, lessons learned, alignment of services, and provide networking opportunities.
• Remain informed of any changes in state and federal rules, regulations, and policies related to school health and safety.
• Provide leadership in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating professional development and services in school safety.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Houston ISD, Readiness and Emergency Management- for Schools Technical Assistance Center, Texas School Safety Center, ALERTT, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Local Education Agencies (LEAs), and other national/federal/state/local agencies to provide school safety supports and to build and enhance community partnerships in support of school safety.
• Collaborate with other district departments to assist with the coordination and alignment of services in support of the vision that everyone is safe and secure in our schools.
• Assist in planning and developing special project activities.
• Provide technical assistance and services as specified by any applicable federal or state grants that fund this position.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Collaborates with senior leadership to develop strategies and broad departmental objectives; establishes methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people in the achievement of strategic objectives.

Work is highly complex and broad in scope covering several departments/divisions across HISD.

Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice, and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Greater latitude and discretion are warranted in making decisions, which affect major areas of HISD and possibly the organization's public image.

The job is constantly expected to apply creative solutions to complex problems and develop new ideas and concepts.

Reviews and/or recommendations decisions that may have a significant impact on the entire organization.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have a major impact for multiple divisions and may impact the general direction of HISD. Errors may cause continuous adverse influence on the future operations of the organization, in matters involving important customer commitments, organizational liability, and other matters which may appreciably affect future costs.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Oversee and direct - serves as one of the organization's senior level spokespersons in area of expertise, defines and champions change initiatives, organizational strategies, services, policies, and practices. Interactions are typically with top management, the board, and community and business leaders.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Anticipates customer needs and identifies and champions opportunities for the development and

implementation of new services and methods to meet or exceed customer needs.

Establishes customer service standards and feedback mechanisms across departments.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.

Ability to carry and/or lift less than 45 pounds.

Houston Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer.