Admin Director - Department of Public Safety

APCO International; Bellaire (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris Health is seeking an Administrative Director of Public Safety to provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for all public safety, security, access control, and parking functions across the organization.

This role serves as the subject matter expert in healthcare security, applying extensive law enforcement and healthcare operations experience to address safety challenges and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Criminal Justice or related healthcare area.
• Ten (10) years in security or healthcare related field.
• Seven (7) years in Healthcare Security Management.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for enterprise-wide public safety, security, access control, and parking programs across Harris Health.
• Develop and implement comprehensive security strategies to protect patients, visitors, staff, facilities and infrastructure.
• Lead investigations, emergency response, and access management operations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, clinical teams, law enforcement agencies, emergency management partners, and community stakeholders to balance safety with patient experience and operational efficiency.

Skills

Security experience

Public speaking

Verbal communication

Writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, Criminal Justice or related healthcare area

Job description

Admin Director - Department of Public Safety

Harris Health is the public healthcare safety-net provider established in 1966 to serve the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients, through acute and primary care, wellness, disease management and population health services. Ben Taub Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level 3 Trauma Center) anchor Harris Health's robust network of 39 clinics, health centers, specialty locations and virtual (telemedicine) technology. Harris Health is among an elite list of health systems in the U.S. achieving Magnet® nursing excellence designation for its hospitals, the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered clinics and health centers and its strong partnership with nationally recognized physician faculty, residents and researchers from Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

At Harris Health, we prioritize the well-being of our most valuable asset--our people--ensuring a culture of compassion, collaboration and excellence in serving Harris County's most in need. With integrity and accountability at our core, we commit to 'leading with love', embodying our dedication to quality care, education, and a steadfast respect for every individual's contribution to our mission.

Job Summary:

The Administrative Director of Public Safety provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for all public safety, security, access control, and parking, functions across Harris Health. This role is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive security strategies that protect patients, visitors, staff, physicians, facilities, and critical infrastructure while supporting the organization's mission of delivering safe, high-quality healthcare services.

The Administrative Director serves as the organization's subject matter expert in healthcare security, applying extensive law enforcement, security management, and healthcare operations experience to address complex safety challenges, including workplace violence prevention, behavioral health patient management, de‑escalation strategies, threat assessment, and protection of vulnerable populations. The position ensures compliance with federal, state, and regulatory requirements; promotes industry best practices; and leads initiatives designed to reduce risk, enhance organizational resilience, and strengthen the overall safety culture.

The Administrative Director provides leadership for enterprise-wide security programs, technology systems, investigations, emergency response, and access management operations. The role collaborates closely with executive leadership, clinical teams, law enforcement agencies, emergency management partners, and community stakeholders to develop proactive security solutions that balance safety, patient experience, and operational efficiency.

Through innovative leadership, data‑driven decision‑making, and expertise in security industry standards, healthcare regulations, and protective services, the Administrative Director ensures the organization is prepared to prevent, respond to, and recover from safety and security threats while maintaining a safe environment for care, healing, and business operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Degrees: Bachelor's degree in business, Criminal Justice or related healthcare area
• Work Experience: Ten (10) years in security or healthcare related field
• Management Experience: Seven (7) years in Healthcare Security Management

Communication Skills:

• Above Average Verbal (Heavy Public Contact)
• Exceptional Verbal (e.g., Public Speaking)
• Writing /Correspondence
• Writing /Reports

Proficiencies: MS Word, P.C.

Job Attributes: Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities: Analytical, Mathematics

Work Schedule: Flexible