Assistant Director Public Safety and University Operations

Drake University; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waiver

Tuition exchange programs

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Drake University is seeking an Assistant Director of Public Safety & University Operations to guide safety and security operations on campus. You will oversee day‑to‑day public safety functions, ensure compliance reviews, and support operational readiness while coordinating with the Executive Director.

The role requires on‑campus work, strong leadership, and experience in incident response, risk reduction, and collaboration with campus partners.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years in public safety, law enforcement, campus safety, or related field.
• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience.
• Familiarity with Clery Act requirements or willingness to complete training.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work on campus; this is an in-person position.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership – 45%.
• Clery Act Compliance – 15%.
• On-Call Responsibilities – 10%.
• Public Safety Functions – 10%.
• Collaboration & Campus Partnerships – 10%.
• Administrative Responsibilities – 5%.
• Other Duties as Assigned – 5%.

Skills

Public safety leadership

Incident response

Clery Act knowledge

On-call management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ICS/NIMS knowledge

Job description

Public Safety and Operational Services Department Summary: The Drake Public Safety Department provides comprehensive safety, security, and emergency response services for the Drake University community. The department is staffed by trained public safety professionals who work 24/7 to protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Services include campus patrol, emergency response, crime prevention, access control, parking enforcement, safety education, special event security, and transportation programs such as Safe Ride. Public Safety works closely with local law enforcement, fire, and emergency management agencies to maintain a safe and welcoming campus environment while supporting the university's educational mission. Job Summary: The Assistant Director of Public Safety & University Operations supports the overall leadership, coordination, and execution of safety and security operations at Drake University. This role plays a critical part in maintaining a safe campus environment by overseeing day‑to‑day public safety functions, Clery Act compliance review, operational readiness, and on‑call supervisory responsibilities. Working along with the Executive Director of Public Safety and University Operations, the Assistant Director helps guide department operations, ensures consistent service delivery, and contributes to a proactive, community‑oriented approach to campus safety.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in public safety, law enforcement, campus safety, or a related field.
• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of incident response, security practices, and safety operations.
• Familiarity with Clery Act requirements or willingness to complete Clery training upon hire.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work rotating on‑call shifts and respond to campus during emergencies.
• Must work on campus; this is an in‑person position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience in higher education public safety or campus security operations.
• Experience reviewing or managing Clery Act compliance, crime reporting, and related federal reporting requirements.
• Experience conducting investigations, threat assessments, or critical incident reviews.
• Knowledge of emergency management principles, incident command systems (ICS), and crisis response planning.
• Experience leading training programs, policy development, accreditation initiatives, or organizational improvement efforts.
• Professional certifications such as IACLEA, FEMA, NIMS/ICS, CPP, PSP, or related public safety credentials.

Job Duties

• Operational Leadership – 45%
• Clery Act Compliance – 15%
• On‑Call Responsibilities – 10%
• Public Safety Functions – 10%
• Collaboration & Campus Partnerships – 10%
• Administrative Responsibilities – 5%
• Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts.

If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our digital benefits guide: Benefits Overview | Drake University.

One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents.

Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children.

You can learn about both the tuition waiver policy and tuition exchange programs here: Benefits Overview | Drake University.

For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview.

For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.

About Drake:

Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees. All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.

STRONG COMMITMENT TO A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace.

Learn more about why Drake is an exceptional place to work: An Exceptional Working Environment | Drake University

Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities.

If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph: 515.271.3133; email: [e-mail]) and let us know how we can assist you.

At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

More than 900 faculty and staff members have chosen Drake as the place to further their careers.

The University values our faculty and staff and strives to create an exceptional working environment.

Inspire lifelong learning through tuition benefits for employees and their eligible dependents/partner to pursue degrees at Drake

Encourage work/life balance through competitive personal time, vacation and holiday schedule, including an extended Winter Break Practice shared governance and strategic planning through various representative bodies, including Faculty Senate and All Staff Council

Support research through internal and external grants as well as through collaborative student engagement

All In This Together - Drake Bulldogs find a home where they can pursue their passions and ideas while having an impact on the future of our University.

One of Drake’s top strategic priorities is to maintain and build our inclusive community.

Drake University moves past mere tolerance of diversity and creates a culture of inclusion that sees diversity of identities, backgrounds, and ideas as fundamental to our excellence and success as an institution.

A welcoming and diverse campus is critical to delivering on our mission of providing an exceptional learning environment.

Some key inclusion and diversity initiatives and activities on campus include: Drake's Campus Climate Assessment, which gauged the experiences and attitudes of current faculty, staff, and students, showcases a racially Faculty and Staff Affinity Groups Free or reduced tickets to fine arts and select athletics events make it easy to proudly support our students and colleagues. A variety of workshops, webinars, lectures and events aimed at encouraging civil debate and bringing the world to campus to support our commitment to lifelong learning.

Check out our campus tour video highlighting Drake University. Self-Directed Drake Campus Tour