Assistant Director, Public Safety Technical Solutions

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's Public Safety Division seeks a senior leader to oversee instructional design, IT project management, and AI/technology integration. You will translate strategic priorities into coordinated programs and partnerships that enhance campus safety.

The role supervises two staff members and collaborates with IT, facilities, and security teams. Strong communication, change management, and data analysis are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, business, information sciences, or related field; master’s equivalent considered.
• Experience in project management and solution-oriented scope of work.
• Instructional design or enablement design experience with training programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level oversight across four functional areas: instructional design, IT project management, process improvement, and AI/technology integration.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and coordinate programs with IT teams and external partners.
• Supervise two staff positions aligned to core functions and ensure effective collaboration.
• Drive strategic outreach and community partnerships to advance campus safety initiatives.
• Support change management and user readiness across the division.

Skills

Systems Understanding

Project & Program Management

Stakeholder Collaboration & Communic

Data & Performance Analysis

Change Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, business, information sciences, or related

Master’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Trello

Articulate

Captivate

SCORM/xAPI

LMS administration

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Job description

Put your passion for service to work by guiding transformative public safety initiatives at Virginia Tech. Help us advance public safety by applying effective project management practices that foster a proactive, resilient, and community-centered campus environment.

Job Description

The Public Safety Division has a critical role in supporting the well-being of our community. Comprised of the Police Department, Environmental Health & Safety, the Office of Emergency Management, Hokie Passport Services, and the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors that maximizes everyone’s opportunity for success. Through collaboration, dedication, training, and community engagement, we strive to provide a comprehensive and responsive approach in our public safety programs. Our mission of advancing safety, security, health and preparedness is anchored by the Virginia Tech Principles of Community. These fundamental values; mutual respect, civility, and service, are foundational to our programs and are exemplified in our interactions with the campus community.

The Assistant Director of Technical Solutions provides senior-level oversight across four integrated functional areas: instructional design and training, IT project management, process improvement and AI/technology integration, and strategic outreach and community partnerships. This role serves as an operational leader within the Division of Public Safety, translating the division's strategic priorities into coordinated programs, projects, and partnerships that advance campus safety.

The Assistant Director directly supervises a team of two staff positions, each anchoring one of the division's core operational functions. The team structure is designed to align expertise with mission:

• One position anchoring instructional design — responsible for curriculum development, training delivery, and LMS administration
• One position focused on training and community partnerships — delivering training, managing awareness campaigns, external relationships, and collaborative programming

The Assistant Director also provides oversight and strategic integration across all four areas, with process improvement and AI/technology integration functioning as a horizontal priority that cuts across all functions — ensuring the division continuously evolves its tools, workflows, and capabilities to serve the campus community effectively. This position serves as a direct liaison for program coordination with IT teams who are working directly on public safety automation and IT projects that seek efficiencies in business operations via technological enhancement and development, serving as the shared service liaison with BAMS IT and supporting system implementation and vendor management for public safety programming.

The incumbent also performs other duties as requested; takes initiative to support a healthy work environment; strives to fulfill the terms in the Standards of Business Conduct; exemplifies the Virginia Tech Principles of Community; and supports the university’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Required Qualifications

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, business, information sciences, or related degree with equivalent combination of education and experience equal to a Master’s degree.

Experience

• Project management and solution-oriented scope of work.
• Instructional & Enablement Design - Designing training, learning solutions, or user enablement strategies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Systems Understanding – Knowledge of enterprise IT systems (LMS, ERP, HRIS, CRM), integrations, APIs, and data flows used in project development.
• Project & Program Management – Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, manage timelines and complex implementations.
• Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication – Translating concepts for diverse audiences and aligning multiple department needs through strategic communications.
• Data & Performance Analysis – Using analytics to evaluate system performance, compliance strategies, and adoption metrics.
• Creative solution orientation with the ability to ideate and problem solve, culminating in outreach opportunities in creative channels.
• Change Management – Supporting organizational transitions, system adoption, and user readiness.

Preferred Qualifications

• User Experience & Digital Adoption Tools – Microsoft Suite, Trello, agile planning framework with informed design practices
• Vendor & Platform Management – Selecting and optimizing third-party solutions and relationships via implementation management and training
• Advanced Learning Technologies – eLearning tools (Articulate, Captivate), SCORM/xAPI, and LMS administration; Graphic design and creative solutions (Adobe, Canva)
• Strategic Leadership – Experience setting vision, project management and driving long-term transformation.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

85-90k

Hours per week

40

Review Date

Rolling review date of August 31st. All applications must be submitted by end of day on September 13th.

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Megan Hinkle at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.