Public Safety Supervisor

Drake University; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waiver for Drake employees

Tuition exchange programs

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Drake University’s Campus Public Safety Department is seeking a Day Shift Supervisor to lead day-to-day operations, supervise two to three Public Safety Officers, and report to the Patrol Captain during daytime hours Saturday through Wednesday.

The role requires strong incident management, sound decision-making, and clear communication with students, faculty, staff, and external partners to maintain a safe and secure campus environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public safety, emergency management, or related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in public safety, campus security, law enforcement, or related field.
• Ability to make sound decisions and effectively manage incidents, emergencies, and day-to-day operational issues.

Responsibilities

• Shift Leadership, Supervision, and Accountability (35%).
• Incident Response and Operational Decision-Making (25%).
• Patrol Operations and Campus Safety Oversight (15%).
• Report Review, Documentation, and Administrative Duties (10%).
• Customer Service and Community Engagement (5%).
• Training and Staff Development (5%).
• Other Duties as assigned (5%).

Skills

Decision making

Incident management

Staff supervision

Communication

Collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's/Bachelor's in criminal justice/public safety/emergency management

Job description

Campus Public Safety Department Summary

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 Day Shift Supervisor oversees day-to-day public safety operations during assigned daytime hours, working Saturday through Wednesday and reporting to the Patrol Captain. The position provides direct supervision to two to three Public Safety Officers during the shift, ensuring effective patrol coverage, incident response, and compliance with departmental policies and procedures. The supervisor serves as the on-duty operational leader on the weekend, supports staff development, reviews reports, and promotes a safe and secure environment for the Drake University community.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public safety, emergency management, or a related field preferred. Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public safety, campus security, law enforcement, or a related field. Ability to make sound decisions and effectively manage incidents, emergencies, and day-to-day operational issues.

Preferred Qualifications

Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience with a public safety, security, or law enforcement organization. Experience working in a college or university public safety, campus security, or higher education environment. Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff performance. Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and incident management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience preparing reports and maintaining accurate records. Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and external public safety partners.

Job Duties

• Shift Leadership, Supervision, and Accountability (35%)
• Incident Response and Operational Decision-Making (25%)
• Patrol Operations and Campus Safety Oversight (15%)
• Report Review, Documentation, and Administrative Duties (10%)
• Customer Service and Community Engagement (5%)
• Training and Staff Development (5%)
• Other Duties as assigned (5%)

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

Salary

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

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

Selection Process

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.

Accessibility

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Union and Benefits

In addition to the benefits above, Drake also provides opportunities such as 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 collaborative student engagement, and practice shared governance. 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.

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