Job Details
Job Title: Director of Public Safety
Posting Number: 20110680
Pay Rate: Salary commensurate with experience
Position Type: Administration
Key Responsibilities
Juniata College is seeking a collaborative, experienced leader to serve as Director of Public Safety. This position provides strategic and operational leadership for campus safety and security, helping create a safe, welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff can live, learn, and work. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, the Director leads Public Safety personnel and operations while partnering across campus and with local law enforcement, emergency services, and community agencies.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the daily operations, staffing, training, supervision, and professional development of Public Safety personnel supporting a 24/7 campus operation.
- Develop and implement strategies, policies, and procedures that promote campus safety, security, emergency preparedness, and crime prevention.
- Serve as the College’s Clery compliance officer, overseeing crime reporting, Campus Security Authority (CSA) training, and related federal and state requirements.
- Coordinate the College’s emergency communications and emergency operations efforts, serving as a key liaison with law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency dispatch agencies.
- Partner with Student Life and other campus leaders on student conduct, crisis response, investigations, and after-hours emergency situations.
- Plan security and emergency response for campus events and provide safety training and education to students, faculty, and staff.
- Build collaborative relationships with victim advocacy and support services and promote trauma-informed responses to incidents.
- Develop and manage the Public Safety budget and ensure effective stewardship of departmental resources.
- Oversee departmental communications, reporting, records, crime statistics, policies, and compliance documentation.
- Foster a culture of belonging, inclusion, respect, and well-being throughout campus.
Juniata College is committed to cultivating an equity-minded and equity-engaged campus culture, one that is inclusive and supportive of its students, faculty, and staff. We believe that all members of the College community share the responsibility to value diversity, seek equity, promote a sense of belonging. We seek candidates who are sensitive to the needs of an academic community that is diverse with regard to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or identity, disability status, and protected veteran status. … EOE
Position Qualifications
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, student affairs, or a related field; advanced study or equivalent professional experience preferred.
- 5–7+ years of progressively responsible experience in public safety, law enforcement, campus safety, student affairs, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience supervising personnel and managing departmental budgets and operations.
- Knowledge of the Clery Act, Title IX, VAWA, Title VII, and applicable federal, state, and local safety requirements.
- Experience with emergency management, crisis response, investigations, and/or campus safety programming.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, families, faculty, staff, administrators, and external partners.
- A collaborative, inclusive, and transparent leadership style with a demonstrated ability to build trust and foster positive change.
- Commitment to the residential liberal arts college experience and to creating a safe and supportive campus community.
- Valid driver’s license and successful completion of a background investigation.
Supervision Required/Given
Reports directly to the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. Receives general direction and guidance while working with independent discretion. Direct supervision of full-time and part-time public safety officers and personnel.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Why Juniata?
At Juniata, public safety is about more than responding to incidents—it’s about building a campus environment where people feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. The Director will have an opportunity to shape campus safety practices, strengthen partnerships across the College, and contribute to the overall student experience. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement (403b), paid vacation and holidays, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, wellness programs, and more.
Open Date: 08/31/2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
