The mission of the Division of University Safety (US) is the protection of health, safety, and welfare of the entire University community and their external constituencies. The Division provides services across the University to all constituents, inclusive of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Division achieves this mission through the provision of services in any of eight departments/offices, specifically: the Police Department, Security Services department, the Fire Department, the Office of Emergency Management, the Fire Marshal and Building Inspector’s Office, the Environmental Health and Safety Department, Business Services Office and the Emergency Communications Center. The Division is home to approximately 250 employees, in four bargaining unit designations to include NP-3, Clerical; NP-5, Police and Fire; UCPEA; and management/confidential exempt. The Division geographically spreads across the state at seven locations to include such locations as Storrs, Hartford, Waterbury, Avery Point, and Stamford campuses, the School of Law in Hartford, and the UConn Health campus in Farmington.

OFFICE/DEPARTMENTAL SUMMARIES

Police Department

The University of Connecticut Police Department (UCPD) is an internationally accredited law enforcement agency and fully functional police agency with the same statutory authority as any municipal police department in the State of Connecticut. The UCPD is responsible for, and its primary mission is, the protection of lives and property at the University of Connecticut and all adjacent areas within its jurisdiction. This includes the main campus in Storrs, regional campuses located throughout the state and UConn Health. The UCPD receives day-to-day operational leadership from the Chief of Police.

The UCPD derives police authority and precinct boundaries from two separate sources:

• Connecticut General Statute 10a-156b; the jurisdiction of [the UConn Police Department] shall extend to the geographical limits of the property owned or under the control of the above institutions, and to property occupied by The University of Connecticut in the Town of Mansfield.
• Officers of the UCPD possess special constable powers within the Town of Mansfield, and police powers within the cities of Hartford, Waterbury, Stamford and the town of Farmington.

Security Services

Security Services provides a front-line, pro-active approach to safety. Our Building and Grounds Patrol Officers and Telecommunications Dispatchers are highly visible within our communities to provide assistance whenever needed; ensuring services are always delivered in a professional manner.  Through collaboration and engagement, Security Services delivers resources and services that are required by the individual campus environment, all while looking through the lens of modern safety needs. Security Services also operates the Security Call Center at UConn Health.

Security Services staff are located at UConn Health and select regional UConn campuses. Security Services is led by the Manager of Security Services.

Fire Department

The UConn Fire Department (UCFD) primarily responds to calls related to emergency medical and threats to structural property and land at the Storrs and UConn Health campuses in Farmington.  In addition to emergency responses, the UCFD provides fire/EMS standbys for large public events, public education programs, and fire marshal services to UConn campuses across the state. The UCFD receives day-to-day operational leadership from the Fire Chief.

Office of Emergency Management

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities. Using an all-hazard approach, OEM develops, implements, trains and reviews UConn’s Emergency Operations Plan. The Office of Emergency Management coordinates preparedness efforts and emergency training of staff, faculty, and students across every UConn campus as well as UConn Health in Farmington and their 23 satellite locations throughout Connecticut. The mission of OEM is to utilize a proactive and comprehensive leadership approach in all-hazard preparedness, response, recovery, and prevention planning. The coordination of these resources thereby ensures assistance and support for the protection of life and property, incident stabilization and business continuity to the University’s campuses and communities. The OEM receives day-to-day operational leadership from the Director of OEM.

Fire Marshal and Building Inspector’s Office

The Fire Marshal and Building Inspector’s Office (FMBIO) is responsible for code compliance on all university owned property, statewide, for buildings and construction projects which are not under the jurisdiction of other Connecticut agencies. Members of the FMBIO team work collaboratively with other University offices to include UPDC and Facilities Management. Through the Life Safety Systems program, coordination and maintenance of critical life safety systems in university owned buildings is provided. This Office is also responsible for setting the direction and standards for security technology on all campuses, including but limited to cameras, access control and alarm systems. The FMBIO receives day-to-day operational leadership from the Director of Code Enforcement and Compliance.

Environmental Health and Safety Department

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is responsible for supporting and promoting a culture of safety, environmental protection, and compliance at the University by providing leadership in the identification and management of safety, health, and environmental risks. EHS administers comprehensive programs and services that ensure the welfare of our faculty, staff, students, visitors, and the environment, supporting the University’s mission of research, teaching, service, and outreach. EHS receives day-to-day operational leadership from the Director of EHS.

Business Services Office

Business Services is a central service provider. Centralization of all Division administrative functions provides more effective and efficient services to all of our departments.  These functions include hiring, payroll, time and labor, travel, purchasing, accounts payable, budgeting, billing, financial analysis, business analysis, records processing and administrative support.
The Business Services mission is to provide professional, courteous customer service while adhering to University, State and Federal guidelines while optimally utilizing our valuable resources. This group provides customer service to individuals within the Division, University community, as well as the public sector. The Director of Business Services leads this office.

Emergency Communications Center (ECC)

The ECC provides E-911, central alarm monitoring as well radio communications to both the police and fire departments at all UConn and UConn campuses on a 24/7 basis. The Center is the only college or university Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) center in Connecticut. ECC receives day-to-day operational leadership from the ECC manager.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the administrative review of the University President, the Chief Safety Officer (CSO) provides leadership and direction for a large, state-wide, multi-function workforce who offer comprehensive environmental health, safety, and compliance services to the University’s campuses located throughout Connecticut. The CSO’s core function is to enhance health and safety for the entirety of UConn and UConn Health enterprise.
The CSO is charged with emphasizing the role of University Safety as a proactive and service-oriented organization for the students, staff and faculty and the University and UConn Health communities. This shall be achieved through actively engaging with the diverse student, staff and faculty populations, engaging with student, staff and faculty organizations, and working collaboratively with University leadership to determine, provide, and refine services delivered by the various offices and departments of the Division.
This senior level position must work collaboratively with University leaders, as well as local, State and Federal offices to provide overall health and safety services to the UConn and UConn Health communities.

POSITION EXPECTATIONS

As with any senior level position with institutional impact, the CSO must build and maintain concerted synergies not only with University leaders and organizations, but also among leadership within the Division. The CSO must not only understand, but exercise empathy regarding the intricacies of student life and the social needs/issues of the campus community. The CSO recognizes and balances the expectations of the institution with the required actions to maintain health and safety for the University, a stance that regularly places the CSO in a contradictory position when stabilizing between the population’s social wants and the institution’s health and safety.

Division Administration

• Provides leadership in strategic planning, including setting goals and objectives, for a diverse and complex organization with comprehensive health and safety service responsibilities state-wide, year around, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
• Establishes operational policies and sets priorities with organization-wide impact, and consistency with the broader institutional priorities and objectives and in alignment with executive leadership.
• Directs leadership and staff through setting the Division direction, encouraging professional development, and emphasizing the importance of staff and communal collaboration.
• Productively supports Division leadership when making difficult, challenging, and unpopular decisions. Mentors leaders to consider all necessary impact angles and resolution alternatives, as well as the impact to other University divisions.
• Effectively balances the conflicting needs of staff with the Division’s mission.
• Directs divisional budget management for a multi-million-dollar operating budget, including strategic budget planning and resource allocation with all departments/offices.
• Facilitates regular Division staffing reviews and identifies trends to establish staffing levels for optimal service delivery.
• Sets direction for public relations activities to promote the Division’s mission and visibility through communication strategies and programs.

Program Development and Administration

• Anticipates institutional service needs for students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors based on a regular evaluation of current events, trends, and best practices.
• Identifies and implements programs to proactively address the University’s health and safety demands.
• Supports a holistic approach to health and safety that values diversity in the workforce as well as an overall approach to providing services to a diverse community.
• Directs the assessment and evaluation of the Division’s involvement in behavioral health intervention efforts; serves as a stakeholder and leads a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach in crafting a cohesive behavioral health support program for students and employees.
• Works with counterparts across the University to facilitate occupational and environmental improvement programs, training, and the University’s response to prolonged widespread health emergencies.
• Directs and encourages the continued development and adaption of the University’s emergency response plans for natural, technological, or human-caused catastrophes through the lens of preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.
• Evaluates the Division’s programs’ effectiveness, directing changes as appropriate.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to institutional health, safety, and welfare; e.g. environmental, building and fire code, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy, and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Synergy and Collaboration

• Serves as the chief advisor to the University executive leadership and Board of Trustees on all matters pertaining to institutional health and safety for UConn and UConn Health.
• Serves on the University’s Executive Policy Group.
• Participates in university-wide efforts focused on community engagement and wellness, promoting opportunities that foster an improved and shared understanding of best practices that support wellness and mental health awareness for students and staff.
• Collaborates with the federal and state governing agencies to implement unified reactions and response efforts.
• Serves as a leader and resource in promoting race and equity inclusion through developing inclusive policy, practices, and programs, emphasizing fair treatment, and serving as a catalyst for change.
• Works in tandem with counterparts from, CARE Team and the Dean of Student’s office; the Provost’s office, including Dean’s and academic leaders; and the Division of Athletics, to include coaches and programmatic staff in order to provide cohesive victim services and crisis support.

Accessibility

• Fosters transparency and accessibility for all Division programs and services.
• Institutes regular outreach campaigns and strategies nurturing a socially supportive climate from the Division.
• Facilitates and develops a Divisional marketing and communications strategy for cohesive messaging and a shared and comprehensive understanding of relative topics to internal and external constituencies.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in business, criminal justice, public administration or management, or a related field. Advanced degree strongly preferred.

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Minimum of 10 years of public safety management experience, 2 years of which must be in a senior level command position or equivalent, including diverse assignments and/or experience in a safety related organization. Examples include, but are not limited to law enforcement, environmental health and safety, building and fire code compliance, fire or emergency management organization, preferably at an institution of higher education of similar size and complexity as the University of Connecticut.
• The ability to lead, engage in, and develop policies pertaining to the health and safety of the University.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; as well as strong verbal, written and technology skills.
• Extensive experience responding with diplomacy and tact during volatile situations.
• Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with senior administration, academic leaders, students, faculty, staff, parents, governmental authorities, community and municipality groups and the general public.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health and safety issues and best practices in a higher education residential environment.
• Understanding of, and experience in emergency management, emergency communication systems, and special event management.

Among other qualifications, candidates should ideally demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Participation and completion of an executive-level public service training course, such as Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Executive Education Programs, the FBI National Academy, Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy, or similar type programs.
• Capability to adapt to unexpected changes in the University environment while maintaining continuous health and safety at the University.
• A general understanding of first responder services, including fire suppression, emergency medical response, E-911 dispatching and law enforcement services.
• A general understanding of fire, building, and ADA compliance.
• A general understanding of environmental, OSHA, or other universities' health and safety regulations.
• A general understanding of security technology and emergency communication equipment, hardware, and software.
• Experience in planning and leading health and safety measures for high-profile events, such as collegiate Division 1 athletic programs including football and basketball games or other events.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

This is a full-time, permanent position and requires the incumbent’s willingness and ability to be available and respond to any of UConn’s statewide campuses 24/7 during a critical incident. This position also requires traveling within and to any of UConn’s statewide campuses or other meeting locations.