Arlington Public Schools

Human Resources announces an opening for the position of Assistant Director in the Safety, Security, Risk, and

Emergency Management Department. This is a P-12, twelve-month position.

The Assistant Director, Safety, Security & Emergency Management, is a key leadership role within SSEM, dedicated to safeguarding Arlington Public Schools (APS) students, staff, and the broader community. This position provides critical operational oversight and direct supervison for all School Safety Coordinators (SSC) personnel, ensuring the effective implementation of the SSEM's systems-based approach to school security. The Assistant Director will play a pivotal role in strengthening daily operations, enhancing emergency response and recovery capabilities, and fostering a secure and productive learning enviroment that aligns with the APS 2024-2030 Strategic Plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS (May not include all duties):

Provide direct supervison and leadership to the six lead SSCs, all SSCs, and Contract SSCs (the operational security team), guiding them with vision, purpose, and drive. Oversee the day-to-day operations of the SSEM's operational team, ensuring consistent application of security policies and procedures across all 42 APS facilities. Manage staff and systems to ensure quick, effective intervention in the event of threats or serious incidents.

• Ensure compliance with all state-mandated security requirements, including the annual School Safety Inspection Checklist and Certification as outlined the Code of Virginia 22. 1-279.8
• Oversee comprehensive surveillance monitoring, leveraging video systems for rapid incident response and data analysis to identify potential threats or suspicious activity.
• Lead or assist in internal investigations related to APS incidents, coordinating closely with local law enforcement and authorities as necessary.
• Conduct regular safety audits and risk assessments, proactively identify potential threats or suspicious activity
• Emergency Management and School Safety Compliance: Serves as the Arlington Public Schools Emergency

Manager, responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the division-wide School Crisis,

Emergency Management, and Medical Emergency Response Plan, ensuring compliance with Virginia Code § 22.1-

279.8. This includes:

• Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, including the chief law-enforcement officer, fire chief,

chief of emergency medical services, regional EMS council, and local emergency management official, in

the development and annual review of these plans.

• Identifying and allocating necessary personnel and resources to support emergency response strategies,

aligning with the requirements of the emergency response plan.

• Continuously editing, revising, and updating the Emergency Management Plan (EMP) and related standard

operating procedures to address a wide range of potential critical events and emergencies as defined in the

code.

• Overseeing the provision of equipment and supplies for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
• Coordinating disaster assistance and recovery operations.
• Leading and participating in relevant training, such as Incident Command System (ICS).
• Planning and conducting tabletop and functional exercises, as required by policy and to ensure plan

effectiveness.

• Identifying and addressing safety and security concerns within the emergency management context.
• Preparing the district to effectively respond to a wide range of emergencies.
• Maintaining the readiness of emergency facilities.
• Developing after-action reports to document lessons learned from exercises and actual events.
• Ensuring the completion and submission of annual school safety audits for all schools, in collaboration with

the chief law-enforcement officer, and submitting these to the Virginia Center for School and Campus

Safety.

• Serving on the school safety audit committee to review audit results and recommend safety improvements.

Threat Assessment and Intervention: Manages the Arlington Public Schools threat assessment processes and

protocols, including:

• Developing and implementing policies and procedures related to threat assessment.
• Leading the development and implementation of comprehensive professional training for school threat

assessment teams and staff, covering policy updates, protocols, and related services for threat assessment

and crisis response (both in-person and virtual).

• Managing the Threat Assessment Oversight Committee.
• Responding to and triaging digital threats reported through the district’s threat reporting system, adhering to

established threat assessment and crisis response protocols.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of and skills in:

• Physical and Technical Security Systems and Integration: Thorough understanding of modern

electronic security systems, including advanced access control platforms (e.g., ACRE – Feenics), video

surveillance (e.g., Verkada), intrusion detection (e.g., Bosch), and critical notification systems (e.g.,

AIPhone, Alertus, Rauland). This includes knowledge of their installation, maintenance, integration

capabilities, and strategic application within a school environment.

• Security Basis of Design Principles: Knowledge of the principles and best practices in developing and

implementing security standards for new construction and renovations, ensuring consistent and effective

security measures across all facilities.

• Comprehensive Security and Emergency Management Planning: In-depth knowledge of emergency

management frameworks for K-12, (including the Incident Command System and Standard Response

Protocols), and relevant Virginia statutes (e.g., § 22.1-279.8) to coordinate the emergency response and

recovery for a large and diverse school district with geographically dispersed facilities.

• Threat Assessment and Crisis Intervention: Understanding of threat assessment methodologies, best

practices for developing and delivering threat assessment training, and protocols for responding to and

triaging potential threats, including digital threats.

• Visitor Management and Legal Considerations: Knowledge of visitor management practices, including

relevant laws pertaining to public property and specific restrictions for K-12 environments.

• Evidence Handling and Reporting: Understanding of evidentiary processes and protocols related to

video recordings and other security-related data within a K-12 public school setting. Advanced skills in

generating comprehensive reports and integrating data from various security systems.

• Radio Communication Systems: Knowledge of FCC requirements for UHF, VHF, 800, and 700 MHz radio

networks and their effective use in emergency communications.

• Budgeting and Financial Management in Public Education: Understanding of budgeting processes,

financial management practices, and grant funding within a public-school environment to effectively

advocate for and manage resources for safety, security, and emergency management initiatives.

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including

the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences. Strong

interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external

stakeholders, fostering collaboration and trust.

• Training and Development: Proven training and education techniques to develop and deliver

comprehensive instruction programs on security operations, emergency procedures, and threat

assessment protocols for various APS personnel.

• Technology Proficiency: Proficient in using computers and modern office suite software, as well as radio

and telecommunications devices, to effectively manage and execute responsibilities.

Ability to:

• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Implement and enforce regulation-driven practices related to security,

access control, emergency management (including Virginia Code § 22.1-279.8), and threat assessment.

• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Select, organize, and logically analyze relevant information to

effectively address a wide range of security and emergency situations.

• Emergency Response and Leadership: Respond effectively to emergency calls and assume leadership

roles or function as a team member during emergency events across Arlington County.

• Rapid Situational Awareness: Quickly acquire and retain knowledge of APS schools and facilities,

including their demographics and geographic information, to effectively plan and coordinate security and

emergency response efforts.

• Maintain High Ethical Standards: Demonstrate integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of the role.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field pertinent to security and emergency

management, criminal justice, information technology (with a security focus), or a closely related field (or equivalent

combination of education, experience, and training).

At least five years of progressively responsible experience in safety, security, and emergency management within a

complex organization, preferably in an educational or public sector environment. This experience should include:

• Demonstrated experience in the management and integration of physical and technical security systems

(e.g., access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, critical communications).

• Experience in developing and implementing emergency management plans, conducting drills and

exercises, and coordinating emergency response efforts.

• Experience with threat assessment processes and protocols, including training and managing threat

assessment teams.

• At least two years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity, including managing technical staff and

contractors.

• Experience in developing and managing budgets related to security and emergency management.
• Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations related to school safety and security (e.g., Virginia Code §

22.1-279.8).

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

• Possession of an appropriate, valid vehicle operator's license required.
• One or more of the following certifications is highly desirable:

o Professional certification in security management (e.g., Certified Protection Professional - CPP).

o Certification in emergency management (e.g., Associate Emergency Manager - AEM, Certified

Emergency Manager - CEM).

o Completion of relevant FEMA Independent Study courses (e.g., IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800).

• Incident Command System (ICS) certifications (e.g., ICS-300, ICS-400) are preferred.

HYSICAL ATTRIBUTES Work is predominantly sedentary and involves light physical effort. It requires moving

about to obtain work objects, supplies, etc., distribute work products, coordinate with others and perform related

functions; operating office and communications equipment, such as a computer and a telephone; and reviewing all

kinds of written documents containing small print, symbols and special notations. Work requires physical strength,

agility, dexterity, hand-eye-foot coordination, motor skills, and visual acuity and ability to distinguish color-coded

wiring. Work requires sufficient physical strength, agility, dexterity to perform all essential functions, which may

include occasional use of hand tools and/or lifting and carrying objects. Duties require sitting, walking, kneeling,

squatting, pushing, pulling, twisting, and bending.

HAZARDS/UNUSUAL DEMANDS: Work is performed primarily within school facilities and property. Employee may

be exposed to climatic conditions, loud noises, vibrations, and potential physical hazards when operating tools and

equipment. Employee is required to comply with safety policies and procedures. May be required to work unusual

hours and be designated for 24-hour on-call service. The work schedule is subject to change, depending upon the

needs of APS. Incumbents in this class are hired for the position, not the work schedule or shift assignment. Once

hired, an employee may be reassigned to another schedule or shift at the discretion of APS

f you would like to apply to this position please follow these steps.

1. Log into your application and select the appropriate application (Current APS employees interested in transferring must select the Employee Transfer Application.) If you are a new online application user, please register with the online system, then proceed to Step 2.

2. Login to your application, select the appropriate application, click the Start Application button at the bottom of the page.

3. Click the Continue/Save button at the bottom of each web page until you reach the Employment Openings page of the application.

4. On the Employment Openings page, click the Add Job button.

5. Select the position you would like to apply for from the drop down list.

6. Click the Add Another button to add a different position to your application or if you have finished click the Continue button and proceed to Step 7.

7. Once you have finished selecting the job(s) click the Continue button at the bottom of each web page and submit the application. (You will need to complete the Applicant Testimony and Applicant's Authorization Statement every time you re-submit your application.)

8. Click the Submit button on the left.

9. Click the Submit Application button to finish applying for an APS position(s).

10. Please do not contact the schools regarding job openings.

Arlington Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the Arlington School Board, as stated in Policy G-2.30, Employee Relations – Equal Employment Opportunity - that “Employment opportunities shall not be restricted, abridged or otherwise adversely affected on the basis of race, national origin, creed, color, religion, gender, age, economic status, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, and/or disability.”

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