Director of Public Safety (Onsite)

About the role

The University of Michigan-Flint Department of Public Safety (UM-Flint DPS), a department of the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS), leads all public safety functions on the Flint campus.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all police and public safety operations.
• Develop and implement department short and long-term goals, policies, and operational plans aligned with University and DPSS priorities and policies.
• Oversee patrol operations, investigations, emergency response, crime prevention, special event planning, and security services.
• Manage staffing, scheduling, deployment, budgeting, equipment, facilities, and operational resources.
• Administer and coordinate the parking program and enforcement, traffic control, vehicle protection and issuing of State traffic citations.
• Promote continuous improvement, operational effectiveness, and service excellence.
• Keep the Chancellor, DPSS Executive Director and Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance apprised of emerging and priority public safety-related conditions, incidents, and resource needs.
• Represent UM-Flint in university-wide public safety planning, enterprise risk discussions, and cross-campus coordination.
• Lead campus emergency preparedness, response planning, training exercises, and incident command coordination.
• Collaborate with local, state, and federal law enforcement and emergency management partners.
• Support community-oriented policing practices that promote trust, transparency, and engagement.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable state, federal and local laws, accreditation standards, University policies, including, but not limited to, Clery Act requirements, Higher Education Opportunity Act, Title IX, Title VI, and FERPA.
• Oversee Clery reporting, emergency notifications, timely warnings, and related documentation within the DPSS structure and standards.
• Lead internal investigations in accordance with DPSS standards, accountability processes, and policy review efforts.
• Participate in labor relations matters and collective bargaining processes, where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, emergency management, organizational leadership, or a related field.
• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience.
• Significant command-level or senior leadership experience in law enforcement and public safety, including patrol operations, major investigations, event and operational planning.
• Experience at the rank of Police Captain, Police Deputy Chief, or equivalent leadership role.
• Completion of an accredited police academy or equivalent law enforcement training.
• MCOLES certification or the ability to obtain certification within a University-established timeframe.
• Demonstrated experience managing personnel, budgets, patrol and investigative operations, policy development, implementing strategic objectives and public safety programs in a higher education or complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience of modern policing practices, emergency preparedness, crime prevention, threat assessment, and community policing principles.
• Strong understanding of applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations affecting public safety and higher education, including the Clery Act.
• Valid driver's license and ability to successfully complete required background, psychological, physical, and drug screening processes.
• Experience building effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, community organizations, University leaders, faculty, staff, students, and the public.
• Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, law enforcement reporting systems, and related technology.
• Completion of police staff and command, FBI National Academy, or an equivalent.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and respond to emergencies outside normal business hours as needed.

Skills

• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to community-oriented policing, procedural justice, and inclusion.
• Ability to lead effectively during crises and high-pressure situations.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and decision-making ability.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Knowledge of law enforcement technology, records systems, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace.

Benefits

• Generous time off.
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service with immediate vesting.
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Pay

Salary starts at $145,000 with the potential for additional consideration commensurate with the candidate's experience, qualifications and expertise directly related to the job responsibilities.

Schedule

The work requires, or the supervisor approves a fully onsite presence. Onsite is defined as a designated U-M owned or leased work location within or outside of the State of Michigan.