Public Safety Coordinator

Job Summary

Participates in the day-to-day functions of securing, directing, and promoting security and public safety throughout the Greater Columbus Convention Center campus. The campus includes 6 parking areas, 2 food courts, 4 exhibit halls, 6 ballrooms, and more than 50 meeting rooms within approximately 2 million square feet of space. The Public Safety Coordinator supports the Public Safety Assistant Manager by supervising daily shift operations, coordinating personnel assignments, monitoring security and life safety systems, assisting with event security planning, preparing event-related public safety cost estimates, coordinating public safety resources, and ensuring compliance with departmental policies and procedures. The Public Safety Coordinator serves as a frontline leader and resource for Public Safety personnel, contracted security providers, clients, guests, and public safety partners. The position is responsible for assisting with event public safety operations by preparing and submitting security, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement staffing estimates; coordinating staffing requirements with external agencies and vendors; reconciling event-related public safety expenses; and processing billing documentation for submission to the Finance Department. The Coordinator helps maintain a safe, secure, and customer-focused environment while supporting the successful execution of events and daily operations throughout the facility.

Essential Functions

• Facility Security & Public Safety Operations: Perform regular and routine rounds of the facility, noting and correcting unsafe or insecure conditions and taking immediate action as necessary. Direct visitors, deliveries and related personnel to proper areas, notifies related departments of visitor/delivery arrival/departure. Challenge unauthorized personnel in restricted areas. Operate and monitor computerized fire alarm system and surveillance camera. Follow established code of conduct and safety procedures. Take appropriate action in the event of an emergency. Provide crowd management support and assist with crowd movement during events. Monitor compliance with facility security procedures, safety standards, and operational guidelines. Serve as the on-duty coordinator during assigned shifts and provide operational direction to Public Safety personnel.
• Security Planning & Event Operations Support: Assist with event risk assessments and implementation of crowd management, access control, traffic flow, emergency response, and security deployment strategies. Participate in event planning meetings with Event Management, clients, contractors, and public safety partners as required. Under the direction of the Assistant Manager, execute security staffing deployments and operational resource planning based on event requirements. Support implementation of event-specific Public Safety and Security Plans. Coordinate operational activities with contracted security personnel and third-party service providers during events. Assist with post-event reviews and after-action reporting, documenting incidents, operational issues, and recommendations for improvement. Prepare event-specific cost estimates for security staffing, emergency medical services (EMS), and law enforcement personnel based on event requirements, risk assessments, attendance projections, and operational needs. Coordinate with contracted security vendors, EMS providers, and the Columbus Division of Police to obtain staffing requirements and associated event costs. Submit event public safety cost estimates to the Event Management Department within established timelines to support client billing and event planning processes.
• Public Safety Agency & External Agency Coordination: Under the direction of the Assistant Manager, coordinate law enforcement staffing and special duty details with the Columbus Division of Police and other public safety partners. Coordinate EMS needs with local fire departments or contracted medical providers as directed. Coordinate fire and life safety needs with local fire officials and venue stakeholders. Maintain positive working relationships with law enforcement, fire services, EMS, emergency management agencies, and contracted security providers. Support emergency response operations and incident management activities during planned and unplanned events.
• Department Leadership & Personnel Support: Provide daily supervision and direction to Public Safety Officers, Event Safety Staff, and contracted security personnel. Assist with staff scheduling and deployment to support event and operational requirements. Assist in onboarding, field training, and mentoring new Public Safety employees. Monitor employee performance and compliance with departmental policies, procedures, and customer service standards. Communicate operational concerns, staffing needs, and employee performance issues to the Public Safety Assistant Manager. Assist with maintaining appropriate staffing levels based on event requirements and operational needs. Promote a positive team environment and maintain a proactive professional attitude.
• Administrative, Reporting & Customer Service Responsibilities: Reconcile event staffing invoices and charges from contracted security providers, EMS agencies, and law enforcement partners to ensure accuracy and compliance with approved event estimates. Review and verify actual staffing levels, hours worked, and associated costs for Public Safety-related services following event completion. Prepare and submit event-related Public Safety billing documentation and invoices to the Finance Department for client invoicing and financial processing within established timelines. Maintain accurate records of event estimates, reconciliations, invoices, and supporting documentation in accordance with departmental and organizational procedures. Complete detailed reports on activities, incidents, and operational issues. File written reports on incidents and ensure documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner. Maintain daily logs of activities and operational events. Verify that reports are completed and submitted in accordance with departmental standards. Provide superior customer service and ensure staff demonstrate the same commitment to guest service excellence. Interact with guests in a friendly, courteous, and professional manner, including proactively offering assistance when appropriate. Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive operational and personnel information. Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Public Safety Assistant Manager or Public Safety Manager.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 2 years in Public Safety field, including but not limited to Law Enforcement, Military, Fire, Emergency Medical Service, or Security. Minimum 3 years supervisory/field training supervisor experience in Public Safety field. Minimum 2 years supervisory experience in Convention Center or similar venue.
• Certifications (required upon hire or within 120 days): NIMS ICS 100, NIMS ICS 200, NIMS ICS 700, NIMS ICS 800, NIMS ICS 15, CPR, First Aid, AED (maintain through employment). Security license under the Ohio Department of Public Safety (maintain through employment).
• Skills/Aptitudes: Oral and written communication skills; able to follow instructions; qualify under existing state security guidelines; physical ability to walk, climb steps, stand/walk for up to 8 hours; fluent in English language; able to work with a wide variety of individuals from varying socio-economic backgrounds; attention to detail; conflict resolution skills preferred.
• Knowledge: Public Safety/Security background (Law Enforcement, Military, Fire, or Emergency Medical Service). Event Coordination from a Convention Center or similar venue; Business Management.

Working Conditions

• May be exposed to adverse weather conditions for long periods of time.
• Ability to work flexible hours in addition to normal business hours as needed.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50lbs.
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
• May be exposed to physical confrontations.