The George Washington University was created in 1821 through an Act of the Congress, fulfilling George Washington’s vision of an institution in the nation’s capital dedicated to educating and preparing future leaders. Building on the visionary promise of its namesake, George Washington University (GW) is an ambitious, forward looking institution committed to fostering and maintaining a commitment to service, engagement, belonging and respect, and improving the experience of every GW community member. With ten schools and colleges on three campuses, GW’s approximately 12,000 undergraduate and 16,000 graduate students are high achieving, entrepreneurial, and engaged, seeking outlets for their aspirations, passions, and talents. Through GW’s vast network of world-class academic opportunities, access, partnerships and policy-research initiatives, GW puts its knowledge to work for immediate impact.

Reporting to the associate vice president for safety and security, the chief of police (chief) provides leadership and direction for the George Washington Police Department (GWPD), an unarmed police force of more than 100 uniformed personnel, all of whom are Special Police Officers commissioned by, or security officers licensed by, the DC government. GWPD provides security, crime prevention and patrol services by car, Segways®, bicycle, and foot on a daily basis, 24 hours a day. The chief serves as the public face of GWPD internally and externally and provides day-to-day, strategic management and oversight of the University’s security programs. The chief establishes and communicates a departmental vision and provides strong, energetic leadership and direction to GWPD staff in the implementation of that vision. Nurturing a strong sense of teamwork, the chief is expected to attract and retain a workforce that reflects the diversity of the University and the Washington. D.C. area community while creating and maintaining an environment that promotes a workplace climate based on respect and trust, where individuals feel comfortable reporting incidents of discrimination or harassment.

It is a thrilling time to be joining GW and leading this department. This new chief will find an extremely supportive campus as GW has made safety a campus priority. The chief, in conjunction with the associate vice president for safety and security, will work to reorganize the department in order to shape the culture and future of the GWPD.

The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus ten years of relevant professional experience, or a master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus eight years of relevant professional experience. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Candidates must possess a District of Columbia Special Police Commission or have the ability to obtain a DC Commission within 120 days of employment. The new chief will have the ability to work with faculty, staff and professionals in multiple settings and locations; the ability to promote diversity in the workforce; an appreciation for the data that will be required to make meaningful management decisions; demonstrated comfort with loose matrix organizational structures; and recognition that being effective and results-oriented is paramount.

The preferred qualifications include experience serving in a higher education environment and knowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations that affect a multi-faceted institution of higher education. The chief will be expected to have strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collegially with all levels of the organization toward common objectives; the ability to motivate and lead others in the accomplishment of tasks, objectives and missions; will be expected to take the initiative in influencing events and policy decisions; and will have the ability to plan, direct and coordinate program and administrative decisions and to solve problems of a complex and conceptual nature based on evidence at hand.

Review of applications will begin November 19, 2019 and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Heather J. Larabee at hjl@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.

Visit the George Washington University website at www.gwu.edu

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) employer committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory, diverse work environment. The university does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law in any of its programs or activities.