Overview

Princeton University is seeking an accomplished, collaborative, and forward-thinking public safety leader to serve as its next assistant vice president for public safety. The expected start date is summer 2021.

Princeton is a world-renowned research university with a vibrant community of scholarship, research, and teaching that seeks to live up to its informal motto, “In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity.” The University has a profound commitment to undergraduate education with a low student-to-faculty ratio and a curriculum that emphasizes learning, creativity, innovation, and collaboration with a program of liberal arts in the humanities, arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Princeton similarly has a strong commitment to graduate education where students become part of a community of scholars to one of the world’s leading universities. Each year, faculty members receive numerous national and international honors recognizing their scholarship and research. The current faculty includes ten Nobel laureates.

Princeton enrolls 5,267 undergraduate and 2,946 graduate students, employs 7,000 benefits-eligible staff members, and has 1,289 faculty members who are world-renowned scholars and teachers inspired by their research and driven to help all students grow as thinkers and world citizens. The campus consists of more than 10 million square feet in over 200 buildings on 600 acres and is located in central New Jersey. Ninety-eight (98) percent of undergraduates and 70 percent of graduate students live in University housing. The Princeton University Library and the Princeton University Art Museum hold extensive, world-renowned collections.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the office of the executive vice president, the assistant vice president for public safety (assistant vice president) will lead and manage a well-regarded department dedicated to protecting the safety and security of a diverse community through a community caretaking approach. The historic campus, its physical and cultural assets, and university events provide living and learning space for the 16,500 students, faculty, staff, and attract more than 860,000 visitors to the campus annually. The assistant vice president oversees a team of professionals who are dedicated to fostering a deep connection with the campus community and positive interactions with all those with whom they come into contact. The Department of Public Safety was awarded Law Enforcement Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in July 2015. The 108-member department includes commissioned (sworn) police officers, non-commissioned (unsworn) security officers, library and art museum security officers, a detective bureau, and the office of the fire marshal. Officers are represented by two separate unions. Commissioned officers derive their legal authority from N.J.S.A. 18A:6-41 et seq. The law enforcement function of the Department of Public Safety is overseen by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.

The assistant vice president will collaborate with and serve as a key advisor to the University’s senior leadership on public safety issues and law enforcement operations, and will work closely with colleagues across the institution. This senior leader will oversee the continuous improvement of the department’s community caretaking approach; educational crime prevention programs; enforcement of university regulations; the coordination of security for special events; security assessments; fire inspections and code enforcement; an emergency dispatch and 24/7 call center; the investigation of and response to certain criminal offenses; collaboration with town, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies; and coordinated response to accidents, medical or fire emergencies, and requests for assistance. The successful candidate will be well versed in the utilization of the latest public safety technology solutions and assist in the design and implementation, where necessary, of new systems and procedures to enhance the safety and security of the University community.

Qualifications

This position is an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative leader with a strong knowledge of higher education public safety and emergency response practices, excellent strategic and operational abilities, outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, and a clear and demonstrated commitment to community caretaking as a core professional value. The successful candidate will possess an appreciation for the complexity of public safety in the context of a residential and dynamic university campus with a significant international population, as well as an unwavering commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in every facet of the department’s activities. A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 12 years of progressive public safety experience are required, preferably in a higher education setting; an advanced degree is preferred.

Princeton is particularly interested in candidates with a strong attraction to the environment of a complex university with strong ties to its immediate surrounding communities, as well as a genuine interest in students and a commitment to be visible and accessible to all constituents. Experience working with a unionized work force and a record of success establishing and maintaining positive labor/management relations, proven ability to motivate a diverse workforce to succeed as a high-functioning team, and the capacity to inspire trust and confidence among staff will be key expectations for the successful candidate.

Application and NominationPrinceton has retained the services of Spelman Johnson, a leading national executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin Monday, April 19, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position please click on the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Nominations for this position may be forwarded to Michel Frendian at mrf@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.

 

 

 

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW.

 

Standard Weekly Hours36.25Eligible for OvertimeNoBenefits EligibleYesEssential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)YesPhysical Capacity Exam RequiredNoValid Driver’s License RequiredNo Experience LevelDirector#LI-JE1