Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the senior safety officer (SSO) leads the school district's efforts to ensure student and staff safety by designing, implementing, and championing the strategic safety plan for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), central office, and depot sites. The SSO is a proven leader with a track record in safety, emergency planning management, proactive, innovative, and comprehensive approaches to systemwide safety and security efforts. The SSO leads and coord... more details
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the senior safety officer (SSO) leads the school district's efforts to ensure student and staff safety by designing, implementing, and championing the strategic safety plan for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), central office, and depot sites. The SSO is a proven leader with a track record in safety, emergency planning management, proactive, innovative, and comprehensive approaches to systemwide safety and security efforts. The SSO leads and coordinates the incident command structure and all emergency management programs associated with preparation for, response to, and recovery from natural, manmade disasters, or emergency situations. Oversees multiple functional units, including school security, workplace safety, risk assessment, and emergency planning. Serves as the primary liaison to local, state, and national public safety agencies, including but not limited to, the Montgomery County Police and Fire Departments, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Center for School Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Department of Homeland Security.
CERTIFICATE LICENSE:
National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Certification in Emergency Management preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
Thorough knowledge of current safety and emergency planning standards and practices. Knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements, as well as the Maryland Safe to Learn Act of 2018 and how they apply to a school district. Demonstrated leadership and ability to analyze data and provide immediate, short-term and long-term solutions. Highly effective with leading and coordinating teams. Possesses strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills to establish, cultivate, and retain relationships and work effectively with others. Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and to develop meaningful reports from them. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with personnel assigned to schools, other departments, public entities, and citizens. Excellent public speaking and project management skills.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in law enforcement, public administration, emergency management/public safety, education, public administration or a related field. Master's degree in emergency management, public administration, educational leadership, criminal justice, public safety, law enforcement, or related field preferred. Minimum of five to eight years of supervisory experience. Three to five years of experience in comprehensive planning for safety and security including physical, infrastructure, emergency management, workplace safety, and disaster preparedness. K-12 school system and student safety and security experience in a K-12 school system and/or college or university is preferred. Extensive experience in training, implementation, and monitoring of various facets of safety preferred, including workplace safety, environmental health, disaster and emergency planning, security and risk assessment and management. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
