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Director of Office of School Safety

Date Posted: May 21, 2025

Requisition ID: 460197

Location:

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS):

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) leads Indiana's emergency planning and operations, first responder training, and fire and building safety. The Indiana State Fire Marshal leads the Division of Fire and Building Safety (within IDHS), which oversees the enforcement of building codes and includes a fire investigations unit. The agency certifies and trains thousands of first responders and also hosts state-level exercises each year. IDHS also supports the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which leads response and coordination efforts for large-magnitude incidents.

Role Overview:

The Director for the Office of School Safety organizes, trains, and equips direct reports and stakeholders to proactively ensure the physical and mental well-being of all people in the school environment. The Director maintains the operations of the school safety specialist academy training and certification program required through Indiana Code 10-21-1-13. The Director will collaborate with Indiana state agencies, national experts, and their state counterparts to develop curriculum and training for the school safety specialists. The Director will conduct school safety reviews while providing support, logistically and otherwise, to school corporations and school safety specialists throughout Indiana. The Director will review field intel reports providing briefs for the Secretary of Public Safety & IDHS Executive Director, on current events and emerging trends. The Director provides an annual report synthesizing activities and evaluating program efficacy, and develops a continuous one, three, and five-year planning document. The Director will prepare documents, briefs, and/or testimony for the legislators, meetings, and events.

Salary Statement:

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $120,016.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

+ Reviews and evaluates organizational effectiveness, goal determination, and strategic planning, etc., makes recommendations for improvement;

+ Develops and coordinates plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision and expectations of agency or program;

+ Provides guidance to agencies and the public regarding applicable laws and rules;

+ Supervises subordinate personnel including hiring, determining workload, and delegating assignments, training, monitoring, and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary action;

+ Monitors agency or program budget including revenues, expenditures, and budget projections;

+ Communicates with news and other media and responds to media questions or requests in an appropriate public relations manner;

+ Coordinates with other government officials on planning issues (i.e. federal and/or state agency directors, etc.);

+ Coordinates, reviews and evaluates the use of appropriate controls and standards for the agency;

+ Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development;

+ Sets expectations, measures progress, provides ongoing feedback, and evaluates the performance of employees. Ensures work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.

+ Some essential functions of this position may be performed onsite at the agency’s worksite or other assigned worksites while some essential functions of this position may be eligible for work from home authorization in accordance with policy. Remote work authorization is not automatic and is dependent upon operational needs and agency approval.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have either

+ a Master’s Degree and 9+ years of experience, or

+ a Bachelor’s Degree and 11+ years of experience, or

+ an Associate’s Degree and 13+ years of experience, or

+ at least 15+ years of experience applying the below, outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role.

Related certifications and coursework may be considered for education or experience.

+ Thorough knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices;

+ Thorough knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation;

+ Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes;

+ Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with key public and private government and business leaders;

+ Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations;

+ Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations;

+ Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels;

+ Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions. perceives the impact and implications of decisions;

+ Ability to identify problems. determine accuracy and relevance of information. use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations;

+ Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, and manage workflow;

+ Ability to effectively give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.

+ Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

+ Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

+ Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

+ Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

+ Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities

+ Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match

+ Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

+ A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

+ 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers

+ Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

+ Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

+ 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

+ Education Reimbursement Program

+ Group life insurance

+ Referral Bonus program

+ Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

+ Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

+ Free Parking for most positions

+ Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].

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