Position Summary

The Director of Campus Safety is responsible for leading Cornell College’s efforts to maintain a safe, secure, and welcoming campus environment. This role requires a strong focus on community engagement, student development, and collaboration, alongside ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations related to campus safety. The Director will oversee campus security operations, emergency preparedness, and support risk management strategies while fostering a culture of trust and accessibility among students, faculty, and staff.

Key Responsibilities

Campus Security & Emergency Preparedness

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the campus safety team, ensuring professional and proactive security services.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update campus safety policies and procedures.
• Lead emergency preparedness planning, including crisis response training, drills, and coordination with local law enforcement and emergency responders.
• Ensure, in collaboration with relevant offices, campus compliance with the Clery Act, the College’s sexual misconduct and Title IX policies, and other relevant safety regulations.
• Collaborate with Resident Life and Facilities on campus access control systems; oversee security cameras, and other safety technologies.
• Investigate incidents, coordinate response efforts, and maintain accurate records of security-related activities.

Leadership & Compliance

• Hire, train, and supervise contracted campus safety personnel, fostering a culture of professionalism, responsiveness, and ethical conduct.
• Develop and oversee budgets related to campus safety operations.
• Serve as the primary liaison with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management agencies.
• Stay informed on best practices and emerging trends in campus safety, security, and compliance.

Community Engagement & Student Development

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with students, faculty, and staff, promoting an inclusive and service-oriented approach to campus safety.
• Engage with student organizations, residence life, and student affairs to provide safety education, training, and outreach programs.
• Implement community-based safety initiatives that encourage student involvement and feedback.
• Serve as a visible and approachable presence on campus, attending student events and fostering an open dialogue on safety concerns.

About Cornell College

Cornell College is a selective liberal arts college distinguished by our Ingenuity curriculum that builds on the strengths of our One Course At A Time schedule. This combination encourages the qualities of being thoughtful, original, and inventive, using the strengths of a liberal arts education to apply ideas to solve problems and meet challenges through hands-on experience in learning. Academic immersion, Division III NCAA athletic teams, and unparalleled flexibility attract an ambitious student body from across the U.S. and worldwide. We are located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, an urban fringe community located in the heart of the ICR Iowa region.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Student Affairs, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in campus safety, law enforcement, or security leadership.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to quickly become well-versed in campus safety laws and regulations, including the Clery Act, Title IX, and sexual misconduct policies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across campus departments and with external agencies.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in a higher education or residential campus setting.
• Certification in emergency management (e.g., FEMA ICS training, NIMS certification).

Working Conditions

This is an on-campus position that requires periodic evening and weekend availability. The Director must be prepared to respond to campus emergencies and serve in a rotational on-call capacity. Tasks are performed in an office environment, in campus buildings including residence halls, and outdoors on the campus grounds. Frequent walking and motorized patrol of campus required, occasionally in inclement weather. The position works 100% in person.

Cornell College offers a fantastic benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, HSA & FSA accounts, a TIAA 403(b) retirement account, and tuition remission and exchange for employees and dependents. We also offer life insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance. All full-time staff begin with a 4-week vacation accrual along with 14.5 paid holidays per year. The hiring pay range for the position is $60-$70k.

Application Process

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and list of at least three professional references through Cornell College's online application system.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Cornell complies with Iowa's Smoke-Free Air Act. Cornell utilizes E-Verify and requires satisfactory completion of a background check.