Director of Security, Public Health, & Safety
Apply NowCompany: Colonial Williamsburg
Location: Williamsburg, VA 23185
Description:
Who We Are
Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is "that the future may learn from the past" through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.
Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.
Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today's evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.
About the Position
The Director, Public Safety (DPS) guides, coordinates, and provides leadership for Colonial Williamsburg's asset protection and loss control programs and systems. The DPS is accountable for managing and directing the operations of the Public Safety department.
Essential Functions:
1. Manages/supervises, provides day-to-day leadership and development, job assignments and performance evaluation for the Security Team including hire/termination authority, performance appraisals, coaching, counseling and training and development.
2. Develops, implements and directs programs, policies and procedures designed to protect the employees, guests and physical assets of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Hotel Properties. Responsibilities include: (a) developing and overseeing security programs and operations to minimize losses from criminal, accidental, and catastrophic events; (b) providing an emergency communications network; (c) providing trained personnel and contracted services to deter criminal activity, detect potential threats, investigate losses or conditions that could cause losses, and respond to calls from employees and guests for security, safety and emergency medical services; (d) supervising the work of the Assistant Director of Public Safety and the Systems and Communications Manager.
3. Oversees and manages the Foundation's and hotel access and key control programs, ensuring the integrity and security of all facilities. Responsibilities include: (a) developing, implementing, and maintaining access control policies and procedures to regulate employee, guest, and contractor access; (b) managing the issuance, tracking, and recovery of keys, access cards, and electronic credentials; (c) coordinating with department heads to ensure access levels are aligned with operational needs and security requirements; (d) conducting regular audits to identify and resolve potential vulnerabilities; (e) providing training for employees on access protocols and key control procedures; and (f) ensuring compliance with security standards and regulatory requirements related to access control.
4. Working knowledge of electronic systems to include: a) integrated access control; b) hotel lock systems; c) intrusion detection; d) fire detection and suppression; e) video surveillance; and f) life safety systems.
5. Manages the resources assigned to the department. Responsibilities include: (a) continual development of the department's employees in the best interests of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the individual; (b) efficiently and effectively managing the department's budget to meet budget targets; and (c) making continuous improvements in the delivery of departmental services to meet or exceed internal and external customer expectations.
6. Ability to compose clear and concise verbal and written instructions; compose and review operational manuals.
7. Prepares and maintains an emergency preparedness and recovery plan, and trains staff on their roles related to potential threats. Coordinates and participates in mock events with internal divisions, outside institutions, and state, county, and city first responders.
8. Coordinates inspections of buildings and grounds, inspects event venues prior to and during events, and responds to site during urgent matters.
9. Performs other related duties as required.
Supervision to be Exercised:
Direct: Supervises the Assistant Director of Public Safety and the Systems and Communications Manager.
Indirect: Public Safety Master Sergeants, Sergeants, Corporals, Lead Communications Officers, Communications Officers, Officers, and Supervisors, Historic Area, Hospitality, and Museum Security Officers, Communications Officers, Administrative Specialists, and contractors.
Required and Preferred Experience and Education:
Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is "that the future may learn from the past" through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.
Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.
Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today's evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.
About the Position
The Director, Public Safety (DPS) guides, coordinates, and provides leadership for Colonial Williamsburg's asset protection and loss control programs and systems. The DPS is accountable for managing and directing the operations of the Public Safety department.
Essential Functions:
1. Manages/supervises, provides day-to-day leadership and development, job assignments and performance evaluation for the Security Team including hire/termination authority, performance appraisals, coaching, counseling and training and development.
2. Develops, implements and directs programs, policies and procedures designed to protect the employees, guests and physical assets of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Hotel Properties. Responsibilities include: (a) developing and overseeing security programs and operations to minimize losses from criminal, accidental, and catastrophic events; (b) providing an emergency communications network; (c) providing trained personnel and contracted services to deter criminal activity, detect potential threats, investigate losses or conditions that could cause losses, and respond to calls from employees and guests for security, safety and emergency medical services; (d) supervising the work of the Assistant Director of Public Safety and the Systems and Communications Manager.
3. Oversees and manages the Foundation's and hotel access and key control programs, ensuring the integrity and security of all facilities. Responsibilities include: (a) developing, implementing, and maintaining access control policies and procedures to regulate employee, guest, and contractor access; (b) managing the issuance, tracking, and recovery of keys, access cards, and electronic credentials; (c) coordinating with department heads to ensure access levels are aligned with operational needs and security requirements; (d) conducting regular audits to identify and resolve potential vulnerabilities; (e) providing training for employees on access protocols and key control procedures; and (f) ensuring compliance with security standards and regulatory requirements related to access control.
4. Working knowledge of electronic systems to include: a) integrated access control; b) hotel lock systems; c) intrusion detection; d) fire detection and suppression; e) video surveillance; and f) life safety systems.
5. Manages the resources assigned to the department. Responsibilities include: (a) continual development of the department's employees in the best interests of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the individual; (b) efficiently and effectively managing the department's budget to meet budget targets; and (c) making continuous improvements in the delivery of departmental services to meet or exceed internal and external customer expectations.
6. Ability to compose clear and concise verbal and written instructions; compose and review operational manuals.
7. Prepares and maintains an emergency preparedness and recovery plan, and trains staff on their roles related to potential threats. Coordinates and participates in mock events with internal divisions, outside institutions, and state, county, and city first responders.
8. Coordinates inspections of buildings and grounds, inspects event venues prior to and during events, and responds to site during urgent matters.
9. Performs other related duties as required.
Supervision to be Exercised:
Direct: Supervises the Assistant Director of Public Safety and the Systems and Communications Manager.
Indirect: Public Safety Master Sergeants, Sergeants, Corporals, Lead Communications Officers, Communications Officers, Officers, and Supervisors, Historic Area, Hospitality, and Museum Security Officers, Communications Officers, Administrative Specialists, and contractors.
Required and Preferred Experience and Education:
- Bachelor of Science degree in security, administration of justice, or safety and ten (10) years of experience working in the field of security and safety management is required.
- Minimum of ten (10) years direct managerial experience in an office of comparable size required.
Qualifications:
- Must have strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to develop and manage collaborative business relationships both internally and externally are a must.
- Must have demonstrated ability to direct and lead security, safety, and fire protection, must have thorough knowledge of criminal law as it applies to criminal investigations and physical security procedures and techniques;
- Must have demonstrated ability to work with employees, top officials, and guests with firmness, tact, and courtesy;
- Must have demonstrated ability make decisions in crisis situations such as active criminal activity or unrest, and internal interventions, and manage staff effectively;
- Must have demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
- Must have thorough knowledge of the Code of Virginia and the ordinances of the City of Williamsburg;
- Must be able to exercise sound judgment under stress with limited to no supervision;
- Must have excellent public communication skills, including the ability to deal with people in stressful situations;
- Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license;
- Knowledge of basic computer skills, Microsoft Word, Access and Excel.
- This position is designated Essential and has been determined to be critical to the support of the company.
- Must be able to work additional hours in and around set schedule as needed during inclement weather conditions, emergencies situations. CPR, First Responder, AEC Certified, CIPM and CFPS certifications are highly desirable.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), Certified Protection Professional (CPP), or similar related recognition in professional security and fire protection.