The Utica City School District announces a vacancy for the position of

DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL SECURITY AND SAFETY

The Utica City School District’s mission is to ensure that all students succeed and are well-rounded, with knowledge, skills, and character to be productive members of society.

The District’s vision is that students can reach their goals and find academic success through a variety of pathways and with different levels of support. 

About the Utica City School District:

The Utica City School District serves a community of approximately 64,500 city residents in an urban and multi- cultural environment with a current enrollment of roughly 9,644 students in its 13 schools __ Proctor High School, Donovan Middle School, JFK Middle School and 10 elementary schools. The District’s greatest asset is its diversity, with more than 50 languages spoken and 16% of students being English language learners. 

Elementary -  The District’s elementary schools integrate a vibrant curriculum across all grade levels and subject areas, aligning with the New York State Learning Standards. The District is also investing in the realignment of math goals, instruction and curriculum to focus on research-based best practices in mathematics that are proven to increase student performance outcomes. In all subject areas, there is an understanding that developing foundational skills will support students in bridging gaps in learning. Students are provided with a well-rounded curriculum focused on fostering academic and social/emotional competencies that will carry them through their academic career.

Middle School -  The focus at the District’s middle schools is to ensure that students are provided with equitable opportunities to successfully transition from elementary to high school. Both middle schools offer opportunities for students to succeed at every learning level, with dedicated classes for English Language Learners and students with disabilities, as well as honors/advanced studies. The Family and Career Sciences and Technology programs have incorporated science, technology, engineering and math topics into each curriculum to help prepare students for the Career and Technical Education opportunities available at the high school.

High School - Proctor High School provides numerous avenues for students to achieve the District’s vision. This is accomplished through supportive and adaptive special education and English language learner programming, a robust honors and Advanced Placement curriculum, and partnerships with post-secondary institutions including Mohawk Valley Community College and Syracuse University’s Project Advance. The District most recently embarked upon a groundbreaking initiative working with community and business partners to create innovative Career and Technical Education programming for its high school students. Proctor’s Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp (NJROTC), music, art and drama programs, along with numerous extracurricular activities and athletics, offer additional avenues to showcase students’ talents and interests and support them throughout their school experience.

Director of School Safety and Security 

Salary: $80,000.00; to commensurate with experience

Contract: Confidential

Civil Service Classification: Competitive

The work involves responsibility for directing, planning, and implementing a comprehensive program to provide for the security and safety of school district property, students, and personnel. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for the creation and implementation of a drug enforcement and drug awareness program throughout the district. The work is performed under the administrative direction of the Superintendent of Schools, with considerable leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in implementing the general policies and objectives of the School District. Administrative supervision is exercised over the work of district personnel. Does related work as required. 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:  

• Oversees, coordinates and directs the planning, development and implementation of a comprehensive program addressing the safety and security needs of the school district;
• Selects personnel and maintains staffing required to meet program needs;
• Develops and administers organizational and administrative procedures  designed to maintain security and  safety activities on an efficient and effective basis;
• Oversees and may conduct the investigation of all incidents and accidents on school property, or involving students or school district personnel;
• Plans and directs a regular program of safety and security inspections of district property;
• Maintains effective working relationships with community groups, organizations, agencies, and news media; 
• Creates and implements drug education and enforcement policies throughout the district;
• Acts as a resource for programs relating to drug and substance abuse;
• Reviews and keeps abreast of Federal, State and local policies, rules and laws which may affect the district;
• Insures compliance with Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations regarding district property facilities; 
• Prepares reports in matters relating to security and safety as needed,
• Establishes and interprets policies and procedures for all security and safety activities, including traffic control;
• Establishes and maintains an inventory control system for all accountable property;
• Recommends security policies to the Superintendent of Schools; and, 
• Prepare an annual budget and submits to the Superintendent with appropriate supporting material. 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of security, law enforcement, safety, and drug abuse prevention;
• Thorough knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing actions on school district property and in school districts in general;
• Good knowledge of scientific methods of crime, detection and criminal identifications; good knowledge of the proper methods and procedures used in making investigations , analyzing, finding, implementing corrective action, good knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of administration and supervision;
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective relationship with administrators, school district personnel, and students;
• Ability to instruct and direct subordinates in security and safety procedures;
• Ability to develop and implement educational programs to promote drug awareness;
• Ability to express oneself clearly and effectively both orally and in writing;
• Ability to be courteous and tactful in enforcing laws or rules;
• Resourcefulness; and,
• Initiative, physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

1. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice or a closely related field, and ten years of experience in a law  enforcement agency, which shall have included supervision  as well as direct involvement in drug detection, awareness and education; or
2. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college with an Associate's Degree in criminal justice or a closely related field and twelve years of experience as defined in (a)above; or
3. Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma and fourteen years of experience as defined in (a) above; or
4. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a), (b), or (c).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

POSSESSION OF A NEW YORK STATE DRIVERS LICENSE.

FINGERPRINTING CLEARANCE THROUGH OSPRA, A DIVISION OF NYS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

 General Information Regarding Civil Service:

• Applicants must be appointed based on eligibility list from Civil Service. If no list exists, applicants are appointed provisionally and must pass the civil service exam when it is administered;
• Fingerprinting Clearance - see additional information on our website under the Department of Human Resources
• Must comply with Civil Service Law; and,
• Must be a resident of the City of Utica unless a residency waiver is obtainable by the District for the position. 

*All interested candidates must apply through our online platform: https://uticaschools.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

The Utica City School District will only accept applications through this site. Please note, you must create an online account in order to apply. If you have questions relating to the application process, please contact Chief Human Resources Officer, Sara Klimek at sklimek@uticaschools.org. *

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer which fully and actively supports equal access for all regardless of Race, Color, Weight, National Origin, Ethnic Group, Religion, Religious Practice, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Gender, Age, Veteran Status or Genetic Information.

About Utica City School District

The Utica City School District is a NYS Public School serving children grades K-12. The District strives for academic excellence while meeting its diverse population's needs. The Utica City School District is home to students from all over the world. We have approximately 43 different languages spoken throughout our thirteen schools. We are composed of 10 elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school that is in the process of expanding a full CTE wing. Employee candidates tend to be drawn to UCSD because of its rich culture, welcoming environment, and geographic proximity to the Adirondacks.

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