Primary Professional Function 

Reporting to the CFO/COO, and working closely with the leadership on both campuses, the Interim Director of Security Operations is responsible for screening, hiring, training, and managing the school’s team of Security Officers, and for promoting collaboration with management and parents. In addition, this person is responsible for scheduling and dispatching the Security personnel to ensure adequate coverage for the school’s regular hours of operations, as well as special events. The Interim Director of Security is a 12-month full-time position, which includes fulfilling shifts in rotation.  This position may involve extended hours, and occasional work during weekends.

Duties/Responsibilities – Security Team Management: 

• Create a monthly Security Schedule. 
• Consult the School calendar, and participate in meetings with the campus leadership, IT, facilities, auxiliary and athletic departments. 
• Disseminate the schedule to all Security Officers and monitor their sign-up process for adequate coverage and determine a process to fill in any last-minute cancellations. 
• Review the emergency procedures in place and recommend updates to the Emergency Operating Plan when necessary. 
• Train all Security Officers in response to various emergencies. 
• Ensure accidents are properly documented.
• Reinforce procedures and the roving schedule in day-to-day operations by scheduling periodic drills and practices. 
• In coordination with campus leadership and Director of facilities, they manage fire and other emergency drills on semi-annual basis on both campuses.
• Hire, train, discipline and dismiss officers. 
• Ensure that Security Officers understand confidentiality and conduct themselves in a professional manner, in compliance with the FXW Employee Handbook.
• Maintain contact with the District Chicago Police Department personnel and any SRO (School Resource Officer) and communicate any emergency matters to the school officials.
• Coordinate payroll issues with the Finance department.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Compliance: 

Although FXW is an Independent Catholic School, all faculty and staff comply with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Protecting God’s Children Requirements. 

• Ensure all newly hired Security Officers fill out the required new hire paperwork and complete the mandatory Archdiocese training.
• Collect filled out CANTS forms on an annual basis (September).
• Must clear Background Check/Fingerprints.
• On a monthly basis, collect and deliver to HR current police ID, IROCC (Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry) Program Card, FOID card for all Security Officers whose cards expired within the past month.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies.

Additional Skills and Experience

• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Capability to prioritize assignments and collaborate with multiple partners across the school.
• Ability to manage a large team and reinforce consistent behavior while on the job. 
• Be professional and service-focus.
• Ability to anticipate needs from parents and teachers. 

Key Relationships 
The Interim Director of Security Operations reports to and will be supervised, evaluated, and mentored by the CFOO. Other key relationships include Principals, Campus Leadership, Head of School, other teachers and administrators, staff, students and parents.

Physical Requirements

Mobility:

• The ability to stand, walk, and potentially climb stairs or crawl for extended periods is often required.

Strength:

• Being able to lift and carry objects, potentially up to 50 pounds, is a common requirement.

Vision:

• Good vision, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception, is important for observing surroundings and monitoring security systems.

Hearing:

• The ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels is crucial for communication and responding to alarms or emergencies.

Dexterity:

• Manual dexterity is needed for tasks like using a computer, handling security equipment, and potentially operating security systems.

Endurance:

• The ability to stand or walk for extended periods, and to react quickly in emergency situations, is often necessary.

Adaptability:

• The role may involve working in various conditions, including potentially being on their feet for hours at a time.

Emergency Response:

• This role requires the individual to be physically capable of responding to emergencies which could involve physical exertion.

Mental Fitness:

• The ability to remain calm and focus on high-pressure situations is also crucial.

Work Environment:

Office-based:

• The Interim Directors of Security Operations may spend a significant amount of time in an office setting managing documentation, attending meetings, and overseeing administrative tasks. 

On-site visits:

• Will need to visit various locations or facilities to assess security needs, ensure compliance, and address any issues. 

Meetings:

• Regular meetings with the security team, other departments (like HR, IT, legal), and external stakeholders are a crucial part of their work. 

Dynamic and Challenging:

• The work environment is often dynamic, requiring adaptability to changing security threats, technologies, and regulatory landscapes. 

Leadership and Management:

• This role will need to oversee security personnel, provide guidance, and foster a culture of security awareness. 

Combination of Roles:

• The Interim Director of Security Operations may be required to have a more hands-on approach related to the duties and responsibilities of this position.

Regular Hours with Occasional Extended Hours:

• While typically working regular business hours, they may need to work longer hours or respond to incidents outside of regular hours.  This position is exempt and does not qualify for overtime pay.

Travel:

• Local travel between campuses and/or attending conferences is required.

Compensation and Benefits

FXW offers a competitive salary and robust benefits program, commensurate with experience and consistent with independent schools.

Expected compensation for this role includes a salary within the range of $45,799.00 -$56,659.00.

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life & Disability
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Long-Term Disability
  • Basic Life & AD&D
  • Voluntary Life & AD&D
• Voluntary Benefits
• Financial Wellness
  • FSA
  • Commuter Benefits
  • 403B Retirement Savings
• Wellbeing & Balance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Mental Health Resources

If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. FXW is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications?  We understand. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply and welcome a chance for us to review your background. We are dedicated to building and maintaining a diversified workforce and considering a broad array of candidates with a variety of skills, workplace experiences, and backgrounds.

Non-Discrimination Policy                                                                                                                                                    

It is The Frances Xavier Warde School’s goal to attract, recruit and retain exceptional faculty and staff that are inspiring, diverse and committed to the school’s mission. We support our teachers and staff by welcoming them into an environment that encourages them to excel and by maintaining a rich benefits package that helps them flourish and grow personally and professionally.

FXW will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to student admissions and employment.

We invite you to become a part of our community, and FXW makes a deliberate effort to employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. No phone calls, please.

Mission Statement

The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an excellent academic, values-oriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The Frances Xavier Warde School provides need-based scholarships to thirty percent of its students.

The Frances Xavier Warde School partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all its students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. The Frances Xavier Warde School uses a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit. 

Qualifications and Requirements  

• Bachelor’s Degree and at least five years of management experience 
• Familiarity with State requirements for law enforcement officers.
• On call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
• Onsite presence while on duty is a must.

About The Frances Warde School

The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an excellent academic, values-oriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The Frances Xavier Warde School provides need-based scholarships to thirty percent of its students. The Frances Xavier Warde School partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all its students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. The Frances Xavier Warde School uses a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, and develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit.

Connections working at The Frances Warde School