Security Director
Overview:
At Ascend, we seek a security director who can plan, direct, and coordinate activities related to the protection, safeguarding, and security of students, employees, campus visitors, as well as school assets and property. The individual manages and supervises the daily operations of the senior security supervisors and advises, makes recommendations, and assists in the formulation of goals and objectives as they relate to safety, security, and risk management.The security director designs, implements, and monitors security, safety, and risk management policies, procedures, and programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
We look for safety personnel who are excited to embrace a restorative approach to discipline and who believe that family and community partnerships are crucial. We value leaders with a hunger for feedback and professional growth, and a dedication to excellence.Above all, we look for leaders who are passionate and committed to urban education and our ultimate goal of closing the achievement gap in Brooklyn.
About Ascend
Ascend is the largest Brooklyn-based public charter school serving nearly 6,000 K-12 students in 17 schools. We exist to serve every student – to help them embody their inherent excellence by providing rich, joyful learning experiences that unlock a life of boundless choice.
Access to education is a social justice issue. As educators, we center justice and live out our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (DEIA) by ensuring that our students have the skills, tools, and confidence they need to thrive today and in the future.We are proud to have a workforce that mirrors the diversity seen in our students. Working at Ascend provides a community focused on developing an environment of support and belonging. Educators collaborate closely and encourage each other to achieve great outcomes.
Our schools honor, nurture, and challenge the whole child. Ascend fosters critical thinking skills and a love of learning through an inquiry-based learning approach, Responsive Classroom model, and anti-racist education. Students at Ascend benefit from a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum that nurtures natural curiosity about the world and guides them to think critically and independently.
Ascend invests in employees by providing ongoing professional development, coaching, and career pathways in our schools. We are proud to provide a generous benefits package, which includes flexibility in our healthcare plan, and 403(b) matching starting at year one.At Ascend, we care about our workforce’s mental health and offer services covered by insurance and additional time off for our staff to utilize for their personal care.
For more information on Ascend Charter Schools’ model, approach, and core values, please visit our website.
Our school buildings
We believe that our school buildings should reflect the incredible accomplishments that happen within their walls. All Ascend schools are housed in inviting, newly renovated buildings where every detail is chosen to communicate our aspirations for teaching and learning.See where we work.
Responsibilities:
- Coach, develop, and train the senior security supervisors to maintain the safety of students, staff, and the facilities with an emphasis on guest services, building relationships, and fostering a positive school culture.
- Ensure all Ascend campuses maintain compliance with local laws, permitting regulations, and Certificates of Occupancy.
- Establish staff development plans and a robust training program that includes topics such as customer service, workplace safety, best building practices, equipment use, and emergency management.
- Serve as liaison and maintain positive relationships with law enforcement agencies in the community.
- Institute and enforce emergency operating procedures.
- Assist the Assistant Principal of Operations and Security supervisors in follow-up investigations of incidents and recommend appropriate action.
- Assist the Assistant Principal of Operations and Security in coordinating campus events and planning staffing needs. Be present at large-scale events to ensure a safe and secure assembly and departure.
- Partner with the Managing Director to deliver school-wide training on safety, security policies, and procedures at the start of each academic year.
- Conduct and document periodic site surveys of the campus to identify any dangerous or unsafe conditions and follow up with the facilities team to ensure that the condition is corrected.
- Serve as the interim incident commander in emergencies that involve schools in the building
- Be present during or dispatch appropriate personnel in emergencies involving students or staff
- Suggest external professional development opportunities for his/herself and security staff
- Properly deescalate or offer intervention during emergencies involving students
- Ensure all aspects of the safety plan are followed with fidelity during drills
- Manage the security master schedule to include the daily schedule of all assigned security personnel
- Analyze school-wide systems regularly and make suggestions and recommendations when appropriate to increase safety when needed
- Demonstrate and abide by Ascend’s core values and operating principles
Staff and Reporting Relationships
The security director reports directly to the managing director of safety, facilities, real estate, and maintenance.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree
- 5+ years of experience in law enforcement or the security field may serve as a substitute for a bachelor’s degree
- Law enforcement or public safety experience; preferably experience with children
- Valid NYS security guard license
- Well-versed in safety and security management best practices
- Demonstrated ability to lead a successful team
- Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent organizational and leadership skills
- Strong time-management and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work under pressure and tight turnaround time
- Effectively communicate with stakeholders about deliverables and requests
- Ability to self-manage in a highly professional work environment
Diversity at Ascend
Ascend is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students.Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.
Compensation
Initial salary offers for this position range from $90,000-$95,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.