Description

Assistant Director: Security Operations 

SALARY: $87,011.92 - $97,196.84

LOCATION: Lynnwood, Washington

DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Director of Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness (SSEP), the Assistant Director of Security Operations serves as a member of the department's executive leadership team and provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and management of the College's comprehensive security program. Primary responsibilities include security operations, patrol services, investigations, physical security systems, access control, security technology, crime prevention, special event planning, and operational readiness.

The Assistant Director supervises assigned personnel, participates in strategic planning, budgeting, policy development, emergency management, and organizational initiatives, and serves as Acting Director when designated. The position participates in the department's executive on-call rotation, provides leadership during emergencies and critical incidents, and works collaboratively with the Assistant Director of Emergency Preparedness, Health & Safety to ensure continuity of operations, cross-functional leadership, and organizational resilience.

This is an exempt position reporting to the Director of SSEP.

Applications received by July 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after this deadline may not be reviewed unless a second round of review is deemed necessary. Position is opened until filled. 

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Leadership

Assist the Director in providing strategic leadership, organizational management, and operational oversight for the Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness Department.
Serve as a member of the department's executive leadership team by helping establish departmental vision, strategic priorities, annual goals, and performance measures.
Participate in executive decision-making involving staffing, budgeting, policy development, technology planning, emergency management, and long-range strategic initiatives.
Serve as Acting Director during planned or unplanned absences and participate in the department's executive on-call rotation.
Provide executive leadership during emergencies, critical incidents, major events, and emergency notification decision-making consistent with College policy and applicable law.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the Director while representing the department on institutional committees and maintaining collaborative relationships with campus and community partners.
Promote professionalism, accountability, ethical leadership, customer service, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the department.

Security Operations Leadership

Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, mentoring, performance management, and professional development for Security Officers and assigned personnel.
Direct the College's security operations, including patrol services, investigations, crime prevention, special event security, emergency response, and operational readiness.
Oversee physical security systems, including electronic access control, video management systems, intrusion detection systems, emergency communications systems, and related security technology.
Evaluate emerging security technologies, operational trends, crime data, staffing models, and performance measures to improve departmental effectiveness and campus safety.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve departmental policies, procedures, operational standards, quality assurance measures, and best practices.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, College policies, and recognized professional standards governing security operations and investigations.
Build collaborative partnerships with law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, emergency management agencies, neighboring colleges, and community stakeholders.
Support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, employee development, performance evaluation, corrective action, recognition, and succession planning.

Department Leadership & Organizational Collaboration

Collaborate closely with the Assistant Director of Emergency Preparedness, Health & Safety to integrate security operations with emergency management, Clery compliance, emergency communications, health and safety, business continuity, and institutional preparedness initiatives.
Participate in emergency planning, emergency exercises, after-action reviews, corrective action planning, and continuous organizational improvement initiatives.
Assist in developing departmental policies, operating procedures, training programs, organizational standards, and performance expectations.
Participate in budget planning, procurement, technology initiatives, grant opportunities, and long-range strategic planning.
Promote collaborative relationships across the College and with external public safety partners to strengthen institutional preparedness and campus safety.

Leadership Continuity & Cross-Functional Support

Develop and maintain a functional understanding of the Assistant Director of Emergency Preparedness, Health & Safety position to ensure continuity of operations during planned and unplanned absences.
Participate in cross-training, succession planning, and shared leadership responsibilities to strengthen organizational resilience and executive readiness.
Support departmental initiatives outside assigned program areas as operational needs require while fostering collaboration, continuity of operations, and mission success.

Professional Responsibilities

Maintain current knowledge of public safety leadership, higher education security, emergency management, applicable laws, emerging technologies, and nationally recognized best practices.
Promote a service-oriented public safety philosophy that balances enforcement, education, prevention, problem-solving, and community engagement.
Maintain required certifications, licenses, and continuing professional education appropriate to the position.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Associate degree from an accredited institution in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Occupational Safety, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of education, military service, professional certifications, specialized training, and progressively responsible professional experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
Experience

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in campus public safety, law enforcement, security management, emergency management, military, fire service, higher education, or a related public safety profession. 
Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience with increasing responsibility for personnel leadership, organizational management, operational planning, employee development, and performance management. 
Demonstrated experience leading complex incidents, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and exercising sound independent judgment during emergency or rapidly evolving situations. 
Experience developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving operational policies, procedures, strategic initiatives, organizational objectives, or continuous improvement efforts. 
Experience preparing executive reports, presentations, policy recommendations, and professional written communications. 
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders while promoting professionalism, accountability, innovation, and organizational excellence. 

Licenses & Certifications

Valid Washington State Driver License or the ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment. 
Completion of FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 700, and 800, or ability to complete within six (6) months of employment. 
Ability to successfully complete a criminal background investigation and maintain eligibility to operate College vehicles. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Occupational Safety, Business Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field. 
Master's degree in a related discipline. 
Experience working within higher education, community colleges, universities, healthcare, municipal government, or another complex public-sector organization. 
Experience supervising employees within a collective bargaining or unionized environment. 
Working knowledge of the Jeanne Clery Act, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), FERPA, Title IX, ADA, and other federal and state laws applicable to higher education. 
Experience administering physical security technologies including electronic access control systems, video management systems, intrusion detection systems, emergency communications systems, and related security technologies. 
Experience participating in Emergency Operations Centers (EOC), Incident Command, emergency management, business continuity, or continuity of operations planning. 
Experience with emergency notification systems, crisis communications, behavioral threat assessment, multidisciplinary threat assessment teams, or emergency communications. 
Experience managing budgets, procurement, contracts, grants, capital improvement projects, or organizational strategic initiatives. 
Relevant professional certifications such as Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Associate Protection Professional (APP), Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Associate Emergency Manager (AEM), Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), OSHA certifications, FEMA Professional Development Series, or comparable professional credentials. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Modern public safety leadership, campus security operations, emergency management, organizational leadership, and higher education administration. 
Physical security technologies including electronic access control systems, video management systems, intrusion detection systems, emergency communications systems, and related security technologies. 
Criminal and administrative investigations, evidence management, crime prevention, behavioral threat assessment, and risk reduction strategies. 
Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), emergency operations, crisis management, and continuity planning. 
Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and higher education requirements affecting campus safety and security. 
Leadership principles including employee development, organizational effectiveness, customer service, performance management, succession planning, and continuous improvement. 

Ability to:

Provide strategic leadership while effectively managing daily operations. 
Exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions during routine operations and emergency situations. 
Develop collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, executive leadership, labor representatives, public safety agencies, community organizations, and external partners. 
Communicate effectively through written reports, executive briefings, presentations, public speaking, and interpersonal communication. 
Analyze operational data and develop evidence-informed recommendations supporting organizational improvement. 
Lead organizational change while promoting accountability, professionalism, innovation, collaboration, and employee engagement. 
Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop employees while fostering leadership development and succession planning. 
Manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional customer service and organizational responsiveness. 
Demonstrate integrity, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when working with confidential or sensitive information. 
Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and student success in all aspects of leadership and decision-making. 

COMPENSATION:   

Salary is $87,011.92 - $97,984.11 and is based on the Edmonds College administrative/exempt salary schedule, plus a full state benefits package, which includes tuition waivers for college classes, medical, dental, retirement options and more. Vacation and leave package includes 12 sick days per year, 11 scheduled holidays, 1 personal holiday, and 24 vacation leave days per year.

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a full-time exempt leadership position. The Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness Department provides services twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week. The Assistant Director is expected to maintain a flexible work schedule based upon operational needs and participate in the department's executive on-call rotation. Evening, weekend, holiday, and emergency response responsibilities are expected.

FLSA Status:

The position is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act requirements.  

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

You must document your citizenship or employment authorization within three days of hire.
Participate in the department's executive on-call rotation. 
Respond to emergencies and critical incidents outside normal business hours as operational needs require. 
Criminal background check.  Prior to a new hire, a background investigation including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Abstract demonstrating a clean driving record.
All new positions are contingent upon funding.
At this time, Edmonds College does not sponsor H1-B Visas.
Complete, sign, and submit Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
All applicants must apply online.  No paper submissions or emailed materials will be accepted.  Your online application must include the following documents in order to be complete:

Responses to supplemental questions (part of the online application and used in the screening process).  Please provide thorough responses. Yes/No or N/A  answers will not be accepted. Questions are located below. 
Current resume. 
Cover Letter addressing your qualifications and interest
Names and contact information for three references.
For veterans’ preference, please scan and attach your DD214, Member-4 Form.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

1. Leadership Philosophy

Describe your leadership philosophy. How do you build trust, establish accountability, develop employees, and foster a collaborative, high-performing team while maintaining professional standards and operational excellence?

2. Critical Incident Leadership

Describe the most significant emergency, critical incident, or organizational challenge you have led. What was your role, how did you approach decision-making, how did you communicate with stakeholders, and what lessons did you apply to improve future operations?

3. Organizational Leadership and Continuous Improvement

Describe a significant organizational improvement, operational change, or strategic initiative you have led. How did you identify the need, gain stakeholder support, implement the change, and measure success?

4. Building Partnerships and Community Engagement

The Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness Department works collaboratively with students, employees, faculty, labor representatives, public safety agencies, and community partners. Describe how you have built productive partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups and how those relationships contributed to organizational success.

5. Technical and Professional Experience

Describe your experience with one or more of the following areas and explain how those experiences have prepared you to serve as Assistant Director of Security Operations at Edmonds College:

Campus public safety or law enforcement 
Emergency management or emergency operations 
Physical security technology (access control, video management systems, intrusion detection systems) 
Jeanne Clery Act compliance 
Emergency notification systems 
Business continuity or continuity of operations planning 
Behavioral threat assessment or multidisciplinary threat assessment teams 
Organizational leadership within higher education or the public sector

Important, if this position is posted on an external website other than www.edmonds.edu/hr or Edmonds College Job Opportunities page, please apply using one of those official links. Applications submitted through external websites will not be received in the College’s application system.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE:
Established in 1967, Edmonds College is a public community and technical college serving south Snohomish County. The college is guided by a mission centered on Teaching, Learning, and Community, with a strong commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement.  It serves about 18,000 students annually, including more than 800 international students from more than 55 countries. The college offers nearly 66 associate degrees and 111 professional certificates in 30 programs of study. Its highest enrolled programs are the Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degrees, Paralegal, Allied Health (pre-nursing degree), Business/Accounting, Construction Management, and Culinary Arts. The college is located in the center of the growing south Snohomish County communities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, and Woodway. For more information, visit www.edmonds.edu. 

EEO/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:
The college provides equal opportunity in education and in employment per state and federal law. The college prohibits discrimination against any person due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (gender), disability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information. For questions about our nondiscrimination policy or gender equality and athletic teams, contact Kathy Smith (Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator/Investigator); Clearview Building, Room 122B; [email protected], 425.640.1814.

JEANNE CLERY STATEMENT:
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998, and as a part of Edmonds College’s commitment to safety and security on campus, the College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, the required statistics, and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Edmonds College’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.edmonds.edu/student-services/campus-safety-and-emergency-preparedness/clery-act/default.html.