Career Center

Department: Environmental Health & Safety
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

The Campus Safety Ambassador (Safety Ambassador) Manager will develop a phased plan to transition the Community Service Officer (CSO) program to a new transparent, accountable, and resilient Safety Ambassador program by observing, participating in, and evaluating existing programs and assessing the needs of the Northwestern community and stakeholders. The mission of the new Safety Ambassador program, under the direction of the Safety Ambassador Manager, is to improve safety on campus with focus on positive community engagement, trust, well-being, and risk mitigation, in alignment with university policies and community sentiment.

Please note: This position will support Northwestern’s Chicago and Evanston campuses and may periodically require working extended hours, including during the day, evening, weekdays, holidays, and weekends when necessary.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job or that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Most work is performed in a normal University office environment, with some assignments at posts inside facilities and in outdoor environments.
• Perform manual work, or engage in training, that requires some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling objects and climbing elevations.
• Operate a variety of standard office equipment including a personal computer.
• Some exposure to dust, noise, inclement weather, temperature extremes, traffic hazards, unpleasant odors, and potentially hazardous conditions.
• Subject to being on call or called back to work; must be available to respond to emergencies outside of work hours as needed

Specific Responsibilities:

• Utilizes strategies (e.g., gap analysis, process mapping) to develop a phased plan to transform the current CSO program to a new Campus Safety Ambassador program, providing community service and support in such areas as residence hall assignments, foot and vehicle patrols, safety and wellness checks, police assistance, taking reports from community members, fire alarm response, firewatch, distributing literature, traffic control and direction, special event assignments, hazard identification, and campus wayfinding assistance; supports the University’s Department of Safety and Security initiatives by identifying and engaging stakeholders, building relationships, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and leveraging existing resources.
• Oversees the phased transition of the CSO program to the Campus Safety Ambassador program to guarantee program success; ensures Safety Ambassador program adheres to the University goal of building an industry-leading Safety Ambassador program and aligns with all applicable Northwestern policies and programs.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Campus Safety Ambassador program (e.g., schedules, assignments, patrols, training, budget review); continuously assesses and adjusts the program as necessary including soliciting input and feedback from community members and stakeholders to ensure program success; recruits talent to support Safety Ambassador program objectives; manages Safety Ambassador supervisors and staff and provide strong leadership, coaching, and development opportunities for key staff.
• Reviews, manages, and modernizes the existing contract security partnerships to align with new Safety Ambassador program objectives, including identifying opportunities for improved efficiencies and fiscal sense.
• Assists EHS Director in the development of strategic plans to support EHS initiatives.
• Works public assembly events (e.g., football, gradations, ceremonies, and other events) that take place during the week, evenings, nights, or weekends.
• Prepares reports and other documents as required.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5 years related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, proficient in English
• Supervisory experience of professional and technical staff
• Experience with new policy and program development, including training
• Working knowledge of general safety and security principles and practices
• Possession of a valid driver's license in state of residency and ability to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner at all times
• Ability to successfully complete a field training program and written exam to evaluate ability to perform successfully
• Ability to satisfactorily complete a comprehensive psychological exam administered by a licensed psychologist, and a character and criminal background investigation, including but not limited to reference review, fingerprints, and driving records check.
• Ability to pass drug screening

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Exhibits positivity, integrity, and responsibility; possesses an outward mindset of safety and community engagement
• Energy and desire to build a new program from the ground-up; flexibility and creativity to develop solutions that deliver results, and ability to effectively communicate and lead a new initiative
• Ability to liaison with stakeholders (e.g., University Police, local authorities, community members, contract security)
• Strong leadership, project management, problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and plan, coordinate, and lead complex schedules
• Ability to handle and prioritize simultaneous events
• Ability to analyze facts, draw conclusions, make decisions, implement those decisions, and modify those decisions as contingencies arise
• Ability to manage contract security operations
• Ability to manage and work with people of all ages and diverse constituencies; develop and maintain positive working relationships with strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to diplomatically explain and interpret information
• Ability to recruit, onboard, observe, and evaluate staff; ability to verify staff performance to ensure conformance to standards
• Knowledge of proper use and care of equipment, including radios, telephones, computers, and CCTV systems
• Ability to work independently as well as in team environments and have the ability and willingness to maintain or exhibit both a leadership and technical implementation role
• Excellent computer skills (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Zoom) and ability to quickly understand and learn new software applications
• Excellent writing skills and ability to prepare reports and maintain recordkeeping systems
• Ability to operate a university non-emergency vehicle

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited university or college
• 10 years related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Direct experience with a university setting, including residential housing

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Advanced working knowledge of safety and security principles and practices
• Knowledge of project management techniques (e.g., work breakdown structure, Gantt charts, scrum)
• Bilingual (e.g., English, Spanish)

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
  

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About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

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