Chief of Security

Job Summary

The Chief of Security at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University oversees all physical and electronic security operations to provide a safe and secure environment for the Academy's staff, visitors and scientific collections. The Chief recognizes and corrects vulnerabilities of the security program, hires and manages full-time, part-time and contracted staff, and ensures that the security program at the Academy adheres to recommendations of the American Association of Museums as well as the policies of Drexel University. The Chief of Security is a primary contact when incidents or emergencies occur during business and non-business hours. They must be able to make informed decisions to immediately deal with the situation at hand. This position is critical to museum operations and works closely with Academy's facilities, operations and events' teams.

This role is on-site from Wednesday through Sunday. Occasional holiday and evening hours may be required to support operational demands.

The Chief of Security position also involves:

• Being on call 24/7
• Business Phone Provided
• Occasional high noise environment
• Occasional high dust, direct, grease environment
• Occasional exposure to moving machinery
• Climbing ladders/scaffolds
• Required safety training and occasional protective devices

Essential Functions

• Operational Support
  
  
  
  • Manage the day-to-day operation of a team consisting of ANS and contracted, full-time and part-time team members.
  • Act in a position of authority when safety and security concerns and incidents arise.
  • Train full-time, part-time, and contracted staff focusing on the observation and documentation of various types of incidents, development of proficiency in crowd control methods, the handling of emergency situations, and familiarity with alarm systems and emergency response devices.
  • Schedule 24/7 stationery and roving coverage, evaluating and adjusting security coverage as needed for evening events and heavy attendance days.
  
  
  
  
• Security System Administration and Monitoring
  
  
  
  • Setup, configure and monitor evening and morning fire hazard tours via the Silvertracker guard tour system.
  • Administer and monitor the Ccure Access Control system. This includes configuring system devices including card readers, inputs, alarms, motion sensors and outputs.
  • Monitoring Genetec surveillance system on site and remotely.
  • Daily monitoring of the function of Simplex/JCI fire alarm system and arranging service, disabling individual devices or bypassing the system when needed and overseeing annual inspection of fire alarm activation devices.
  
  
  
  
• Building Support
  
  
  
  • Maintain doors including automated doors, gates and their associated hardware, keys and locks.
  • Organize database of keys and their issuance, ensuring an adequate inventory of key blanks.
  • Oversee the annual inspection of portable fire extinguishing devices, maintaining a supply of spare extinguishers.
  • Maintain Automatic Defibrillating Devices including periodic changing of electrodes and batteries.
  • Maintain and handle inventory of a 2-way radio system consisting of more than 70 radios, a repeater and a roof mounted antenna.
  • Serve as a critical member of the broader building operations team, attending facilities and events meetings to ensure need resources and seamless delivery for all events, rentals and programs within the building.
  • Assure the safe management of elevator entrapments.
  
  
  
  
• Training and Support
  
  
  
  • Maintain a team ("Floor Captains") of representatives from all over the building trained to support evacuation and sheltering procedures. The team should meet several times a year for training.
  • Maintain, update and communicate evacuation and business continuity plans for Academy employees.
  • Coordinate staff training in appropriate safety sectors including First Aid, CPR, Run-Hide-Fight, Active Shooter and Shelter in Place, as well as any coordinated training necessary to assure the safety and wellbeing of staff, guests and students.
  • Participate in the Academy's onboarding program, assuring new staff are well acquainted with best practices.
  
  
  
  
• Administrative
  
  
  
  • Collaborating with Senior Director to determine yearly budgetary needs for contracted staffing, equipment and projects.
  • Collaborate with Drexel Public Safety (Police), Philadelphia Police and Philadelphia Fire Department as needed to assure compliance, cooperation and training.
  • Purchase equipment and supplies as needed via the University's procurement system.
  • Compose and regularly review the security daily operations manual, editing it as necessary. Work with University partners to compose and periodically edit the all-encompassing policy manual.
  • Handle mass communication to Academy staff to keep them informed on regular operations, safety and training information.
  • Maintain the ANS Public Safety Intranet Page. This page is designed to communicate up to date procedures and information to all staff.
  • Ensure appropriate and thorough reporting of building injuries and safety issues.
  
  
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  
  
  
  • Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.
  
  
  
  
• At least 7 years of experience in security management, preferably in a museum, research institution, or similar environment.
• At least 5 years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of physical and electronic security systems, including Access Control, CCTV and Fire Safety Systems.
• Proven ability to manage and train security personnel, including full-time, part-time, and contracted staff.
• Excellent crisis management and decision-making skills, with the ability to respond effectively to emergencies.
• Strong organizational skills for scheduling and managing 24/7 security coverage.
• Ability to maintain and troubleshoot security equipment, including automated doors, gates, keys, locks, and 2-way radio systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for composing and updating security manuals, policies, and plans.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking
• Lifting demands 25lbs
• Lifting demands > 50lbs

Location

• Center City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade J. Compensation for this grade ranges from $47,490.00 to $71,230.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

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