About Virginia Tech:
Virginia Tech is a leading public research university with more than 38,000 students and 20,000 employees across multiple locations in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond. The Division of Public Safety plays a critical role in supporting the safety and well-being of the campus community by promoting a safe and secure living, learning, and working environment. The division is comprised of the Virginia Tech Police Department, Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and the student-led Rescue Squad.
About the Division of Public Safety:
The Division of Public Safety at Virginia Tech is dedicated to promoting a safe and secure environment, and supporting the well-being for all community members. The Division is essential in planning for and responding to emergency events, and in creating a culture of preparedness where employees and students are safe in their work and living environments.
Public Safety includes the following areas:
• Emergency Management: Works to instill a culture of preparedness throughout the university by building, improving, and sustaining university resilience, departmental readiness, and individual preparedness.
• Environmental Health and Safety: Promotes a positive, integrated living and working health and safety culture for the university community, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Virginia Tech Police Department: Maintains law and order on campus, working to prevent crime and provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
• Virginia Tech Rescue Squad: A student-run organization that provides emergency medical services to the community, responding to a wide range of medical emergencies.
Position Overview:
Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, the Associate Vice President for Public Safety (AVPPS) is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university’s safety and security functions. The AVPPS will lead the Public Safety division, ensuring the safety and well-being of the campus community through innovative approaches to safety and security, compliance with federal and state laws, and collaboration to support the safety needs of campus instruction, research, and outreach programs.
Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic Leadership: Provide overall strategic direction for public safety programs, ensuring alignment with the university's strategic priorities.
• Operational Oversight: Direct the Public Safety leadership team comprised of the university's Chief of Police, Executive Director of Emergency Management, Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety, and Chief of the student-lead Rescue Squad, ensuring effective coordination of public safety efforts across campus.
• Budget Management: Develop, implement, and manage operational and capital budgets. Formulate long-range financial plans to maximize resources and control costs, ensuring fiscal responsibility across units.
• Staff Development: Build and maintain a high-performing team. Set clear performance standards and expectations, provide feedback, and promote professional growth within the public safety division.
• Community Engagement: Foster strong relationships with university stakeholders, local law enforcement, and community partners to enhance public safety and ensure collaborative responses to safety concerns.
• Policy Development: Collaboratively develop and communicate public safety policies, standards, and protocols to ensure consistency, compliance, and the safety of the campus community.
Application Process:
Virginia Tech invites applications from qualified candidates who are committed to excellence in public safety leadership. To apply, please visit Virginia Tech's employment website and submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.
