Head Of Safety

Description

POSITION SUMMARY: The Head of Safety is responsible for the daily oversight, implementation, and enforcement of safety and crisis response protocols across the organization. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of staff, clients, and visitors by maintaining a visible presence, intervening in escalated situations, and supporting the day-to-day operations of a secure and respectful work environment.

Working closely with the Director of Safety, Risk, and Compliance, this individual helps identify and implement appropriate safety measures, oversees the crisis support team, and ensures all employees adhere to company standards aligned with our organizational mission and values.

Daily Safety Oversight

• Implement and monitor safety protocols, procedures, and policies developed in coordination with the Director of Safety, Risk, and Compliance.
• Maintain a consistent and visible presence in program areas to proactively identify and address safety issues.
• Participate in safety walkthroughs and routine checks to ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements.
• Hold routine company wide safety meetings, at times, engaging outside entities.

Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response

• Assist in the development, review and maintenance of Emergency Operations Plans, including active assailants, fire, tornado, earthquake, intruder, bomb threats, evacuation, and lockdown.
• Lead regular drills and exercises, coordinating internal staff with external responders.
• Serve as Incident Command lead during emergencies, using industry standard response protocols

Incident Intervention & Support

• Respond to escalated situations; support de-escalation efforts and manage the environment to prevent further risk.
• Intervene and mediate conflicts or unsafe behaviors between employees when needed, ensuring accountability and professionalism.
• Assist in responding to potential threats or high-risk safety concerns across the organization, coordinating with appropriate leadership or external partners as needed.

Crisis Team & Academy Protection Specialist Management

• Provide leadership and strategic oversight of the Crisis Support Team and Academy Protection Specialists, ensuring consistent, effective, and trauma-informed crisis response across the Academy and broader organization.
• Directly manage and coordinate crisis response efforts involving students, maintaining a calm, supportive presence and ensuring the safety of all individuals involved during high-intensity situations.
• Ensure all aspects of crisis intervention follow state regulations, PCMA guidelines, and organizational best practices, with a strong emphasis on prevention, de-escalation, and the least restrictive interventions.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized safety and crisis support plans in collaboration with the clinical team and Academy leadership.
• Oversee daily operations related to crisis response, including staff coverage, documentation, and follow-up procedures such as Emergency Safety Intervention (ESI) paperwork.
• Coach, train, and mentor staff across all levels on proper use of de-escalation and PCMA-approved intervention techniques, including non-verbal, verbal, and physical strategies, emphasizing safety and dignity.
• Conduct regular crisis team meetings, post-incident debriefings, and data reviews to identify trends, barriers, and training needs; utilize findings to drive continuous improvement and professional development.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and escalation for high-risk behavioral incidents, ensuring effective communication with families, clinicians, school leadership, and external stakeholders as necessary.
• Partner with the Director of Safety, Risk, and Compliance to evaluate performance, identify areas for systems improvement, and promote a proactive, student-centered approach to crisis prevention.
• Supervise and support the Crisis Support Team responsible for assisting with client behavioral incidents and interventions.
• Provide ongoing coaching and training to crisis team members on safe, effective, and trauma-informed de-escalation techniques and physical interventions (as appropriate).
• Schedule, assign, and evaluate the performance of crisis staff to ensure effective coverage and adherence to best practices.

Collaboration & Compliance

• Collaborate with the Director of Safety, Risk, and Compliance to implement, review, and improve safety measures and emergency response practices.
• Support post-incident debriefs, documentation, and safety reviews to identify trends or areas for improvement.
• Hold all employees accountable to organizational safety expectations and behavioral standards, reinforcing a culture of respect, dignity, and professionalism.

Law Enforcement & Community Collaboration

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with area law enforcement and public safety agencies.
• Participate in interagency safety planning and coordination, promoting shared understanding of student needs and response protocols.
• Provide training to law enforcement through Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs to build their capacity in safely and effectively supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs.
• Serve as a liaison during any situations that require law enforcement involvement, ensuring informed and trauma-informed approaches are utilized.
• Serve as a liaison with community members where law enforcement becomes involved with clients or staff.

Professional Development

• Stay current with best practices in safety and crisis through ongoing professional development and training.
• Collaborate with colleagues to share resources, strategies, and ideas for medical support.
• Assist in the development and implementation of annual and refresher training.

Other / Administrative Duties

• Perform other duties and special projects to support various organizational initiatives as assigned.
• Responsible, either directly or indirectly, for filing all expense reports according to company policy.
• Directly or indirectly responsible for completing time reports on or before the defined due date.
• Ensure daily coverage needs for Crisis Support and Academy Protection Specialists are routinely met to ensure staff and client safety.
• Responsible, either directly or indirectly, for the hiring and training of Crisis Support and Academy Protection Specialists.
• Work with company recruiters to attract and hire quality employees for open positions within the Crisis Support and Academy Protection Specialist role.
• Conduct performance reviews and impose disciplinary action up to and including termination of subordinate employees when required.
• Available for major emergency incidents outside of traditional working hours.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

General note: When moving clients or other heavy items, please make sure to ask for assistance if the task you are trying to complete requires more than one person. Please consult with your HR team for a full definition of any terms used below.

Seldom (1-5%): Balancing, crawling, pinching.

Occasionally (6-33%): Reaching, standing, walking, talking. Sedentary to light work: Exerting 10-20 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or consistently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Frequently (34-66%): Climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repetitive motion. Medium to heavy work: Exerting 50-100+ lbs. occasionally and/or in excess of 50 lbs. of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Continuously (67-100%): Hearing and visual acuity required for the position (including close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus). If required by position "driver status", the employee must maintain visual acuity adequate to operate a motor vehicle. Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents, including the ability to speak, hear, and observe students to assess their needs and progress.

Machines, Tool and Equipment:

Seldom (1 -5%): Hardware tools, shower

Occasionally (6-33%): Cooking tools, cleaning tools, and automobile (driver status only).

Frequently (34-66%): Computer, copier, fax, calculator, writing instrument and telephone.

Continuously (67-100%): Frequent use of hands and fingers for handling, reaching, and manipulating objects, tools, or controls. Ability to operate standard classroom equipment such as computers, projectors, and other instructional tools.

WORKING CONDITIONS: This position is performed primarily indoors with occasional operations in outdoor or inclement conditions.

Work is typically performed in a school environment, which may involve exposure to moderate noise levels, potential exposure to bodily fluids, and other conditions associated with working closely with children.

ACCESS TO PHI/CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: The Substitute Special Education Teacher will have access to Protected Health Information (PHI) and confidential information, including financial information, employee relations information, etc.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT: Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment based on their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination based on their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted so as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

ADA STATEMENT: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential job duty. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

ACCOUNTABILITY/IMPACT (Degree of answerability for actions, consequences of errors in judgment, and legal liabilities): Errors in judgment or mistakes could cost the organization loss of revenue, loss of clients, and/or negatively impact KCBHH's reputation.

CORE COMPETENCIES

1. Integrity and Professionalism: Operates with professionalism and integrity in all aspects of role, including interactions with coworkers, clients, and external contacts. Communicates in an open, honest, respectful, and consistent way. Demonstrates humility, sharing recognition and fault equally. Treats all employees as equal contributors.

2. Collaboration and Teamwork: Works cooperatively to achieve common goals by establishing and maintaining productive working relationships, sharing knowledge, and building consensus. Shows willingness to understand, respect, and support alternative perspectives, opinions, and ideas. Willingly contribute to other teams as Subject Matter Experts and shares knowledge with others. Recognizes the contributions of others and gives credit when credit is due.

3. Client/Customer Focus: Establishes and nurtures strong, sustainable, and collaborative relationships with clients, both internal and external. Actively seeks to understand and exceed internal/external client needs. Seeks and uses input and feedback to strengthen internal/external customer relationships and improve outcomes. Engages the internal/external customer as a partner in delivering service.

4. Innovation and Initiative: Voluntarily looks for better ways to get things done and/or generate new ideas; acts on own without waiting for direction. Shows interest in learning new skills and performing new tasks. Sees beyond the "tried and true"; avoids staying a comfort zone. Identifies ways to incorporate new practices into existing framework.

5. Adaptability: Responds positively to changing circumstances by altering behavior to better fit different situations. Willing makes appropriate changes in work methods/processes. Overcomes obstacles to achieve results. Adjusts timelines, results, and expectations appropriate to changing needs.

6. Accountability: Takes responsibility for all work activities and personal actions. Respects confidentiality - appropriately handles confidential information. Meets or exceeds agreed upon expectations; follows through on commitments. Accepts responsibility for positive and negative outcomes of work.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

1. Required company trainings.

2. Trainings deemed necessary by supervisor.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates degree.
• 10+ years of experience in emergency services, security, crisis intervention, or behavioral health settings.
• Prior experience supervising teams and working directly with individuals exhibiting escalated or high-risk behavior.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to act decisively, remain calm under pressure, and model professional behavior.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong commitment to confidentiality, professional integrity, ethical practice, and person-centered care.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office (i.e. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize work.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates taking initiative, anticipating needs, and exercising independent/sound judgment.
• Crisis response and behavioral intervention
• Professionalism and accountability
• Strong presence and floor leadership
• Collaborative problem-solving

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Behavioral Health, or related field.
• Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)
• 15+ years of experience in emergency services, security, crisis intervention, or behavioral health settings.
• Active certification as an emergency medical provider and CPR/AED.
• Certification in ALICE, Run, Hide Fight or similar active response training.
• Experience or certification as a School Resource Officer (SRO).
• Training in de-escalation, NIMs, PCM, CPI, PMAB, TCI, or other crisis intervention frameworks.
• Experience testifying as a witness in various court settings.
• Experience writing technical reports referencing and interpreting state statutes and/or administrative regulation.
• Competent in threat assessments.