"Chief Public Safety Officer"

Washington and Lee University (W&L), a top-ranked private institution in Lexington, Virginia, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its next chief public safety officer. This is an on-site leadership role; the anticipated start date is late spring/early summer 2025.

W&L is the ninth-oldest institution of higher education in America, and its historic campus is home to a vibrant, welcoming university community. With an enrollment of 1,857 undergraduates and 378 law students, the university's small size enables students to find mentors and develop personal relationships across campus. Situated on 325 acres in historic Lexington (population 7,000), W&L is nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, only minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail.

Reporting to the vice president for student affairs and dean of students and serving as a member of the student affairs leadership team, the chief public safety officer (chief) provides vision, leadership, and direction for the public safety department and ensures that the department's practices and objectives are aligned with W&L's mission. The chief facilitates and oversees the integration of the department's services into the broader campus community, actively promoting positive relations with the entire local community. They manage a $1 million budget and lead a department of 23 full-time and approximately 30 part-time unsworn uniformed public safety officers, investigators, administrators, and transportation staff to provide safety and security services to the entire campus community.

The anticipated minimum salary is $130,000. The formal offer will be commensurate with experience.

Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree; a minimum of five years of law enforcement/security experience in a management capacity, including staff supervision and training; and demonstrated knowledge of relevant laws and current issues of public safety and private security functions are required. Experience in a higher education environment is strongly preferred.

Application and Nomination
Washington and Lee University has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with this search. Review of applications will begin on Monday, February 17, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://spelmanjohnson.com/position/chief-public-safety-officer/.

Contact Michel R. Frendian, senior consultant, at mrf@spelmanjohnson.com for confidential inquiries.
Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Visit the Washington and Lee University website at www.wlu.edu