The Chapin School

About The Chapin School:

The Chapin School, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, is a renowned all-girls K-12 independent day school . Our mission is to provide an exceptional educational experience in a supportive and secure environment that encourages leadership, integrity, and respect. As we continue to foster a safe and inclusive community, we seek a dedicated professional to lead our security efforts.

All candidates are encouraged to be familiar with Chapin’s website, mission and commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion.

Position Summary:

The Director of Security is a 12 month position, responsible for the overall safety and security of The Chapin School’s students, professional community, parents, guardians, and visitors. Reporting directly to the Chief Finance and Operations Officer, this position plays a critical role in developing and implementing comprehensive security protocols, emergency preparedness plans, and risk management strategies. The Director will maintain a visible and welcoming presence across the school. The Director will walk the buildings regularly, ensuring comprehensive knowledge of all locations, staying attuned to activities, and becoming a familiar, approachable resource for the school community.   

As a part of a small, collaborative team, the Director will work closely with the Facilities Department and other community members to ensure seamless campus operations and will be required to manage security logistics for evening and weekend events as needed. The Director will be on call and available for emergencies at all times.  The responsibilities of the position require that the Director has the ability to respond to incidents across the school buildings, ensuring swift and effective action when necessary.

Responsibilities of the position:

• Security Leadership: Develop, implement, and communicate security policies, protocols, and emergency procedures to ensure the safety of the school community.

• Crisis Management and Emergency Response:  Serve as the first point of contact for security incidents during school hours as well as off hours, coordinating responses and ensuring clear and prompt communication to senior leadership. 

• Event Security: Expected to plan security staffing and to be onsite during school events including those on evenings and weekends

• Risk Assessment & Management: Conduct regular risk assessments and audits to identify security vulnerabilities and recommend improvements.

• Emergency Preparedness: Lead the design, training, school-wide presentations  and execution of emergency response plans, conducting drills and ensuring the school is ready to respond to various incidents (e.g., lockdowns, fire, and evacuation). 

• Security Team Management: Lead small team of security personnel including, training, supervising, and evaluating staff as needed in order to ensure effectiveness of the team.

• Transportation: Oversee student transportation services.

• Collaboration: Work closely with the Facilities Department and other school leaders to coordinate day-to-day security operations and ensure proper coverage during school hours and events.  

• Community Engagement: Build positive relationships with students, professional community, parents, visitors and neighbors including community groups to resolve safety and security matters related to the school

• Law Enforcement Liaison: Maintain strong working relationships with local law enforcement, emergency services, and other external security resources.

• Security Technology Oversight: Oversee the installation, maintenance, and operation of security systems (CCTV, access control, alarms) to ensure up-to-date and effective security measures.

• Compliance: Ensure that all security policies adhere to relevant local, state, and federal safety regulations.

• Physical Readiness & Presence: Conduct multiple walkthroughs of the building daily to stay informed about ongoing activities, upcoming events, and potential security concerns. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree 

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in security management

• Experience managing security for large events and coordinating team resources for evening and weekend shifts

• Available to be on call and available 24/7 for emergency situations

• Able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, based on the school’s event schedule

• Demonstrated Leadership skills with proven ability to manage and motivate security personnel

• Experience in emergency preparedness, crisis management, and risk mitigation.

• Ability to work independently on school safety initiatives and see them through to fruition

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative and approachable style and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments

• Proficiency with security systems (CCTV, access control, alarms) and up-to-date knowledge of security technologies

• Proficiency with the google suite microsoft suite

• Familiarity with legal and regulatory requirements for school safety and security.

• Must be physically capable of responding quickly to emergencies, walking the 12 story building multiple times per day, climbing stairs, and handling physically demanding situations

• Must also have the ability to lift objects up to 50 pounds and, if necessary, safely restrain individuals to maintain a secure environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an educational setting

• Degree in criminal justice, security management, or a related field. 

• Certifications in security or emergency management

The salary will be commensurate with experience, the range is $135,000-$150,000 annually.