Director of Public Safety

ABOUT THE BJCC

For over 50 years, the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) has served as a premier entertainment destination attracting a broad array of events across a diverse collection of venues. Centrally located in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama’s Uptown Entertainment District, the BJCC campus includes Legacy Arena at the BJCC, Protective Stadium, BJCC Concert Hall, over 220,000 square feet of meeting & exhibition space, and City Walk BHAM, a 31-acre public outdoor space with a dog park, pickleball courts, skate park and much more.  For more information visit www.bjcc.org. 

Summary/Objective 
The Director of Public Safety is responsible for the day-to-day administrative and operational activities of the public safety departments for the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC). The position is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all individuals attending an event at the BJCC, Legacy Arena, Protective Stadium, and CityWalk BHM. Leads a public safety team to mitigate and respond to public safety risk requiring a strong knowledge of emergency response and communication, risk assessment, law enforcement, security. As well as venue operational functions such as hiring, supervising, training and 3^rd party subcontract liaison and coordination. 

Develops and directs departmental policy and procedure to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state and federal safety, security standards, laws and regulations that impact Public Safety in venues including ADA and crowd control plans. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities  

Demonstrates understanding and full performance ability in each of the following: 

• Exceptional understanding of organizational mission, policies, procedures and programs to deliver strategic comprehensive safety risk assessment and loss prevention efforts. 
• Directs, monitors and trains staff to provide exceptional emergency response, prevention and results orientated communication. 
• Oversee physical security systems on the site, including camera systems, access control and security. 
• Oversee the management of safety and security-related inventory such as metal detectors, cameras, radios, key, AED and First Aid equipment and supplies. 
• Responsible for identifying and addressing high-risk areas that could cause harm to customers, visitors and employees.
• Conducts risk assessments on all events during the planning stage to develop effective staffing and response plans. 
• Monitors, reports, prevents and mitigates conditions which create public security or safety hazards for the facility on a regular basis.
• Participates in the event planning process including attending pre and post event planning meetings. Review event documents and follow-up to resolve issues. 
• Directs essential event day safety and security functions. Coordinates operations with BJCC and contractors. Directs facility command centers to ensure public safety and security. 
• Manages event day communications with internal and external safety and security personnel. Closely monitors staffing levels to ensure proper levels of personnel for Dispatchers, Police Officers, & First Aid. 
• Builds and maintains good relationships and acts as liaison with the City of Birmingham Police (BPD), Jefferson County Sheriff Department Birmingham Traffic Engineering Department, local fire and rescue, FBI, secret Service and all other law enforcement agencies. 
• Coordinates support for events that will have an impact on traffic flows around the facility. Coordinates and implements traffic plans with BPD accordingly. 
• Responsible for departmental policy and procedures development and execution, evaluation and implementation concerning public safety duties and training programs. 
• Responsible for providing staff training to prevent and respond to public safety emergencies. 

• Develops emergency response plans, evacuation programs, and evacuation training.
• Manages the EMT operation for the BJCC. Ensures EMT’s are properly scheduled for event coverage.   
• Develops and maintains a data base for safety and security incidents cases; works closely with Human Resources department to report all organizational incidents.
• Plan and prepare operational guidelines, operating/capital improvement budgets and bid documents, for the department.
• Negotiates contracts and agreements with suppliers for necessary activities and services as required. 
• Reviews, approves, and reconciles 3^rd party security personnel invoices. 
• Examines, designs, and implements alternative safety risk management and mitigation techniques, strategies, and measures. Monitors the effectiveness of techniques and makes changes as required. 
• Manages the development of new programs, initiatives, and incentives to improve workplace security including actively participating on the BJCC safety committee. 
• Review’s incident reports, evaluating and analyzing reports to ensure policy compliance. 
• Oversee, participate, and develop a disaster recovery planning for the facility. 

• Proficient in incident reporting, incident management software and platforms and computer savvy.
• Produce after action reports and assists the Senior Director with analysis from day-to-day operations and events.
• Independently writes accurate, legible, grammatically correct incident reports.

• Accumulates and analyzes data and develops comprehensive reports related to facility safety and safety communications. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on all security monitoring protocols, including social media.
• Monitor and improve facility loss prevention program for facility assets. 
• Monitor, assess and work to prevent event vulnerabilities.
• Lead emergency storm team, maintain protocols and tasks. 
• Guarantee all codes, laws, ordinances, policies, procedures, public safety precautions, risk management, rules, regulations, and emergency procedures are followed. 
• Seeks innovative methods and technology to improve event safety and security. 
• Performs other duties as required. 

Competencies
 Accountability, Interpersonal Skills, Customer Service, Communication, Active Listening, Conflict Management, Risk Assessment, Project Management, Safety Focus, Strategic Thought, Job Knowledge, Problem Solving, Employee Development, Fiscal Accountability, People Management, Business Alignment, Training and Development.

 Work Environment
 This position may have a moderate to extensive stress level associated with responding to emergency situations, dealing with the public and prioritizing responses. The environment is mainly indoors, however position may be required to work outdoors and exposed to the elements (heat, rain, etc.).  

 Physical Demands

Position requires calm and professional response in a crisis or stressful situation. Must have the ability to hear and communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Duties require extended periods of sitting. Limited amount of physical effort such as walking, standing, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting and kneeling. Ability to lift up to 30lbs with or without assistance, while maintaining good balance. Must be flexible enough to reach above shoulder level and be able to push and pull for brief periods of time.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
 This is a full-time position; hours of work must be flexible and varied to meet the demands of the events of the facility. Must be able to work extended and/or irregular hours including day, nights, weekends and holidays, as needed. 

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years related knowledge, experience and skills in related work, risk management, emergency services, security, law enforcement or military with at least five (5) years in a supervisory capacity preferred. 
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis Criminal Justice or other undergraduate degree such as Public Administration preferred.
• Certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) preferred. 
• Graduation from IAVM’s Academy for Venue Safety and Security (AVSS), Venue Management School (VMS at Oglebay), or Venue Management School Graduate Institute is a plus.
• Valid State of Alabama Driver License.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Knowledge of the Alabama Criminal Codes; City of Birmingham Ordinances; safety and security procedures
• Knowledge of public assembly facility management, security best practices, and contract management. 
• Must possess superb verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly speak and write English.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations governing vehicle traffic movement, parking, control of visitor traffic/crowd management, parking, safety and fire and disaster control procedures. 
• Ability to react calmly, quickly and efficiently in emergency situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, the public, show promoters, other groups using the BJCC facilities and other law enforcement agencies.
• Ability to give clear, accurate and precise directions to subordinate personnel.
• Skills in investigative procedures and report writing. 
• Visual acuity to see and monitor multiple cameras
• Ability to use good judgment, problem solve and think critically in all matters
• Ability to independently initiate, plan, meet deadlines and coordinate multiple projects and programs ranging from routine to more complex.  Makes decisions independently and as a part of the group decision-making process.
• Ability to identify hazards and analyze risk sources to mitigate and respond to potential liabilities. 
• Ability to use a range of current and modern job-related equipment, computer hardware, software applications and best practices.