Safety and Security Director

Position Summary

The Safety and Security Director works closely with River Valley Church leadership to establish and implement a comprehensive safety and security philosophy for River Valley. This includes safety and security elements for services and events, key staff, leaders, and buildings, as well as oversight for volunteers on the campus safety and security teams. This position is expected to maintain the strictest level of confidentiality.

The mission of this role is to help create environments that are safe, secure, and welcoming so that people can encounter Jesus without distraction - through proactive planning, servant leadership, volunteer development, and continual improvement of the church's safety and security culture.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Safety and Security Director is required to perform a range of duties including, but not limited to:

Policy and Procedures

• Oversee Safety and Security policies and procedures across all River Valley Church locations.

• Partner with the Infrastructure Director to develop and implement safety and security plans, strategies, training, documentation, and drills as needed.

• Maintain and regularly update the Safety and Security Procedures Handbook to support consistent training, preparedness, and liability requirements.

• Establish clear standards, expectations, and codes of conduct for all security volunteers, and ensure they are consistently implemented across campuses.

Security Leadership

• In partnership with campus leadership, help oversee the culture, training, direction, and overall health of security volunteer teams across all River Valley Church locations.

• Partner with campus staff to recruit, onboard, schedule, develop, and retain security volunteers.

• Meet regularly with Campus Pastoral Staff to assess team health, structure, strategy, training needs, and personnel needs.

• Develop and utilize quarterly campus staff feedback to identify security needs, concerns, and opportunities for improvement.

• Conduct weekend and midweek security team observations to evaluate practices, staffing levels, and overall effectiveness.

• Assess staffing needs, develop event security plans, and assign personnel for large, house-wide events.

• Provide safety and security training for staff and volunteers, as needed.

Volunteer Training

• Develop and lead comprehensive safety and security training programs for volunteers and staff across all locations.

• Design and deliver training covering situational awareness, de-escalation, active threat response, crowd management, fire safety, first aid, and ministry-specific protocols.

• Lead regular emergency response drills, tabletop exercises, and scenario-based training to ensure teams are prepared to respond effectively.

• Maintain accurate training records and ensure required certifications and re-certifications remain current.

• Identify and implement best-in-class external training resources and partnerships to strengthen team competency.

• Lead recurring Campus Security Lead meetings and maintain ongoing communication to share updates, coordinate coverage, and address emerging needs.

Personnel Security

• Build and lead a dedicated volunteer security team to provide personal security for Lead Pastor and guest speakers at weekend services and designated high-profile events.

• Establish and maintain a trained, approved team to provide appropriate coverage based on event size, crowd dynamics, and risk level.

• Develop protocols for personal protection, crowd management, entry and exit logistics, communication, and situational awareness.

• Schedule and assign team members to ensure appropriate coverage at designated events.

• Train team members on personal security principles, communication protocols, and ministry-specific expectations.

• Serve as the lead Safety and Security resource for major special events and other designated events.

Building Security

• Oversee building alarms, security systems, access control, and any other security-related technology across all River Valley Church locations.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for security system vendors, monitoring services, and maintenance providers.

• Ensure security systems are functional, regularly tested, properly maintained, and updated as needed.

• Manage security alerts, incidents, and breaches, including timely response and follow-up.

• Serve as the emergency on-call contact for security-related system alerts and incidents across all locations.

• Administer building access systems, including key fobs, alarm management, and user permissions.

• Partner with various staff to identify and address physical security vulnerabilities.

• Coordinate off-duty law enforcement coverage for large events, including officer scheduling, assignments, communication with local departments, and invoice approval.

• Develop and maintain emergency response plans for scenarios such as shelter-in-place situations, active threats, and other potential security emergencies.

On-Call Situations

• Serve as the on-call Safety and Security lead for emergencies requiring specialized expertise and response.

• Develop, implement, and regularly update a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan (EAP) covering foreseeable emergencies, including active threats, shelter-in-place, fire, medical emergencies, severe weather, evacuation, and missing children.

• Ensure emergency procedures are accessible, clearly communicated, and regularly practiced by relevant staff and volunteers.

• Serve as incident commander during on-site emergencies until command is transferred to first responders.

• Build and maintain relationships with local emergency management, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies across all campuses.

Fire Safety

• Oversee fire safety operations and compliance with local fire codes and regulations across all River Valley Church locations.

• Coordinate and document required fire inspections with local fire officials and internal teams.

• Inspect fire safety signage and ensure it is properly placed, maintained, and updated as needed.

• Manage fire extinguisher inventory, including placement, inspections, servicing, and replacement.

• Train staff and volunteers on fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and proper use of fire suppression equipment.

First Aid

• Establish and maintain first aid procedures and protocols across all campuses and ministry events.

• Train staff and volunteers in first aid, CPR/AED, and emergency medical response procedures.

• Ensure first aid supplies, AEDs, and medical kits are properly stocked, inspected, maintained, and accessible.

• Maintain records of first aid incidents and ensure required reporting and follow-up are completed.

Weekend Metrics and Background Checks

• Oversee background check processes for security volunteers and other designated ministry areas.

• Partner with Kids Ministry leadership to ensure ratios and compliance procedures for Kids Ministry, specifically, are accurately upheld

• Maintain safety and security records, metrics, and compliance reporting.

• Conduct regular safety and security audits to identify gaps and implement improvements.

• Partner with ministry leaders and Human Resources to address background check concerns and policy violations.

Security Budget

• Develop and manage the annual Safety and Security budget.

• Source, evaluate, and negotiate with vendors for security equipment, training, medical supplies, and contracted services.

• Monitor departmental expenses and provide regular budget updates to ministry leadership.

• Identify cost-effective solutions while maintaining safety standards and team effectiveness.

Software & Systems

Primary systems used in this role include Checkr (background checks), building access/keypad and alarm management systems, invoice approval software (e.g., ApprovalMax), Google Suite, church email and calendar, and shared safety & security documentation and training materials.

Qualifications

• Able to prioritize at a high level.

• Strong problem-solving ability.
• Can maintain the strictest level of confidentiality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to relate to individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Basic administrative skills; preference to experience in Google Suite; familiarity with background check platforms, access control systems, and invoice/approval software is a plus.
• Team player who can be flexible, patient, and teachable.
• Certifications in CPR/AED, first aid, de-escalation, or threat assessment are a plus.
• Physical Demands: With portions of this role, the employee may be required to stand or walk around for extended periods of time. Ability to hear sounds of varying frequency and strong visual acuity, both close and far proximity, are required. The position may require occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds with or without assistance. Must also be able to perform the following motions: bending, squatting, turning/twisting, kneeling, climbing, reaching out, reaching up, grasping, wrist turning, and finger manipulation.

Education

An associate's or Bachelor's degree is preferred, with special consideration given to study in Law Enforcement or a related field.

Experience

The successful candidate should have at least 3-5 years of related experience.