Public Safety Supervisor

About the role

Campus Public Safety

Department Summary

Drake Public Safety Department provides comprehensive safety, security, and emergency response services for the Drake University community. The department is staffed by trained public safety professionals who work 24/7 to protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Services include campus patrol, emergency response, crime prevention, access control, parking enforcement, safety education, special event security, and transportation programs such as Safe Ride. Public Safety works closely with local law enforcement, fire, and emergency management agencies to maintain a safe and welcoming campus environment while supporting the university's educational mission.

Job Summary

The Day Shift Supervisor oversees day-to-day public safety operations during assigned daytime hours, working Saturday through Wednesday and reporting to the Patrol Captain. The position provides direct supervision to two to three Public Safety Officers during the shift, ensuring effective patrol coverage, incident response, and compliance with departmental policies and procedures. The supervisor serves as the on-duty operational leader on the weekend, supports staff development, reviews reports, and promotes a safe and secure environment for the Drake University community.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate's or bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public safety, emergency management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public safety, campus security, law enforcement, or a related field.
• Ability to make sound decisions and effectively manage incidents, emergencies, and day-to-day operational issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience with a public safety, security, or law enforcement organization.
• Experience working in a college or university public safety, campus security, or higher education environment.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff performance.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and incident management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience preparing reports and maintaining accurate records.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and external public safety partners.

Job Duties

• Shift Leadership, Supervision, and Accountability (35%)
• Incident Response and Operational Decision-Making (25%)
• Patrol Operations and Campus Safety Oversight (15%)

Report Review, Documentation, and Administrative Duties

• Customer Service and Community Engagement (5%)
• Training and Staff Development (5%)

Other Duties as assigned (5%)

Special Instructions for Applicants

• For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a resume and cover letter.
• A review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled.
• All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
• Salary is competitive with peer schools and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

Pay and benefits

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our digital benefits guide: Benefits Overview | Drake University.

One of our very popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. You can learn about both the tuition waiver policy and tuition exchange programs here: Benefits Overview | Drake University.

For faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant's references, education, and, if applicable, experience.

Strong Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Community

At Drake University, we don't just accept differences-we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Learn more about why Drake is an exceptional place to work: An Exceptional Working Environment | Drake University