Director of Security

At ScionHealth, we empower our caregivers to do what they do best. We value every voice by caring deeply for every patient and each other. We show courage by running toward the challenge and we lean into new ideas by embracing curiosity and question asking. Together, we create our culture by living our values in our day-to-day interactions with our patients and teammates.

Job Summary

The Director, Public Safety, Security and Emergency Management provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all public safety, security, workplace violence prevention, and emergency management functions for the facility. This role is responsible for ensuring a safe, secure, and supportive environment for patients, visitors, physicians, and staff while maintaining compliance with all regulatory, accreditation, and organizational requirements.  The Director develops and leads programs that promote prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership during emergencies, disasters, and significant security events.

Essential Functions

Public Safety & Security Leadership

• Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive public safety and security programs.
• Oversees daily security operations, including staffing models, post orders, patrols, access control, and incident response.
• Leads workplace violence prevention initiatives, threat assessments, and behavioral risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensures timely reporting, investigation, analysis, and follow-up of security incidents, including workplace violence, theft, elopement, vandalism, and patient or visitor disturbances.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with local law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, and community partners.

Emergency Management

• Serves as the facility Emergency Management Program lead.
• Maintains a compliant Emergency Management Plan, Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA), and all required operational plans.
• Plans, conducts, and evaluates emergency preparedness drills and exercises, including after-action reports and corrective action plans.
• Leads coordination of disaster response, recovery, and continuity of operations activities.
• Serves in a leadership role within the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) during emergencies.

Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation

• Ensures compliance with Joint Commission Environment of Care (EC) and Emergency Management (EM) standards, CMS Conditions of Participation, OSHA, NFPA, and applicable state and local regulations.
• Maintains survey readiness, documentation, and audit processes related to public safety and emergency management.
• Participates in and/or chairs assigned committees, such as Environment of Care, Safety, and Emergency Management.

Technology, Systems & Infrastructure

• Oversees security technologies including video surveillance, access control, panic alarms, visitor management, infant protection, and related systems.
• Collaborates with Facilities and IT to plan system upgrades, maintenance, testing, and expansions.
• Ensures functionality and reliability of all safety and security infrastructure.

Leadership, Training & Culture

• Builds, develops, and leads a high-performing public safety and security team focused on professionalism, service, and empathy.
• Ensures staff training in de-escalation, workplace violence prevention, emergency response, and incident reporting.
• Promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and high reliability through visible leadership and engagement.
• Provides 24/7 leadership availability for significant incidents or emergencies, as required.

Budget & Resource Management

• Develops and manages departmental budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships.
• Conducts staffing analysis, performance evaluations, and resource planning to meet operational and emergency needs.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Strong leadership and decision-making skills, particularly under pressure.
• Expertise in emergency management principles, HICS, and disaster preparedness.
• Advanced knowledge of Joint Commission EC/EM standards and healthcare regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyze data, conduct risk assessments, and drive performance improvement.
• Customer-service orientation with a focus on patient and staff safety.
• Frequent sitting, walking, standing, and computer use.
• Occasional lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 25 pounds.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Public Safety, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Licenses/Certifications

• IAHSS Certified Healthcare Security Supervisor (CHSS) or Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) required or obtained within one year of hire.
• FEMA ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 required.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required.
• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) Preferred
• Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional (CHEP) Preferred
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) or equivalent de-escalation training certification Preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in public safety, healthcare security, emergency management, law enforcement, or related field.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of leadership experience in a hospital or complex healthcare environment preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with incident command, regulatory compliance, emergency operations, and security management.