Job Details

Director of Police & College Safety Services

Position Number: 6907283
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Position Type: Campus Safety and Police

Director of Police & College Safety Services

Cuesta College

Salary: $113,316.00 - $137,736.00 Annually
Job Type: Full Time - 12 Months/ 100% FTE
Job Number: FY2526-00112
Location: San Luis Obispo & North County Campus, CA
Department: Administrative Services
Closing: 4/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description Summary

DEFINITION

Under direction of a senior administrator, plan, develop, direct, and coordinate activities of the Police and College Safety Services Department and perform other related duties as assigned. The Director of Police and College Safety Services serves as the Chief of Police for the District, is the administrator of the District's emergency planning process and related training and oversees parking services for all campus sites.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Director of Police and College Safety Services is distinguished by the requirement to provide a safe environment by also serving as the Chief of Police for the District. This position, through education, safety services, patrol services, and enforcement develops activities centered on safety. The college safety services department also provides the District's Emergency Planning Program and parking services processes.

Incumbents in this position promote institutional effectiveness by ensuring that District locations provide safe and secure learning and working environments for all students, faculty, staff, and the community.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/benefits/index.html

Essential Functions & Qualifications

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Campus Safety and Security

Protect District property and facilities by making inspections on foot, by bicycle, and in a patrol vehicle;
Enforce state and county laws;
Ensure buildings are regularly checked for physical safety and security. Report potential safety problems and/or need for repair;
Inspect and monitor the security of doors, windows and gates;
Address any unusual or suspicious activity;
Report fires or other dangers involving loss or damage;
Prevent entry and respond to presence of unauthorized persons on grounds or in buildings;
Investigate situations and disturbances as needed;
Issue warnings or make arrests as needed;
Document incidents relating to observed violations;
Respond to complaints and hazardous situations including incidents putting students, staff, and the general public at risk or harm.
Conduct investigations of reported injuries and accidents.
Check scheduled meeting rooms to ensure that facilities are being used by authorized persons, and that meeting(s) are under control;
Respond to emergency medical needs; coordinate response for medical emergencies effecting students, staff, and the campus community.
Issue parking and vehicle code citations;
Transport and deposit District funds;
Compose clear and concise written reports and records.
Serve as the District's Clery Officer; complete annual Campus Crime Statistics Report

Program Management

Oversee program development for the District's Emergency Operations Plan;
Facilitate training of faculty and staff in accordance with establish regulations as outlined in the in the District's Emergency Plan and the Annual Security Report;
Develop, oversee, and teach classes to District employees, students, and others regarding Emergency Operations and other topics relevant to current campus safety trends.;
Serve as a Liaison to external entities such as but not limited to Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.), the SLO County Criminal Justice Administrator's Association, the SLO County Office of Emergency Services, or another related agency;
Direct the development, revision, and evaluation of the Public Safety programs to include the Five-Year Master Plan; and the Institutional Program Planning and Review process
Coordinate, develop, maintain, and implement program, District and state policies, rules and regulations related to Police and College Safety Services;
Provide leadership in the preparation of statistical reports, backup documentation and oversee the maintenance of records required by law;
Coordinate annual program review reports to ensure and maintain the quality of the program; and
Responsible for oversight, development, and updates to the District parking services programming, to include educational materials, current law, and enforcement strategies.

Budget Management

Recommend and administer department budget;
Monitor expenditures from the current year's approved budget;
Consult with administration concerning expenditure needs outside the budget and all income-producing activities or projects; and
Develop and present budget reports.

Personnel Management

Select, train, supervise, and evaluate the work performance of classified staff in the department;
Develop and coordinate work schedules to provide maximum coverage for College facilities and activities;
Develop, maintain, and update the District's emergency response plans, procedures, documents, and training;
Supervise the processing of traffic citations and the collection of citation fines; and
Develop, implement and maintain an efficient traffic/parking control work plan and evaluate annually for effectiveness.

Related Management

Develop and maintain appropriate policies and procedures relevant to safety and law enforcement responsibilities;
Develop and coordinate building and general campus signage and maps;
Work with District Safety Coordinator to complete required inspections of campus fire extinguishers;
Maintain and secure the campus lost and found property;
Investigate criminal activity, accidents, and other incidents that occur on campus;
Maintain liaison with law enforcement jurisdiction in the District on matters involving students and in the development of joint programs of crime prevention;
Coordinate college safety services with facility users (special security, door unlocking and locking facility access, traffic control, etc.)
Work in cooperation with Student Services regarding student disciplinary matters;
Serve on District standing committees as assigned;
Assist in handling public and private grievances;
Report and maintain criminal records information as required by State and Federal Law;
Communicate effectively orally and in writing; and
Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

Bachelor's Degree in a related field to the position.

Preferred

Master's Degree in a related field to the position.

Experience:

Required

Six (6) years of experience in law enforcement or public safety work, preferably in a governmental or educational institution, including three (3) years in supervisory or lead capacity.

Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

License and Certificates:

Required

Meet P.O.S.T. minimum employment standards;
Valid driver's license and eligible to obtain California driver's license upon hire;
Valid Red Cross Standard First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (eligible to obtain upon hire).

Preferred

Possess P.O.S.T. Supervisory Certificate;
Eligible to qualify for a P.O.S.T. Management Certificate within three years of employment.

Knowledge of:

Principles and techniques of leadership, management, and training;
Laws, rules, and regulations including laws of arrest, search, seizure, misdemeanors, and felonies;
Appropriate codes;
Law enforcement procedures, safety, and security methods as they relate to public institutions;
Report writing and record keeping techniques;
Knowledge of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("Clery Act").

Ability to:

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and others contacted in the performance of duties; and
Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Physical ability to:

Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;
Communicate intelligible and effectively visa speech, telephone, written correspondence and/or email;
Hear and understand speech at normal levels;
Understand and carry out oral and written directions;
Work at a desk, conference table, or in meetings of various configurations;
Work indoors and/or out-of-doors in varying environmental conditions;
Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
Stoop, lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds;
Sufficient visual acuity to accurately observe and report activities and situations;
Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

Special Requirements (upon offer into position):

Required

Successful completion of medical and psychological evaluations;
Pass an in-depth background investigation.

Additional Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

Cover letter;
Resume;
Reference List (see further instructions below);
Unofficial transcripts;
P.O.S.T. Certification and/or proof of P.O.S.T. minimum employment standards;;

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/community/publicsafety/crime-information/clery-act.html

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Interview Process Information

Selected applicants will be invited to attend an in-person interview on Thursday, May 7, 2026
Second interviews will be held in person on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cuesta

The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.