People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Public Safety Lieutenant

  • Title: Public Safety Lieutenant
  • Category: Management
  • Exempt Status: Exempt
  • Grade: L

Nature and Scope of Work

Under the direction of the Public Safety Commander, leads and coordinates the work activities of public safety employees and plans and implements Public Safety operations/programs as assigned. While the responsibilities and activities may include direct “hands on” delivery of public safety services, a significant portion of the daily functions and responsibilities will be accomplished through the scheduling and assignment of tasks and workloads, and the monitoring of staff performance and the quality of service delivery. Participates in weekend on-call rotations. Manages, oversees, advises and coaches Public Safety officers, and prepares annual evaluations. Work may include some routine administrative tasks and functions in direct support of the Department of Public Safety patrol operations including but not limited to: performing planning and research, assisting in the development and implementation of policies and procedures, conducting investigations, making presentations on behalf of the department, training employees, manage and direct the activities of patrol officers, monitoring the quality of service delivery, representing the department at functions and to administrators, and serving as a field operations coordinator for overall department activities within the district. Assigned authority and responsibility will include multiple campuses, or extend throughout the entire college district.

Distinguishing characteristics:

The Public Safety Lieutenant serves as a first line supervisor in carrying out the day-to-day operations for an assigned region of the PCC Community. As a Certified DPSST Supervisor, they carry a professional responsibility and obligation to respond to any situation as it pertains to the safety and wellbeing of the students, staff and public.

Principal Accountabilities (may include some or all of the following)

  1. Supervises employees including prioritizing and developing work plans; evaluating staff performance; monitoring progress on reports and projects; establishing, interpreting and enforcing policies and procedures; providing verbal counseling or reprimands; issuing disciplinary action such as written reprimands; making recommendations on other disciplinary action including reductions in pay through removal from premium pay assignments demotions, suspensions and terminations; providing meaningful input for making hiring and promotion decisions.
  2. Reads and evaluates written reports including determining completeness, accuracy, further investigational needs and if service meets departmental expectations.
  3. Plans and coordinates all public safety services under assigned area of responsibility while maintaining budget accountability. Disseminates information, directs field operations, makes decisions about services, deploys and schedules personnel on assigned campus, or at other locations upon request.
  4. Resolves operational problems. Investigates situations and complaints, defines solutions, meets with public safety staff and other involved parties. Makes decisions on information received.
  5. Serves as liaison with college administration for public safety services and issues. Meets frequently with campus administrators, discusses problems and incidents. Informs them of any public safety issues which affect the safety/security of a campus or other specific location on college property. Becomes aware of concerns and helps resolve, or designs and implements solutions to alleviate concerns and problems. Forwards any unresolved issues to the Public Safety chain of command.
  6. Coordinates work schedules and assignments of officers within assigned area of responsibility. Works with other sergeants and the chain of command to best utilize staff resources to accomplish department goals and objectives.
  7. Maintains officer accountability on assigned college locations. Conducts inspections, assesses training needs and forwards such needs to the chain of command for appropriate action. Recommends appropriate discipline in cases of breach of rule, regulation, policy or procedure. Counsels and meets with officers and other department employees.
  8. Takes appropriate actions in the event of criminal incidents, fire or medical emergencies. Deploys/assigns staff, directs as necessary, reviews reports, provides information to campus community and officers by notifying appropriate persons.
  9. Provides or facilitates community awareness programs, including the preparation and distribution of booklets, flyers, and crime alerts or warnings for the college community. Assists in providing updated training on the latest theory, knowledge, and practice in public safety knowledge areas.
  10. Provides leadership and oversight of various specialty programs undertaken by the department, such as vehicle services, the bike unit, criminal investigations, uniform and equipment distribution, inventory control, body worn cameras, training and the use of covert video cameras in crime suppression and solution.
  11. Performs tasks in direct support of the chain of command. Such duties may include providing assistance in the planning, research, development, and implementation of department policies; training of employees; performing internal investigations, and pre-employment background investigations; assisting in the screening and selection of new employees; making presentations on behalf of the department and representing the department at meetings and functions.
  12. Maintains current knowledge of laws, college and department policies and procedures, and public safety methods and practices.
  13. Supports state and federal compliance mandates for Clery, OAR’s, ORS’s, college policies and department procedures and directives.
  14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

A Public Safety Lieutenant is on call to respond to the needs of the department. Duties may involve over 40 hours of service a week. Occasional weekend on-call duties are expected as part of a rotation. This position is considered to be “essential personnel” and may involve the performance of tasks during all types of weather, and in potentially dangerous situations that may include various hazards that present a threat to health and safety. Training in the use of public safety vehicles and equipment is provided and such training may be utilized in the performance of the duties during emergency situations.

Physical Requirements

The incumbent must maintain good physical condition and be able to respond to any public safety emergency which occurs on college property. In addition to suitable fitness, the incumbent must have an adequate knowledge and practice of defensive tactics, use of force policies, de-escalation techniques, and relevant statutes, that must be utilized when such use of force is necessary to intercede in situations. Such use of force may be employed during, the protection of themselves or others, or when subduing an offender pursuant to a lawful arrest, or when it is necessary to protect the community or an individual from causing harm to their self or others.

Duties will occasionally involve working in adverse or inclement weather conditions; exposure to high noise levels; running; dealing with distraught or difficult individuals; climbing stairs; attending meetings or activities outside normal working hours; occasional response to emergency conditions during off-hours; occasional operation of a motor vehicle on public roads.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate’s degree or equivalent level of college course work is required in criminal justice or related area. Experience performing a similar role (i.e., Public Safety or Law Enforcement supervisor, Probation/Parole leaders, Corrections supervisor, etc.) may substitute for the degree requirement on a year for year basis. A minimum of three years of public safety or law enforcement experience. Must be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training supervisor certification or higher within the first year in the role.

Must be able to pass both a personal and criminal history background investigation. Must have (or attain within 30 days of employment) a valid driver’s license for the operation of motor vehicles in the State of Oregon and possess an acceptable driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

  • Public safety, law enforcement and security methods;
  • National Incident Managements Systems (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) philosophy;
  • Leadership and managerial principles;
  • Crowd control techniques pertaining to a campus environment;
  • Applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, rules and regulations;
  • Conflict mediation principles and practices;
  • Public relations principles;
  • Campus communities and their surrounding communities;
  • Understanding of the student conduct and care processes;
  • Title IX investigations and institutional requirements, along with FERPA and Clery Act compliance.

Skills in:

  • Responding to difficult, stressful or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers;
  • Gaining the confidence and cooperation of local community members;
  • Providing leadership to subordinate staff;
  • Monitoring and evaluating employees;
  • Prioritizing and assigning work;
  • Preparing clear and concise reports;
  • Maintaining accurate and up to date records and appropriate documentation;
  • Communicating effectively through oral and written mediums;
  • Evaluating research to identify potential solutions, resolve problems, or provide information;
  • Utilizing computer technology for communication, data gathering and reporting activities.

Ability to:

  • Work effectively with diverse academic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff and the community;
  • Effectively handle highly stressful or adverse situations;
  • Use sound judgement;
  • Work calmly and accurately to arrive at a satisfactory resolution.