Dean, Public Safety Programs

Job Description:

Function of Position:

The Dean of Public Safety Programs serves as the senior academic and administrative leader for Monroe Community College's Public Safety Training Facility (PSTF). This position provides strategic vision, academic oversight, and operational leadership for a multidisciplinary public safety education and workforce training enterprise serving Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Probation, Corrections, and Emergency Communications professionals throughout the region, as well as a positive working relationship with PSTF partners (Monroe County and the City of Rochester).

The Dean is responsible for ensuring academic quality, regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and programmatic innovation across all public safety training programs and facilities. This includes leadership of academic programs aligned with SUNY and MCC standards, oversight of a revenue-generating training facility operating on a profit-and-loss model, supervision of instructional, operational, and administrative staff, and cultivation of strong partnerships with public safety agencies, government entities, and workforce development partners.

The Dean reports directly to the Vice President, Economic & Workforce Development & Career Technical Education, and works closely with the PSTF Operating Practices Council in the exercise of its oversight function of the PSTF. The position serves as the primary institutional representative for public safety training initiatives and contributes to the College's broader workforce development and community engagement strategies.

Examples of Duties & Responsibilities:

Primary Functions:

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for public safety academic programs and training operations at the PSTF.
• Leads academic oversight functions, including curriculum development, program assessment, instructional quality, and alignment with SUNY, MCC, accreditation, and regulatory standards.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive strategic vision for public safety education and workforce training aligned with institutional priorities, regional workforce needs, and evolving public safety standards.
• Oversees planning, budgeting, monitoring, and management of PSTF operations, including responsibility for operating within a revenue-generating, performance-driven enterprise model.
• Ensures programs meet or exceed academic, operational, financial, and partner performance benchmarks.
• Supervises administrative, managerial, instructional, and support personnel. Leads hiring, evaluation, professional development, and organizational planning efforts.
• Cultivates a collaborative, multidisciplinary learning environment that promotes interoperability among law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and emergency communications disciplines.
• Provides leadership in the identification, development, evaluation, and expansion of innovative training programs responsive to emerging trends, technologies, and workforce demands.
• Serves as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the PSTF at the College, regional, and state levels.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with public safety agencies, government partners, workforce development organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, accreditation standards, contractual obligations, and training mandates.

Secondary Functions:

• Contributes as a subject matter expert and instructional leader in areas aligned with background and credentials, including direct instruction when appropriate.
• Supports data-informed decision-making through the use of performance metrics related to enrollment, student success, completion, workforce placement, and financial performance.
• Identifies, pursues, and oversees external funding opportunities, including grants, contracts, and inter-agency agreements.
• Collaborates with College leadership, faculty, and shared governance bodies to advance institutional goals and program excellence.
• Promotes and expands public awareness of PSTF programs and capabilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President, Economic & Workforce Development & Career Technical Education.

MCC Expectations:

• Adheres to the College Code of Conduct.
• Contributes to, supports, and maintains an equitable, inclusive, and collaborative College environment.
• Maintains technological competencies utilized by the College.
• Commits to the philosophy and mission of a comprehensive community college.
• Commits to professional growth. which includes seeking ongoing training in diversity, equity, and inclusion to better serve students.
• Works closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure adequate facility maintenance and improvements occur on a planned basis.
• Responsible for the oversight and management of the 110-acre Rush Firearms Range located in the Town of Rush. Ensures the Rush Range Protocol document is strictly followed to ensure the safety of authorized range users. Responds to concerns raised by nearby residents and town officials.
• Makes personnel hiring decisions in accordance with College hiring protocols.
• Reports financial statements and personnel matters to the Operating Practices Council Finance/Personnel Subcommittee and the Full Board of the Operating Practices Council on a quarterly basis.
• Compiles and completes an annual financial report for presentation to College executive leaders and the Operating Practices Council.
• Collaborates and responds to the needs and concerns of the various governmental agencies that are co-located within the PSTF facility.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Earned master's degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Fire Science, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited higher education institution; Earned bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Fire Science, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited higher education institution, with extensive experience, may be considered equivalent.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible command-level or executive leadership experience within a public safety organization.
• Demonstrated experience in executive-level public safety organizational leadership, budget management, and operational oversight.
• Demonstrated experience supervising personnel and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working with community partners, government agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Experience in adult education, training, or application of adult learning theory.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Computer literacy and proficiency in relevant systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate of the FBI National Academy Program, the U.S. Fire Administration Executive Fire Officer Program, or Executive Level First Responder experience.
• Experience in workforce development, career and technical education, or continuing professional education.
• Experience in Curriculum Development or Instruction in a higher education college or university.
• Completion of Instructor Development School or obtaining New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Master Instructor Certification.
• Completion of Fire Service Instructor I or Fire Service Instructor II Certifications.
• Direct experience operating in a revenue-generating or enterprise-funded environment.
• Familiarity with relevant New York State and/or national public safety training accreditation standards and processes.
• Bilingual and able to read, write, and speak Spanish, or other languages, proficiently.

Additional Information:

Salary: Salary is determined based on experience, internal equity, and college budget. This position has a range of $110,000 to $117,000 and is based on these mentioned factors.

MCC offers a Flexible Work Policy for benefit-eligible employees. Types of flexible work arrangements include flextime/staggered shifts, remote work/telecommuting, and compressed work schedules. The availability of flexible work arrangements varies by division, department, and position, based on business and operational needs. Limitations to flexible work arrangements are outlined in the official policy.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: The physical demands and working conditions described below are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position involves primarily sedentary work, including prolonged periods of computer use and keyboarding. The role requires the ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form. The position may occasionally involve lifting or moving items up to 10 pounds. Work is performed in a typical office environment with no adverse conditions. Occasional travel between campus buildings or to other local or out-of-town locations for meetings or conferences may be required.

Prohibition of Remote Work Outside New York State: Remote work locations outside New York State are not authorized by the College due to out-of-state tax and regulatory implications. In limited circumstances, prompted by business or operational needs, the College may approve requests to work remotely outside of New York State, on a short-term, temporary basis.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants must apply online and create an account by clicking on the APPLY NOW tab below. Returning applicants may login to their Monroe Community College Careers Account to apply for this position. See the FAQ for guidance on using our online system. Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

Applicants MUST submit the following documents* to be considered for this position:

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

*Official transcripts will be required upon employment. Applicants with foreign degrees must submit a completed credential evaluation comparing their foreign academic accomplishments to standards in the U.S.

Please note: As part of the application process, all applicants will be asked to provide the contact information for 3 professional references. References will only be contacted after interviews have occurred and only for applicants who are considered as finalists for the opportunity they applied to.

For executive-level administrative positions, the College may contact additional references that are in addition to those provided by the candidate during the application process. This process is done to gather a more comprehensive view of qualifications, work ethic, and leadership capabilities.