ABOUT LICK-WILMERDING HIGH SCHOOL

Lick-Wilmerding High School is a private school with public purpose, serving 560 students in grades 9-12 in San Francisco. Since its founding in 1895 as a vocational school, Lick-Wilmerding High School has built upon a long tradition of valuing and integrating the liberal arts, sciences, technical arts, visual arts and performing arts to offer a robust college-prep curriculum. LWHS has a rich and distinctive academic program, with thriving departments, vibrant student life, and signature initiatives like the Center for Civic Engagement and the Public Purpose Program. Lick-Wilmerding High School develops the head, heart, and hands of highly motivated students from all walks of life, inspiring them to become lifelong learners who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion. Our Administration, Faculty, and Staff are motivated by this mission, and every member of our community is inspired by and model our core values: Belonging, Excellence, Craft, and Optimism.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Lick-Wilmerding High School is seeking a Director of Safety, Security, Health, and Preparedness to build and lead a comprehensive program. This is a foundational leadership role responsible for shaping how these critical areas are structured, implemented, and sustained across the school. 

The director will transform existing efforts into a coordinated, professional system that supports daily operations, strengthens emergency preparedness, and builds long-term resilience. This role combines program development, operational leadership, and community engagement within a collaborative, mission-driven environment. 

This is an opportunity to shape and lead a critical function at a pivotal moment. The director will play a central role in building a safer, more prepared, and more resilient school community - which directly supports belonging and a high qualhity education. The director will oversee a team of two staff members, with the opportunity to shape the team as the program develops.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The director will:

• Build and lead a comprehensive safety and security program aligned with school priorities
• Oversee daily security operations, including access control, visitor management, and campus procedures
• Manage safety and security personnel, setting expectations and ensuring accountability
• Lead implementation and optimization of security systems (eg, cameras, access control, communications)
• Ensure student health and safety measures are in place, including policies, records, and protocols
• Continually improve and operationalize emergency plans and response protocols
• Coordinate incident response and lead post-incident review and improvement
•  Deliver training and build a culture of shared responsibility for safety across the school so that everyone feels empowered and prepared
• Collaborate with the Director of Facilities to ensure OSHA compliance.
• Partner with leadership to align strategy, policies, and processes with institutional priorities

ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE

This position serves as the central authority for safety and security and reports to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer. The Director works closely with senior leadership, including the Head of School, on strategic priorities and critical incidents. 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

The strongest candidates will bring a combination of leadership, judgment, and the ability to build within a complex environment. 

We are seeking someone who:

• Has a personal passion for keeping students safe and is willing to roll up their sleeves when necessary
• Has a builder mindset and is motivated to create structure and systems
• Demonstrates strong leadership presence and accountability
• Brings high emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust across a school community
• Communicates clearly and can translate complex concepts into practical guidance
• Is adaptable, solutions-oriented, and comfortable operating in evolving environments
• Balances confidence with humility and a commitment to continuous learning
• Willingness to obtain and maintain BSIS certification.

Preferred qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional experience in safety, security, emergency management, operations, or a related field, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or program leadership capacity. Experience in a school, university, community-based, or nonprofit setting is strongly preferred.
• Experience in safety, security, law enforcement, military, or related fields can be valuable, but success in this role depends more on leadership approach, mindset, and cultural fit than on any single background. 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background check, including Live Scan fingerprinting, TB clearance, and employment history verification in accordance with California Senate Bill 848.

This role requires regular movement throughout campus, including stairs and outdoor areas, and the ability to respond quickly to emergencies. The director may be required to work evenings or weekends for school events and must be available for on-call emergency response.

TO APPLY

In addition to your application, please upload the following as two (2) separate PDFs:

1. Cover letter — Please speak to why security in a school setting matters to you and how you think about safety and security in service of education.
2. Resume

About Lick-Wilmerding High School

Mission Statement: A private school with public purpose, Lick-Wilmerding High School develops the head, heart, and hands of highly motivated students from all walks of life, inspiring them to become lifelong learners who contribute to the world with confidence and compassion.

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