CDA-Director of Safety and Security (Program Management II)

Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.

Mission:

The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment. 

Core Values:  Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect  

CDA Wildly Important Goals:

To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on five "wildly important goals:"

• Goal 1: Expanding National and International Market Access

• Goal 2: Developing Agricultural Leaders

• Goal 3: Advancing the Colorado Water Plan

• Goal 4: Implementing the Beaver Strategy

• Goal 5: Providing Education on Animal Mistreatment and Livestock Theft

We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website.

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including aPERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans  (www.copera.org)
• Medical and dental health plans (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/)
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program State of Health
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensation

Equal Opportunity

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi.

Organizational Purpose:

The Colorado State Fair (CSF) is one of nine (9) divisions at the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA). Within CSF is a new Safety and Security unit that exists to centralize, modernize, and elevate the Colorado State Fair’s safety and security efforts to protect all people, animals, and property on the State Fair properties and to incorporate emergency preparedness strategies. In doing this, the unit coordinates with the CDA Office of Emergency Management, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, and local emergency and law enforcement partners. This unit coordinates, prepares, and implements safety and security measures during the 11-day State Fair Event and other public events on the fairgrounds throughout the year. 

The Director of Safety and Security is a full-time position and is responsible for the overall safety and security of the Colorado State Fair. As director, this position's responsibilities include leading and coordinating safety programs within the Colorado State Fair grounds and liaising with local and state emergency and law enforcement agencies, including the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, Pueblo Police, Colorado State Patrol, Pueblo Fire, and AMR Ambulance on larger emergency responses or initiatives connected to the CSF. 
This position collaborates with other public safety professionals and staff to identify and implement safety policies, protocols, and operational improvements to ensure safety is a key part of CSF's culture. This position also works closely with the Emergency Management Team at CDA to conduct annual safety and security assessments and make recommendations to the State Fair General Manager for improvements and implement approved directives. 
This position is responsible for the safety of the fairgrounds, staff, visitors, contractors, and assets. The coordinator develops safety policies and procedures specific to the grounds and communicates safety plans effectively. This position will also supervise temporary staff, contractors, and volunteers at the State Fair Event and lead safety and security training for CSF staff throughout the year. 

This position understands and implements the OIT requirements for digital accessibility as appropriate for the role.

Safety & Security Operational:

This position will lead security planning and operations for CSF. The position is responsible for ensuring vacant positions are filled quickly, staff are well trained and supported, team communication is effective across the unit, personnel matters are effectively resolved, and a positive team culture is maintained. Duties include:  

• Hiring, scheduling, and supervising seasonal/temporary employees, contractors, and volunteers working security (also known as Security Staff). Managing and treating all employees equitably. 
• Executing onboarding plans per CDA’s onboarding guidance for any new employee in the unit, temporary or otherwise, based on job training protocols. Ensure new hires have the tools and training to succeed. 
• Evaluating the budget annually to ensure all required staffing and equipment costs can be fulfilled to ensure the safety and security of staff and customers at the State Fair. 
• Developing and updating CSF procedures related to safety and security. 
• Making ongoing supervisory decisions on safety and security. 
• Conducting safety & security assessments with the CDA Emergency Management team. 
• Collaborating with the CDA Emergency Management team and the General Manager as needed to implement plans and updates identified from assessments. 
• Identifying and addressing threats and vulnerabilities to protect employees, patrons/visitors, and the fairground’s facilities. 
• Reviewing and identifying any gaps, and improvement/contingency plans provided to the State Fair General Manager. 
• Working with team members to ensure that communication and surveillance equipment essential to safe events and operations on the fairgrounds is working properly and is provided to the CSF team. 
• Purchasing safety and security equipment (e.g., radios, surveillance cameras, locks, barricades, reflective clothing, area lights) per the approved budget. 
• Employing modern crime prevention techniques to protect visitors, animals, and property at the State Fairgrounds. 
• Addressing immediate operational problems, making quick decisions on administrative procedures to maintain productivity, and escalating larger strategic decisions to the State Fair Manager. 
• Address poor performance by staff and contractors and address conflict issues promptly and constructively. 
• Responsible for the physical transport, assembly, positioning, and breakdown of heavy security infrastructure, including advanced weapons detection systems and tactical crowd-control barricades. 
• Command and actively assist in emergency scenes, which may require rapidly moving heavy safety barriers, clearing physical obstructions, or deploying emergency response equipment to secure a perimeter. 
• Respond to and manage safety incidents involving loose, distressed, or hostile animals on the property; must be physically capable of handling, corralling, and stalling animals using specialized equipment to ensure public and staff safety.  

Partnerships and Coordination:

This position establishes and maintains close working partnerships with local, regional, and national emergency and law enforcement agencies, representing the Colorado State Fair. Specifically, working year-round with all public safety agencies in Pueblo County to plan for and enhance the safety & security of all events at the Fairgrounds. Duties include: 

• Updating the CSF Emergency Action Guide annually and the Staff Emergency Procedures Guidebook with input from the CDA Office of Emergency Management and community safety partners. 
• Working closely with the Pueblo Fire Department and Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office on Evacuation Plans for the fairgrounds, specific to fire drills, severe weather events, and mass casualty incidents (MCI) that may occur in or near the campus. 
• Providing regular communication to partner agencies to promote collaboration. 
• Responding to inquiries from customers/partners, managing correspondence such as emails and calls, ensuring professional representation of the State Fair in routine interactions. 
• Supporting State Fair programs to determine staffing, safety, and security needs for all events. 
• Scheduling and conducting regular safety training for full-time and seasonal/temporary staff.  

Staff Safety and Security Trainings:

This position develops and facilitates safety & security training for all CSF Staff, including permanent staff, temporary staff, and volunteers. Duties include: 

• Serving as the lead instructor or class coordinator when outside subject-matter experts (trainers) are required. This position will cover topics relevant to security and safety issues encountered by staff. 
• Regularly seek feedback from staff on safety and security issues. 
• Work with the CDA Emergency Management Team, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, and other community partners to develop, plan, and facilitate the annual fair-related table-top or functional disaster table training exercises. 
• Serve as the CDA Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) point of contact for the State Fair and be responsible for carrying out related COOP provisions when activated. 

Other Duties as Assigned:

Other duties as assigned by the State Fair General Manager. A variety of duties and projects may arise as part of an emergency incident or planning for such incidents (e.g., becoming a Colorado Threat Liaison Officer (TLO), or writing Incident Action Plans (IAPs)), so this position will need to be flexible to complete other tasks that may arise depending on workload. 

• The CDA Emergency Management Team is available to support this Director position as needed. 

This position is 100% in office and is not eligible for work from home options.

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Skills-based Hiring:
This position is advertised in alignment with Executive Order 2022-015, Skills-Based Hiring. Recruitment for this position recognizes that skills can be developed through various pathways, including formal education, work experience, volunteering, self-directed learning, and other life experiences, opening doors to individuals from varied backgrounds. Those with relevant experience but without traditional credentials are welcome to apply!

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Salary Range: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

Minimum Requirements:

• Nine (9) years of experience relevant to the position.  
  • Seven (7) years must include experience in law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, or event security experience.
  • Three (3) Experience as an Instructor, Planner or Safety Officer.
    
    

• A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, or event security experience equal to nine (9) years which must include
  • Experience in law enforcement, public safety, emergency management, or event security experience.
  • Three (3) Experience as an Instructor, Planner or Safety Officer 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with agriculture and livestock.
• Experience with the National Incident Management Structure and Incident Command Structure.
• Experience with management of staff, scheduling, and budgeting for special events.
• Certified Protection Professional (CPP) qualified.
• Use years of state service as a preferred qualification.

Conditions of Employment:

• Certified Protection Professional (CPP) qualified or ability to attain an ASIS International Security Certification within the first year of employment.
• Must have and maintain an active Colorado driver's license.  Must be able to pass a motor vehicle background check.
• Must be a resident of the state of Colorado. 
• Be willing to travel for frequent single-day trips to work sites throughout assigned area and be willing to have overnight travel to other areas of Colorado
• Must be willing to work outside of normal business hours
• Will need to work outdoors in adverse conditions such as rain, heat, and snow. 
• This position is 100% in office and is ineligible for work from homed arrangements.
  
  

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.
• Detail oriented.
• Ability to write detail-oriented reports based on analysis.
• Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally with diverse communities in all corners of the state.
• Work well under pressure.
• Strong relationship management skills and excellent representation of the department in community interactions.
• A proven track record for developing and maintaining trusted relationships with stakeholders and industry experts.
• Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.
• Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong decision-making capability.
• Knowledge with supervision and budget as it relates to large events. 
• Knowledge of safety and security standards as it relates to large events. 
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.
• Knowledge of Safety and Security protocols and standards.
• Knowledge of Law Enforcement Code as it relates to agriculture
• Knowledge of Emergency Management as it relates to agriculture.
  

Important Information:

• Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications
• OR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application.  Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to [email protected] by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.
• DD214 (if applicable)
• Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)

Factors that will be assessed: 

• Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement.  Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
• Job Fit – Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position.  Current experience is preferred.

Appeal Rights: 

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director. As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at [email protected] within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action. For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, atspb.colorado.gov/board-rules.